Zulu Wars
1838 to 1879
Zulus — versus — Boers, and British
Boer-Zulu War — 1838Anglo-Zulu War — 1879
Boer-Zulu War : 1838
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The Boers then allied themselves with Mpane, one of Dingan's enemies, and helped him drive Dingan out and assume the Zulu throne. For many years afterward, the relationship between Boer and Zulu was moderately peaceful, although there were a number of disputes. When the British laid claim to the coastal area of Natal, Mpane made a treaty with them, and allied himself with the British against the Boers. The British did not want to settle most of the region, however, it merely wanted to limit Boer influence, and took the side of the Zulus in border disputes to oppose the expansion of Boer territory.
| Date | Battle Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Battle of Blood River
Boers victory
Fought December 16, 1838, between the Boers of the Transvaal, and the Zulus under Dingaan. The Zulus were totally routed, with heavy loss. The Boer losses were small. | ||
| Leader of Boers during the Great Trek. Murdered by Dingaan during negotiations. | |
| Ruled Zulus after assassinating Shaka. Murdered Boer leaders leading to Zulu-Boer War. | |
| Leader of Boers who avenged death of Piet Retief, and formed the Transvaal Republic. |
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| Natal and the Zulus in | South Africa by Ian D. Colvin |
| Early History of the Boer Race in | Oom Paul's People by Howard C. Hillegas |
| About the Black Napoleon in | Our Empire Story by H. E. Marshall |
| Dingaan's Treachery in | Our Empire Story by H. E. Marshall |
Anglo-Zulu War : 1879
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When the Zulus entirely failed to respond to their entreaties, the British followed their standard course of diplomacy in such situations, and sent in troops. They were at first unopposed in their march through Zulu territory. Eventually the lead column advanced to Isandhlwana on its way to the Zulu capital of Ulundi. At this point they were surrounded and attacked by 10,000 Zulus and massacred almost to a man. Among the few survivors was a reconnoitering party under the command of Lord Chelmsford which was absent from the camp at the time. A few survivors managed to travel back to the base camp at Rorke's Drift and warn them of the approach of the Zulus, so the garrison had time to prepare. A force of 4000 Zulus attacked Rorke's Drift in the afternoon, but the garrison was able to drive them back, and at dawn the Zulus withdrew.
The British took months to recover from this disaster, but by late March returned to the field, and attacked an entrenched Zulu kraal at Inhlobane. The offensive maneuver failed, but this time when the Zulus attacked the British at Kambula they were routed with great loss. The British followed up this success a few months later by marching on the Zulu capital of Ulundi and driving Cetewayo, the last independent Zulu King, into exile. The British placed a Zulu ally of theirs on the throne, carved up the Zulu kingdom into regions, and in 1887 annexed Zululand under direct British control.
| Date | Battle Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Battle of Isandhlwana
Zulus victory
Fought January 22, 1879, when six companies of the 24th Regiment, with two guns and a small force of Natal volunteers, under Colonel Durnford, were overwhelmed and massacred by the Zulus, under Matyana. Of the regulars, 26 officers and 600 men were killed, in addition to 24 officers, and a large number of men in the Colonial force. | ||
| Battle of Rorke's Drift
British victory
On the night of January 22, 1879, after the disaster of Isandhlwana, this outpost, held by a company of the 24th Regiment and details, in all 139 men, under Lieutenants Bromhead and Chard, R.E., was attacked by a force of Zulus, estimated at 4,000. After a most heroic defense, in which many acts of heroism were performed, especially in the removal of the sick from the hospital, which was fired by the Zulus, the assailants were beaten off, leaving over 400 dead on the field. The little garrison lost 25 killed and wounded. Eight Victoria Crosses and nine Distinguished Conduct medals were awarded for this affair. | ||
| Battle of Inhlobane Mountain
Zulus victory
Fought March 28, 1879, when a British force of 1,300 men, under Colonels Buller and Russell, attacked a strong Zulu kraal, and after severe fighting, were repulsed with considerable loss. | ||
| Battle of Kambula
British victory
Fought March 29, 1879, when Colonel Wood, with 2,000 British and native auxiliaries, was attacked in his lager by three Zulu impi. The Zulus were repulsed with very heavy loss, and pursued for seven miles. The British lost 81 killed and wounded. The defeat practically broke Cetewayo's power. | ||
| Battle of Ulundi
British victory
The last battle of the war, fought August, 1879, between 5,000 British, under Lord Chelmsford, and about 20,000 Zulus. The Zulus were routed with a loss of over 1,500, the British losing only 15 killed and 78 wounded. | ||
| Leader of the Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu War. | |
| British commander during the Anglo-Zulu War. Survived Isandlhwana, and later, led the march on Ulundi. |
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| Family Quarrel (Continued) in | South Africa by Ian D. Colvin |
| Facing Fearful Odds in | Our Empire Story by H. E. Marshall |
| Dream of Cecil Rhodes in | Growth of the British Empire by M. B. Synge |
| In South Africa in | The Reign of Queen Victoria by M. B. Synge |
| Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift in | The Boy's Book of Battles by Eric Wood |
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Image Links | ||
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The women loaded the empty guns in South Africa |
 A band of Zulu warriors in war costume in Oom Paul's People |
 Beside them stood the women quietly loading guns. in Our Empire Story |
Thus did a hundred men keep three thousand savages at bay. in Our Empire Story |
 Isandhlwana: Melvill, setting spurs to his horse, dashed through the foe. in The Boy's Book of Battles |
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