Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-15
How the Prince Died
FACING THE zuLus WITH THE SWORD OF AUST

IITZ IN HIS HAND.
Engnsh papers give more detailed accounts Of
the Prince 1mperial's death than have yet ap-
peared. A letter to the London Iele6raph says
that the Prince and his escort, suppoSng the
ground had been thoroughly reconnoltered
might otherwise have been. No precautions
whatever were taken against surprise In itself.
the position was a dreadful one for even
strong party to take up, and presented all the
natural features demanded by Zulu tactics to
insure success steep hill shutting of retreat
on two sides, river on the third, and a deep
and difficult donga on the fourth, with the
this season OF the year the Tambookie grass is at
Its highest, and around the Kaffir kraals maize
al ano ear mes ,r sprung from grain spilled
Is always found scattered among the grass.
The whole formed very close growth OF a fair
uniform height OF six feet. Through this the
Zuius stalked their enemies. When the volley
was fired the party was standing to their horses
In line, with their backs to the kraal and their
races eastward. The prince was In front OF the
men at the left OF the line, and nearest, there
horse, and when last seen was behind q hut,
rifle In hand, evidently prepared to defend him.
sell but before he could fire the poor fellow was
reaching the donga. The Ka1ir probably rus he'd
to cover at once, and was there surrounded, and
the rest OF the party-six men in all-made for
very difficult point, while two others took an
easier place, more On their left, the prince fol-
lowing the latter. He was not seen to reach the
donga but Carey when crossing it saw the
fIlhceS morse gallOptng across at the easiest
point. The Zulus must have come up with the
Prince at the gully, where he must have turned
upon his pursuers. He never called for help,
hand carried by the First Napoleon through
many famous day. Whether he killed any
Zulus IS not known, but it is probable they did
edge OF the doDga they could hurl their assegals
down at him With impunity. One pierced bis
right eye, causing-so the doctors believe-lm-
mediate death, or at any rate paralyzlng all
1eellng The Prince probably then fell, and the
Zulus leaping down stabbed him In q dozen
places. Meanwhile the Kaffir guide, 1t appears,
mad been nghting for his life, and before he
dropped had broken several OF his assegais,
which were found blood STAINED by his side next
morning.
A strong mixed force Of cavalry and infantry
went out to search for the body. The greatest
anxiety prevailed In camp. Had the Prince
been taken alive and his identity discovered the
Zulus-so those who know them assured me-
would have preserved his life, as the killing OF
This would probably have brought the war to
conclusion, as CetyWayO would have used the
advantage thus gatnt d. The worst news-that
me me Prince was dead and his BODY foundmcame
corpse arrived. 1t was discovered in the donga,
entirely stripped OF clothing, and everything
upon It gone except one stocking lying close by
been broken and was lying under the neck.
The body was lying on its back, the uninjured
eye open. All the wounds were In front. The
corpse had been treated in the usual Zulu way
(cut OPEN. but was not mutllated. The doc
tors at once prepared 1t for transportation to
England. A case was quickly made and the
body, most carefully packed with tow, sand
When the Zulus stripped the Prince Impe-
rails body, says the London World, they would
not touch the little medal of the Madonna
which he wore round his neck, because 1t is an
article Of faith in South Africa that charms
taken from dead man carry with them the
luck Of their former owner.