Witnesses at Isandlwana 22 January 1879

On 22 January 1879, British forces in Zululand suffered a shocking and unimaginable defeat at the hands of the Zulus resulting in over 1300 dead, including more than 800 regular British soldiers. But the Zulu victory came at a cost, and their losses were very heavy too. Yet, surprisingly, scattered in archives, museums, and private collections around the world, sits many first-hand accounts from those who were there. Inaccessible to most, these primary sources are vital to our understanding of the battle and how it unfolded, and they shed important light on the experiences of those who were there on that fateful day. British soldiers, those from the colonial forces, civilians, and those Zulu warriors who attacked the camp, all left detailed descriptions of the battle. By bringing these sources together, this book-the largest collection of primary accounts ever gathered on the battle - allows the reader to view all sources under one roof, providing a better understanding of the battle, how it played out, and what those involved witnessed on that monumental day in both British and Zulu history.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I: The Aftermath; 1 Official Correspondence; Part II: The Imperial Survivors; 1 Staff Officers; 2 Mounted Infantry, Other Ranks; 3 24th Regiment of Foot, Other Ranks; 4 N Battery, 5th Brigade Royal Artillery; 5 The Rocket Battery; 6 Civilian Contractors; Part III: The Volunteer Survivors; 1 Newcastle Mounted Rifles; 2 Buffalo Border Guard; 3 Natal Mounted Police; 4 Natal Carbineers; Part IV: The Natal Native Mounted Contingent Survivors; Part V: The Natal Native Contingent Survivors; 1 1st Regiment, Natal Native Contingent; Part VI: Zulu Accounts; Part VII: General/Miscellaneous/Unattributed; Bibliography; Index.