Probably the final chapter in this dreadful affair took place in February 1883 almost four years after the massacre. Mr Boast a civilian contractor was given the task of the burial of their remains.
The Hon Colonial Secretary
Sir,
I have the honour to report that I reached here on Saturday evening with the party. I have inspected the neighbourhood of Isandhlwana
and hope to have all the bones buried in three weeks from this date.
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your obedient Servant Alf Boast (Isandhlwana February 12th 1883)
From the Colonial Secretary
25th February 1883
Dear Mr Boast,
I write you a line privately to impress upon you the importance of you being able eventually to report that the burials at Isandhlwana have been thoroughly effected and that there has been nothing of a perfunctory nature in the discharge of the duties entrusted
to your party. His Excellency is anxious that the thing should be very thoroughly well done and I think it as well to let you know this as I have been a little surprised at your stating that you expect to have it completed in as short a time as three weeks. No part of the neighbourhood must be left unexplored, and each grave must be made as nearly as possible in accordance with your instructions. Remember that there will be nothing satisfactory in completing the work within a short time, if it is afterwards found to have been inefficiently done, and that there is no occasion for hurry. I shall be glad to receive for his Excellency’s information a short ad interim report saying what progress has been made to date, and you have been able in every case to adhere strictly to your instructions.
Signed Haden
Isandhlwana
28th February 1883
Ref: Forgotten Heroes Zulu & Basuto Wars. Pages 409, 410 and 411 Also a Map of the location of the graves.
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