The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-03-20
Zulu Warfare.

deserted, gives voice to the fears OF the
English officers who have seen service in
Cape Colony. Lieut.. Edgecome, al OF
fcer in South Africa, and recently al
rived in New York, does not hesitate to
pronounce the Fingo allies of the British
unreliable, cowardly and treacherous.
In the previous wars it was their custom,
as soon as Il battle opened. to retire be
hind their European supports and fire in
the direction of the enemy without re-
gard 10 their friends in front This
always made them dangerous friends,
and caused the regulars to look on them
with distlust. 1t was claimed that they
shot more of their own officers in an en-
gagement than did the enemy, and that
IN many cases the officers of |. native
regiment were the only ones to remain
on the ground.
It this story is true, it is easy to be
lieve the rumors as to desertion and
massacre. The Kafiirs in Cape Colony
and Natal ought to be the enemies of
the Xulus, as the latter have driven
many of the former from their old homes.
But if the natives, avowedly friendly to
Athe English, are SO inefficient and UNI
trustworthy as soldiers, there is the
greater need OF veteran English regi
ments fol service against TN enemy that
has proved formidable
The population of Cape Colony in
1875 was about 100000, and less than
one third We're Europeans. From this
white popuatihn ought to come good
volunteer army, and several efficient
local organizations are in the field. The
Dutch Beers, it is reported, have not dis
tinguished themselves in recent cam
paigns. but in defensive warfare they
would probably do better
Against the regulars and European
volunteers, Cetywayo, the Zulu king,
will throw all of his available troops,
and may influence Secoconi, Keel, and
other Independent chiefs on the border
to Join him in war against the British.
The Zulus are OF IL higher type than
the negro, and are described by English
travellers as brown OF complexion, with
woody hair; tall, graceful, strong and &C
tive. They came from the North at the
beginning of the century, and their
courage and better organization enabled
them to drive off or make slaves of the
Kaffir tribes with which they came in
! contact. They now occupy the territory
north of Natai, and hold in partial sub
lection some of the neighboring tribes.
They have long been noted for their
courage and daring. and Cetywayo has
for fifteen years had II reputation
as an organizer and soldier. His
power is absolute, and the peculiar
character and customs OF his people
have made it possible for him to impress
upon them the characteristics of his own
vigorous individuality. Under Xulu law
no man can marry under forty years of
age unless by the Kings permission. All
males, boys and old men, rs well rs
young men and middle-aged, must serve
in tho army The active army is made
up of unmarried men, who are stimulat-
ed to the greatest exertions in battle by
promise of royal favor. When a regi-
ment specially distinguishes itself, the
King gives permission for all the men
10 DC HiiTTIcu, aIiu tH' tA"A'liC 10 HCiA
up to otner regiments. The army disci-
pline and the civil life of the natives
make them daring, courageous and I'M
reasoning fatalis,s This spirit of stub
born persistence controls all their army
movements When they cross Il river
they lock arms in columns and push for
ward The men in front are pushed
through the water by the impetus Of the
column behind. Those in the rear push
on with brute force, regardless of what
Happens to those in front
In battle they fight in regiments,
which are divided into companies. When
attacked they form in line, or in circles,
by company or regiment. When max
ing an attack, they dash upon the enc
mys front in Indian style.
The soldiers wear only two demi-kilts
of civet and monkey skin. one in front
and one behind, tied at the waist and
falling TO the knee The married men
carry white shields and the bachelors
black. There are forty regiments in the
Zulu army, each about 1900 strong.
The frontier army IS armed with brcech-
loading rifles, procured through the