Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:01 pm
Bonjour Frank,
I only note that the testimonies of Uguku and Magema Fuze are complementary.
The testimony of Uguku is interesting because it gives an explanation about the "great" number of men with Matyana while his own forces were estimated before the war to 700 men. The 6 coys + "rebels" from other tribes living in the vicinity.
If my hypothesis is correct, Matyana was not present with his men the 21 January when they met Dartnell and Lonsdale. But effectively, the tactic used by his men seems to be different. The problem is the lack of certainty about the objective pursued by the « Sitholes » the 21 January. Cheers. Frédéric
rusteze
Posts : 2881 Join date : 2010-06-02
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:51 pm
Just for clarification. Chelmsford says in his note of 19 January to Durnford that he intends to operate against the "two Matyanas'. Laband tells us in his notes that this refers to Matyana kaMondisi, who lived in the Qudeni bush, and Matyana kaSitshukuza who lived in the Buffalo River valley. In the various quotes are we sure which Matyana is being referred to? Chelmsford tells Durnford where each of them were (did he know this or was he guessing?). And if Chelmsford actually knew the location of M. kaMondisi was there time for him to be with the main army at Babanango and then be back at Mangeni in time to confront Dartnell? (I note Frederic that you think he was not there). Steve
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7660 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Mon Oct 03, 2016 6:13 pm
Frederic That's a really interesting concept.
ymob
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:01 pm
Bonsoir Steve, I don't know if that helps but Fynn the border agent and magistrate of Umsinga was the advisor of LC. In my opinion, the two Chiefs can't been confounded. The personal story of Matyana Kamondisi is particular. Before his "bloody" altercation with Sheptone's family twenty years before (from memory), he lived in Natal.
Frank, Happy if you have found my comment interesting. Merci beaucoup. Frédéric
xhosa2000
Posts : 1202 Join date : 2015-11-24
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Mon Oct 03, 2016 9:24 pm
' misjan ' concealed weapon.
xhosa2000
Posts : 1202 Join date : 2015-11-24
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Fri Oct 14, 2016 7:43 pm
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Tue Oct 18, 2016 11:24 pm
Bonsoir, I know that no estimate of the Zulu forces at Isandhlwana is reliable but this report from Milne is somewhere interesting : it implies that near half of the Undi force has not fought at RD.
From Lt Milne: "At Rorke's Drift one of the prisoners taken gave the Under-mentioned names as the Régiments who attacked at Isandhlwana": Undi Regiment (Cetywayo's own Regiment):....8,000. (....) Attacking force at Rorke's Drift consisted of from 4,000 to 5,000 men of the Undi Regiment".
Cheers
Frédéric
ymob
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Fri Dec 02, 2016 10:51 pm
ymob wrote:
Bonjour Frank,
I only note that the testimonies of Uguku and Magema Fuze are complementary.
The testimony of Uguku is interesting because it gives an explanation about the "great" number of men with Matyana while his own forces were estimated before the war to 700 men. The 6 coys + "rebels" from other tribes living in the vicinity.
If my hypothesis is correct, Matyana was not present with his men the 21 January when they met Dartnell and Lonsdale. But effectively, the tactic used by his men seems to be different. The problem is the lack of certainty about the objective pursued by the « Sitholes » the 21 January. Cheers. Frédéric
Bonsoir, Extract from an article entitled "Isandhlwana; A visit Six Months After The Disaster" by Alexander N. Montgomery, late Commandant N.N.N ("The Leisure Hour"/1882):
"The zulus appear to have gone out in three columns under Matyan. At this the two other commanders remonstrated with Cetewayo, for Matyan, having been in Natal, was supposed to be tainted, but he was firm. They then dissembled and persuaded Matyan that their enemy was on the right. If Matyan went that way they would go round and drive him in. Then they advanced their horns well to their left. This manoeuvre, thought not intented to have that effect, caused Lord Chelmsford to start from the camp with his reconnoitering column. Meanwhile the Zulus horns pressed forward, keen to wash their spears, attacked the camp...".
Cheers
Frédéric
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7660 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:19 am
Morning Frederic Seems to contain elements from various other testimonies ie: the plot to get rid of 'Matyan'.Iit stretches the imagination with the distances between the 'right horn' and the ,left horn,' around 12 miles or so !
Frank
ymob
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Sat Dec 03, 2016 10:11 pm
Bonsoir Frank, Relevant note... Nevertheless, it seems that the 3 commanders of the Zulu army just before Isandhlwana were really in disagreement.
Cheers
Frédéric
Julian Whybra
Posts : 2382 Join date : 2011-09-12
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Tue Dec 06, 2016 10:22 pm
Just to say that I've been reading this thread and found it really interesting with some thought-provoking ideas thrown in. I don't feel I want to contribute to it at the moment (too much going on) but it is really tempting. I congratulate the contributors.
ymob
Posts : 2270 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve Sun Dec 11, 2016 11:16 pm
It's a pity...
Cheers
Frédéric
Sponsored content
Subject: Re: Hypothesis on the positions of the Zulu reserve