St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-03
The Brave Soldier Boys Who
Died for England's Honor
at ISandahla.
Cetewayo, the Bloody, and
the Zulu Brutes Who Fol-
lowed Him.
The Colors for Which Eight
Hundred Men Gave Up
Their Lives.
Two Gallant Heroes Who
Rode to Death for
the Flag.

Among the many contests, pitched
| battles and SkirmisheS that have taken
| place in England's South African pos
sessions during the past ten or twelve
| years, there has been none, perhaps of
more thrilling interest than the fight
at ''Isandahla" on Jan. 20, 1879, the
| first of series of bloody conflicts in
| which the English was matched against
the Zulu nation, and where the former
lost nearly 1000 and the latter 10000
| slain.
In detailing this account of the fight
| it must be UNDERSTOOD that the English
expedition under Lord Chelmsford had
crossed the Tugela river, which sepa-
rates Natal from Zululand. and had es-
tabliShed first camp at lsandahla,
about six miles over the border, where
astrong force was left, while patrol in
force under the general went forward
to reconnoiter. This force, which con-
sisted of the mounted portion of the eX-
petition, on its march saw nothing but
small parties of Zulus, land those only at
far distance, and on the third or fourth
day of the patrol encamped about twen-
ty-five miles from Isandahla.
In the meantime Cetewayo, the Zulu
chief, had not been idle; his scouts had
watched the comparatively small body
penetrating into the heart of his coun-
try, had taken in the meagerness of the
garrison at lsandahla, and had reported
to their chief that it required but a
stroke to wipe the English off the face
nf thn larth GatpxUoNrn halA n
council of war, in which all the principal
head men, generals and chiefs of the ma
ton were assembled. and it was there
decided that descent should be made
upon the small band of redcoatS who
were encamped near the Tugela. Upon
the conclusion of the council the gen
erals went forth, each man to his COM
mand, and a grand mastering of men
showed the Zulu king that he possessed
a splendid force of about so, 600 warriors,
all of them in the prime of manhood
and burning to drive the invader into
the sea.
FORMATION OF THE ZULU ARMY.
CetewayO divided his army into two
parts or ''impis," as they are called, the
| one of which he gave to his brother to
command and the other to tried gem
eral. To explain the overwhelming dis
aster which followed it is necessary to
explain in few words the nature of
Zulu tactics in this and most other en-
gagementS. The impi, or horn, was
the formation generally favored by this
nation.
1t can best be explained by likening
it to the horn of an OK, which the forma-
ton of a body of Zulus resembled, the
thin end marched out first, being fol-
lowed by the thicker masses and en-
deavOring always to curl around its
point and Outhank the enemy. These
tactics were pursued Oh this occasion,
and the first impi, commanded by the
kings brother, started out before day
break on the morning of the Goth and
headed toward the northwest of the
British camp, while the other band
headed toward the southeast.
AT daybreak the outlying picket of
the British sent into camp to say that
body of their enemy had been seen
toward the northwest, and the COM
mandant at once ordered Col. Pulleine.
of the Twenty-fOurth regiment, to take
his men and with two guns and Cat
ling to reconnoiter. This regiment, of
about 800 strong, with artillery, COM
prised nearly the entire strength of the
little garrison. and in making this move
the commandment unWittingly caused the
disaster which followed.
Col. Pulleine marched bravely out,
and after short time was engaged with
the small end of the lmpi, which was
all that was then visible; but in a few
minutes there broke from the dOngas
and gulleyS, and from every available
shelter. hordes of ZuluS, who came on
upon the little band with yells and war
cries, discharging their guns as they
ran. The commandant formed his men
into hollow square, and though out
numbered twenty TO one, determined to
stem the savage in his onward career.
Volley after volley was fired from this
little phalanX.
HAND TO HAND.
The Zulus, now within a hundred
yards. abandoned their guns and took
their assegais, which they commenced
hurting in perfect showers upon the lit
tie square OF red before them, now fast
diminishing as the messengers of death,
either spear or bullet, found its mark.
The Zulus, in a state OF frenzy and mad
ness, again and again charged up to the
English and, with their short stabbing
assegais, attempted to reach the gum
ners of the small field guns and the
Calling, which were pouring in con-
slant and deadly fire upon the black
HOIutS DClOlC tuCll UuU lilCIC was IlO
breaking through that line-the British
received these fierce warriors upon the
points of their bayOnetS or shot them
dead before they could come within
stabbing distance.
SO the fight rolled or and the sun,
now high in the heaven, began to make
it's power felt upon the brave fellows
who had been npholding the honor of
their country against such fearful odds.
and the pangS of thirst were added 10
their tOrtureS. The ground was streWn
with dead Zulus, The wounded and dy-
ing had been rapidly carried off by their
comrades and lull in the storm almost
convinced the gallant colonel that he
would be able to rescue the remainder
of his men, now reduced to about two
thirds.
But the thought was short-lived.
Suddenly the ZuluS in front, with ter
rife yellthat was biOod-curdling. dashed
once more up the rise and at the same
time from behind poured dense masses
of victorious foe who. gloated with
blood and flushed with success, for
they had just arrived from numbering
the men and plunderIng and loOting the
camp which they have taken in rear,
had surprised and made an easy prey of
without scarcely losing man.
FIENDS INCARNATE.
These fiends knew no fear. They
leaped upon the bayonets, caught hold
of them and tried to wrest them from
the soldiers, and drove their broad
bladed stabbing assegais deep into the
British hearts. But still the whites
|. fought on; the square was broken now,
the gunners dead, the ammunition ex-
hausted. Shoulder to shoulder the Brit
ons stood. many wounded, their uni
forms in rags. their helmets gone, now
bling with their rifles, determined to
sell their lives as dearly as possible,
knowing that no quarter would be given
and that surrender meant death. Round
their flag they rallied, the iends max
ing desperate attempts to break them