The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-07-26 00:00:00

THE ZULU WAR.
GREAT BATTLE AT ULUNDI.

DEFEAT OF THE ZULUS.

Telegram from Major-General the Hon. H. Clifford to the
Secretary of State for War :
ST. VINCENT, 23rd July, 1879.

"6th July.—Followirg received from Chelmsford:
Cetywayo not having complied with my demands by
noon yesterday, July 3rd, and having fired heavily on
the troops at water, I returned the 114 cattle he had sent
in, and ordered a reconnaissance to be made by the
mounted force under Colonel Buller. This was effectually
made and caused the Zulu army to advance and showit-
self This morning a force under my command, consisting
of the 2nd Division under Major General Newdigate,
numbering 1,870 Europeans, 530 natives, and eight
guns, and the flying column, under Brigadier General
Wood, numbering 2,192 Europeans and 573 natives, four
guns, and two Gatlings, crossed the Umvolosi River
at 6.15, and marching in a hollow square with
the ammunition and intrenching tool carts and
bearer company in its centre reached an excellent
pmition between Enadwengo and Ulundi about half
past eight. This had been observed by Colonel
Buller the day before. Our fortified camp on the
right bank of the Umvolosi was left with a garrison
of about 900 Europeans, 250 natives, and one Gatling
gun, under Colonel Bellairs. Soon after half past seven
the Zulu army was seen leaving its bivouacs, and
advancing on every aide. The engagement was shortly
after commenced by the mounted men. By nine
o'clock the attack was folly developed. At half-past
nine the enemy wavered. The 17th Lancers, followed
by the remainder of the mounted men, attacked
them, and a general rout ensued. The prisoners
state Cetywayo was personally commanding, and
had made all the arrangements himself, and
that he witnessed the fight from Lickazi Kraal,
and that twelve regiments took part in it.
If co, 2),000 men attacked us. It is impossible
to estimate with any correctness the loss of the enemy,
owing to the extent of the country over which they
attacked and retreated, but it could not have been less,
I consider, than 1,000 killed. By noon Ulundi was in
flames, and daring the day the military kraal's of the
Zulu army and in the Valley of the Umvolosi were
destroyed.
At two p.m. the return march to the camp of the
column commenced. The behaviour of the troops
under my command was extremely satisfactory.
Their steadiness under a complete belt of fire was re-
markable. The dash and enterprise of the mounted
branches was all that could be wished, and the fire of
the Artillery very good.
A portion of the Zulu forces approached our
fortified camp, and at one time threatened to attack
it. The native contingent forming a part of the garrison
were sent out after the action and assisted in pursuit.
As I have fully accomplished the object for which I
advanced, I consider I shall now be best carrying out
Sir G. Wolseley's instructions by moving at once to
Arlonganite (?) and thence towards Kamagwasa. I
shall send back a portion of this force with the empty
waggons for supplies, which are now ready at Fort
Marshal.

I beg to forward a list of casualties :
Killed.— 2nd Division: Captain Wyatt Edgell,
Farrier Serj cant Taylor, 17th Lancers; Corporal
Tompkinson, Private Coates, 58th Regiment; Private
Kent, 94th Regiment, and Trooper Sifona, Shepstone's
Horse. Flying Column.—Corporal Carter, R.A. ;
Bugler J. Burnes, Private W. Dirdley, 13th Regi-
ment ; Private Floyd, 80th Regiment; Trooper Jones,
K.N. (sic) Horse.

Wounded (2nd Division).—Dangerously, Troopers
Jones and Charles Wade, 17th Lancers; Privates H.
Yalder and W. Bourner. 21st Regiment; Privates N.
Nash, W. Stewart, and M. Marony, 58th Regiment.
Muziza. Shepstone's Horse.— Severely, Major Win-
slow, Private Sawdle, G. Brown, F. Fidler, and J.
Daveny, 21st Regiment; Major Bond, Privates
Cotterell, H. Elainee, and W. Sevegrett, 58th Regi-
ment ; Lieutenant Jenkins, 17th Lancers, Lieutenant
Phipps, Ist 24th; Lieut. Liebenrood, Serj. Piper, 58th
R-giment ; Driver Bedeunan, R.A. ; Hospital Bearer
Mubique, slightly; Captain Hon. Cotton, Lieutenant
James, Scots Greys; Lieutenant A. B. Milne, R.N. ;
Trooper J. Bryan, 17th Lancers; Private Sly, 1.24 th ;
Private M. Murtah, 94th Regiment ; Lieutenant
Jenkins—Contingent.
Flying Column,—Dangerous: Lieut. Pardoe ; Pri-
vates J. Davies, W. Shepstone, D. Bugler, M.
Cockling, 13th Regiment; Gunner J. Morton, RA.;
Privates P. Tulley, W. Hunt, 80th Regiment; Trooper
Leuedo, Mounted Basutos. Severely: Gunner W.
Morshead, R.A., Serjeant R. Wood, RE., Privates J.
Bourne, H. Owens, C. Johnson, VT. Hunt, and J.
Caring, 13th Regiment; Sergeant Onerill, Private
A. Allcroft, and M. Duffy, 89th Regiment; Private
J. Flood, 90th Regiment: Trooper P. Legos, Baker's
Horse; Captain Hurber, Wood's Irregulars; Lieut.
Courdell, Trooper Salien, Mounted Basuto%

Slightly.—Private P. Stokes, 13th Regiment.

DESPATCH FROM SIR GARNET WOLSELEY.

FORT DURNFORD, July 8.

Have halted. Marine battalion at the Carp, and all
other reinforcements here (Durban), as I believe the
war to be over. Do not send out any more men or
supplies until you hear from me. Let me know the
order in which regiment should be sent home. Hope
to be able greatly to reduce the daily expenditure here
very soon. Expect to meet the great Zulu Chief about
16th inst. and discuss terms if peace.