The passing of the armies after Rorkes Drift

Posts : 60 Join date : 2010-08-17 Location : Southampton

There are several (almost passing mentions) of the event when Chelmsford, returning from Isandlwana passes the 'defeated' Zulus on their way back from Rorkes Drift.

Has there ever been any criticism that Chelmsford did not attempt to engage them - true both sides were in a state of exhaustion/shock - but surely this was an opportunity to avenge the defeat at Isandlwana?

Younghusband
Welcome back its been a while, nice to see you posting again.
I think Chelmsford has been quoted as saying that he was concerned about his lack of a reserve ammunition and food supply and he didn't know if was going to have to fight a battle at Rorkes Drift. Fair point really. I think on top of which the troops where mentally exhausted. AS for the Zulus I think they had had that really long trip to the battle field and then a long haul to RD, a fight lasting many hours plus there was an account that they thought the British column was the ghosts of the men killed at iSandlwana.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Younghusband , Springbok9,
Correct, the only ammunition to hand was in the troopers pouches, all the reserves having being lost to the enemy the previous day and Chelmsford ordered "no firing" as he thought the ammunition would be needed to retake Rorke's Drift which it was thought, at that time, had fallen.
The Zulu's , for their part thought that they had destroyed all of Chelmsford's forces at Isandlwana and that they had now come back to life. Being a very superstious people they chose to not engage with the departed as very bad things would come of it.

regards

barry

Posts : 2594 Join date : 2009-04-24

Yet I believe there is an account. Where one excited young Zulu, thought it wise to attack LC column.
Only to to be met by a lump of lead. The others just walked on. Perhaps they didn't tell the excited Zulu, the red soldiers were just ghosts.

Guest

nice one ctsg, very succinct, Very Happy

Les

Subject: The passing of the Armies after RD. Wed Nov 27, 2013 2:01 am

Hi CTSG.
Yes it did happen , possibly mentioned in either of H-Brown or Harford's account . I've certainly read of it in several publications .
90th.

» Rorkes Drift by those who were there.
» Rorke's Drift VC's
» Rorke's Drift Survivors-Can anyone identify any more?
» VC's Rorkes Drift 1879
» Rorke's Drift: The Immortal Anglo-Zulu War