Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-29
The Battle at R0rke's Drift.

On the same day as the fatal battle and
| disaster mt Isandlana, In South Africa, a
Zulu army numbering mt least 1900 men
attacked with great bravery and per-
sistency the post ofRorke's Driff mt which
100 mcn-thirty-fve of them patients in
hospital l-wcre stationed. A graphic ac-
count of the fight Is given by Pail Mall
gazette correspondent, who says:
The advance guard of the Zulus ap-
round the south corner of the hill in n
body of from 500 to 600 strong, led by n
chief on horseback. They halted n
moment, and then advanced quietly but
quickly, at n run, taking advantage of
every bit of cover. Ii seemed as If they
had expected To surprise the camp. Our
men opened fire mt 500 yards. The first
man To fall was the chief lie was shot
by Private Dunbar and fell Off his horse
headlong. Numbers of the enemy fell Mt
once. They hcsitatcd, broke, and the
greater number scattered Ia their left.
occupied the garden and orchard. where
there was plenty of cover. A few got up
close To the houses and lay behind the
field oven and kitchens that there were
built. Scarcely any of these men had
guns or rifles. Others came ON in a CON
tinuous stream, occupied the hill above,
All the men who had guns were sta
toned on the hill. and kept up n con-
tinuOus and rapid fire on the yard. 1t
caught our men in their backs as they
Were guarding the garden side. and five
men were thus shot dead.
IL now became dusk. The Iulus crcpt
up nearer and nearer. Under cover of
the bushes and long grass they were able
to get within five miles of the hospital
without being seen. From this point, in
parties of fifteen to twenty. they re-
pcatcdly attacked the end room Of the
hospital. They made these attaaks in
the most deliberate manner, advancing
after the manner Of their dancing, with.a
prancing step and n high action. They
cared nothing for slaughter, but cndcav-
orcd, in the most persistent manner, 10
get over the barricade and into the hos
pital. Many times, seven or eight nj
least, Lieut.. Bromhcad, collecting few
men together, had To drive them off with
a bayonct charge. Then they would re-
tire. and all Of them in chorus shout and
strike their shields. Our men chccrcd in
answer, and let them have it. There
was plenty of ammunition. Ancr the
first half hour there was no waste.
How deliberate and telling the fire was
may bc gathered from the following in
cidcnts. Private Joseph Williams, "A
young Welshmnn. under two years SER
vice. had "A small window in the hospital
to shoot from. Next morning fourteen
dead warriors were counted outside his
window, and several more down his line
Of fire. As soon as his ammunition was
all exhausted. he and the other men
with him defended the door Of the room
till the enemy, 10y sheer weight of num-
bcrs, forced IL open. Poor fellow he
was seized by the hands and arms.
dragged out, and assegaicd and mutilatcd
before the eyes of his comrades
Another instance: Privat" Dunbar. the
same man who shot the chief on horse.
back. was posted Ia watch the hill. As
the kafiirs strcamed down from their
right. this man (al-o Wcishman. and
of Jess service than the above mrntioncdl
shot eight of the enemy in as many con
scCutivc shots. Lieut.. Chnrd was stand
ing by him as he did il. and the bodies
were found hcapcd one on the other next
morning.
The enemy n, last effected lodrncnt
In the hospital. Thirty of the patients
were got out In time Most Of them
were pushed and pulled through a win
dow which opened on the yard. SDrgt.
MRNiield. = fine young soldier. was very
III with frycr and dciirious Hc could
not b. moved. and hc was killed in his
bod. They now set fire 10 the hospital
The roof was thaich. and ii quickly
blazcd. BY its light our men were en-
ablrd to soc their foes better. and many
fell before they rctrna'ed io better cover.
Aftcr pause. encouraged by q chief who
from time to time shouted his orders
from the hillside. they came on again The
fighting In places became hand TO hnnd
over the mcalic sacks. Tho as-ailants
used only their assegais These they did
not throw. but used only n stabhing
weapons. Directly soldier showed his
head over the parapct to ct n shot. he
was thrust Mt. Once or twice the kaE
frs actually seized the hayoncts and
tried to wrench them of the rifles. One
Of our men loaded while Zulu was
tugging at his bayouet lie pulled the
trigger and blew the Plucky fellow TO
atoms. They next tried to set firr to th
thatchcd roof Of the store. In face of n
hot fire they got up to the house. and
one fine savage had his brains blown
out as hc was holding a brand against
the caves.
And So the fight continued till after
midnight. from which time till four A.
NJ. they gradually Withdrew. only every
now aud then making n charge. They
carried with them all their dead and
wounded that they could. The last of
them left Just before dawn. They left
$40 dead on the field. These were
counted and buried in heaps Many of
them were recognized by their shields ms
belonging to one of the crack royal regi-
ments. The majority were of certain
age, in poor condition, and Of small
stature. Our loss. counting five Of the
patients. was thirteen killed and ten
wounded. Three of the latter have since
died of their wounds.