Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-08-22
THE BATTLE OF ULuNDl,
Bull Run" Russel'S Brief Description
OF the Decisive Action With the Zu.

+" Bull Run" Russel's Brief Description
oi the Decisive Action With the Zu.
lus.
At O'Clock ON the morning OF the
|th OF July the combined columns of
Newoigatc aud Wood crossed the White
Umvolos,. AS the forces gathered ON
the left bank of tho river in all their
strength OF artillery, cavalry and Brit
ish infantry. the Zulu prediction, that
the cradle of the nation in the valley of
umvolosi would also be its grave, SEEM
ed certain of ullhlment. What could
the Zulu swarms, seen gathered along
the spurs, with all their feline courage
and instinct for tactics, effect in the face
of the army that with unwonted oeler.
lty and precision moved down tho steep
slopes, and massed upon the further
haukg koppie Drift, upon the regular
mission road, was the crossing point.
"All passed over and reached the
high level ground beyond tho river.
Some two miles distant rose tho steep
howldor.capped hills, over which, some
thirty years ago, the Iulus hunted the
beaten Beers, associated, therefore, in
Zulu minds with victory and victorious
pursuit, To the right lay the thorn
covered hills, which extend to tho la
goons At tho mouth of the White TIM.
yolosi. Behind and ON tho left stretch.
cd broken country, SCARED with mimo-
clumpng IN places into awkward.
looking oover-and branching euphor-
bas, which give the country 80 striking
n character. Close on the right lay n
gloomy glen, which, from tho days of
Chnka, tho Xulus have used for the
execution Of criminals. Just beyond
we crossed little stream nearly dry
that winds among tho kings fields =
here all is royal demense-- and supplies
the royal kraals with water. We found
ourselves in view of the nmphithealre,
where stand three great military kraals
Nodwenga, Udnbnkaombi and Ulundi.
Gar position was excellent for strategic
purposes, commanding tho enony's
ground il. front, and, except on tho left,
where stood the Nodwenga Kraal, n
thousand yards distant, ailording tho
Iuns no nllying point in thoir disorder.
Our rear TANKS, from the nature of the
country, were equally protected iram
surprise.
Here the army halted, awaiting the
impi that was soon surglng down the
hills on our loft, taking sklllful advan.
tage of the Nodwonga Kraal ON our
rear, aud emerging from the bush on
our right front. At $50 tho mounted
irrogulars, under Butler, were thrown
out on the rear, left and front, keeping
the enemy in check Oh these three
Hdes but, from nh error, The right,
where 1t was thought the llncers would
have acted, was nj first unprovided for.
This omission was discovered, and the
mounted Basutos and the native con.
tingoni, under Cochrane, rapidly de-
ployod in the prcttiost manner posi-.
bile, and skirmished toward Udakaom.
hi kraa returning the onemy's fire
brskly, and holding them pluokily In
check. The Xulns were too strong for
such handful, and tho Basutos rotir.
ing on the right face, came into action
with what may be called tho left horn
Of the Zulu army.
Meanwhile, however, tho enemy had
so scattered their formation that NIL
four sides were soon cngaged-the Zu-
las advancing in diminishing order,
with great stondlness and unexpected
silence. There was no shouting, no
elashing Of shields, nor savage demon.
STATIONS, but strictly orderly discipline.
Our fire was terrific. and the artillery
practice excellent, but the determined
Iulus advanced within twenty yards
on NIL four sides before taoy began TO
break, as a further advance was really
impossible. In about half nm hour
from the commencement Of the infant
ry fire they were seen falling back IN
close masses, becoming rapidly disor-
CARRIED under the storm OF bullets ard
shells which poured upon them, and
the wavering mob broke into open
flight.
The lancers, now loosened, we're
among them, and within Il minute we're
riding through and through, cutting
them down right and left, while the
guns continued tearing up the flying
masses with their fire. Within an hour
the whole affair was over.
"Ihe Xulus certainly were from
twelve thousand 10 thirteen thousand
strong, including the flower Of the army.
Seven thousand warriors were engaged.
Prisoners state that they went into nc.
ton under Cetewayo's own eye. Our
troops, young and old alike, behaved
admirably; but the firing, considering
the small loss Of the Zulus--eight hum
dred IN all-must have been rather
wild. Our loss was ten killed."
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A BOYS Vacation Letter.