Siege of Eshowe
Part of the Anglo-Zulu War
Wagons crossing Amatikulu drift on the way to Eshowe
Date 22 January – 3 April 1879 Location Eshowe Result British victory
Combatants
Britain	Zulu Nation
Commanders
Charles Pearson	Prince Dahilamanzi
Strength
6,670	12,000
Casualties
44 killed	1,300 killed

The Siege of Eshowe was part of a three-pronged attack on the Zulu Impis of king Cetshwayo at Ulundi. After a successful incursion as far as Eshowe at 28.887706° S 31.475058° ECoordinates: 28.887706° S 31.475058° E, Colonel Charles Pearson was besieged there for two months by the Zulus. Combatants United Kingdom Zulu Nation Commanders Sir Bartle Frere, Frederick Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford Cetshwayo Strength 14,800 (6,400 Europeans 8,400 Natal Troops) 40,000 Casualties 1,727 killed, 256 wounded 8,250+ killed, 3,000+ wounded The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the... Image File history File links Wagons crossing Amatikulu drift on the way to Eshowe. ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links KwaZulu_flag_1985. ... Languages Zulu Religions Christian, African Traditional Religion Related ethnic groups Bantu Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele Khoisan The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are a South African ethnic group of an estimated 17-22 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ... Combatants United Kingdom Zulu Nation Commanders Sir Bartle Frere, Frederick Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford Cetshwayo Strength 14,800 (6,400 Europeans 8,400 Natal Troops) 40,000 Casualties 1,727 killed, 256 wounded 8,250+ killed, 3,000+ wounded The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pulleine† Anthony Durnford† Ntshingwayo Khoza Strength 1,400 men 22,000 men Casualties 52 officers killed 1,277 other ranks killed 3,000 killed 3,000 wounded The Battle of Isandlwana was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War in which... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders John Chard Gonville Bromhead Prince Dabulamanzi Strength 139 4,000–5,000 Casualties 17 killed, 10 wounded Around 500-600 dead found in 500 foot perimeter Rorkes Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford (drift) on the... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Captain David Moriarty Strength 106 troops Several thousand Casualties 62 killed Unknown, but light The Battle of Intombe (also Intombi or Intombi River Drift) was fought on March 12, 1879, between British and Zulu forces at . // The village of Lüneberg, situated at in the... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Evelyn Wood Unknown Strength 675 25,000 Casualties 225 killed 8 wounded Unknown, but Zulus claimed losses to be negligible The Battle of Hlobane was a battle of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 fought at . // No. ... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Evelyn Wood Ntshingwayo Khoza Strength 2,000 25,000 Casualties 29 killed (11 of which died as a result of wounds) 54 wounded 1,000+ Battle of Kambula took place in 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. ... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Lord Chelmsford Somopho kaZikhala Strength 5,670 12,000 Casualties 11 killed, 48 wounded 1,000 killed The Battle of Gingindlovu (uMgungundlovu) was fought at between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu Impi of king Cetshwayo on... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Lord Chelmsford Cetshwayo Strength 5,317 20,000 Casualties 10 killed 87 wounded 1,500+ The Battle of Ulundi took place at the Zulu capital of Ulundi on July 4, 1879 and proved to be the decisive battle that finally broke the military power of... Languages Zulu Religions Christian, African Traditional Religion Related ethnic groups Bantu Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele Khoisan The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are a South African ethnic group of an estimated 17-22 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ... An Impi is an isiZulu word for any armed body of men. ... Cetshwayo kaMpande (circa 1826 - February 8, 1884) was the king of the Zulu nation from 1872 to 1879 and their leader during the Zulu War. ... Ulundi was at one time the capital of Zululand in South Africa, and later the capital of the Bantustan of KwaZulu. ... Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Prelude: Inyezane

No.1 Column of the British invasion force, under Colonel Charles Pearson, had been ordered to establish an advanced base at Eshowe before continuing the advance upon Ulundi. The force crossed the Tugela River from Natal into Zululand on January 12, 1879. The advance was smooth and steady until the 22nd, when a Zulu force attempted to bar their way. The British were camped about 4 miles south of the Ineyzane River, which they had crossed the previous day, beneath a steep ridge with three spurs leading down towards the river, and surrounded by scrub. A prominent knoll sat about halfway, and a small kraal near the left of the crest. Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... Ulundi was at one time the capital of Zululand in South Africa, and later the capital of the Bantustan of KwaZulu. ... The Tugela River (also known as Thukela) is the largest river in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. ... KwaZulu-Natal, often referred to as KZN, is a province of South Africa. ... Zululand was the Zulu-dominated area of what is now northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Languages Zulu Religions Christian, African Traditional Religion Related ethnic groups Bantu Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele Khoisan The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are a South African ethnic group of an estimated 17-22 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ...

Shortly after 08:00 a small number of Zulus appeared near the knoll on the ridge, and a company of the Natal Native Contingent, under Lieutenant Hart, were sent up the spur after them. While this company gave chase a mass of Zulus appeared over the crest of the ridge and began pouring downwards. These men were the left "horn" of a 6,000 strong force, dispatched at the same time as the army that engaged the British at Isandlwana, who were preparing just over the crest, to attack the British camp. This left horn had been prompted into a premature attack by the advance of Lieutenant Hart's company, and in the face of this advance the Native Contingent fled, leaving their European officers and NCOs to make a fruitless stand before being swept aside. As soon as Hart and his men began firing, the camp prepared for defence, forming a hasty firing line. A naval company and two companies of Buffs with a Gatling gun and 7-pounders moved up to the knoll, opening up across the advancing Zulu column. Thus, when the Zulus emerged from scrub and began their assault on the camp, they were taking heavy fire on both their flank and front of their force. The Zulus wavered and then withdrew the way they had come. The name Buffs can mean:- Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), a British army unit Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Buffs Company, a Rifle Company of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada that parades out of Dalton Armoury in Scarborough. ... An 1865 Gatling gun. ...

While the left horn was being repulsed, the rest of the Zulu impi appeared over the crest. The kraal was taken, and switching their guns to focus on it, the force previously attacking the left horn's flank advanced up the slope and captured the kraal. This position allowed the British to move the Gatling gun onto the crest where its rapid fire soon drove the Zulus off the centre and left end of the ridge, as the British mounted troops came up the right-hand spur to complete the action. The successful counter-attack resulted in 10 British killed and 16 wounded. The Zulu impi withdrew with 350 killed.

Arrival at Eshowe

Pearson continued his march unhindered and the following day reached the mission fort at Eshowe, 2,000 feet above sea level. Eshowe consisted of a deserted church, school and the house of a Norwegian missionary. Low hills surrounded it about a quarter of a mile away to the north, east and west, but to the south the Indian Ocean could be seen. Pearson sent a group of empty wagons, with escorts, to collect fresh supplies from the Lower Drift while the rest of his force began entrenching themselves. The next day, January 24, bore a disturbing message for Pearson—Col.Durnford's No. 2 column had been wiped out in the Middle Drift, leaving the Lower Drift behind Eshowe in grave danger. If the Zulus took the lower drift, Eshowe would be cut off and there would be nothing between the Zulu Army and Natal. Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Two days later, Lord Chelmsford contacted Pearson. Without giving any details of the disaster at Isandlwana he informed him that all previous orders were cancelled, and that he was to take such as action as he thought fit to preserve his column, including withdrawal from Eshowe if necessary. If he withdrew, he was to hold the bridgehead at the Lower Drift, but he might be attacked by the whole Zulu Army. Pearson had no precise information on the whereabouts of the enemy, and although his defences around the mission would soon be complete, it was not an ideal position to defend. His force was good for ammunition, but other supplies were insufficient and the general consensus of his subordinates was to pull back to the Lower Drift. The decision to stay was settled on when news arrived of the return of the supply wagons, with five further companies as reinforcement from the Lower Drift. Frederic Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford (May 31, 1827–April 9, 1905) was a British general. ... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pulleine† Anthony Durnford† Ntshingwayo Khoza Strength 1,400 men 22,000 men Casualties 52 officers killed 1,277 other ranks killed 3,000 killed 3,000 wounded The Battle of Isandlwana was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War in which...

Eshowe besieged

The fort enclosing the mission was roughly rectangular, 200 yards long and 50 yards wide, with loopholed walls 6 feet high, and was surrounded by a broad ditch in which sharpened sticks were embedded. A second line of defence, should the outer rampart fall, was formed by laagering the wagons inside the walls. A horse and cattle kraal was constructed, as was an abattis, and a field of fire was cleared all round out to 800 yards. The garrison numbered 1,300 soldiers and sailors, plus 400 wagoners. Abatis, Abattis or Abbattis (a French word meaning a heap of material thrown), a term in field fortification for an obstacle formed of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the tops directed towards the enemy and interlaced or tied with wire. ...

The appearance of large bodies of Zulu on the surrounding hills on February 2, although they retreated under shelling from the 7-pounders, compelled Pearson to request reinforcements. A week later, he learned for the first time the full extent of the centre column's defeat at Isandlwana and was told that no reinforcements could be made. Pearson was on his own, but could still withdraw. Pearson considered withdrawing part of his garrison, if Chelmsford agreed, but receiving no response and no further runners, it became clear that Eshowe was now completely cut off. is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

February passed with no Zulu attack, save for sniping attacks and skirmishes between patrols. The beginning of March led Pearson to attack a kraal 7 miles away, to keep the soldiers from idling. The next day a heliograph was spotted signalling from Fort Pearson and a makeshift apparatus allowed Eshowe to reply. The garrison learnt that a relief force would depart the Lower Drift on March 13 and that they were to advance to the Inyezane to meet it. This was cheering news for the garrison, with rations running low and sickness having killed 20 men. A few days later another message delayed the relief column until April 1. is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Relief Column

Main article: Battle of Gingindlovu

Lord Chelmsford led this column, comprising of 3,390 Europeans and 2,280 Africans to relieve the forces at Eshowe. The force had a range of artillery, including two 9-pounders, four 24-pounder rocket tubes and two Gatling guns. The progress was slow, as in addition to taking a roundabout route to avoid ambush, the rivers they had to traverse were swollen by heavy rains. By the evening of April 1, Pearson's observers at Eshowe could see the relief column laagering on the south bank of the Inyezane. The laager was sited on a 300-foot ridge running roughly west-east. West of the ridge, the ground dipped, only to rise again to the 470-foot Umisi Hill. The ground sloped away in all directions, allowing a good field of fire. A trench surrounded a waist high wall of earth, which itself encompassed 120 wagons formed a square with sides of 130 yards in length. Here the relief column fought the Battle of Gingindlovu, a British victory, before continuing on to Eshowe. Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Lord Chelmsford Somopho kaZikhala Strength 5,670 12,000 Casualties 11 killed, 48 wounded 1,000 killed The Battle of Gingindlovu (uMgungundlovu) was fought at between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu Impi of king Cetshwayo on... Frederic Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford (May 31, 1827–April 9, 1905) was a British general. ... Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... An 1865 Gatling gun. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A laager is a defensive formation of vehicles. ... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Lord Chelmsford Somopho kaZikhala Strength 5,670 12,000 Casualties 11 killed, 48 wounded 1,000 killed The Battle of Gingindlovu (uMgungundlovu) was fought at between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu Impi of king Cetshwayo on...

Eshowe relieved

On April 3, the relief column entered Eshowe, led by the pipers of the 91st Highlanders. The two-month siege had been lifted. Chelmsford concluded that Eshowe did not need to be retained, and the laboriously constructed defences were demolished. Bivouacking on the first night after their departure from it on April 6, Pearson's men could see that the Zulus had set Eshowe alight. is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

see also

• Military history of South Africa