Chapter I: Preface

It is probable that the Bishop of Natal may be held responsible for the contents of a volume written partly by his daughter, and having for its subject the Zulu War; more especially if a general coincidence can be traced between what are known to be his views and those which are expressed in this history. My father’s opinions have, naturally, considerable influence over those held or expressed by his family, and I do not imagine that much will be found in these pages from which he will dissent. Nevertheless, it is desirable that my readers should understand from the first that he is in no sense responsible for their contents.

When I left Natal, in September last, the idea of writing upon the subject of the Zulu War had hardly occurred to me; it has developed since to an extent quite beyond my original intentions, and I find that its fulfilment has rather taken my father by surprise. I had no opportunity of consulting him upon the subject, nor has he yet seen a word of what I have written, for on reaching England I found that, to be of any use at all, the book should appear almost at once.

I made, indeed, ample use of the pamphlets which the Bishop of Natal has written on behalf of Langalibalele and Cetshwayo, which have saved me many hours of weary search. Consequently, while the Bishop is in no way responsible for such errors or omissions as may occur in this volume, any merit or usefulness which my portion of the book may contain is due chiefly to his labours.

The general plan of my history was laid out, and the first few chapters were written, during the voyage from Natal, and upon reaching England I obtained the assistance of my friend Lieut.-Colonel Edward Durnford in that portion of the work which deals with the military conduct of the war. While it was desirable that a record of military events should be made by one whose professional knowledge qualified him for the duty, there was an additional reason which made his help appropriate. It may easily be understood from his name that the interest taken by him in his task would be of no ordinary kind. Colonel Durnford has written the military portions of the book, but is not responsible for any expressions of opinion upon matters strictly political.

I am far from feeling that I am the best person to undertake such a work as this, which my father himself would look upon as a serious one, and which he, or even my sister, who has worked with him throughout, would do so much better than I; but they were not at hand, and I have thought it my duty to do what I could, while I could have had no better aid than that given me by Colonel Durnford.

However insufficient the result may prove, we shall at least hope that our work may give some slight assistance to that cause of justice, truth, and mercy, the maintenance of which alone can ensure the true honour of the British name.

FRANCES ELLEN COLENSO.

_January 22nd, 1880._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
FIRST CAUSES 1

CHAPTER II.

LANGALIBALELE 20

CHAPTER III.

TRIAL OF LANGALIBALELE 38

CHAPTER IV.

THE BISHOP’S DEFENCE 51

CHAPTER V.

THE PUTINI TRIBE 63

CHAPTER VI.

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY: WHAT HE CAME FOR, WHAT HE DID,
AND WHAT HE DID NOT DO 78

CHAPTER VII.

THE MATSHANA INQUIRY AND COLONEL COLLEY 89

CHAPTER VIII.

THE ANNEXATION OF THE TRANSVAAL 112

CHAPTER IX.

THE DISPUTED TERRITORY 138

CHAPTER X.

THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION 163

CHAPTER XI.

SIHAYO, UMBILINI, AND THE MISSIONARIES IN ZULULAND 192

CHAPTER XII.

THE ULTIMATUM, DECLARATION OF WAR, AND COMMENCEMENT OF
CAMPAIGN 235

CHAPTER XIII.

ISANDHLWANA 273

CHAPTER XIV.

RORKE’S DRIFT—HELPMAKAAR—COURT OF INQUIRY, ETC. 302

CHAPTER XV.

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SIKUKUNI 325

CHAPTER XVI.

NO. 4 COLUMN—INTOMBI—INDHLOBANE—KAMBULA—KING’S
MESSENGERS 344

CHAPTER XVII.

THE LOWER TUGELA—INYEZANE—ETSHOWE 368

CHAPTER XVIII.

NGINGINDHLOVU—RELIEF OF ETSHOWE—BORDER RAIDING 380

CHAPTER XIX.

REINFORCEMENTS—ISANDHLWANA REVISITED 394

CHAPTER XX.

THE PRINCE IMPERIAL 418

CHAPTER XXI.

ULUNDI 433

CHAPTER XXII.

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY—CAPTURE OF CETSHWAYO 453

CONCLUSION 475

THE ZULU WAR.