The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-01-04

Umtetwas to the Zulus and at once began
a warfare of unbridled conquest and rapine.
The whole male Zulu population was con-
scripted for active service A band Of Ii. 900
picked warriors was formed to constitute
the royal guard, and they were ready to
march at an hours notice a distance of 40
or SO miles without a halt to execute the
kings decree and "eat up" a town, chief
or tribe without warning.
The main army was organized into regi-
ments or impis, and the troops were drilled
in thorough system Of maneuvers new to
African soldiers Many fortified kraals
were built as permanent camps for the regi-
ments, and in a short time Chaka was alb
solute monarch of vast and invincible
military power. The surrounding country
was gradually subjugated and the tribes
were either wiped out by wholesale slaugh-
ter or incorporated with the Zulus. Chaka's
rule over those who submitted to his power
was the most rigid and cruel that can be
imagined. In his army the penalty of de-
feat was death. and sometimes whole regi-
ments, including the wives and children of
the soldiers, were massacred by the kings
slayers because they failed to win victory.
In one of these military massacres the
wives of two brothers of the king were
slain, and out Of revenge Chaka was killed
by the blow of an ak in the hands of one
of the brothers. Three OF Chaka's brothers
reigned after him. The last one died in
1872 and left his kingdom to Cetewayo,
who inherited the savage gifts of his Uncle
Chaka and soon turned the Zulu spears
upon the English. The Matabele people
had long since revolted from Chaka's dom
nation and established counterpart to
- H,,1,, IT, ~ ~
defend as their own. Cetewayo's realm
and army were small as compared with
Chaka's, but were modelled upon the great
original. The Zulu youth were drafted at
the age of Is, and after one years active
training became attached to one of the
military kraals. - +r,s g.. a., l.,
The standing army numbered about so,
600 warriors and was composed of 80 regi-
| ments, each having peculiar dress and Or
naments. The regiments were divided into
right and left wings, each wing having
| eight or ten companies. Their drill was q
system of simple evolutions to prepare them
| for rushing attack in crescent formation,
the TANKS or horns being intended to
inclose the enemy until his lines should be
completely surrounded. The Zulu weapons
were originally Kaffir spears and hunting
rifles or muskets. Cetewayo, however, COM
manded each soldier to procure breech-
loading rife from the white traders. The
discipline of the army was exceedingly
rigid, the usual punishment being death,
and the officers were the absolute lords of
the lives and persons of followers.
Cetewayo's war originated in dispute
about the boundaries of the Transvaal
During the year 1878 the king sent fire.
quent notices to Europeans to quit the
lands bordering on the line established by
treaties, and an army of Is, 900 Britons IN
der Lord Chelmsford was massed in Natal
to invade Zululand The army crossed the
dividing line of Tugela river in four col
umns, the second and third, under Colonies
Durnford and Gwyn, constituting the cen
ter. Those two columns numbered 1000
men and were led by Lord Chelmsford in
person.
On the 21st of January, 1879, the troops
with Lord Chelmsford made an advance
camp at Isandhlwana 10 miles beyond the
river crossing at Rorke's Drift Rorke's
Drift, which naturally called for reserve
detachment strongly posted on the Natal
= side to cover a retreat, was left with a fee
BILE garrison of 139 men. Isandhlwana was
a supply camp and contained 1902 wagons
400 oxen. 2 cannon, 400 she'll, 1900 rifles
with cartridges, and eco, 900 worth of com