The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-05-25

dom. The warriors of each regiment
had a peculiar style of dress and orna-
ment to distinguish them in battle
Each regiment was fighting unit. be-
ing composed of two wings of eight to
ten companies and numbering about
1000 warriors. The field drill was a
system of simple evolutions to prepare
them for rushing attack in crescent
formation. the hanks or horns gradu-
ally incloSing the enemy until his lines
should be completely surrounded. The
Zulu weapons We're originally katiir
spears OF hunting rifles, but Cetewayo
compelled every man to procure an
army breechloader from the traders.
Cetewayos war of 1889 originated
in g dispute about the borders of the
Transvaal, then under British rule. An
army of $4,000 was speedily massed in
Natal by Lord Chelmsford to invade
Zulllland. The advance was in four
columns, two under Colonels Durnford
and Gwyn in the center. Chelmsford
accompanied this force and after estab-
fishing strong guards at Rorke's drift
on the Tugela and at Isandlhwana, ten
miles beyond, penetrated the Zulu
country. Isandlhwana was a supply
camp for stores, and its garrison was
kept down by Zulu activity to Coo Eu-
ropeans and the same number of ma
tivcs.
On the 22d Of January, 1879, as Lord
Chelmsford advanced away from the
camp the Zulus retreated and drew
him IL miles from Isandlhwana. AS
early as s o'clock in the morning Zulus
were also seen about the camp by Colo
mel Durnford, its commandant A dis
patch sent to General Chelmsford stat
ing this fact reached him on the march,
but he gave no heed and heard no more
until 4 y. H., when q rider came with
news that the Zulus had taken Isandhl-
wanna. In fact. Durnford had been
trapped like Custer on the Little Big
Horn and disposed of in Zulu fashion.
When Colonel DumforC saw the Zulus
gathering, lie rode to the front with a
mounted detachment to hold off the en-
envy until all outlying parties could get
| into the lines. Failing back slowly and
fighting every step. he delayed the Zu-
lus some hours. ut the last stand be-
fore retiring within the lines over 1000
Zulus We're killed, but the region
swarmed With sayages, for 10000 of
\ Cetewayo's best troops We're on hand
to destroy the British camp.
About 80 the Zulus rushed the
lines, stampedtng the gunners and
camp followers, and the Z,llus min
gled in the rout, stabbing and slashing
With spears and short swords The
fugitiyes brought the last word from
the camp for of those who stood to
tight none got ont alive. Durnford
was last seen rallying his men, and
his body was found in the midst of Il
group of those who had fought around
him, and at his feet lay n Zulu chief
covered With his shield. AS with Gus
ter. so with Durnford, the story Of his
last hour can only be had from the &C
counts OF his foe. A Zulu warrior said
that the colonel, with about 100 mixed
troops, fought until the ammunition
was used up. Then the survivors form
ed squares one after another. Finally
few boy carbineers remained, ant
they took position back to back be
side their leader. \ rush of the saw
ages cut these down, and the colonel
with II carbineers, lay together. Ii
the massacre and fight 80 officers anl
600 soldiers fell. At the same time
5000 warriors attacked Rorke's drift
but We're repulsed after several hours
fight, which cost $50 Zulu lives. Th,
lay WAS so bloody for the SavanpS tha
Cetewayos army dispersed to th,
kraals in defiance of the kings ap
peals.
After this defeat Lord Wolscle.
Went to the Cape to take command, bu
Chelmsford led the troops in the at
tack which destroyed Cetewayo's arm.
the July following.
The Zulus hoped to trap Chelmsfor,
a second time, but he cunningly avoid