Essex's Sword

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

Edward Essex

He was also starting to be called "Lucky " by his colleagues, following his escape from the battle of Isandlwana. His luck continued, when on July 10th, large amounts of weapons were starting to be surrendered by Zulus, as tokens of their submission. On this day, two Martini-Henry rifles of the 2/24th, and one belonging to the 1/24th were handed in. These were weapons captured at Isandlwana, and with them was also an infantry sword without its scabbard. On the blade was the inscription Essex . It was Edward’s sword which he had not bothered to put on at the start of the Isandlwana battle, and had been looted as a trophy when the Zulus ransacked the camp. With the number of things which had been taken from the tents, it was incredible that this sword should have been returned so soon, when so many other articles were never recovered.

AZWHS

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:32 pm

See, he left in such a hurry, he forgot to put his sword on Salute

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:30 am

Does seem odd that at the start of a battle you would not put your sword on ?

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:58 am

Taken slightly out of context really.

When the firing on the ridge started there was still a huge level of complacency in the camp. Essex was, by his own account, writing in his tent. When he heard the noise he wandered of to see what the firing was about and as he didnt expect to be gone to long didnt bother putting on his sword ( not just a case of picking the article up and leaving, putting on the belt, cross belt scabbard etc ). He was then sent onto the ridge by Pullein and from then on events took over.

So despite the cyninism there is an explanation.

Regards

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:17 am

So was he armed with his relvolver or did he pick up a discarded weapon at some stage ? There must have been a point at which it became clear things were not going well and thus he would need to defend himself .

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:16 am

Gary
" at about noon a Sgnt came to my tent and told me that firing was to be heard behind the hill where the company of the Ist battalion had been sent. I had my glasses over my shoulder and thought I might as well take my revolver: but did not take the trouble to put on my sword............"

Essex, letter in the Times , 12th April 1879

Regards

Subject: Re: Essex's Sword Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:37 am

Springbok , thank you . in fact , if the enemy are near enough to use the sword then you are in big trouble !

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