London Gazette 1879

Subject: London Gazette 1879 Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:52 am

It may be of interest to some of out newer members to read the original statement from Lord Chelmsford informing the British public of isandlwana.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Makes interesting source reading rather than watered down and inacurate versions generally printed.

Regards

Posts : 2581 Join date : 2009-04-24

I can only view the first page.. Its that normal.

Subject: Re: London Gazette 1879 Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:20 pm

Hi CTSG

Have just tried the link. Just click on next at the top of the page.

Posts : 2581 Join date : 2009-04-24

John. Thanks mate. That's cracked it. Idea

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!

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

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

Subject: Re: London Gazette 1879 Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:29 pm

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.