Zulu War Diary Part 2

27^th- For the past few days we had men at work on dockyard drill parties, gun and rifle practice etc. There is to be a ball tonight at commodores House, Hark! What is that I hear an unusual commotion on deck, I go to see what it is and find they have signalled from shore to get ready for sea at once. Everything is in disorder, a great part of our gear is being overhauled at the dockyard, and we have now to refit ship in a hurry. We are to carry soldiers to Kafir War.

29^th-We were working nearly all day and night getting in stores provision for ship. Bending sails etc. on the 30^th 200 men of the 88^th C.R. came aboard and 10 R.A with their traps, tents, blankets ammunition etc. the soldiers were packed as close as herrings in a barrel our ship not being fitted for carrying troops. Commander read a letter of thanks to us for the goodwill and energy with which we worked to get ship ready for sea, soon after noon Commodore came aboard and put out to sea, sea rough and choppy.

October

 

1^st-A gale of wind blowing, ship rolling and pitching, the soldiers poor fellows are very sea sick and lay about the decks as if they were about to die. A good many of our sailors were sick but they did not care to own up to it but I saw several of them with their heads over the tubs, but I daresay they were only looking in their faces which the dish water reflected. I am happy to say that I have been free from seasickness as yet. The sea strikes the ship so violently at times as to make her shiver from stern to stem, and takes in great seas over her forecastle.

3^rd- Dropped anchor at East London soon after some boatmen came off from shore bringing news of an engagement with Kafirs in which 300 were killed, the surf boats came alongside and the 88^th landed with their tents etc. as they pushed of from the ship our band struck up “ Patrick’s Day” when they commenced cheering loudly, our officers and men waved their hats wishing godspeed and a safe return from the war. The Commodore has gone ashore to see the general, to see of there is any further orders or news, we do not know whether we will land or not yet, the ships company are all very eager to land and have a go at the Kafirs.

4^th- We are not to land this time Commodore came aboard and got under way for Simons Bay again, saw a large whale as we were running down the coast we could see bodies of Kafirs now and again I gave them several shots from my 7 inch gun knocking a few of them over, on the 6t^h we arrived in Simons Bay again.

9^th -Went Ashore for a walk and a bathe, while in the water five or six African women came to bathe in the same place, taking nit the slightest notice of my presence, and undressing within a few yards of me. I was rather unnerved but had to make the best of it.

21^st-Went to chapel for the first time since leaving Portsmouth, an English priest officiated, on the 22^nd H.M.S. Industry came in the bay having on board ‘Stanley’ the African explorer and his native followers, being their way to their native place Zanzibar, the afternoon we had  ‘Stanley’ and about 100 of his followers aboard to visit a real man of war, as soon as they came aboard they ran all over the ship examining everything with the greatest curiosity, they were also much surprised as well as alarmed when we fired 2 or 3 rounds from our 6 ½ tons gun and fired a torpedo, they called them ‘very big guns’ make big noise and seemed highly delighted with everything, then our band began to ply and they rushed on deck and formed a circle around listening in silent wonder. They seemed to pay great respect to Stanley their dress was curious and varied some having only a shirt on other a singlet, or night shirt, given them by men and officers, having spent the afternoon aboard they went back well pleased with their trip.

26^th- Weather rough no communication with shore about 40 of our men ashore 3 days, and cannot come aboard our launch attempted to bring them off one night but was driven ashore where she remained till morning with a boat crew of 18 men in her. On Sunday the 28^th Stanley came aboard again and gave us an eloquent and humorous account of his travels, of his trials and hardships in his downward course of the Nyanza he had 37 battles with natives passed over 69 calasacts, he gave a humorous account of his intercourse with the natives, of their superstitions and traditions, he talked over two hours amusing us with his laughable incidents and sayings at the finish we gave him 3 cheers.

The same Stanley meeting Dr Livingstone on 10 November 1871

 

 

November

 

Whole of Ships Company landed for drill field and Gatling guns and rocket tube taken ashore for practice, the Industry left on the 6^th on the 7^th we had a ball aboard a great many ladies coming.

22^nd- Up steam slipped mooring and went to sea for prise firing we had some splendid practice making full points at every gun almost. I made the most number of points in ship winning £3.00. When finished we returned to harbour again, on the 26^th two whales were seen in Bay.

December

 

1^st- Went cricketing to Wynberg playing a match with the 88^th Regt. The band of the 88^th playing throughout the match we won went to Cape Town in evening.

6^th-A telegram that we are to take more troops to Kafir war and land ourselves has come aboard, There is 200 marines and bluejackets to land.

9^th- We have now everything ready for sea and we slipped our moorings and sailed fir table bay to pick up soldiers, anchored same day in table bay.

10^th- Troops came aboard and their band, sent letters home and then set sail for east London.

13^th- Arrived at east London could not land troops surf too high.

14^th-Troops got into boats to land wind was rising fast and soon after they left the ship the bar was too dangerous to cross the flag was hoisted ashore, a signal that there was no communication with shore. The poor soldiers in the boats had to remain all night tossed about in the surf boats, we could not take them aboard as our ship was rolling so heavily she would have smashed the boats had they come alongside, they were with out water or provisions. We tried to float provisions in barrels to them by means of a line but these got washed ashore then 6 men volunteered to man the life boat and take them some, which after some hard work they accomplished.

16^th We were up early next morning as we are going to land today, at 7.0.a.m. we were all ready, got into surf boats and went ashore, sea running high at the time making the landing dangerous but it was done without casualty. When we landed at East London put our packs tents etc. on bullock waggons and marched to Panmere where we pitched tents for the night. Next morning a party went back to landing place for our guns 6 – 12pr Armstrong’s, 1 –7pr and 1 gatling after bringing them up to Panmuse we dismounted them at railway placing them upon trucks, together with ammunition baggage etc. we then rode to Kei road 44 miles distance beyond which the railway did not extend, our route was along a wild waste of country, very hilly and mostly covered with rocks. The number of cattle we saw was suprising, we came across a few ostrich farms too, saw some splendid birds also as parrots peacocks etc. on arriving at Kei road we found that our tents blankets and camp kettles had been and would not be up till next morning, So we had to manage as well as we could with out them, to make matters worse it rained hard during the night giving us a foretaste of hardships.

18^th We found a large number of farmers here who have been driven from their homes by the Kafirs, to shelter in this place and band together for mutual protection they live in tents here with their wives and families. Our tents and stores came up today we were inspected by General Cunyingham today also Sir Bartle Frere the governor. The General said he was very glad to see the naval who were ever foremost in the field, and he had no doubt we should keep up the name we had always borne. Next day on the march with a portion of 88^th and 24^th Regt. We had 14 waggons each driven by a span of 16 oxen halted for night at Spring farm on the 20^th on the march again the naval brigade dividing into two parties, one going to Heka, the other to Fort Cunnynhame, I was with the latter party about 100 strong we walked 30 miles that day under a scorching sun and over a mountainous country, seldom meeting with water to assuage our thirst. Many of our men had to fall out exhausted not being accustomed to marching. We reached the fort at 9.0.p.m. at night meeting with a hearty reception from a party of the 88^th who we are to relieve we were all tired out and dead beat, the fort is only four stone walls with a gate to it, to retire into in case of numbers attacking us, it contains loopholes for firing out of and is built on a hill in a commanding position as we have a view of the surrounding country.

Christmas day 1877- employed cutting water course for the past few days and storing fire wood in case of being besieged which we cut in a forest not far away while cutting wood here found some beautiful birds nests chiefly parrots deer also seen, behind on the tops of the Quinlana Mountains it is said Lions and Tigers are to be found. Snakes are very plentiful but the most common are green snakes and grass snakes. We killed a boa constrictor 14 feet long yesterday. I can hardly believe this is Xmas everything is so green and the sweet scents of blossoms are wafted through the still air and greet the senses at every turn, while the sun is baking me at about 100 deg., whilst in the deep shade of the wood resting for a while I get thinking of home and a yearning for home came over me for a while but soon threw it off hoping to see them at some future time. Christmas day magic words in England when friends and relatives meet around the festive board to renew their bonds of love and friendship. Charley, Billy and Betty is home from school turning the house upside down and making themselves sick with eating plum pudding and plaguing the life out of Pater to take them to the pantomimes. In the morning we had prayers our Christmas dinner consisted hard biscuit and meat that it would take the jaw of a lion to masticate.

28^th- Escort to Kabousie for powder and encamped there for night during which we had a surprise by the enemy but soon drove them off. Next morning on the road back I had charge of advance guard saw a splendid buck and fired at him but missed and lost a good supper, on the 30^th a portion of our men was attacked on their way from Komgha, the loss of our men was 2 killed while a 100 Kafirs went to visit their happy hunting grounds.

January 78

 

Sandilli a chief who lives not a miles from us has broke into rebellion with 15000 men, about 200 English natives who are working a few miles from here on a railway have cut and run leaving about £20000 worth of gear to the mercy of the Kafirs they were afraid of the kafirs coming down upon them.

11^th- For the past few days we have been very busy disarming Kafirs in the neighbourhood, we have had several skirmishes with them and took many prisoners, The men are tall muscular and as straight as an arrow, they wear only a blanket thrown loosely over them, their weapons (national) is the Assegai or spears but most of them also carry a gun. The women are strong and have good features they are fond of jewellery chiefly brass rings of which they wear 3 or 4 on each finger and of their right arm up to the elbow is covered in rings. They also wear them on the leg their dress is merely a bit of beadwork or sheep skin around the loins, there are several tribes who are distinguished by being a little paler than the other tribes and are not so well formed. The women have very large breasts carry their children slung on their back and can also carry heavy weights on their head. The women do all the work they live in huts made of wickerwork thatched with straw; outside a Kraal is built of wooden stakes in a circular form for their cattle sheep goats’ etc. Their amusement only takes place about once a month the night of the new moon when they sing and dance all night they worship the sun moon and stars, have no idea of a god they are very superstitious and great believers in witchcraft there are several chief who have not overthrown their allegiance to the government, and we called them and their tribes in to a grand palaver today with all their arms and to be sworn loyal, the number of men we assembled of the Gatka tribe was 1418 men 203 guns 2000 assegais to make sure they were all here we sent out patrols of men to search the huts for men and arms and we brought about 30 prisoners in and many bundles of Assegai. They all gave their arms up and registered themselves as loyal Kafirs, before they dispersed we fired several times our Armstrong guns also Gatling to show the folly of fighting against the English and such destructive weapons.

12^th- Was patrol to night brought in prisoners shot two.

14^th- 200 Volunteers came down today to assist us in our fight with Sandilli, we went over to his territory this morning and burned his place down, attacking him twice with great loss on his side and only 4 men being wounded on ours. Continued burning his Kraals down during the night, next morning returned to get our casualties being 4 killed wounded 6 whites 15 Fingoes, took 800 head of cattle. This sort of life is already beginning to tell on me. Never having my clothes off, only one sort of food, every moment expecting attacks, on your feet every other day for 24 hours as outpost or guard.

26^th- A large party of volunteers came to relieve us today, we are going further up country as far as Kabousie, which we reached at 8.0.p.m. tonight.

28^th- Some of our men had broken in commissary waggons last night for rum, got too much of it, was found out and flogged next morning, one running away but sentry fired several shots at him bringing him back.

 

 

31^st- Struck tents and on the march for Kabousie, about 38 miles off. Marched 18 miles camping at Fort Wellington and was attacked during night raining heavy was wet through hard marching rain making the clayey ground soft several engagements had been fought just about here and the number of dead horses cattle and men along there was many and stinking horribly, Walked to Kabousie 16 miles with out breakfast, saw flocks of vultures all along the road we came.

February

 

2^nd- A private of the 88^th shot himself today through having shot another man by accident. On sun 3^rd went to prayers in camp, men fully armed and keeping helmets on to protect them from sun there is more respect and attention paid to these prayers said by some senior officer than there is in many an imposing edifice on peaceful England, where there would be a splendid display of bonnets of the newest fashion to distract your attention, the ringing of bells and singing and music to distract your attention.

6^th- Struck tents for 7 days patrol around country. Patrol consisting of 70 Marines and Bluejackets, 50 of the 88^th 29 mounted police, it commenced raining as we got on the march, we did not halt till two hours after dark. The grass was long and snakes plentiful, some of them crawled around our men’s legging as the walked through, I could hardly sleep that night though very tired, expecting every moment to fell a snake walking over me. Once I was going to the waggons for my blanket when hearing a rustling behind me and thinking it was a snake drew my sword made a cut which was followed by a sharp yelp at was a dog whom I had cut at instead of a snake.

Next day we had to wait several hours for a few 100 armed Fingoes to join us, and while waiting had a look around, I found that we had halted at the entrance of a beautiful valley called Chichala Valley one of the most delightful valleys ever I saw, surrounded by mountains and the scene of many a fight with the Kafirs, I went down the mountain in the valley below, making my way carefully among rocks and stones. On getting to the bottom I was surprised at the dead stillness all around me, not a breath of air not a rustle of the leaves, not a bird chirped to brake the dead stillness I shouted; the sound of my voice echoed and reached around the valley as if in mockery the silence overpowered and awed me and I hastily clambered up the mountain again. After ascending I saw the remains of a fort built during the last Kafir war, I also found two graves with inscriptions on them. At 2.0.p.m. the Fingoes came and we marched as far as waggons could go halted for night. And at 5.0.a.m. on the 8^th leaving police and 88^th to protect waggons we started to cross the Kei River, before getting to the Kei we had to descend a very high mountain into the valley below, before crossing river we had a couple of hours rest and then hiding our waterproof sheets and blankets in the thick bush (these being the only things we could bring with us having left our tents in waggons not being able to carry them with us down the mountain).  We crossed the river marching for several miles beating the bush for Kafirs but failed to find any and returned dead beat to the place we had our blankets where we halted for the night, had eaten nothing since 5.0.a.m. during patrol of the valley saw the most beautiful plants Indian corn and tabacco growing bamboo’s and splendid scenery. Wild and rocky mountains looming up on either side of us from which we could see the gambols of 100s of monkeys on their rocky sides. Our food had to be lowered down the mountain by means of a sledge made of bushes and the provision placed in bags on the top and lowered into the valley after I had tea I fell asleep under a bush for the night thoroughly exhausted and not even was troubled by the mosquitoes. The next day the 9^th sent out Fingoes to scour valley for kafirs, and we are watching river as we expect some of the enemy crossing tonight, we are now trying to hem them in in this valley, there are other troops on the mountains around with artillery shelling bush while we remain in valley to pounce on them as they come out. Prisoners brought in and Fingoes report plenty of enemy in vicinity.

11^th- 5.0.a.m on the march to the hills on our right, artillery on hills were shelling bush driving them out, we killed a great many during day several of our men shot, took some 100 head of cattle, returned to our bivouac for the night, short of food our provisions are done, sent for more but has not arrived yet had nothing today but a piece of biscuit, would give anything for a drop of tea after heat and fatigue of the day. Digging trenches in cool of evening.

14^th- Very little sleep lay awake listening to the howling of the jackals, varied at times by the screeching of owls and the croaking of frogs, amused ourselves next day shooting rabbits or monkeys which I managed by cutting up a bullet by a axe and using it as buckshot the monkeys are mostly seen in the early morning or in the evening when the rocks seem alive with them. Received news of an attack on IBeka by 8000 kafirs who were defeated with a loss of 400 killed. We have no tobacco and are smoking herbs, came on the rain during night the bush is no longer a shelter for us. We are thoroughly wet through and miserable.

17^th- This rain has continued for 3 days have been wet through all that time today we have commenced making huts of bulrushes for shelter.

18^th- Sunday broke on as miserable a set of human being as ever it has been my lot to witness wet through hungry and sick with exposure to this continued wet weather, all our provisions being done and no chance of getting more for present we got the orders to tramp again for Komgha, at 4.0.p.m. we commenced the ascent of the mountain with a bad heart, halting for the night at the top starting next day for Komgha 18 miles distant, with 10lbs of biscuit among 100 men for the march, we had a skirmish with the kafirs on the way killing and wounding several, we reached Komgha in the evening where we slept comfortably in our tents that night and had plenty of provisions, our rifles and swords were in a fearful state as well as ourselves with the wet weather.

25^th Attacked with dysentery and very bad, nearly all our men are suffering same complaint no doubt caused by our late exposure to the weather- fighting going on in our rear at fort Wellington.

March

 

3^rd- 20 prisoners brought in this morning looking terribly pinched with hunger IBeka party of marines are expected down tomorrow, we are ordered aboard at once though the war is far from over it is thought we are going down the coast to give another lesson to King Dahomey. Received news of our ship being caught in a gale while conveying troops to East London had her netting stove in and she is now under repairs at dockyard Simons Bay. In the afternoon the other party of marines and bluejackets came in from IBeka, amid a terrible thunderstorm, the lightning striking and killing all bullocks in one of their waggons. Next morning we all got on the march back to our ship arriving at Kei road on the evening of the13th, where our Capt. got a telegram to send 26 sailors and all the marines to K.W.Town, the remainder going back to ship in Hymalaya Troopship we remained for the night, I was of the party to go to K.W.T reaching there on the 14^th.

15^th- On the march for the Amalola mountains, it was 3.0.p.m. before we got on the march owing to various reasons. We took provisions for 14 days. We had not gone over a mile before a thunderstorm overtook our road was up the side of a mountain with very thick bush on either side of the road or rather gully, when the rain came on and down this track came the rain in torrents from the mountain nearly washing us away with its force, we were nearly up to our waist in water, the bullocks and waggons having the hardest battle in fact one waggon lower down was washed away altogether. However soon after we left the bush and was able to get out of the roadway. The storm lasted about 2 hours but left its traces in swollen rivers and streams over which we had to cross. We halted at dusk at a place called Izela, here we were fortunate enough to find a deserted farm and we housed ourselves for the night among the clean straw of a barn and I slept easier and more comfortable that night than I have done since I have been ashore.

Sunday 16^th- Up at daybreak and got on the march for the Amatola mountains at which it is said there are concealed 15000 Kafirs in the dense bush which the mountain is covered with, about noon arrived at Perie bush at the foot of the amatolas and camped for the night. Here in this bush was to be the scene of our operations on the morrow, we could already see their camp fires in the thick bush, and hear the cries of children and the yells of the warriors. Next morning up at daybreak struck tents placed them on waggons for instant retreat should they prove too much for us, and went to foot of mountains about 200 yards from bush and ranged ourselves in skirmishing order to watch the bush and prevent the exit of the Kafirs. The operation was carried on by the general himself “ Thesiger” further up on our left was stationed a comp. Of the 90^th on our right a comp. Of the 24^th in fact the mountain was completely surrounded by our soldiers and artillery, Volunteers and Fingoes. About 9.0.a.m. the artillery on other side opened fire shelling the bush in every direction and in about an hour after we were hard at it, lasted 2 hours but Kafirs retreated to the bush again, we retired a short distance to cook our grub and then went back to our former positions for night determined not to let Kafirs escape from bush, but harass them until they surrendered. At night we sent rockets in bush so as to give them no rest next day storming bush again with guns, having several skirmishes during the day, driving the Kafirs over on other side of mountain where they were received with a storm of bullets driving them back to bush again, 8 of our men were killed and 10 horse shot, spies report women and children dying by scores in bush from starvation at daybreak on 19^th retired to have breakfast and returned to our position again, about 9.0.p.m saw large body of Kafirs making towards where there was some fields of indian corn, but we were on the watch as we know they were on the point of starvation, fired several volleys at them driving them back to the bush in confusion.

20^th- Rested all day, going to our positions at night fighting during night, one of our officers shot through mouth, the 3^rd officer killed this last 24 hours fired good many rockets in bush during night. The general think of cutting way to top of mountain, this will take about 3 weeks.

22^nd- Telegram came ordering us aboard at once. We started next morning leaving the soldiers to finish the Kafirs. Arriving at Kings William’s town at noon, we have to remain here for a few days to wait for mail boat to take us to Simons Bay.

25^th- Visited town which is large the house are built in a shaggling fashion, of wood and stone saw 4 Kafirs hung at the prison which is merely a large wooden shed. The streets are not paved so that in wet weather are very dirty after dark all shops shut up so that the streets are dark and miserable at night there being no gas or street lamps and hardly anyone goes about after dark.

28^th Struck going to East London the place where we landed crossed the Buffalo river in Pontoon bridge and pitched camp close to wharves, weather proved too rough to embark.

Sunday 31^st- Bar favourable but surf boatmen would not work today after prayers took a walk on the beach and sit on the rocks, watching the waves dashing against the rocks as they rolled in wave after wave and throwing its spray high in the air. Picked up many curious shells seaweed sponges etc.

 

April

 

1^st- Arose two hours before daybreak loaded boats, and got over bar in safety where we was picked up by a towing tug. Bringing us alongside the Stettin the ship that is to take us to our own in Simons bay. We were soon aboard and of course made ourselves at home at once, we were booked as 2^nd class passengers and we lived first class on fresh bread and meat 3 times per day.

4^th- Anchored at Port Elizabeth (Algoa Bay) from where we had a splendid view of the town built as it is on the slope of a hill, we lay here for a few hours loading wool and skins, and then set sail again and anchored in Simons Bay on the 6^th where lay our ship, who soon had her boat alongside fir us and our luggage when we got alongside of our ship, the band was on deck and struck up the tune of “see the conquering heroes come” and we were welcomed aboard once more.

7^th- How soundly I slept last night in my own hammock it was delightfully easy, no hard corners in it.

8^th- Paid A.S.Money

10^th- Went on 5 days leave to Cape Town.

22^nd-Paid money today settling all accounts while ashore subscription got up for men who died and was killed belonging to our ship, Danae and Fawn also lying here.

May

 

1^st- Got up entertainment ashore for the benefit of the widows and children of those lot in H.M.S. Eurydice who went down in a gale with 320 hands off the isle of Wight, active danae and Fawn took part in the entertainment, realising £100,00 to go to the widows and orphans. Hard at practice for regatta.

8^th- Ball ashore for officers and friends.

10^th- 10.a.m our annual regatta took place. The first race was a sailing match between our cutter and the Fawns, Danes and Floras our cutter winning taking cup and £4.00 the second for £5.00 was also taken by ours, the next race was a pulling match of the gigs of the fleet, Danes gig winning. Pulling race between cutters won by Floras cutter. Stokers race was won by ours, the dingys of the fleet pulled won by our dingy boy. The most amusing race was the copper punts, which are used for cleaning coppers on ship side, they were each manned by 4 men dressed in fantastic costume and armed with shovels to serve as paddles. The race was won by the punt of the Fawn, being the lightest and fastest, while pulling the men sing a sort of song or chant, which is sung by the natives along the coast,

14^th- Sail drill. Boat race between our ship, Flora and Danae, our first took the lead keeping it throughout the race coming in easy winners.

17^th- Quarters, fired 4 rounds from each gun, practice very good hitting target mile and half away almost every time.

24^th- Queens birthday. Dress ship at 8.0.a.m. band played national anthem fired salute of 21 guns at 12 noon.

29^th- The mail came in and soon after we got orders to prepare for sea under sealed orders, there is a rumour that we re going to sea on lock out for 64 Russian Privateers said to be fitted out on America to harass our mercantile marine, it is also said there is a Russian troopship cruising about St Helana, and all these ships are ready to plot on our possessions in Africa.

May

 

3^rd- Landed at dockyard for funeral of Commander Saltford who was drowned a few days ago, the crews and officers of all ships attended our band was also there.

June

 

24^th- Slipped moorings and went out to sea, as we rounded cape point had target practice, and then went on to Table Bay, dropping anchor. On 25^th set sail for Saldanha Bay arriving on 26^th here we are to have 3 days shooting there being plenty of game ashore, officers and a few of the men went ashore every morning returning in the evening with well filled bag. The skipper himself bought off 39 bucks at the end of 3 days. A woman (Dutch) came aboard to have her child vaccinated by our doctor. 30^th set sail again for Table Bay arriving there at 4.0. in the evening.

July

 

1^st- Set sail for Simons Bay we went to target practice while out but sea was too rough we only fired 1 round from starboard broadside. Anchored in Simons Bay at 6.0.p.m. next morning put out to sea again to finish our target practice sea had gone down and we made good firing. Took up our mooring at noon out boats and gave leave.

11^th- General Chelmsford came aboard, while he was aboard fired several rounds from our starboard broadside, the General was highly pleased with our good shooting and smartness of gun crews in coming in to action. We also had fire drill Quarters in a few seconds having about 2 jets of water shooting over ships side. General wondering at quickness with which it was done. A strong rumour is about that we are going to land again as they expect a war with the Zulu’s. On the 24^th manned armed boats for practice. Australian Steamer came in today and we had plenty of visitors from her, chiefly English servant girls going to Australia.

Next part the preparations for the Zulu War,  Peace James