The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-08-04 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF 'ULUNDI.

The Durban Correspondent of the Standard writes :
Full particulars of Cetewayo's last fight with
Usibepu and his overthrow have at length reached me,
forwarded from the scene of the battle by a European,
who was an eye-witness. A special messenger sent
with despatches immediately after the event was
killed on his way hither, which accounts for the
delay.
- - - - - -

Usibepu's impil arrived within two miles of Ulundi
very early on the morniug of the 21st, after marching
the whole night. At Ulundi Gateway° had assembled
seventy companies of men and was waiting for the
arrival of Mnyamana and Abaqualusi with their imos,
Intending to make a descent on Manhlajazi, in con-
junction with Somkela and a horde of Tongas from
the coast.

Halting for a few moments to allow all his followers
to come up, IJsihepu formed companies and marched
on Ulundi, without taking time for rest or food.
Cetewayo's scouts soon announced tha approach of the
anemy, and the whole of his forces turned out and
advanced to meet them.

The attack commenced on Usibepu's left wing, and
for ten minutes a brisk fire was kept up. By this
time Usibepu himself had brought up his right wing,
and at once led them into action. This movement,
and, indeed, the whole attack, was managed through-
out by Usibepn in a way that would have done no
discredit to a European field officer.
The command to charge was now given, and the
whole impi rushed down on Cetswayo's army in excel.
lent style. In a few moments all was over. The
Übutus wavered, broke, and were soon flying in all
directions, and within less than half an hour after the
attack commenced Ulundi was in flames.
The enthusiasm and dash of the attack could not
have been excelled. TJaibepu himself seemed to be
everywhere, exposing himself wherever the fire was
hottest, and encouraging the different companies by
name. Notwithstanding the brisk fire of the Usntus,
the men advanced as steadily as if on parade, quietly
closing in the ranks as they were thinned by the shots
fr,mn the King's army, which was immensely superior
in numbers to that of Usibepu, Cetewayo having
seven thousand men to the latter's three thousand.

Dabnlarrianzi sat at the kraal gates at first, watching
the fighting and occasionally firing shots from his
rifle; but when the Usutus broke he fled on horseback,
carrying his son behind him. Finding, however, that
the boy hampered him in his flight he dropped him,
and left him to his fate. By this means Dabula•
manzi escaped, and the boy was killed.
When the pursuit realhed Ulundi Kraal, Cetewayo
who does not seem to have been aware of the full im-
port of what was going on, fled hurriedly. He tried
to mount a horse, but was unsuccessful. He then fled
on foot and unclothed for about a mile and a half,
when he was spied by some of Usibepu's men, who
stabbed him twice. The men then became frightened
at what they had done, and left him, and immediately
afterwards, meeting my correspondent, they t)ld him
that they had captured Cetewayo. He told them not
to harm him, and immediately rode after Usihepu, to
inform him that his victory was complete. Usibepu
at once sent out a company to bring in Cetev ayo, but
they were unable to find him.
The victors secured a considerable quantity of booty
in Ulundi. My Correspondent reports that he has
gained possession of a silver•mounted drinking cup, on
which is engraved "Presented to his Imperial Ma
jesty King Cetewayo by Lord and Lady Edward S.
Churchill." One of Ileibepu's Indunas has the Ma-
lacca cane presented by the Prince of Wales, and
Usibepu himself has the three-handled mug presented
by the Queen, as wtll as two splendid photographs of
her Majesty.

More fighting is expected, as Mnyamana has sent a
defiant message to Usibepu, and Somkela also threatens
an attack from the south.

Usibepu says he does not want to keep more of Zulu-
land than his own territory. He is willing to have a
European appinted as chief paramount over himself
and the other chieftains.