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The Battles of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift

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1879 was the start of what has become known as the Zulu wars, tensions between King Cetshwayo of the Zulus and the British In the colony of Natal rose after the Zulus failed to respond to a British request to hand over some men accused of murdering a party of British subjects.

 

On 11th January 1879 a large force of British soldiers led by Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo River to confront the Zulu army whom Chelmsford saw as a threat to the British colony at Natal

The British set up camp at Isandlwana and on the 22nd January Chelmsford led a large force out from there to engage the Zulus.

 

The Zulus avoided the scouting party and led by chiefs Ntshingwayo KaMahole and Mavumengwana KaMdela Ntuli attacked the camp with a force of 12 thousand warriors,

Dispite having rifles and field guns they were no match for the Zulu army armed only with shields and spears.

 

Nearly all of the British, a thousand in all were killed and only a few managed to escape.

Another force of nearly five thousand warriors camped by the Buffalo river led by Prince Dabulamanzi KaMapande who wanted to share in the success of the earlier victory and decided to attack the mission station at Rorkes drift ignoring King Cetshwayos instructions not to cross the river into British controlled Natal province.

 

It was a fierce battle between 139 British soldiers of the 24th second battalion foot regiment and some soldiers from the Royal engineers (the first battalion of the 24th had been wiped out at Isandlwana a few hours earlier.) and nearly five thousand Zulu warriors who now in addition to their spears had guns taken from the dead at Isandlwana

 

In less than 24 hours, 11 Victoria crosses were won by officers and men for extreme bravery and courage in the face of the enemy.

The officer in charge at Rorke's drift was lieutenant Lieutenant John Chard, Royal engineers and his second in command was Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead of the 24th regiment of foot.

 

A movie was made of that historic battle called Zulu starring Stanley Baker, Michael Caine and Jack Hawkins in 1964.

 

In eighteen seventy nine; twenty second of January Was the day of a great battle and for the Zulus victory At Isandlwana the Zulu army showed no fear Against British guns, armed with shield and spear. Twelve thousand warriors from the Zulu nation Wiped out the British, a total annihilation With such a large force the camp was soon overun With hand to hand combat, under African sun. Nearly a thousand British soldiers died that day A few played dead and managed to get away Some headed for Rorkes Drift never looking back Warning the soldiers there of an impending attack. Not far from the battle stood the mission station By the Buffalo river a tranquil location Five thousand warriors marched on Rorkes Drift A hundred and thirty nine stood ready to resist. Dispite wave after wave the British repelled their attack With rifle and bayonet; they pushed the Zulus back The Zulus regrouped and moved in for the kill An officer gave the command to fire at will . The battlefield was covered with the bodies of the slain With spears, shields and blood all over the terrain It wasn't until the morning of the following day That the Zulus retreated and went on their way. Eleven Victoria crosses were won at Rorkes drift For courage and bravery; shown in that conflict Five hundred Zulu warriors paid the ultimate cost Whilst seventeen British soldiers in battle were lost. Against overwhelming odds the British held the line And Rorkes Drift today is a museum and a shrine Tour guides at the site will tell you the story Of those brave British soldiers and their hour of glory. (The Victoria Cross or VC is the highest and most prestigious award given to members of the British armed forces for valour in the face of the enemy.)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 3/9/2022 7:46:00 PM
Now this is how all history lessons should be taught. I actually learned something today...from you! Thanks. I enjoyed this lesson.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/10/2022 7:02:00 AM
Thank you very much Virginia, as you've guessed I love history and combine it with poetry to tell the story. Tom
Date: 10/20/2020 1:56:00 AM
Fitting tribute, beautifully written Tom.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/20/2020 4:00:00 AM
Thank you very much Nicola, I love composing historical events and putting them to rhyme, I always strive to include accurate dates and events because an expert on the subject would pick up on it. Before I jouned soup I always thought poetry was just rhyme, how wrong I was, its really opened my eyes. Have a great week. Tom
Date: 6/28/2020 1:42:00 PM
Hello Tom thank you for the interesting history facts. I found them interesting. Enjoy your day my friend.
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Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 6/28/2020 5:25:00 PM
Hello Tom , i found it to be interesting. Enjoy your evening my froend.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/28/2020 2:54:00 PM
Thank you Darlene, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom
Date: 6/12/2020 11:47:00 PM
Another masterful telling of history, Tom! You know how much I love your historically based poetry. Congratualtions on being named one of the best poems for the month of May. A well deserved honor. Over Fork Over!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/13/2020 3:22:00 AM
Thank you Sam, Isandlwana was what was the start of the Zulu wars, the Zulus were fearless warriors and a force to be reckoned with. Glad you enjoyed it. Over Fork Over Tom
Date: 6/9/2020 2:31:00 AM
A little master piece here...reads so good...perfect for storytelling...and educational too
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/9/2020 10:11:00 AM
Thank you Arturo, glad you enjoyed it. Tom
Date: 6/9/2020 1:03:00 AM
I just watched Zulu Dawn and Zulu, Chelmsford blew it, major miscalculation of his foe and their location. The battle of Rorke's Drift saved face for the British. It was said a documentary that Chelmsford weaseled out of responsibility when he returned to England. Seems the Queen Mum was fond of him. Great Poem, a fav for me. So well written.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/9/2020 10:09:00 AM
Thank you very much Timothy, Rorkes Drift was certainly their saving grace, amazing how they kept the Zulu army at bay. The Zulus were fearless warriors. That scene when the Zulus appear on the skyline for the first time always sends a chill down my spine Tom
Date: 6/7/2020 1:20:00 PM
- Really impressive, Tom ... a story we've read about a long time ago ... and forgotten ... but, you gave it a "new" life with this wonderful poem ... wow !!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2020 1:45:00 PM
Thanks very much Anne, it's an amazing story, against all the odds 139 kept an army of nearly 5000 at bay. Tom
Date: 6/7/2020 1:23:00 AM
Love this Tom, the history and the detail..then the flow of your poetry, as usual superb, bringing it all to life..
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2020 1:41:00 PM
Thank you very much Harry, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have seen the film many times, never get tired of watching it. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 11:38:00 PM
Wonderful information Tom. Great story thanks for sharing.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2020 1:40:00 PM
Thank you Michael, the story has stood the test of time because they held off such a large army. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 9:43:00 PM
not many can tell a story of history in poetic form and make it this interesting to read... you held my attention and took me there... sounds like a great place to visit... I am guessing you have visited this site? we have Gettysburg not far from me and valley forge close by... I like visiting some things from history...though we may not agree with everything we see, it's part of the past! great write Tom... hugs
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2020 1:38:00 PM
Thank you Sandra, sadly not, maybe one day, It's in Natal, South Africa. Love composing these historical verses, I'm looking at the civil war, watch this space lol. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 4:56:00 PM
Huzzah King Cunningham! Does my heart good to see a winner at life, win a contest! KUDos Panagiota xoxo
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/7/2020 1:36:00 PM
Thank you very much Panagiota, love doing these historical events in rhyme, part of the fun is getting facts actual dates and names etc. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 1:19:00 PM
You bring history to life with your amazing rhyming poems Tom, what a great story teller you are:-) hugs Jan xx
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 2:37:00 PM
Thank you Jan, love that film Zulu, the idea to write about Rorkes Drift has been on the back burner for a while now, finally got around to it. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 10:21:00 AM
Tom! Congratulations on a well researched topic, historical event and the movie which I have never seen, which you created into a poem. Most of us here were born when it was made.)) Americans are not well schooled into British history. We learn World History, though. Universities here may teach it. I admire the soldiers in this historic event. This would be a great poem for upper level children to learn history. You are a creative genius, Tom Thank you.. Panagiota
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 11:30:00 AM
Thank you Panagiota, the Zulus were fearless and brave and fought to the end. Did you guess it? Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 9:00:00 AM
A historic lesson...Colonisation always comes with a price .
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 11:29:00 AM
Thanks very much S. O, empires come and go, we see it all through time. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 6:33:00 AM
Outstanding narration and extraordinary verses tell the story of a magnificent battle that the few stood against the many. The film Zulu I have watched many times . I have a DVD which I watch from time to time. It brings to mind Leonida's 300 who stood against 200.000 Persian at Thermopylas in August 480 BC. Thank you Tom!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 7:09:00 AM
Thank you Demetrios, It is a brilliant film, so well made. Also I've seen the Persian battle called the 300. Amazes me how so few can hold off such a large force. Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 6:19:00 AM
Thank you Tom for this awesome poem--I learned a lot. A well deserved tribute to the brave. Splendidly done...very informative history lesson.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 7:02:00 AM
Thank you Vijay, so few against so many, in was an incredible achievement to stand their ground. . Tom
Date: 6/6/2020 1:09:00 AM
I don't know, but I'm very drawn to (history) one of my favorite are stories of the Zulu army, I've seen a movie made in 1964, (i assume) I remember the intense battle chanting, before the British begun to sing in the movie. Out numbered on foreign soil, very gruesome. I was young and remember they had no chance against their weapons. Thank you for sharing. Linda
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2020 5:23:00 AM
Thank you Linda, it was called Zulu, an amazing film. The song they sang was Men of Harlech as a lot of the soldiers were Welsh. I too enjoy history and have composed a few historical poems.
Date: 6/5/2020 5:47:00 PM
gosh, I had not heard of this before. But that Zulu movie name sounds a bit familiar. Probably was showing when I was too small to go see that movie! Very informative, Tom.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/5/2020 7:05:00 PM
Thank you Andrea, it's an excellent film if you ever get the chance to see it, the Zulus were a force to be reckoned with, they were fearless warriors. Tom