Existing premieres...

Hi all

Do you really trusts all the existing premieres sources for this war ?

Cheers

Pascal

Pascal
There are many fraudulent accounts from individuals, mainly from the British/colonial side for obvious reasons.
In general, when one tries to evaluate a source from a private individual, it is best to try to cross-reference facts contained within it with other known or fixed points. When things start not to tally then there's something wrong and the source becomes untrustworthy. Zabange and Lyon are good examples of this.
Where the source is an official document or claiming to be one, and the content is dubious, then provenance has to be examined and, if necessary, scientific analysis of the document itself. The Pulleine-Cavaye order and the recent second set of Chelmsford's Instructions are good examples.

When does a source become primary?

It doesn't 'become' primary. It IS primary, by dint of its existence. It serves as an original source of information about a topic, not available elsewhere. E.g. Pte. Bickley's account of Isandhlwana.

Primary sources are distinguished from secondary sources, which cite, comment on, or build upon primary sources. E.g. Zulu Rising by Ian Knight.

A secondary source may also be a primary source depending on how it is used or where the primary source itself has not survived. E.g. Brecon County Times 26th April 1879 quoting Pte. David Jenkins's letter dated 11th March 1879.

Thanks Julian.