W. B. Bartlett, Hlobane and Khambula…

I recently purchased a copy of W. B. Bartlett’s Hlobane and Khambula The Forgotten Epic of How the Anglo-Zulu War Was Lost and Won.

As many of the Forum will know I collect illustrations and photographs relating to the Zulu War of 1879.  So what could I expect to find on the two major actions of Wood’s No. 4 Column with regard to illustrations.  Well to put it bluntly, almost nothing at all.

There is an engraving taken from The Illustrated London News listed as illustration 1, the text accompanying the illustration correctly identifies the subject as Lieutenant George Williams of the Frontier Light Horse, who perished at Hlobane.  What is curious is that in the text of the work on page 126, the author states that Lieutenant George Williams was an officer in the Natal Native Contingent.  A statement that really jarred with me as the Natal Native Contingent did not serve in No. 4 Column, the African levies in No. 4 Column were named Wood’s Irregulars.

There is a statement that regarding Lieutenant C. C. Williams, of the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment, that follows the remark regarding George Williams it is equally confusing, frankly I think the author has confused the two officers.

Contained within the glossy pages of illustrations, and in my opinion, totally out of context with the subject of the work there are four engravings and a modern photograph relating to the death of the Prince Imperial.  If those illustrations are out of place, I could not fathom why a modern photograph of what is described as The grave of Lieutenant Colonel Northey at Gingindlovu. had been included.  I have stood beside the grave of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Vernon Northey, and Epsom is a long way from Gingindlovu.  What I could not comprehend was why it included when the photograph is the only obvious mention of Northey?

There is the well-known of engraving of No. 2 Squadron, Mounted Infantry, in action at Gingindlovu listed as No. 14 in the list of illustrations, but the descriptive text states it to be British cavalry in combat with Zulu infantry at Khambula.  The two illustrations that precede that erroneously described engraving depict the Battle of Ulundi, are totally out of sequence.  The engravings and photographs are a jumble.  Moorosi’s Mountain appears with the odd caption, The rugged landscape of Basutoland from which many tough auxiliaries supporting the British came. Personally, I doubt that many of Moorosi’s Baphuthi were allied to the British cause in 1879.

Illustration-wise I found nothing new in this publication, suffice to say the sequence of illustrations is confusing at the very least.

These are just my thoughts on the matter.

JY

Morning John
Regarding your reference to George Williams in the book, does the author mention Alan Gardner at all?
(George being killed whilst chatting to Alan on the way up Hlobane)

Kate,

Yes he does.

Can I put this tactfully, I don’t think this work will add to your knowledge of Gardner’s involvement with No. 4 Column.

As soon as the place is back in order, why not come down and borrow the book. That way you can form your own opinion.

JY

That would be smashing, thanks John, I look forward to it.

John
I too looked at this book and noted the errors - there are many more you do not include in your review above. I can't recommend it.

Julian,

At the present time I have only concentrated on the illustrated content, so much of which is totally irrelevant to subject of the book.

When my research facilities are finally restored I will consider reviewing the actual text, however, with the current demands on my time that will be in the distant future.

JY

Kate
I wouldn't look forward to it TOO much!

I was thinking more of John's biscuits

Julian,

I think Kate is actually referring to my Orange Pekoe loose leaf tea and biscuits.  Unless she’s bringing the cakes…

As you can see from Kate’s reply I am proved right.

JY

I'm an Assam man myself.

I was hoping for a more balanced view of JC Russell. Referring to him as a “panicked British Officer” on page 153 seems a bit harsh and doesn’t address any possibility of Wood trying to shift Blame for the loss at Hlobane.
Just my opinion,
Lee

That does seem a bit unfair Lee.
I have a bit of a soft spot for Russell, and think he was unfairly treated after the 22nd but that is perhaps the subject of another thread.

I agree. Russell has always seemed to me to have had a raw deal out of his situation.