THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA, 22ND JANUARY 1879 [4]

52 British officers and 806 non-commissioned ranks were killed at Isandlwana that day. The Natal Native Contingent lost some 400 men, and 240 were lost from the group of 249 amaChunu African auxiliaries. Around 60 Europeans survived the battle.

 

 

Zulu casualties have to be estimated and are set at around 2,000 dead, either on the field or from wounds. The Zulus captured 1,000 rifles with the whole of the column’s reserve ammunition supply.

 

 

Chelmsford’s force was unaware of the disaster that had overwhelmed Pulleine’s troops, until the news filtered through that the camp had been taken. Chelmsford was staggered. He said, ‘But I left 1,000 men to guard the camp.’

 

Chelmsford’s column returned to the scene of horror at Isandlwana and camped near the battlefield. Chelmsford’s nightmare was that the Zulus would invade Natal. In the distance, the British could see Rorke’s Drift mission station burning. From that, Chelmsford knew that the Zulus had crossed the Buffalo River. The Battle at Rorke’s Drift is another story.

 

In the longer term, the British Government determined to avenge the defeat and overwhelming reinforcements were dispatched to Natal. General Sir Garnet Wolseley was sent to replace Lord Chelmsford, arriving after the final battle of the war. Cetshwayo’s overwhelming success at Isandlwana secured his ultimate downfall.

 

Done