The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-07
How the ZuIus FIGHT.

| line Zulu lOrmaClOn OF marcQ Is III
order of companies on the first day
afterward in regiments in close column,
with the line of forage and provision
bearers, cattle drivers, ETC., on the flank.
After the second day the baggage and
provision bearers fall in rear of the
columns, which move toward a desig-
mated rendezvous along as many roads
as may be necessary, always, however,
maintaining close communication with
each other by runners. When the OBJ
jective point is reached, the order OF
companies is resumed and the army
forms in a great circle facing inwards,
the officers forming an inner circle sur
rounding the commander-in chief, from
whom instructions are then received for
the fight. The order of attack is essen
italy the same as that of a civilized foe.
A capital H resting upon line or dash
will represent it. The cross-bar of the
H is the main body, the perpendiculars
are the wings (or "horns') which ad-
vance long way and extend long way
back. covering the fanks of the center
the line, or dash, on which the H rests
is the reserve. Whether in the woods
or the open this formation is alike effect
i've, for once an enemy Is reached and
enveloped front and flank his doom is
sealed. The men of the reserve remain
seated on the ground with their backs
to the fight till it is necessary to send
them into it, the object being 10 avoid
any funk by seeing their comrades of
the main body repulsed. In rear of
them, usually on height, and frequently
surrounded by an additional reserve
force, are the commander and his assist
ants, and the runners by whom orders
are transmitted to the regiments engaged.
Besides the gun or rifle, the Zulus en-
ploy the assegai and shield. The shaft
of the assegai is about five feet long and
as thick as a mans little finger; the
wood is not unlike the mahogany tree,
brittle and elastic, the latter quality Civ
ing the spear the peculiar vibratory
motion on which its accuracy of fight
so much depends. The head is generally
blade-shaped, with a raised ridge along
the center, concave on one side and con-
vex on the other, serving like the tea
theirs of anlarrow. The tang of the head
is made red-hot and so burns it's way
into the wood, round which band Of
wet rawhide is bound that. contracting
as it dries, holds the head as firmly as an
iron ring. Besides three or four missile
assegais the Zulu soldiers carry shorter
and stronger stabbing assegai, with a
long heavy blade and an ox-hide shield
of oval form long enough to cover him
from the eyes to the feet, and impervious
to darts. A stick long enough to project
lo,o-I Tho ,-11rc oh ha
center, and the daubs of paint on the out
side indicate the regiment to which the
wearer belongs. When opposed to a ma
tive foe the Zulu tactics have been to
move in compact force on the enemy. re-
ceiving the darts on the shields, and as
soon as the hostile missiles have been
expended to close and use the stabbing
spear. DR.. Halub says that against any
antagonists the Zulus rush in with
dauntless courage and the fury of tigers
without the least concern for the hun
dreds falling, they press on to get to close
quarters as speedily as possible, looking
neither to right ner left nor dreaming OF
hiding for moment" They begin the
attack with couple of volleys, then
throw down their guns and charge; at
from forty to sixty PAGES they halt and
send a shower of Thousands of assegais
upon their foe, then take the short spear
in the right hand and close. AS the
breech-loaders at Isandula were so hot
from rapid firing that the soldiers could
not grasp them to use the bayonet efec-
lively, the regulars were as badly han
died as were the British guards last cen
tury when the Highlanders at Killiecran-
kie swooped down upon them, cast up
their bayonets with taIges of tough BULLS
hide and brought the broadsword into
play.