Captain Stevenson at Rorke's Drift

Subject: Captain Stevenson at Rorke's Drift Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:45 pm

This man is often described as commanding "spare Natal Kaffirs" at Rorke's Drift. I think this terminology and the suggestion simply does not carry any weight, especially since Durnford's NNC was under strength. I'm wondering whether in fact he was the levy-leader of a group of Border Guards in a Defensive District Command (VII?), perhaps even the Colonial District Commander, a bit like Captain Lucas in the Lower Tugela Defensive District No. VI or the Mr. Dickson who accompanied Major Spalding on the 22nd.
If so, I can't find his appointment.
Does anyone else have an opinion?

Subject: Re: Captain Stevenson at Rorke's Drift Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:01 pm

Julian,

Appears in Local General Order No. 213, dated 3rd December 1878 in the officers of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment N.N.C. as Captain W. Stephenson [sic].

Then again in Local General Order No. 37, dated 19th February 1879.
Item 6. The services of Captain Stevenson, 2-3rd Natal Native Contingent, are dispensed with, being no longer required.

Source: Local General Orders relating to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 Keith I. Smith, published Doncaster, 2005.

JY

Subject: Re: Captain Stevenson at Rorke's Drift Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:57 pm

Thank you John. That clears that one up. Seeing it in print, jogged my memory - I think I already had that somewhere in my voluminous notes. There's nothing like duplicating the work!
I also seem to have noted that Stevenson was the correct spelling.

Subject: Re: Captain Stevenson at Rorke's Drift Sun Aug 06, 2023 9:39 pm

John
This requires me to re-phrase the question. Suppose that Stevenson's coy were not "spare Natal Kaffirs" but actually an organized unit of 2/3rd NNC.
There were 3 coys at Isandhlwana - Erskine (4), Barry (5) and Murray (1). What if there were 6 coys and not 7, as generally believed, sent out on the Mangeni Reconnaissance; that would mean Stevenson's coy was deliberately left behind at RD to help protect it, provide labour, etc., etc.
When one looks at the officers on the Mangeni there were just 6 Captains, not 7: Capts. R. P. B. Davies, E. L. St. John Greaves, W. Gubbins, A. F. Mackintosh, A. Nelson, W. H. Underhill.
Is it possible, do you think, that Stevenson's coy has been 'downgraded' accidentally on purpose, because of its cowardly behaviour, to diminish its standing and lessen its importance?
I may be barking up completely the wrong tree and of course I have to check this idea with the sources to see whether it was specifically stated that 8 coys from each bn. should go on Reconnaissance. It's a thought though.

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