The Battle of Oscarsburg

Subject: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:46 pm

Was the Battle of Rorkes Drift named after the nearest reference on a map?
Rorkes Drift, the river crossing was named after James Rorke, as we know. However, I have read that the building where Missionary Witt lived and where the battle took place was called Oscarsburg Missionary Station. In light of this you would think the battle would have been named "The Battle of or Defence of Oscarsburg", or was Oscarsburg an area of the Mission? Just a thought.

Subject: Re: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:50 pm

I am aware that James Rorke lived and was buried there, but it was taken over by the mission and seems to have been named Oscarsburg.

Subject: Re: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sat Oct 21, 2023 10:05 pm

Jim Rorke was the original trader at the store - one building was his house and one his store.

Think he died about 1873 and is buried, under concrete somewhere there.

The Zulus called it Kwa Jimi (Jim's place) they said (supposedly) we're going to fight at Jim's Place.

Jim's widow lived there for a while before moving.

Rorke was in the BBG and some say he died of suicide but I'm not really sure. It was rumoured he was a gun smuggler/runner ...but once again, I'm not sure

The Zulus called the Oscarberg, (the hill behind the buildings - named by Witt after the Norwegian king) - Shiyane (or something like) meaning 'eyebrow'

Cheers

Sime

Subject: Re: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sat Oct 21, 2023 10:44 pm

Oscarsberg, actually after the Swedish King Oscar II.

Subject: Re: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sun Oct 22, 2023 4:17 am

Thank you SRB1965

I was aware of most of what you have said and thank you.
My point was that the Battle was named after Rorkes Drift, a place on a map, the river crossing, not after the actual name of the buildings. They had a different name after James Rorke lived there and Witt renaming it Oscarsburg mission station before the war, therefore the buildings not being called Rorkes Drift, but the river crossing.
I was just entering into a general conversation on the point as raised by the name of the mission station at that time, and that the battle was perhaps named after a point on the map that everyone could understand, especially back in Great Britain at the time.

Julian thank you, yes, a few ships named after him too.

Subject: Re: The Battle of Oscarsburg Sun Oct 22, 2023 10:23 am

By the time the press got hold of the name it was transformed into Oscarberg without the s and so it appeared in the 1879 papers.

» What battle could be won...
» Battle of Ulundi, Question.
» Visiting the Graves of the Rorke's Drift Defenders
» Which Zulu War Battle is this.
» Zulu suicide & Disembowlement by NNC