Anglo Zulu War: Ulundi

The Anglo Zulu War had started with the British defeat at Isandlwana some 6 months earlier and Ulundi would see the decisive battle of the war. In the build up to the battle, the Zulu King, Cetshawayo had attempted to negotiate peace with the British but the terms offered by Lord Chelmsford were rejected. The British had been advancing towards Ulundi since the start of June and by 27th June, they were just 17 miles away from the Royal Kraal of Ulundi.

On 3rd July 1879, Colonel Buller had taken a force of cavalry across the White Umfonzi river to reconnoiter the ground ahead. As they approached a party of Zulus herding goats, they were jumped by 3,000 Zulu warriors. 3 of Buller’s men were killed the remainder of the force barely escaped. This convinced Lord Chelmsford that the Zulus wanted to fight and that evening, he issued orders that the attack on Ulundi would commence the next morning.

The Battle of Ulundi

Having learned a bitter lesson at Isandlwana, the Lord Chelsmford did not take any chances with meeting the Zulus in battle with a ‘Thin Red Line’. Instead, the infantry formed a large follow square backed up with 9-pounders and Gatling guns. The noise and firepower simply overwhelmed the Zulus and no warrior could get within 30 yards of the British square. It did not take long for the Zulus to falter and at this point, the cavalry attacked. The fleeing Zulus were massacred with members of the Natal Native Horse and Natal Native Contingent slaughtering wounded Zulus in reprisal for Isandlwana.

Aftermath

The Battle of Ulundi was the end of the Zulu Army as a force. Although there were skirmishes in the following weeks, the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 was over. The British had suffered around 80 casualties at Ulundi compared to around 1,500 suffered by the Zulus. Following the battle, the British burned the military Kraals at Ulundi and Zulu chiefs began to surrender to British Forces across Zululand. The Zulu King, Cetshwayo was captured on 28th August 1879 and taken to exile in London. From 1881, Lady Florence Dixon of the London Morning Post took up the cause of Cetshwayo, writing books and articles in his support. Cetshwayo eventually returned to Zululand in 1883. However, he returned to feuds and civil war between two Zulu factions and died in early 1884 as the last king of an independent Zulu nation.

Visiting Ulundi

Ulundi is located in a remote part of KwaZulu Natal which means if traveling from either Johannesburg or Durban, an overnight stay is needed. More information about traveling to KwaZulu Natal and other parts of South Africa on our African website – http://www.big5.explorertravel.co.uk/KwaZuluNatal.htm