Early in January 1879, shortly after the arrival of the 5th Company, Royal Engineers, at Durban, an order came from Lord Chelmsford directing that an officer and a few good men of the R.E., with mining implement, etc., should join the 3rd Column as soon as possible. I was consequently sent on in advance of the company, with a light mule wagon containing the necessary tools, etc., and in which the men could also ride on level ground; with a Corporal, three Sappers and one Driver, my batman, who rode one, and looked after my horses. The wagon was driven by a Cape black man, with a Natal Kaffir lad as vorlooper. The roads were so bad that in spite of all our exertions, our progress was slow, and although we got a fresh team at Pietermaritzburg, we did not reach Rorke’s Drift until the morning of the 19th January 1879. The 3rd Column was encamped on the other side (left bank) of the river Buffalo, and the wagons were still crossing in the ponts. I pitched my two tents on the right (Natal) bank of the river, near the ponts, and close to the store accommodation there for keeping them in repair. On the 20th January, the 3rd Column broke up its camp on the Buffalo River and marched to Isandhlwana, where it encamped, and the same evening, or following morning, Colonel Durnford’s force arrived and took up its camp near where the 3rd Column had been.
There were two large ponts at the river, one of which only was in working order, and my sappers were during this time working at the other. Late in the evening of the 21st January I received an order from the 3rd Column to say that the men of the R.E., who had lately arrived, were to proceed to the camp at Isandhlwana at once – I had received no orders concerning myself. I reported this to Major Spalding, who was now in command at Rorke’s Drift, and also pointed out to him that the sappers leaving there were no means at my disposal for putting the ponts in working order, or keeping them so. Major Spalding had also received no orders respecting me, except that I was to select a suitable position protecting the ponts, for Captain Rainforth’s Company 1/24th to entrench itself. I consequently asked, and obtained permission from Major Spalding, to go to the camp at Isandhlwana and see the orders.
On the morning of the 22nd January, I put the corporal and three sappers in the empty wagon, with their field kits, etc., to take them to the camp of the 3rd Column;and also rode out myself. The road was very heavy in some places, and the wagon went slowly; so I rode on in advance, arrived at the Isandhlwana Camp, went to the Head-Quarters Tent, and got a copy of the orders as affecting me, and also the road between Helpmekaar and Rorke’s Drift and the orders also particularly stated that my duties lay on the right bank of the River Buffalo.
A N.C.O. of the 24th Regiment lent me a field glass, which was a very good one, and I also looked with my own, and could see the enemy moving on the distant hills, and apparently in great force. Large numbers of them moving to my left, until the lion hill of Isandhlwana, on my left as I looked at them, hid them from my view. The idea struck me that they might be moving in the direction between the camp and Rorke’s Drift and prevent my getting back, and also that they might be going to make a dash at the ponts.
Seeing what my duties were, I left the camp, and a quarter of a mile, or less, out of it met with Colonel Durnford, R.E., riding at the head of his mounted men – I told him what I had seen, and took some orders, and a message all along his line, at his request. At the foot of the hill I met my men in the wagon and made them get out and walk up the hill with Durnford’s men. I brought the wagon back with me to Rorke’s Drift, where on arrival I found the following order had been issued. The copy below was given me, and preserved from the fact of its being in my pocket during the fight:
Camp Rorke’s Drift
22nd January 1879.
Camp Morning Orders.
1. The force under Lt. Col. Durnford, R.E., having departed, a Guard of 6 Privates and 1 N.C.O. will be furnished by the detachment 2/24th
Regiment on the ponts.
A Guard of 50 armed natives will likewise be furnished by Capt. Stevenson’s detachment at the same spot – The ponts will be invariably drawn over to the Natal side at night. This duty will cease on the arrival of Capt. Rainforth’s Company, 1/24th Regiment.
2. In accordance with para. 19 Regulations for Field Forces in South Africa, Capt. Rainforth’s Company, 1/24th Regiment, will entrench itself on the spot assigned to it by Column Orders para.– dated –
H. SPALDING, MAJOR,
Commanding.
The Guard as detailed was over the ponts – Captain Rainforth’s Company had not arrived. I went at once to Major Spalding on arrival, told him what I had seen, and pointed out to him that in the event of an attack on the ponts it would be impossible with 7 men (not counting the natives) to make an effective defence. (According to the orders,Capt. Rainforth’s Company should have been already at Rorke’s Drift.)
Major Spalding told me he was going over to Helpmekaar, and would see about getting it down at once. Just as I was about to ride away he said to me ‘Which of you is senior, you or Bromhead?’ I said ‘I don’t know’ – he went back into his tent, looked at an Army List, and coming back, said – ‘I see you are senior, so you will be in charge, although, of course, nothing will happen, and I shall be backagain this evening early.’
I then went down to my tent by the river, had some lunch comfortably, and was writing a letter home when my attention was called to two horsemen galloping towards us from the direction of Isandhlwana. From their gesticulation and their shouts, when they were near enough to be heard, we saw that something was the matter, and on taking them over the river, one of them, Lieut. Adendorff of Lonsdale’s Regiment, Natal Native Contingent, asking if I was an officer, jumped off his horse, took me on one side, and told me that the camp was in the hands of the Zulus and the army destroyed; that scarcely a man had got away to tell the tale, and that probably Lord Chelmsford and the rest of the column had shared the same fate. His companion, a Carbineer, confirmed his story – He was naturally very excited and I am afraid I did not, at first, quite believe him, and intimated that he probably had not remained to see what did occur. I had the saddle put on my horse, and while I was talking to Lieut. Adendorff, a messenger arrived from Lieut. Bromhead, who was with his Company at his little camp near the Commissariat Stores, to ask me to come up at once.
I gave the order to inspan the wagon and put all the stores, tents, etc., they could into it. I posted the sergeant and six men on the high ground over the pont, behind a natural wall of rocks, forming a strong position from which there was a good view over the river and ground in front, with orders to wait until I came or sent for them. The guard of natives had left some time before and had not been relieved. I galloped up at once to the Commissariat Stores and found that a pencil note had been sent from the 3rd Column by Capt. Allan Gardner to state that the enemy were advancing in force against our post – Lieut. Bromhead had, with the assistance of Mr. Dalton, Dr. Reynolds, and the other officers present, commenced barricading and loopholing the store building and the Missionary’s house, which was used as a Hospital, and connecting the defence of the two buildings by walls of mealie bags, and two wagons that were on the ground. The Native Contingent, under their officer, Capt. Stephenson, were working hard at this with our own men, and the walls were rapidly progressing. A letter escribing what had happened had been sent by Bromhead by two men of the Mounted Infantry, who had arrived fugitives from Isandhlwana, to the Officer Commanding at Helpmekaar. These two men crossed the river at Fugitives Drift, with some others and as they have since reported to me, came to give notice of what had happened, to us at Rorke’s Drift, of their own accord and without orders from anyone.
I held a consultation with Lieut. Bromhead, and with Mr. Dalton, whose energy, intelligence and gallantry were of the greatest service to us, and whom, as I said in my report at the time, and I am sure Bromhead would unite with me in saying again now, I cannot sufficiently thank for his services. I went round the position with them and then rode down to the ponts where I found everything ready for a start, ponts in midstream, hawser
s and cables sunk, etc. It was at this time that the Pontman Daniells, and Sergt. Milne, 3rd Buffs, who had been employed for some time in getting the ponts in order, and working them under Lieut. MacDowell, R.E. (killed at Isandhlwana), offered to defend the ponts, moored in the middle of the river, from their decks with a few men. Sergt. Williams 24th and his little guard were quite ready to join them
We arrived at the Commissariat Store about 3.30 p.m. Shortly afterwards an officer of Durnford’s Horse reported his arrival from Isandhlwana, and I requested him to observe the movements, and check the advance, of the enemy as much as possible until forced to fall back. I saw each man at his post, and then the work went on again. Several fugitives from the Camp arrived, and tried to impress upon us the madness of an attempt to defend the place. Who they were I do not know, but it is scarcely necessary for me to say that there were no officers of H. M. Army among them. They stopped the work very much – it being impossible to prevent the men getting around them in little groups to hear their story. They proved the truth on their belief in what they said by leaving us to our fate, and in the state of mind they were in, I think our little garrison was as well without them. As far as I know, but one of the fugitives remained with us – Lieut. Adendorff, whom I have before mentioned. He remained to assist in the defence, and from a loophole in the store building, flanking the wall and Hospital, his rifle did good service.
There were several casks of rum in the Store building, and I gave strict orders to Sergt. Windridge, 24th Regiment, who was in charge (acting as issuer of Commissariat stores to the troops) that the spirit was not to be touched, the man posted nearest it was to be considered on guard over it, and after giving fair warning, was to shoot without altercation anyone attempted to force his post, and Sergt. Windridge being there was to see this carried out. Sergt. Windridge showed great intelligence and energy in arranging the stores for the defence of the Commissariat store, forming loopholes, etc.
The Reverend George Smith, Vicar of Estcourt, Natal, and acting Army Chaplain, went for a walk (before the news of the disaster reached us) to the top of the Oscarberg, the hill behind Rorke’s Drift. Mr. Witt, the missionary, went with him, or met him there. They went to see what could be seen in the direction of the Isandhlwana camp. He saw the force of the enemy which attacked us at Rorke’s Drift, cross the river in three bodies – and after snuff-taking, and other ceremonies, advance in our direction. He had been watching them for a long time with interest, and thought they were our own Native Contingent. There were two mounted men leading them, and he did not realize that they were the enemy until they were near enough for him to see that these two men also had black faces. He came running down the hill and was agreeably surprised to find that we were getting ready for the enemy. Mr. Witt, whose wife and family were in a lonely house not very far off, rode off, taking with him a sick officer, who was very ill in hospital and only just able to ride. Mr. Smith, however, although he might well have left, elected to remain with us, and during the attack did good service in supplying the men with ammunition.
About 4.20 p.m. the sound of firing was heard behind the Oscarberg. The officer of Durnford’s returned, reporting the enemy close upon us, and that his men would not obey his orders but were going off to Helpmekaar, and I saw them, about 100 in number, going off in that direction. I have seen these same men behave so well since that I have spoken with several of their conduct – and they all said, as their excuse, that Durnford was killed, and it was no use. About the same time Capt. Stephenson’s detachment of Natal Native Contingent left us – probably most fortunately for us. I am sorry to say that their officer, who had been doing good service in getting his men to work, also deserted us. We seemed very few, now all these people had gone, and I saw that our line of defence was too extended, and at once commenced a retrenchment of biscuit boxes, so as to get a place we could fall back upon if we could not hold the whole.
Private Hitch, 24th, was on the top of the thatch roof of the Commissariat Store keeping a look-out. He was severely wounded early in the evening, but notwithstanding, with Corpl. Allen, 24th, who was also wounded, continued to do good service, and they both when incapacitated by their wounds from using their rifles, still continued under fire serving their comrades with ammunition.
We had not completed a wall two boxes high when, about 4.30 p.m., Hitch cried out that the enemy was in sight, and he saw them, apparently 500 or 600 in number, come around the hill to our south (the Oscarberg) and advance at a run against our south wall.
We opened fire on them, between five and six hundred yards, at first a little wild, but only for a short time, a chief on horseback was dropped by Private Dunbar, 24th. The men were quite steady, and the Zulus began to fall very thick. However, it did not seem to stop them at all, although they took advantage of the cover and ran stooping with their faces near the ground. It seemed as if nothing would stop them, and they rushed on in spite of their heavy loss to within 50 yards of the wall, when they were taken in flank by the fire from the end wall of the store building, and met with such a heavy direct fire from the mealie wall, and the Hospital at the same time, that they were checked as if by magic.
They occupied the Cook-house ovens, banks and other cover, but the greater number, without stopping, moved to their left around the Hospital, and made a rush at the end of the Hospital, and at our north-west line of mealie bags. There was a short but desperate struggle during which Mr. Dalton shot a Zulu who was in the act of assegaing a corporal of the Army Hospital Corps, the muzzle of whose rifle he had seized, and with Lieut. Bromhead and many of the men behaved with great gallantry. The Zulus forced us back from that part of the wall immediately in front of the Hospital, but after suffering very severely in the struggle were driven back into the bush around our position.
The main body of the enemy were close behind the first force which appeared, and had lined the ledge of rocks and caves in the Oscarberg overlooking us, and about three or four hundred yards to our south, from where they kept up a constant fire. Advancing somewhat more to their left than the first attack, they occupied the garden, hollow road, and bush in great force. The bush grew close to our wall and we had not had time to cut it down to our wall, and in this part soon held one side of the wall, while we held the other.
A series of desperate assaults was made, on the Hospital, and extending from the Hospital, as far as the bush reached; but each was most splendidly met and repulsed by our men, with the bayonet. Each time as the attack was repulsed by us, the Zulus close to us seemed to vanish in the bush, those some little distance off keeping up a fire all the time. Then, as if moved by a single impulse, they rose up in the bush as thick as possible, rushing madly up to the wall (some of them being already close to it), seizing, where they could, the muzzles of our men’s rifles, or their bayonets, and attempting to use their assegais and to get over the wall. A rapid rattle of fire from our rifles, stabs with the bayonet, and in a few moments the Zulus were driven back, disappearing in the bush as before, and keeping up their fire. A brief interval, and the attack would be again made, and repulsed in the same manner. Over and over again this happened, our men behaving with the greatest coolness and gallantry.
It is impossible for one individual to see all, but I particularly myself noticed the behaviour of Col. Sgt. Bourne, 24th, Sergt. Williams 24th, Corpl. Scheis N.N.C., Corpl. Lyons 24th, Private McMahon A.H.C., Privates Roy, Deacon, Bush, Cole, Jenkins 24th, and many others.
Our fire at the time of these rushes of the Zulus was very rapid – Mr. Dalton dropping a man each time he fired his rifle, while Bromhead and myself used our revolvers. The fire from the rocks and caves on the hill behind us was kept up all this time and took us completely in reverse, and although very badly directed, many shots came among us and caused us some loss – and at about 6.00 p.m. the enemy extending their attack further to their left, I feared seriously would get in over our wall behind the biscuit boxes. I ran back with 2 or 3 men to this part of the wall and was immediat
ely joined by Bromhead with 2 or 3 more. The enemy stuck to this assault most tenaciously, and on their repulse, and retiring into the bush, I called all the men inside out retrenchment – and the enemy immediately occupied the wall we had abandoned and used is as a breastwork to fire over.
Mr. Byrne, acting Commissariat Officer, and who had behaved with great coolness and gallantry, was killed instantaneously shortly before this by a bullet through the head, just after he had given a drink of water to a wounded man of the N.N.C.
All this time the enemy had been attempting to fire the Hospital and had at length set fire to its roof and got in at the far end. I had tried to impress upon the men in the Hospital the necessity for making a communication right through the building – unfortunately this was not done. Probably at the time the men could not see the necessity, and doubtless also there was no time to do it. Without in the least detracting from the gallant fellows who defended the Hospital, and I hope I shall not be misunderstood in saying so, I have always regretted, as I did then, the absence of my four poor sappers, who had only left that morning for Isandhlwana and arrived there just to be killed.
The garrison of the Hospital defended it with the greatest gallantry, room by room, bringing out all the sick that could be moved, and breaking through some of the partitions while the Zulus were in the building with them. Privates Williams, Hook, R. Jones and W. Jones being the last to leave and holding the doorway with the bayonet, their ammunition being expended. Private Williams’s bayonet was wrenched off his rifle by a Zulu, but with the other men he still managed with the muzzle of his rifle to keep the enemy at bay. Surgeon Reynolds carried his arms full of ammunition to the Hospital, a bullet striking his helmet as he did so. But we were too busily engaged outside to be able to do much, and with the Hospital on fire, and no free communication, nothing could have saved it. Sergeant Maxfield 24th might have been saved, but he was delirious with fever, refused to move and resisted the attempts to move him. He was assegaied before our men’s eyes.
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