WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM

Film Zulu Dawn:General Lord Chelmsford: For a savage, as for a child, chastisement is sometimes a kindness. Sir Henry Bartle Frere: Let us hope, General, that this will be the final solution to the Zulu problem.
 
HomeHome  GalleryGallery  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  
Latest topics
» Punch's view of Chelmsford's tactics!
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyToday at 11:37 am by lydenburg

» Writing advice
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Mar 26, 2024 2:26 pm by Julian Whybra

» Private John Scott 24th Regiment a fugitive at large
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyWed Mar 20, 2024 12:53 pm by Dash

» Sergeant W E Warren RA - Veteran
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Mar 19, 2024 9:32 pm by Matthew Turl

» Your favourite line from Zulu or Zulu Dawn
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Mar 19, 2024 4:52 pm by Julian Whybra

» 100,000 posts!
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Mar 19, 2024 2:20 pm by Julian Whybra

» Zulu Dawn/Zulu - New Immortals Film The Way Forward ?
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Mar 16, 2024 2:34 pm by jgregory

» Badge on 2/60th and 3/60th foreign service helmets
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Mar 16, 2024 11:05 am by John Young

» Corporal James Frowen Williams F Company.
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Mar 15, 2024 9:08 am by Julian Whybra

» British rations and morale
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyMon Mar 11, 2024 11:05 pm by Julian Whybra

» Blue Plaque to James Egan, alias Private Hagan
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyMon Mar 11, 2024 9:16 pm by ADMIN

» A few questions regarding Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyWed Mar 06, 2024 9:16 pm by Julian Whybra

» William J Hoare 24th Regiment??
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySun Mar 03, 2024 7:08 pm by Dash

» Swinburn Carbine issue in AZW
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 29, 2024 12:53 pm by Rob D

» Australians who went to Zululand and fought in the 1879 war.
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 29, 2024 8:39 am by John Young

» Philip Price
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 29, 2024 7:55 am by Julian Whybra

» Alfred Fairlie Henderson
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 29, 2024 7:47 am by RoryReynolds

» August Hammar Letter Dated 6th Jan 1879
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 22, 2024 8:34 pm by Stefaan

» Bearing The Cross by Ken Blakeson | BBC RADIO DRAMA: Ken Blakeson's play tells the story of the Battle of Rorke's Drift and the effect it had on three of the soldiers who fought in it.
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyWed Feb 21, 2024 10:57 am by Julian Whybra

» Letter of officer during Zulu wars.
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyWed Feb 21, 2024 10:47 am by Julian Whybra

» About the second invasion
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Feb 20, 2024 9:14 pm by 90th

» Zulu Festival Brecon July 2024
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Feb 17, 2024 7:35 pm by John Young

» Watford band boys killed at iSandlwana
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Feb 16, 2024 8:26 am by Julian Whybra

» Private J. McCrudden 1/13 Foot
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySun Feb 11, 2024 3:10 am by 90th

» Death of Michael Jayson (Zulu Dawn)
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 08, 2024 9:55 pm by ADMIN

» The anniversary of 22nd January in 2024
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 08, 2024 3:51 pm by luke1997

» What was the distance?
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 08, 2024 8:46 am by Stefaan

» Mrs Henry Hook
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Feb 06, 2024 3:14 pm by Kenny

» "With 6 good riflemen"
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyMon Feb 05, 2024 2:30 pm by Mr M. Cooper

» What was G company supposed to do?
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySun Feb 04, 2024 9:31 pm by Julian Whybra

» Private 1445 Charles Meates 17th Lancers and his brother William Wylie
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Feb 02, 2024 10:07 pm by John Young

» South Africa Medal With Clasp To Pvt J. Salter 3/60th
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Feb 02, 2024 3:12 pm by Foody

» Weatherleys Border Horse Flag
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 01, 2024 9:40 pm by Herbie

» Edward Plantagenet Kemeys-Tynte
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Jan 23, 2024 10:06 pm by Edjg

» How many started?
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Jan 23, 2024 10:10 am by Julian Whybra

Search
 
 

Display results as :
 
Rechercher Advanced Search
March 2024
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
CalendarCalendar
Most active topics
Durnford was he capable.1
Durnford was he capable. 4
Durnford was he capable.5
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Isandlwana, Last Stands
The ammunition question
Durnford was he capable. 3
Durnford was he capable.2
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
The missing five hours.
Most Viewed Topics
Please Do Not Post Ads on Our Forum
Google Chrome new standards imposed
Isandlwana, Last Stands
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Recent Members To The ZULU WAR 1879 Discussion & Reference Forum ( A Small Victorian War in 1879)
The missing five hours.
ISANDLWANA SURVIVIORS
The ammunition question
Lieutenant Adendorff 1-3 N.N.C.
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Top posting users this month
Julian Whybra
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
Dash
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
Hobbes
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
SRB1965
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
Bill8183
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
John Young
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
ADMIN
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
jgregory
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
Tim Needham
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
1879graves
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_leftLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand BarLetter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Bar_right 
New topics
» Punch's view of Chelmsford's tactics!
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyToday at 11:37 am by lydenburg

» Writing advice
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyTue Mar 19, 2024 8:57 pm by Hobbes

» 100,000 posts!
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySun Mar 17, 2024 11:14 am by ADMIN

» Badge on 2/60th and 3/60th foreign service helmets
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Mar 15, 2024 8:27 pm by Rob Herrick

» British rations and morale
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyWed Mar 06, 2024 9:24 pm by Hobbes

» Alfred Fairlie Henderson
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyThu Feb 29, 2024 7:47 am by RoryReynolds

» Australians who went to Zululand and fought in the 1879 war.
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptyFri Feb 23, 2024 2:23 am by peterfarrell

» About the second invasion
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Feb 17, 2024 9:53 pm by Hobbes

» Zulu Festival Brecon July 2024
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Feb 17, 2024 7:35 pm by John Young

Similar topics
Zero tolerance to harassment and bullying.
Due to recent events on this forum, we have now imposed a zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. All reports will be treated seriously, and will lead to a permanent ban of both membership and IP address. Any member blatantly corresponding in a deliberate and provoking manner will be removed from the forum as quickly as possible after the event.  If any members are being harassed behind the scenes PM facility by any member/s here at 1879zuluwar.com please do not hesitate to forward the offending text.  We are all here to communicate and enjoy the various discussions and information on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Opinions will vary, you will agree and disagree with one another, we will have debates, and so it goes. There is no excuse for harassment or bullying of anyone by another person on this site. The above applies to the main frame areas of the forum. The ring which is the last section on the forum, is available to those members who wish to partake in slagging matches. That section cannot be viewed by guests and only viewed by members that wish to do so. 
Fair Use Notice
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.
 

 Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand

Go down 
2 posters
AuthorMessage
Petty Officer Tom

Petty Officer Tom


Posts : 351
Join date : 2017-02-05
Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Empty
PostSubject: Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand   Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Feb 18, 2017 7:32 pm

14th April, 1879, Ginghilovo, Zululand

My Dear Parents,
I now write to tell you of a little of our cruise since I last wrote on the 29th of March.  The General marched from Tugela.  After having bivouacked all night in the rain, we started with only one suit and no change of linen whatever.  We got over our first day’s march very well.  At early evening, we formed laager with our waggons and trenched ourselves in for the night.  The next morning was a beautiful one, and the day was very hot, but we got on very well until evening, when we camped again close to a river.  On the third morning our work was to get our convoy across, which was done in good time, the rear column defending the pass during the work.  It was about three p.m. when we crossed; but we had only a mile to march afterwards, which was very fortunate for us, as we had to wade in water two or three feet deep, and as our clothes got wet so they had to get dry, for we sleep with our rifles alongside of us, and our belts and things on.  The next morning we expected a brush, and the 57th, 60th Rifles, 99th, 91st, and Marines were sent on, and watched the bush until our convoy passed in our rear, when we resumed our proper position.  We had no long been in camp before we had a very heavy fall of rain, completely drenching everything; the ground was all soft mud, and made a very cold bed, and wet clothes to boot, the weather keeping it so until about one o’clock.  The remained of the morning was a little showery.  We were very glad for daylight, as we had orders we had not to march that day.  The sun coming up was beautiful, our cooks had just lighted our fires and were preparing our breakfast when we saw the bold Zulu rise up out of the grass, come out of the bush and down the hills by the thousands, they having been preparing all night to surround us.  The picquets rushed in, but we were ready.  We let the first men get as near as was safe, when we opened fire, a little more than they expected, I think, for they very soon retired with less men than they brought.  When they first got within range they were on all fours, and the grass being as high as a man’s chest, you cannot see them until close to you.  We lost, as far as I can learn, about seven men, one officer included.  When we went out after the engagement to count their wounded and dead, I saw some sickening sights; nine out of every ten were shot through the head, on account of their crouching position in the grass, so they did not suffer long with it.  Every one was naked, and many with three, some with four, and one I saw with six hits.  I am sure no man need wish to view a battlefield a second time.  Our only surprise was there were so few dead left.  We were perfectly aware they would carry away as many as possible, so we only counted between 400 and 500.  They were buried that afternoon.  The next morning the General left to relieve Pearson with a flying column, the marines were included.  We left about 7 a.m., nearly all without any breakfast, expecting every minute another attack, but I think they had had enough of us.  When about eight miles away, we came across one man who struggled there before dying, with three hits in his body.  We marched until about 2 p.m., then rested for about half an hour.  We then struggled on our journey, thinking Pearson was starving, and struggled under the weight of our ammunition, great coats, and belts, until the Marines entered Ekowe with the last rocket cart, it was striking midnight.  We had been on our legs, marching up hills, down hills, and round them, through rivers waist deep, and through deep marshes for 17 hours, with nothing to eat, and nothing but the sky to cover us for bed.  But thanks to the Marines of the Active, they were waiting for us with some good hot coffee.  I tried to dry my socks, but I was too tired and could not wait for them long enough, so they went on again, and I went to sleep without rocking.  On the Saturday morning, having had one day’s rest, we started back, coming a different way both shorter and a better; but the men could not reach our old camp that same night.  We camped about five miles short.  About eight miles from the camp of our engagement we picked up a prisoner crawling on his hands and knees, he having been shot through the foot.  Our troops were very much pressed in coming through the bush, as the weather was scorching hot, and not a drop of water, and the grass as high as ourselves.  They might stow away a whole army within a few yards of each other, and not see them, and under these circumstances we have to fight some of the boldest men ever known, as you may judge, when some of them were killed within a few yards of out trench, and would have come in in spite of numbers had they not have been shot down.  I will give you an instance of one taken prisoner on the morning after the battle.  He was brought in shot under the right breast, the ball passing out at his back.  He broke away on the next morning (or was sent away, I don’t know which.  On the Saturday he was caught again, about eight miles away and brought back.  He had torn off his bandage with disgust, and then started away on the Sunday morning with a message.  As soon as he was clear of the lines he again tore off his bandage.  There are prisoners brought in every day, and nearly all cry one tale, that they don’t want to fight, but they are afraid of the King. I must say, however, they are no way afraid of themselves, or anyone else as I can see; and the women are worse that the men, for if a white man lies wounded on the field, the women come and knock his brains out, and then mutilate him in a brutal manner.  Today our scouts were sent out, and came upon a kraal of men, and women.  The men, with the exception of one, surrendered, who immediately threw down his arms and ran away.  The moment his wife saw this she picked up his rifle and shot down one of our natives, and it was not until she was wounded that she was wounded that she was got under.  It caused the others to strike out, which lost them their lives.  So at the finish there were only four women and three children to bring in, them being the first Zulu women we had seen.  I must not pass over the remainder of our march back, for on our second day’s march back, on nearing the camp, we became aware that we had not counted all the dead on the enemy’s side.  For about two miles the long grass was full of Zulus, and the hot sun was playing on them properly, our noses telling us properly well of their whereabouts.  So now, my dear parents, I must conclude with kind love to all at home, not forgetting my old comrades.

From your affectionate son,
Sergeant T. Whittaker,
R.M. Artillery, Shah’s Royal Naval Brigade,
Zululand, South Africa

(Source:  Burnley Express, 14 June, 1879)

Petty Officer Tom
Back to top Go down
Spudee

Spudee


Posts : 26
Join date : 2017-01-06
Age : 77
Location : Australia

Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand Empty
PostSubject: Re: Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand   Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand EmptySat Feb 18, 2017 10:13 pm

A very informative letter here Tom. Thank you.
Back to top Go down
 
Letter from a Marine Sergeant in Zululand
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Letter From An Unnamed Marine Aboard HMS Jumna
» Sergeant Harry Day Royal Marine Light Infantry
» Colour-Sergeant David Shill, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM  :: NAVAL BRIGADE ANGLO ZULU WAR 1879-
Jump to: