Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-09-03
The Battle OF Uluudi.

DIR. Rufell of the LOudon Times give.
the following account of the defeat of the
Zulu forces at Ulundi: AT six O'Clock
on the morning of the Fourth of July tn,
combined columns of Newdigate and Wood
crossed the White Unvolosi As the forces
gathered on the left bank of the 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 the I'm
volosl would also be its grave, seemed GER
tain of fulfillment What could the ZuIl
swarIns, seen gathered along the splIis.
with all their feline courage and instinct
for tactics, effect in the face of the army
that with unwonted celerity and precision
moved down the steep slopes and massed
upon the further bank Koppie Drift.
upon the regular mission road, was the
crossing point. All passed over and reached
the high level ground beyond the river.
Some two miles distant rose the steep bowl
der-capped hills, over which, some thirty
years ago, the Zulus hunted the beaten
Beers, associated, therefore, in Zulu minds
with victory and victorious pursuit. To
the right lay lower thorn-covered hills.
which extended to the lagcOns at the mouth
OF the White Unvolosi. Behind and on the
left stretched broken country, SCARED with
ravines and valleys, sprInkled with mimOsa,
-clumping in places into awkward look
ing cover and branching euphorbiass
which give tine country 50 striking a char
acter. Close on the right Law gloomy
glen, which, from the DAYS Of Chaka. the
Zulus have used for the execution of crimi-
mails. Just beyond we crossed little
stream nearly dry that winds among the
Kings tields-hcre all is royal demesne-
and supplies the royd kraals with water
We found ourselves in view of the ampm-
theatre, where stand three great military
Udabakaombi and u
undi. Our position was excellent for STRAIT
egic purposes, commanding the enemv's
ground IN front, and, except on the left.
where stood the NOdwenga Kraal. thous-
and yards distant, afrording the Zulus no
rallying point in their disorder. Our rear
TANKS, from the nature of the country.
were equally protected from surprise.
Here the army halted, awaiting the impI
that was seen surging down the hills on
our left, taking skilful advantage of the
from the bush on our right front At 5. 30
the mounted irregulars, under Butler, were
thrown out on the rear, left and front,
keeping the enemy in check on these three
sides; but from an error the right. where
it was thought the lancers would have
acted, was unprovided for. This omission
was discovered, and the mounted BasutOs
and the native contingent under Cochrane
rapidly deplOyed in the prettiest manner
possible and skirmished toward UdakaOmbI
kraal, returning the enemy's fire brisklv
and holding them pluckily in check. The
Lulus were too strong for such handful,
and the Basutos, retiring on the right face,
came into action with what may be called
The left horn Of the Zulu army.
Meanwhile, however. the enemy had SO
extended their formation that all four sides
we're soon engaged-the Zulus advancing
N skirmishing order, with great Stcadiness
and unexpected silence. There was no
shouting, clashing Of shields, nor savage
demonstrations, but strict orderly disci-
llina nrIr fire was terrific aud tho arfil .
Lulus advanced within seventy yards on all
'Our sides before they began TO break. - a
Iurther advance was really impossible. In
about half an hour from the commence
nent Of the infantry fire they were seen
falling back in close masses, becoming rap
dly disOrganized under the storm Of bullets
and shells which poured upon them, and
he wavering mob broke into open flight
The Lancers, now lOOsened, were among
hem, and within minute were riding
through and through, cutting them down
light and left, while the guns continued
earring up the flying masses with their fire.
Within an hour the whole affair was over.
The Zulus certainly were from twelve
thousand TO thirteen thousand strong, in
,luding the flower Of the army. Seven
thousand warriors were engaged. Prison
ITS state that they went into action under
own eye. Our troops, young
md old alike, behaved admirably; but the
firing, considering the small loss Of the
hundred in all-must have
been rather wild. Our loss was ten killed.