"They will fight us again and again, no matter how often they are beaten, as soon as any trusted chief could assemble some thousands of them."

INTRODUCTION

Chelmsford urgently needed to relieve Pearson's force, whose supplies were due to run out in early April.

The relief force assembled at Fort Pearson with the expedition beginning its advance with the troops being ferried across the Tugela River on the 28th March, the column then advancing in two divisions (see list) on the 29th. Strict camp defensive discipline was to be followed, as Chelmsford was to take no chances. The column reached Gingindlovu on the 1st of April, establishing a fortified laager near the site of the burnt out Zulu kraal, which was destroyed 10 weeks previous by Pearson's forces. Patrols soon started to report large Zulu forces in the area to the west of the camp, these were confirmed as an Impi.

Around 5 p.m. on the morning of the 2nd, units of colonial horse and N.N.C. were sent out to locate the Impi.

FORCES ENGAGED

British Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford, K.C.B., Commanding
1st Brigade Lt-Col. Law, RA, Commanding
CORPS OR DEPARTMENT	OFFICERS AND MEN	OFFICER IN COMMAND
Staff:	-	Capt. Hart, 31st Regt.
Naval Brigade	350	-
91st Highlanders	850	Maj. Bruce
The Buffs (2 companies)	140	Maj. Walker
99th Regt. (5 companies)	430	-
99th Regt. 4th Battalion NNC	800	Capt. Barton
Artillery: NNC	2 9-pounder guns 2 24-pounder rocket tubes 1 Gatling Gun	-
Commissariat Department	-	-
Transport Department	-	-
Medical Department	-	-
Total: 1st Brigade: British troops and Naval Brigade, 1,770; Native Contingent, 800.
Grand total, 2,570
2nd Brigade Lt-Col. Pemberton, 60th Rifles, Commanding
Staff:	-	Capt. Buller, Rifle Brigade
Naval Brigade	190	-
Royal Marines	100	-
57th Foot	640	Lt-Col. Clarke
60th Rifles (6 companies)	540	Lt-Col. Northey
5th Battalion NNC	1,200	Cmdt. Nettleton
Artillery	2 24-pounder rocket tubes 1 Gatling Gun	-
Commissariat Department	-	-
Transport Department	-	-
Medical Department	-	-
Total: 2nd Brigade: British troops, including Naval Brigade and Marines, 1,470; Natal Native Contingent, 1,200
Grand total, 2,670
Divisional Troops: Major Barrow, 19th Hussars, Commanding
Staff:	-	Capt. Courtenay, 20th Hussars
Mounted Infantry	70	-
Volunteers	50	-
Mounted Natives	130	-
Non-commissioned Officers	30	-
Native Foot Scouts	150	-
Total: British troops and Volunteers and NCOs, 150; Mounted natives, 130; Foot scouts, 150. Grand total, 430
Grand Total of Fighting Men at Ginginhlovo, 2nd April 1879 1st Brigade 2,570 Inc. 800 natives 2nd Brigade 2,670 Inc. 1,200 natives Divisional Troops 430 Inc. 280 natives Grand Total: 5,670 Inc. 2,280 natives

Zulu

Unduna, Sonopho's Gin. Dabulamanzi was also present commanding the right horn.
Element of: Uthulwana, Umbonamb, Umcijo, Ingobamakhosi and the Uve Amabutho. Contingents of local irregulars notably Tongas.
Total: 10 to 12,000 warriors, many veterans of Isandlwana.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

The main text of the action is by Charles L. Norris Newman, special correspondent for the London Standard. Being able to move around during the action, it is a full and detailed one. We have Hamilton Browne providing us with a viewpoint of the mounted bloody pursuit of the defeated Impi. There are no Zulu accounts of interest.

Charles L. Norris Newman

On Wednesday morning, April 2nd, our scouts and mounted natives were sent out on patrol at sunrise shortly after five. Rising at 5.30 a.m. I fancied I heard a few shots in the distance, but paid no particular attention to it; and meanwhile, preparations were made for grazing the cattle and getting breakfast, as the General had decided that the Column should remain encamped all that day, and that on the day following be would take a part of the Column and make a march on Etshowi, to bring away Colonel Pearson's forces to our camp, Etshowi Fort was to be evacuated as being difficult of access, and out of the line of the proposed subsequent march. About six, as I was stationed on a waggon at the left front comer of the laager, I saw large bodies of Zulus swa]ming over the hills beyond the Inyezane, and heard several shots in succession.

This I reported to Colonel Crealock, and the attention of the Staff was drawn to the position of affairs when it at once became evident that we were in for a fight, and that the enemy were advancing direct on our camp in force, driving in our scouts and mounted natives before them, seeking to repeat the tactics which they had found so successful at Isandhlwana. Preparations were speedily completed to give them a warm reception. The 60th Rifles held the front face, with the Marines and a Gatling at their right-hand corner, and the men of the Boadicea and two rocket tubes at the left angle.

The 57th defended the right flank, towards the old military kraal having some of the Naval Brigade and a Gatling at their right-hand in the rear comer. At the left rear comer were the rest of the Naval Brigade with two 9-pounders; the 91st were aligned along the rear face of the laager, and the 99th and 3rd Buffs on the left flank. All the mounted men were assembled behind the regulars close by the waggons, at the right and rear of the laager, while the N.N.C. regiments were located at the left rear angle, by the guns. The conductors, and all non-combatants who could obtain a rifle, placed themselves on the top of the waggons, whence many an effective shot told on the on coming Zulu ranks. Just after 6 a.m., two strong columns of the enemy crossed the Inyezane, and two smaller ones advanced simultaneously, from the direction respectively of the Amatikulu bush and the old military kraal. Within ten minutes' time the leading men of the hostile columns had deployed into the valley, and the right and left horns were at once sent forward at the double, according to custom, to surround our position. While thus deploying in masses, the time seemed to me favourable for rocket-fire but no orders being given Lieutenant Carr had to wait.

The engagement was begun by the Gattlings at 1,000 yards range, and when the enemy closed to within 300 or 400 yards the firing on both sides became incessant. The enemy advanced well, under cover of the long grass and bushes, but their progress was for some time arrested at the edge of the cover, as our fire was too hot to allow them the chance of a rush. Shortly, however, a most determined attempt was made to break in upon the right front comer, and another on the rear face; some of the Zulus succeeded in getting even as far as within twenty five yards of the trench, but the withering fire of the defence effectually stopped them, and they were compelled to desist from the effort.

Steady firing on both sides ensued, and several of our men and officers were hit. Colonel Northey was one of the first to fall, badly wounded, and Surgeon-Major Longfield fell next, both hit in the left shoulder. Captain Hinsman was shot in the leg and poor Johnson of the 99th, Instructor of Musketry, fell dead, being shot right through the breast within a yard or two of his commanding officer and myself. The General and his Staff were omnipresent; Lord Chelmsford on foot, with his red nightcap on, encouraging the men, directing their fire, and instructing them to fire low and steady. The Staff were mounted and had some narrow escapes, many of the horses being killed or wounded under them, Colonel Crealock and Lieutenant Milne were slightly hit in the arm.

During this time I and a friend of mine named Palmer, who had accompanied the expedition as conductor, with a lot of waggons, had each got a rifle and were steadily taking pot-shots, at any native who made himself visible from the top of the waggon, which position gave us a great advantage. Palmer (who is a crack shot, having hunted large game in the interior for years) brought several to the ground. One shot in particular was a great success; about a hundred yards off, straight in front of us, three Zulus had managed to gain the shelter of a thick bush, whose roots formed an impenetrable barrier to even our hot fire, and it was from this bush that the shot was fired which killed poor Johnson. His death was however, quickly avenged, as we both arranged to wait quietly until the Zulus fired again, and then taking good aim we fired together just as two of them had raised themselves on their knees to get a fair aim.

The one aimed at by Palmer sprung up high in the air, with outstretched arms, and fell backwards dead, shot clean through the forehead, as we found out afterwards. The both he and the third Zulu were killed by some of the 99th. After the battle the three were found close together, and Palmer and I took and divided the trophies of war, including their native dress, arms, and accoutrements; and we keep them yet, as most prized and hardly-won spoils. Every now and then l left my post of vantage and took a stroll around, to see what was occurring elsewhere.

My groom, a cockney lad who had probably never seen a shot fired in earnest before in his short life of seventeen years, was coolly engaged after having saddled my horses, in making me a stew for breakfast, and preparing coffee as a precursor. He seemed to watch the engagement throughout without any signs of fear, and amused us much by the droll remarks he made.

At about 6.45 there was a slight lull in the firing, just after the enemy had been foiled in a desperate attempt to storm the rear of the position with a rush. Orders were then given for Major Barrow to charge the enemy in that quarter. Taking out his Mounted Infantry, the gallant Major led the charge in person, having formed his men in two lines, with instructions to the rear rank to protect any of their comrades in the front rank, who might fall, from being surrounded and assegaied by the Zulus.

After a few shots, the Zulus turned and fled, but were quickly caught up and despatched by the sabres of the men. Major Barrow was slightly wounded in the thigh, but the casualties were surprisingly few. Then came the turn of the N.N.C., who were also ordered out, and charged the enemy, led by Commandant Nettleton and Hart, on foot. The Zulus fired one volley and then fled precipitately. The firing then also ceased on all sides, and the enemy joined in the flight on the front, right and left flanks, under a hailstorm of rifle bullets, shells and rockets. The N.N.C. made their charge from the rear a little after 7 a.m., and in half an hour's time not a Zulu was to be seen for miles in any direction, except the wounded, most of whom were unfortunately killed by our natives, their officers were only able to save the wounded Zulus in a few instances, as these latter when overtaken would turn and attempt to slay their pursuers.

Two large bodies of Zulus had remained in reserve on the hills at the other side of the Inyezane, but they also retreated when they saw their men beaten and put to flight. A number of those who escaped on the left gathered on a hill a mile and a half off towards the Amatikulu; but they were speedily dislodged and scattered by a few shells from the 9-pounders, which plumped into the mass and did considerable execution, as we subsequently saw, on visiting the spot. Thus terminated the engagement at Ginginhlovo, in which our casualties were, one officer killed and three badly wounded; four men killed and about twenty-five wounded; and of our natives, about seven killed and ten wounded. Of the wounded, Colonel Northey subsequently died, as did also some of the men.

The official return is given in Appendix E. The firing in our ranks was throughout very fair, taken all in all, and considering the many young soldiers. Though in some cases the number of shots fired per man in a company ran up to fifteen, yet the general average would not much exceed seven or eight, the 57th Regiment, however, were as low as five rounds per man on a flank where a most determined fire had been maintained by the enemy from a good and fairly secure position. The officers were specially earnest in restraining the men from too rapid firing- and in one case an officer (Kennedy of the 99th) sprang out in front of the trench itself, to enforce strict obedience to his commands. This was the very acme of courage and coolness, and naturally produced a wonderful effect. I may also note that John Dunn himself was firing from a waggon, and afterwards issued with his own men in pursuit of the flying foe, doing great execution, as they scoured the country for miles around. It was impossible for a long time to form any estimate of the enemy's loss, which must have been heavy. It was thought that only 600 or 700 had fallen, as only 473 bodies were found and buried within 600 yards of the laager. But this was afterwards seen to be an under estimate, as not only was the whole valley strewn with dead bodies, but numbers who escaped died of their wounds many miles away. Ultimately, as many as 1,100 corpses were found, in all, and hundreds more must have been wounded, more or less seriously. At any rate the lesson was severe, and the rout complete. The Zulus threw everything away, guns, assegais, and shields, to lighten themselves in their flight; and a large number of guns was afterwards found in the river Inyezane, which was crossed by the greater part of the fugitives. The crushing nature of their defeat was also evidenced by the fact that during our farther advance to Etshowi and return thence, not a single Zulu was seen, excepting those found at Dabulamanzi's kraal. No praise can be too great for the wonderful pluck displayed by these really splendid savages, in making an attack by daylight on a laager entrenched and defended by European troops with modern weapons and war appliances. This fully confirmed the opinion I had never failed to express, that they would fight us again and again, no matter how often they were beaten, as soon as any trusted Chief could assemble some thousands of them.

"MAORI" HAMILTON-BROWNE, Officer, Colonial Horse

It must have been about 6.20 a.m. when the Zulus made their first great effort to storm the front, right, and rear faces of our defences, and their advance was indeed a splendid sight, as just at that moment the sun came out and shone full on the lines of plumed warriors, who, with their arms and legs adorned with streaming cow-tails and each brandishing his coloured ox-hide shield and flashing assagais rushed forward to what he fondly hoped to be an orgie of blood, with a dash and elan that no civilized troops could have exceeded.

This magnificent charge, beautiful as it was as a spectacle, was a trifle too enervating for the over-worried, unfed and somewhat nervous youths who had to face it, very many of whom more than wobbled in the shelter trenches. In fact it was only the frantic efforts of the officers of one regiment that, on the death of their Colonel, prevented their men from making a clean bolt of it, and that just at the most critical moment when the charging Zulus were within one hundred yards of the shelter trenches. Troth it was a near call and for a few minutes it was a toss-up whether the laager at Ginginhlovu was not to be a second shambles like Isandlwana. [He goes on to describe the pursuit.]

Now it came to pass as I, riding my own line and being very busy using only the point [of his saber], chanced to notice a big fine Zulu louping along through the long grass, and had half a mind to go for him, but at the same moment he was charged by a M.l. [mounted infantry] man, who galloping recklessly past him made a most comprehensive cut at him, which however, although it failed to annihilate or even wound the Zulu, still drew blood, as it lopped off the ear of his own horse, a proceeding that the animal resented by promptly kicking off its clumsy rider.

The Tommy was however true grit for in a moment he regained his feet and hanging on to the reins which, good man, he had never let go, he turned on to the astonished Zulu and discharged on to the latter's hide shield such a shower of blows that the noise sounded like a patent carpet-beater at work and effectually prevented him from using his assagai.

Again, I was on the point of going to our man s assistance and had swung my horse ready to do so when up from the rear galloped another Tommy who holding on to the pommel of his saddle with his left hand, flourished his sword and shouted, "Let me get at the bleeding blighter, Dick," and then delivered a terrific cut which in this case missing the crow etched the pigeon as it nearly amputated poor Dick's sword hand, who might well have ejaculated, "Lord save me from my friends."

This, nor any other pious cry he did not use, as his remarks, on receiving the wound, were of a decidedly declamatory nature and were sufficiently comprehensive so as to embrace not only his enemy and his rescuer but also all things animate and inanimate within the district. The blighter had however come off badly for he had been knocked end over end by the rescuer's horse, and before he could regain his feet the rider, whether voluntary and involuntary, was precipitated on to the top of him and without further delay, discarding his sword, grabbed the Zulu's knobkerrie with which he proceeded to bash its owner over the head, so seeing they were all right I devoted my attention to my own work.

CASUALTIES: British
CORPS OR DPT	KILLED		WOUNDED
	OFFICERS	NCO & MEN	OFFICERS	NCO & MEN
Staff	Lt.Col. Crealock	-	Lt. Milne, RN*	-
2/3rd Regt.	-	-	-	1
57th Regt.	-	-	Capt. Hinxman	3
3/60th Rifles	-	1	LtCol. Northey*	5
91st Regiment	-	-	1	-	8
99th Regiment	-	2	Lt. J.C.J Johnson*	4
Mounted Infantry	-	-	Maj. Barrow	2
Royal Navy	-	-	Sr. Surg. Longfield	6
Native Contingent**	-	5	-	17
Total	-	9	6	46
*Died of wounds
**2 of these died of wounds
CASUALTIES: Zulu
Around 1,100, at least half cut down during the pursuit by the Mounted Units and N.N.C.

BATTLE PROFILE

It was the Zulu tactic to attack the relief column whilst on the march, certainly not when it was entrenched as it was. The laager area appears not to have been scouted fully previous to the attack, so the attack went in somewhat blind and again the now familiar bulls horn formation was adopted. Again the attack went in uncoordinated with the right horn arriving later than the left, giving valuable time for fire power to be directed against each horn as it advanced. The defeat and especially the pursuit of the Zulu was just what Chelmsford wanted, the success of the battle went someway to healing the wound of Isandlwana.

WARGAMING GINGINDLOW

I have to confess being a large scale skirmish wargamer I have not fought the usual wargame based on Gingindlovu and Khambula. You will be advised to have a few single based Zulu figs for use in the laager if they ever get in. Buying a large amount of wagons for your laager will work out rather expensive, purchase 2 or 3 and then use a simple Tetrion made earth bank. For these type of action it is best to give the Zulu player an incentive by starting the game if possible with the mounted units and N.N.C. outside the camp tracking the Zulu Impi. The Zulu player maybe able to take advantage of these withdrawing units. Another idea is to have the oxen outside the laager grazing, the Zulus maybe able to drive these off, halting the British advance

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