Lieutenant Adendorff 1-3 N.N.C.

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:

Tasker

What do you mean they deserted their picket duty ?

And there was no way they could have led there men off the field, they broke and ran
in evry direction.



Cheers

I don't, beg your pardon LOL! Sorry DB, getting my As and Hs confused!

It was Avery and Holcroft who apparently did this. My second point stands however. (And Higginson and Stephenson were clearly both cowards imo).

Higginson was proved be a coward and a lier, Stephenson i'm not to sure, he wasn't regular army and over 100
of his men had just legged it in front of him, probebly just panick.



Cheers

Click Here: CAPTAIN STEPHENSON’S DETACHMENT…LEFT US

Thanks for the article LH, not sure it wil convince DB however.
If Stephenson's men did bottle it, what better example could Stephenson have set them than to stay and help defend RD, on his own if necessary?
To my way of thinking, this would have been the only correct course of action open to him. When he fled too, he gave the men under his command all the excuse they needed.

I think the NNC would never have stayed, they were badly lead and patheticly armed, look at Isandlwana, the
NNC companies broke apart in panic - Higginson and at RD they had the news that the main force had just
been wiped out, also there are reports through out the War off the NNC causing false alarms, Harford i
think mentions most of them escaping on the night of the 21st with Dartnell and when they were camped
on the Saddle at Isandlwana after the battle.



Cheers

DB, I fully understand the natural emotions and logical reasons why soldiers (and officers) would want to make the perfectly human decision to run away from a potentially lethal fight.
However, as a soldier, when you sign on the dotted line and take the Queen's shilling, you make a contract, to sacrifice your life if ordered to; for a mate, for a road, for a bridge, to try and hold on to a yard of grass if necessary.
Seemingly small things to scarifice a life for to the ininitiated; but such sacrifices are so enormous in the bigger picture and is what the British military is founded on.

But Stephenson wasn't a proper British officer was he ? Didn't he just volunteer like the rest of the NNC officers ?


Cheers

I take your point DB14.

It leads to the same old judgments, however: Dah, coward, just a colonial.
(If he had been a British Officer however, different expectations and standards, I reckon he would have been court martialled for desertion.

He was dismissed from the NNC



Cheers

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:

He was dismissed from the NNC



Cheers

"dismissed" for what?

I think it was in Harfords book, they were arrested but as there could be no trial Higginson and Stephenson were
dismissed from the NNC.



Cheers

Higginson wasn't dismissed.

Disbanded?

Harford certainly mentions taking 2 officers into custody for desertion.

Julian Whybra wrote:

Higginson wasn't dismissed.

[quote]

Hi all,

It seems to me that HIGGINSON, later, was gone in other natal native unit ( BETTINGTON's horse??)

Cheers

frédéric

Higginson detailed after the battle report described the circumstances concerning his departure from the Isandlwana battlefield.  He wrote:

The Zulus extended all round the front of the camp and drove back the few men that opposed them, when my company saw them coming on nothing could stop them, they all jumped up and ran, and though I knocked one man down with my rifle it was no use, I then saw the men of the 2nd Batt. NNC running and looking for the 24th men, I saw that they were retreating also, but very slowly, all the mounted men were riding past as fast as they could, and I then thought it time to go too, so, firing one last shot, I mounted my horse…and rode off.

As a volunteer he felt no compulsion to stay with the regular troops and decided to leave the battlefield. As for his conduct concerning Trooper Barker, Higginson’s lack of proper duty to his fellow soldier was a clear demonstration of abandonment and this dereliction of duty was met with the contempt it deserved. On 23 January orders were given for his arrest and while Higginson received nothing for his endeavours concerning Coghill and Melvill’s plight, Trooper Barker was later recommended for a Victoria Cross by Brigadier Wood who became aware of the incident with Higginson. While on a visit to Pietermaritzburg to distribute campaign medals to Barker’s regiment on 17 December 1881, Wood spoke to the troops after the ceremony in the town’s market square and concluded his speech with the following words:
 
I have only now heard of a gallant act performed by a straggler (Barker) whose late arrival (at Helpmekaar) is well explained by his having, during the retreat, given up his horse to an officer who was exhausted. Into this matter it will be my pleasure to enquire more.
 
Wood’s response from the War Office regarding Barker’s recommendation for the Victoria Cross was disappointing. The War Office replied on 10 March 1882:
 
 
Major General Sir Evelyn Wood VC
 
Sir,
 
I am directed by the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief to acknowledge your letter of 6th instant, and to acquaint you in reply, that statements re Trooper Barker, Natal Carbineers, at the battle of Isandhlwana, on 22nd January, 1879, have carefully been considered. His Royal Highness desires me to state that while trooper Barker’s conduct on the occasion referred to is deserving of every commendation, there does not appear to be sufficient ground, according to the terms of the statute, for recommending him for the distinction of the Victoria Cross.      

As the NNC auxiliaries and officers fled the remaining defenders were not impressed and shots were fired at the deserters with the result that an NCO by the name of Corporal Anderson was shot in the back while running away and dropped dead. No questions were asked and anyway the men were preparing to fight for their survival. The desertion obviously reduced the number of defenders available at the mission so a second line of defence was constructed within the perimeter using biscuit boxes should the need arise to fall back and make a final stand. This would prove crucial for Chard and his men later that evening.
 
The disappointing performance by the NNC caused Chelmsford concern, enough to order that the 3rd Regiment be disbanded within days of Isandlwana. The unit’s officers and NCOs were found other posts but certain individuals were not treated lightly. Orders were promptly given for the arrest of Lieutenants Higginson and Stephenson on the charge of desertion. They were placed in the custody of Lieutenant Harford who felt uncomfortable with his new responsibility and wrote a dispatch:
 
NNC
Rorke’s Drift
From the Officer Comd. 3rd Regt
To the Officer Comd. Troops
Jan 31st 1879
 
Sir,
I have the honour to state that two officers viz Captain Stephenson and Lieutenant Higginson lately reported missing after a fight at Isandlwana, and supposed to have escaped to PM Berg (Pietermaritzberg) have rejoined their Corps, and having been place under arrest in accordance with orders from Commandant Lonsdale, for absenting themselves since 22nd inst from their Corps without cause and permission.
 
I have the honour to request that in the absence of Com Lonsdale that I may be informed of what steps to take in the matter.
 
H.C.H
Neither officer could be court martialled as they were colonial volunteers. However, the only action that was taken by way of  General Order no. 37 of 19 February 1879 which stated  that the services of Captain Stephenson of 2/3rd NNC were no longer required with immediate dismissal from the service. Lieutenant Higginson was not dismissed but was given the opportunity to continue serving in another unit after the 3rd Regiment NNC was disbanded.

Good post.
Tpr Barker was duped into giving his horse to the deceitful Higginson. This is what became apparent after Barker socked Higginson in the eye at Helpmekaar for stealing his horse and not waiting for him as he'd promised, and the War Office will have known this.
Hence no medal for bravery to Barker, there was no "giving up his horse to an exhausted officer."

Tasker

I think the balck eye was fcition, i've never seen a real account of it


Cheers

And who gives the source for the back eye ?


Cheers

No I can't do that. I signed an agreement not to copy it or pass it on i.e. to abide by SA's copyright laws.

Chelmsfordthescapegoat wrote:

No I can't do that. I signed an agreement not to copy it or pass it on i.e. to abide by SA's copyright laws.

Time for you to go and take another pill mate.

DB
CTSG's source is genuine enough. What is not known is whether the writer was speaking metaphorically whether his words were based on hearsay or whether he was a genuine witness to the events he described.
CTSG
Anderson was not shot in the back. He was shot in the head. Whether he was shot by the British or whether by the Zulus is not known.
Being asked to name a source is not the same as being asked to quote a complete document. I have never hesitated to do the former. The law (and being able to continue to earn my living) prevents me from doing the latter. I won't deprive you of the pleasure of helping another forum member.

Was Adendorff credited with delivering the warning to RD.

Most think he did. But it must have been the chap ( can't think of his name) who delivered the message to Bromhead.

hI ctsg.
I'm interstate soaking up the Queensland sunshine but I think the chap who you are referring is possibly Pte
Evans from the Mtd Infantry , happy to be corrected .
90th

CTSG/90th
Surely a two pronged delivery. Evans to Bromhead and Adendorff to Chard. More or less simultaneous really.

Really you two should watch the movie again, tsk.:p;:

Take into account, Bromhead was already working on the defences, when Chard arrived to look at the note. So "Evans" message was delivered prior to Adendroff's

When Chard came up to the post with Adendorff's message, Bromhead & co were already working on the defences and was in the process of receiving Evans and Whelan's message.

Pretty much a simultaneous thing I would say. Would have taken Chard time to get his act together and get up to the camp from the drift, it is a bit of a distance. So most certainly the warnings would have been pretty close. Which is pretty interesting looking back at the time frames of when the two parties left iSandlwana. If they both came via the 'Bridal Track' they would have struck the river more or less the same time as the distance from that point to A) the pont and B) the camp are pretty much the same. Interesting to do a study on that!

Cheers

Springbok
I would tend to agree.  Adendorff generally gets the credit because it was Chard who wrote the reports.  The men in the post almost all refer to Fletcher, Evans and Whelan and others after them (I go over the order of their arrival in The Brave Fugitive).

Hi Springy .
I dont know who would've received the warning first , I was only answering CTSG'S question of who warned Bromhead . :p;:
Cheers 90th.

If Bromhead was at his post and had started the defences after reading the message then he would have received the message first. Chard was near the river when he go his message which must have been after Bromhead got his.

We tend to look back at RD without remembering the incredibly tight time frame. Really everything occured over a period of 80 to 90 minutes. Its still amazes me that the defenders were able to get organised so fast. But wasnt the first indication of trouble communicated from Gardner? And I believe it was Trooper Fletcher.
Bromhead then sent a pencilled note to Chard, received while he was talking to Adendorff. And again Im open to correction but wasnt Chard allready at the Mission when Evans and Whelan arrived?
Again looking at that time frame, Gardiner escapes, rides to Fugitives Drift ( across some really bad terrain ) crosses the raging torrent, writes a note and sends his messenger of to warn RD. Thats one heck of a drawn out sequence of events.
In the mean time Adendorff, Sibthorpe arrive at the drift. Having, probably, taken the bridle trail, a much easier and shorter route. Does that indicate that Gardiner left the camp before Adendorff?
Evans and Whelan arrive, also after Fletcher, then later Henderson and Hall. That puts Gardiners departure pretty early on in the battle.
Am I reading this wrong?

Cheers

Having survived Isandhlwana and RD, he should have had the VC!

Springbok
As near as I can get it this is the sequence and timing of events from primary-source evidence:
3.05 Leading a spare horse Gardner’s hatless and bootless messenger (Lugg and Gnr. Evans, saw him; Symons named him as Trpr. Fletcher) arrived from Fugitives’ Drift and informed Mabin who took him to Bromhead and Dunne. Bromhead sent a messenger to Chard and commenced fortifying the post.
3.10 Adendorff and a Carbineer (probably Sibthorpe, perhaps Granger) arrived and informed Chard. Chard received Bromhead’s message.
3.15 Chard arrived at the post with Adendorff and the Carbineer. The Carbineer was sent to warn Helpmekaar; Adendorff remained (and was seen by Chard, Hook, Norris-Newman, Symons, Harford over the 22nd–23rd period). Pvtes. Evans and Whelan I.M.I. arrived at the post and were also sent on to warn Helpmekaar (Hitch, Waters, Corp. Lyons, and possibly Reynolds saw Evans and McToy recorded both mounted infantrymen’s presence).
3.20 Chard went back to the ponts to bring in the guard.
3.30 Chard and the guard returned from the ponts.
3.35 Henderson and Hall (the ‘Brave Warrior’) arrived at the post. Chard requested the
surviving N.N.H. might check the Zulu advance. Henderson returned to the N.N.H.; Hall
(the ‘Brave Warrior’) stayed at Rorke’s Drift and assisted with the defence arrangements.
(Henderson was seen by Hlubi, Hall, and Chard [but not named]; Hall left his own account
and was seen by Lugg.)
3.40-4.15 Several other fugitives – Pvtes. Grant, Johnson Trainer, Actg. Bombdr. Goff(?);
Trpr. Granger(?); Trprs. Doig and Shannon, Pvte. Gooding(?) arrived and moved on to
Helpmekaar. Some spoke to the defenders (Doig, Shannon and the mounted infantryman
were seen by Lugg); some passed by without stopping. The N.N.H. remained in position
watching the river and screening the Zulus’ advance.
Julian

Bravo !

Hi Julian
We are pretty much in agreement in terms of the sequence of events. Timings are a different matter. From the camp site at the ponts its close to a ten minute ride to get up to the Mission ( Done it and got the sore backside to prove it).
But to try and peg down any event on the 22nd within minutes is going to prove impossible. Didnt Hall extimate his arrival at RD between 1 and 2 as an example?
It comes down to my thoughts that working backwards, Gardiners fugitive ride + crossing + penning a note+ plus sending of a rider has to be close to an hours period. To get from FD to RD would again be probably 30 minutes. That would put Gardiner at leaving iSandlwana at around 1.30. Thats probably close to reallity.
But to travel the trail from iSandlwana back to RD direct would be no more than an hours easy ride ( theres enough references to travels back and forth to substantiate that sort of period.)
So give or take a few minutes the balance of arrivals coming at around 3.15 to 3.30 would mean they left iSandlwana around 2.15 to 2.30. Even allowing for an of saddle and quick drink at the Buffalo still puts the main departures at least 30 to 45 minutes AFTER Gardiner.
I know I have to be wrong some where, just cant make the times add up.

Cheers

Bravo !

Looking at this sketch, does anyone know in which direction Isandlwana lies?

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Hi LH.

iSandlwana would be roughly in the 1/2 past two to 3 o'clock direction.

Hope this helps.

Springbok which direction in Isandlwana on the sketch posted by LH.

To make things clearer, looking at the compass point on the sketch, iSandlwana is roughly in a NE direction, between NNE and ENE, or as you look at a clock, between 1/2 past two and three o'clock, and about 7 and a half to 8 miles as the crow flies, ie, in a straight line.

John
Sorry have to disagree with Martin. Look at the map and you will see a dotted line and an arrow, it shows the route that Adendorf took. follow that line and you will hit isandlwana, looks to be around Easterly.

Cheers

Springbok. Which route did the Zulus take, looking at their first advance they came from behind the Oscaberg.

Hi LH
Using that map as a reference, the impi came from bottom left, the South. The river on the right is the Mzinyathi, that runs down to the bottom of the page and eventually through fugitives drift.
I will be home later today and will dig (  ) out some photos of the back of the Oscaberg showing the attack route.
One of the virtual tours Ive sent to Pete shows the whole approach area, and the battlefield but hes having trouble adapting it to fit onto the forum.

Cheers

Ah yes he's been trying to enlist my help with that, well over my head. I'm sure he will get there in the end.    

I know hes a busy lad. If it starts to get to much then I may just organise a mail chain and send out a few copies on disc so that forum members can copy and pass on to other members. I don't know if Petes shown it to you but there was a massive effort put into it. Would hate to see it wasted.

Cheers

And as usual springbok is being massively modest!!!!.
the amount of detail in the virtual tours is huge! i
have not stopped studying them. there must be a
way to make the presentation independent of the web,
i can well see them in schools and colleges as a teaching
aid. i would copy mine and send it on to anyone, as i said
i have no need to go to the battle field's. springbok has
brought them to me and everyone.

I thought my ears were burning   

Looking at the medal roll's a Corporal G. Ardendorff served with the Diamond Fields Horse during the Ninth Frontier war 1877-78 and is one of three men on the roll cited as serving in the Zulu War. When the Diamond Fields Horse returned to Kimberley they took part in the operations against the Griquas in 1878. This Ardendorff is one of a few that didn't take part in this campaign.

It seems probable that this could be Lieutenant G.W. Adendorff NNC who presumably took his discharge on the Eastern Cape and remained there until November, 1878 when he arrived in Durban aboard the 'Nubian'. There was another (Andrew Benjamin Adendorff) Graaff Reinet Adendorff in Kimberley around this time who could have been a relative. The other two DFH chaps that served in the Zulu War were J. Waldeck (Unit unknown) and C.G. Hitge (FLH)