Zulu Dawn! Lt. Col. Pulleine : His Lordship is of the cetain opinion that it's far too difficult an approach to be chosen by the Zulu command. Col. Durnford : Yes, well... difficulty never deterred a Zulu commander.
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Quoted in "campaigns of a war correspondent" by Melton Prior (p.104 / 1912 ed.)
"I was informed that when Melville and Coghill made the dash to save the colours of the 24th Regiment, Melville unfortunately damaged his knee in getting across the river, and had so much difficulty in climbing the hill on the other side that he begged Coghill to go on and leave him to his fate. But Coghill stood by him, and succeeded in dragging and helping him almost to the top, within fifty yards of comparative safety, for many of our men were on the top of the hill with horses and were firing and killing the enemy as they advanced. Both these brave fellows died hard, for a large number of Zulus were found around them. They had chosen a place between two rocks to make their last stand, and died back to back, gallantly trying to save the Queen's colours".
Hi Frederic Seems to be a rumour , Coghill had the damaged knee , Coghill damaged his knee either a couple of days earlier , or the day before , when he had been on patrol , and they stopped at a deserted Kraal , Coghill tried to catch a chicken for dinner and damaged his knee in the process ! . Coghill was supposed to have left the camp with LC on the morning of the 22nd , as his knee was to painful , he , and or the Headquarters staff , thought it best he stay behind and rest the knee , by reports he was able to cope with riding , but had a lot of trouble trying to walk . Who knows Frederic , maybe Melvill was injured in the retreat to the Buffalo , I don't think I've read anything saying he was . I think Prior possibly got them mixed up , you would think Prior should've mentioned that Coghill had a bad knee , as I'm sure the incident was well known and Coghill was probably the butt of several jokes regarding his chicken catching ability , or lack of it ! . 90th
Frank Allewell
Posts : 8019 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 74 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: MELVILL knee: a rumor... Sat Sep 26, 2015 5:40 am
I would imagine that after the battle all sorts of tales and rumours were circulation so Priors opening words would be the key "I was Informed."
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