Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
Posts : 2101 Join date : 2010-07-30 Age : 55 Location : North London
Subject: Re: London Gazette 1879 Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:26 am
Thanks for that link Springbok, a very interesting read, straight from the horse's mouth so to speak.
I know it is Chelmsford's viewpoint only, but it reinforces two of my ever firmer opinions.
1. Chelmsford was complacent and under-estimated the Zulus.
2. Pulleine, as an infantry officer, should have organised the tactical defence of the camp more effectively.
It was Pulleine's fault that the camp was lost. I know he only had few hours to organise things, but hey. Compare the defensive efforts of the Engineer, Lieutenant Chard at RD at short notice, with that of the Infanteer, Lt Col Pulleine at the camp. Stark!
Frank Allewell
Posts : 8231 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 75 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: London Gazette 1879 Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:28 am
Hi Guys Im busy exploring the papers of the time. At the London Gazette site try also edition 24695 ( take out the 24688 and replace with 24695)
Enjoy
Frank Allewell
Posts : 8231 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 75 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: London Gazette 1879 Sat Apr 09, 2011 8:37 am
If you read the statements carefully, and bare in mind these are original statements not interpretations by authors and historians, there are some interesting snippets. For instance the statement by Chelmsford that at a meeting on the 14th January with Durnford....." I directed this officer to move one of his three battalions to watch the gates of Natal at Msinga whilst he the rocket battery and the other two were to join me with three column." To my mind thats interesting in that Chelsford did have a wider plan, his decision to call up Durnford on the 22nd wasnt based then on a spur of the moment decision. Conjecturally then is it not feasable to assum that at that meeting on the 14th Chelmsford would have discussed 'the wider plan' including what would happen at isandlwana when he was called up?
Or am I trying to read to much between the lines?
Interesting though.
Regards
JohnB
Posts : 95 Join date : 2010-01-10 Age : 70 Location : Taunton
What is also interesting to me is this is an official document from Chelmsford to the Secretary of War released for public viewing presumably at the same time it is received in London, and I would imagine without any form of censorship.