GRADE 8: Resisting British Control

Britain invaded Zululand in January 1879 because Cetshwayo, the king of the Zulus, did not meet certain demands that Bartle Frere, British High Commissioner in South Africa, made at the time. The demands Frere's demands were that Cetshwayo hand over the brother of Zulu sub-chief Sihayo, his sons and a large fine of cattle as punishment for a search party that crossed into the Natal to capture Zulu fugitives. He also demanded that Cetshwayo disband the Zulu army, discard the Zulu military system, and allow a British diplomatic representative into Zululand. Cetshwayo could not meet the first three demands because Zululand was flooding and he could not deliver the fine in time.

Sieges and battles during the Anglo-Zulu War

The Anglo-Zulu War officially started on 22 January 1879 when the British centre column, with 1 600 Europeans and 2 500 locals, moved into Zululand at Rorke’s Drift and camped at Isandhlwana. Colonel Durnford was left in charge of the camp while Lord Chelmsford went to explore the area with a small group of soldiers. The Zulu army surprised the British and killed 806 Europeans and 471 black soldiers. They also destroyed all the transport the British soldiers had. Lord Chelmsford returned and found an empty camp. On 23 January he retreated to Rorke’s Drift. News of the British defeat at Isandhlwana reached England on 11 February 1879 and 10 000 more soldiers were sent to South Africa.

5 000 Europeans and 8 200 locals made up the British army under Lord Chelmsford, . 3 000 local soldiers had to guard the border of the commander in chief of the British forces. Natal and 1 400 Europeans and 400 locals were stationed near Utrecht. They would enter Zululand in 3 columns, Rorke’s Drift, the Lower Tugela and Utrecht, and march to Ulundi, the capital of Zululand.

Cetshwayo sent an army to stop the main column of the British army and try to negotiate for peace. Zulu soldiers were only allowed to kill British soldiers in red uniforms, but no civilians.

There were four battles and one siege in the the course of the Anglo-Zulu War. The Battle of Isandhlwana, The Battle of Rorke’s Drift, The Siege of Eshowe, The Battle of Kambula and The Battle of Ulundi.

Picture B: The Defence of Rorke’s Drift by Henry Dupray.
(Source: http://www.zuluwarart.co.uk/rorkes_drift.htm)

After the Zulu atteck at Isandhlwana, the Battle of Rorke’s Drift also happened on 22 January 1879. 4 000 Zulu soldiers raided the British camp. They were confident after their success at Isandhlwana, but they were driven away after 10 hours. There were only 145 soldiers, under Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead, at Rorke’s Drift and eleven of the men who participated in the battle were awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. The Zulus lost 350 men in this battle and the British only 17.

Map A: A map showing modern-day Kwazulu Natal, the area that formerly
encompassed Zululand, the Colony of Natal and the Republic of Utrecht.
Click here to see a larger version of the map.

After the battles at Isandhlwana Rorke’s Drift and the Zulu army was tired. Cetshwayo still did not allow any of his soldiers to go into the Colony of Natal and while his army rested Lord Chelmsford reorganised his force. He was waiting for reinforcements, but on 12 March 1879 a group of 106 British soldiers with food and other provisions was attacked while they were camping on both banks of the Intombe River. 62 of the British soldiers were killed and the provisions were lost.

The right column of the British forces, under Colonel Pearson, occupied Eshowe, a mission station on the coast. This force had beaten the Zulu army at the Nyezane River. The Battle at Isandhlwana, and the defeat of the main column of the British defeat army, meant that the other two columns, right and left, were exposed. The right flank was besieged at Eshowe for 3 months.

On 7 March 1879 extra soldiers arrived in Durban and 3 400 European soldiers and 2 300 locals were sent to help their comrades at Eshowe. A Zulu force attacked the British camp on the 2nd of April, butt they were driven off. About 1 200 Zulus and 2 British soldiers died. On 3 April 1879 Eshowe was relieved.

Picture C: The Battle at Hlobane.
(Source: http://www.warthog.co.za/dedt/tourism/battlefields/pix/intombi.jpg)

On 28 March 1879 the left column of the British army, led by Sir Evelyn Wood, attacked a Zulu stronghold at Hlobane Mountain to draw attention away from the attack planned at Eshowe. They were caught by surprise by the main part of the Zulu army and retreated. All the black soldiers in their force were killed, along with 100 of the 400 Europeans.

Wood camped at Kambula and on 29 March a Zulu force of 20 000 men attacked him. After more than 4 hours the Zulus were driven away. 4 000 Zulus were lost and only 18 British soldiers died.

Picture D: The British army charging the Zulus at Ulundi.
(Source: www.rorkesdriftvc.com/ ulundi/)

Picture E: The Battle of Ulundi by Fayel.
(Source: http://www.zuluwarart.co.uk/ulundi.htm)

The heavy losses at Kambula and Eshowe left the Zulu forces weak and exhausted. Lord Chelmsford reorganised his forces again and in late May 1897 he was confident to conquer Zululand. The march on Ulundi began.

The first and second divisions of the British army, under Major General Crealock and Major General Newdigate had to combine forces. The second division and Sir Evelyn Wood’s column, marched from Rorke’s Drift and Kambula. It was a very difficult march because many British soldiers fell ill and the surrounding area was very harsh. Major General Newdigate was only ready to start moving in the beginning of June 1879.Newdigate and Wood reached the White Umfolozi River on 1 July 1879.

Cetshwayo pleaded for peace several times during the British advance, but he was turned down. The forces of the first and second divisions of the British army crossed the White Umfolozi River on 4 July 1879. There were 4 200 European soldiers and an unknown number of local supporters. A Zulu army of about 15 000 men attacked the British force nearly 1 mile from Ulundi. 1 500 Zulu soldiers died while only 100 British soldiers were lost. The British had won the Anglo-Zulu War. Most of the leading Zulu chiefs turned themselves over after the Zulu army was broken up, but its still took several months for the British to suppress all resistance.

The Zulu army only won one battle during the war with the British. They were not as well armed as their enemies and did not use horses or guns during battle.Instead they used assegai, or short throwing spears and cowhide shields. Britain could also send more soldiers to support their army in South Africa while the Zulu army was limited.

Learning Outcome: Working with sources (maps and pictures); Interpreting graphical sources.Chronology and time; Places events and changes in a period of history.

GRADE LEVEL	SECTION	SUB-SECTION	DURATION
8	SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY	RESISTING BRITISH CONTROL	5 LESSONS