Hi Littlehand .
Agreed , timings are a sensitive issue as we dont seem to know for sure thier sequences and what we do have
we dont know how reliable they may be . For instance the ' Narrative of the zulu war ' has Durnford arriving at
10 am ! . This was obviously put together after the invasion , it also states that '' Durnford ordered Cavaye to the heights some 1500 yds north of the camp , and about the same time the rest of the troops who had been
drawn up returned to their private parades , and were broken off . In regard to this distance I've come across
2200 , 1200 and 1500 yds ?. More conjecture , Littlehand if you want to know anything else on the timing from
the book just ask . Forgot to mention it says in the 11am margin ( Dunford ) '' He left the camp about 11am ,
and advanced along the plain , with the object of preventing the columns of the enemy , reported as in retreat ,
from joining the force with which Lord Chelmesford was at the time believed to be engaged '' . More conjecture
as I remember an order coming into the camp that '' The zulu's were retreating '' Which zulu's ?? . The British
one's falling back upon the camp ?. Which is where mistakes were made . The officers in the camp took it to believe to Zulu ( opposing force ) was retreating . This would account for the lack of movement regarding the troops dispositions . When it was probably a report saying it was Shepstone's or another of the NNC companies withdrawing from the heights .'' Zulu's retreating '' ambigous or what ?. Could it also mean they are
referring to the left & right horn as they were getting into position ??. Very confusing , which is why this battle has held it's appeal for over 130 yrs . I have a headache ! . :lol!:
cheers 90th.

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