THE ZULU WAR. THE BATTLE OF ULUNDI. MUTILATION OF OUR SOLDIERS BY THE ZULUS. STEADINESS OF THE TROOPS. INTENDED RESIGNATION OF LORD CHELMSFORD.

"The Daily News publishes the following; date Landsman's Drift, July 5th The combat at Ulundi. Was singularly unvaried by striking incident. There was a big hollow square and men in red coats on the back, rifles in hand. For half an hour this square stood doggedly pouring the sleet of death from every face. Outside this square, mostly at respectful distance, surged a furious throng of savages, brandishing shields and assegais, and firing heavily but fitfully from their; jagged front. Presently these black men wavered; then bolted, sent in flight by the steady administration of canister. The square, still grimly firm, gave one ringing cheer that was heard in the laager behind; the bayonets warred in the air for a moment; then the business recommenced. The infantry betook themselves for a few minutes to long shots. A centrifugal whirlwind of horsemen sped from the square as the lightning bursts from the thundercloud, and dashed hot and fierce after the flying foe. Before the cavalry had concluded their innings the infantry were placidly lunching, and the corks were popping off long hoarded champagne bottles. Inside the square a few dead Britons lay, who had spent their lives for their Queen and country. The green sward outside was littered thick with dead Zulus, who, not less than our dead, have fallen for their Sovereign. There is nothing more to tell, save of the general fire and smoke that seethed in the bosom of the beautiful valley as we marched from it I have no maneuvering, no elaborate tactics to recount. The affair was simply a struggle, reduced to the first principles of ding-dong fighting, with the natural advantage to the Zulus in numbers to us in the character of the armament. The only maneuvering done was by Buller's men's whose horse-work was superb, clearing the front, masking the division while in the rows of formation in square, stinging the enemy into opportune reprisals, and finally chasing the fugitives many miles. Buller's men had the score of Zlobane to settle with the Zulus, and vengeful fury raged in their hearts, because of a spectacle which met their gaze yesterday. In the long grass they had found three comrades who had fallen in a reconnaissance the previous day—mangled with fiendish ingenuity; scalped their noses and right hands cut off their hearts torn out, and other nameless mutilations. Strange to say, the battle was fought on semi-sacred ground, the soil of a mission-station! The ruins of a Norwegian mission and house were a few paces off. They were pulled down to open the range, but before this was done these dead men were brought into the precincts, a grave was dug, and the chaplain, hastily donning his surplice, read the burial service, to which the shell fire gave stern responses, while the bullets whizzed round the mourners. I never wish to sec soldiers steadier. Constant laagering had been threatening demoralization. Apprehension was un- questionably felt lest the sudden confront of the men with the fierce Zulu rush should shake their nerves; but the British soldier was true to his manly traditions when he found himself in the open, and saw the enemy face to face in the daylight. Lads of new regiments, who had never seen a shot fired in anger, were as cool as the seasoned veterans of the 13th and 80th. Lord Chelmsford soldierly coolness and. decision clear-headedness in action go far to redeem the passiveness and peevish vacillation which are his characteristics when no battle is raging. One might wish him a military Rip Van Winkle, only wakening to direct a battle. Evelyn Wood's face was radiant with the rapture of the fray as he rode up and down behind his regiment, exposed to a storm of missiles. All the officers of the head-quarters staff and Newdigate's staff were unscathed, save Lieut. Milne, of the 1st, who was slightly wounded, and Captain Cotton, of the 2nd, whose temple was grazed by a bullet. Owing to the conformation of the ground, the dressing place in the center of the square was peculiarly exposed. The surgeons worked under a heavy double cross fire with coolness and skill. The Lancers had their good day at last, and lost several horses. Colonel Lowe was knocked temporarily senseless by a shot in the back and fell from his horse, but regained consciousness, recovered, and led his regiment in the charge. Lieutenant Jenkins had his lower jaw broken. It was bandaged, and he could not be restrained from accompanying his regiment in the charge. The Zulus squatted thick in the long grass, and fired venomously. The Lancers spotted them in a manner reminding one of pig-sticking. Indeed, Keevil Davis killed six ipsoinaim. Young James, of the Scots Greys, was blazed at point blank by two men. The two turned on him. They missed. He ran the right-hand man through. The man on the left dropped his musket and inflicted an assegai wound on James's bosom. The latter, extricating his sword, brought it round to the left with a swift swing and all but severed his antagonist's head. The Dragoons were represented by Brewster, Provost Marshal, who took out a little detachment and had a good time. Ulundi contained many large, hand- some kraals of the chief men, enclosed in thick flanked stockades. Cetewayo's place was a thatched European house. There was no plunder. The flames were too swift. As the division marched back into laager Wood's bands played and the bagpipes of the 21st screeched lustily. To-day Lord Chelmsford meant to march back on the Uvula standing camp, retiring on Kwamaguasa, in order to effect a junction with Crealock's. Division Lord Chelmsford's parting words to me were "So far as I am concerned the war is over." I believe he contemplates an immediate resignation, in the opportunity of which he is happy. The grass is so burnt and dry that I regard the campaign as concluded for the season. I have ridden from Ulundi to the frontier here, about 110 miles, in fourteen hours, riding along all night. Twice I lost my way in the fog."

Source:Merthyr Telegraph, and General Advertiser For the Iron Districts of South Wales. 1st August 1879

The so called 'Ride of Death' by Melton Prior. Much ridiculed by his peers.

Cheers

Reporters, they say anything, that sells a story. It's their bread & butter!! They tell all but the truth?

SAS
We have a president that does the same, funny really he lives in the same area, Nkandla.

Cheers