Lord Chelmsford and the Zulu War

by Gerald French D.S.O.

Overview

The Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 was perhaps subjected to much controversy as a result of the epic Zulu victory at the battle of Isandlwana. Lord Chelmsford, the General Officer commanding the invasion force during the war, sustained severe criticism from both journalists and parliament following his actions and conduct at Isandlwana. In 1939 and on the sixtieth anniversary of the battle, Major, the Hon Gerald French, wrote a controversial but riveting book titled

Lord Chelmsford and the Zulu War, is based on defending both Lord Chelmsfords actions and reputation. The foreword to the book was written by General Sir Bindon Blood who served under Chelmsford in India and a devoted admirer.

French however, had fallen into the error of selective inaccurate source material and false reports that were, at the time, specifically designed to shield Lord Chelmsford from the Isandlwana debacle and conveniently lay such blame on the shoulders of Colonel Anthony Durnford, Royal Engineers, who was present at Isandlwana. For example, in looking for such evidence, French deliberately altered a map that showed the true disposition of the imperial defense line at the battle in order for readers to reach the conclusion that the primary course of the defeat was the retreat of the Natal Native Contingent , that opened a gap in the defense , thus allowing an unopposed Zulu advance.

The book is nevertheless a comprehensive and detailed coverage of the Anglo Zulu war from the initial invasion to the final battle of Ulundi some months later, and has been used extensively as bibliography by authors when addressing the subject of the Anglo-Zulu war. This book is highly recommended for those with a historical interest of the events of 1879 and the demise of the Zulu nation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399020305
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Foreword viii

Introduction x

Chapter 1 Previous Service 1

Chapter 2 Causes of the Zulu War 28

Chapter 3 Lord Chelmsford's Preparations 31

Chapter 4 Lord Chelmsford's Plan 49

Chapter 5 Opening of Hostilities 58

Chapter 6 Isandhlwana 69

Chapter 7 Defence of Rorke's Drift 83

Chapter 8 Lord Chelmsford Reports the Disaster 89

Chapter 9 The Flank Columns 97

Chapter 10 News of Isandhlwana Reaches England 109

Chapter 11 Preparations for a Resumption of the Advance Towards Ulundi 123

Chapter 12 Relief of Ekowe 132

Chapter 13 Action at Hlobane Mountain 142

Chapter 14 Zulu Attack on Kambula Camp 153

Chapter 15 Reorganisation of Lord Chelmsford's Force on Arrival of Reinforcements 159

Chapter 16 Transport and Commissariat Difficulties 169

Chapter 17 General Clifford's Attitude 175

Chapter 18 Death of the Prince Imperial 183

Chapter 19 Peace Proposals 191

Chapter 20 Progress of the Advance 198

Chapter 21 Sir Garnet Wolseley Appointed High Commissioner 208

Chapter 22 Ulundi 214

Chapter 23 Lord Chelmsford Resigns 229

Chapter 24 Lord Chelmsford's Return Home 240

Chapter 25 The Remarkable Case of Captain Shepstone 248

Chapter 26 Lord Chelmsford and his Critics 255

Chapter 27 Omission of Important Documents from Sir Garnet Wolseley's Despatches 289

Chapter 28 Subsequent Service 297

Appendix A Constitution of the Zulu Army in 1878-9 303

Appendix B Composition of British Columns and Distribution of Troops on January 11th, 1879 306

Appendix C State of South African Field Force End of May 1879 312

Appendix D Distribution of Lord Chelmsford's Northern Force for the Final Phase of his Advance on Ulundi 319

Appendix E Action of the Inyezane, January 22nd, 1879 321

Appendix F Isandhlwana, January 22nd, 1879 323

Appendix G Rorke's Drift, January 22nd-23rd, 1879 326

Appendix H Intombi River, March 12th, 1879 327

Appendix I Hlobane, March 28th, 1879 328

Appendix J Kambula, March 29th, 1879 330

Appendix K Gingihlovo, April 2nd, 1879 332

Appendix L Ulundi, July 4th, 1879 335

Appendix M Summary of Losses in Action 339

Appendix N Transport in South Africa, 1879 340

Appendix O Approximate Cost of the Zulu War 341

Index 342