Sir Reginald Hildyard (1 results)

An interesting document giving a first-hand description done on the spot by a British army officer of 'mopping up' operations during the Bambatha Rebellion, in the three weeks leading up to the final Battle of Mome Gorge, 10 June 1906, at which British machine guns slaughtered three to four thousand Zulus, armed with assegais, knobkerris and cowhide shields, while themselves receiving 36 casualties. Mahatma Gandhi, who was in South Africa at the time, urged the British to recruit Indians as officers, and when this suggestion was rebuffed, himself led a corps of 21 stretcher bearers. In his autobiography he describes the campaign as 'no war but a man hunt'. 12pp, folio. On ruled grey paper, in 'ARMY BOOK 129.' In quarter-bound boards with grey paper cover and yellow cloth spine. In good condition, lightly aged, in worn binding. Titled in author's autograph on a fly-leaf: 'Diary of events in Connection with operations in Zululand.' The diary begins with the appointment of General Sir Reginald Hildyard (1876-1965) as General Office Commanding of a small force, with Major General Louis Lipsett (1874-1918) as his aide-de-camp. From Pietermartizburg and Dundee they travel to Nkandhla, and then drive through the Itali Valley twice and the Mome Bush once. They encounter 'a large force of the enemy' on the Fort Yolland Road, killing 140 of them to the loss of '5 killed & 5 wounded 53 dead natives'. Driving towards Cetewayo's Grave, they kill ten more of the enemy, and having received a sighting of the Zulu chief Sigananda (c.1815-1906), who would be captured in the battle, they kill another twenty in the Nkandhla Bush. The diary ends two days before the battle, with the force encamped on the Manci Ridge. There are references to Col. John Robinson Royston (1860-1942, 'Galloping Jack'), Col. Duncan McKenzie (1859-1932, later knighted), and Col. Theodore Edward Stephenson (1856-1928), all of whom played leading parts in the battle. The diary proper is 9pp, in pen and pencil, and is preceded by a three-page description of 'Reports required', described below. The first two diary entries read: 'Saturday 19th | Permission received by wire from Governor of Natal for the General to be attached to the Zululand Field Force Wires sent by M. G. A. on Saturday afternoon for 4 horses to be sent. Mooi River to Dundee & for 1 Cape Cart 1 Wagon & 14 Mules from Standerton to Dundee | Sunday 20th. General Hildyard consented to Lipsett accompanying the General | General & Lipsett left by 5.45 pm train with | Parry G. O. C's servant. | G. O. C's groom. | one orderly from Bays | 4 horses camp kit & ce. | G. O. C. proceeded to P[ieter]. M[aritz]. burg | Lipsett to Standerton. Horses & baggage to Dundee'. The entry of 25 May reads: 'Friday Started at 8 am with escort of 2 police & accompanied by Mr Bassager (road surveyor) for Nkhandala, arrived at about 3.30 pm distance by short cut 24 M. Kit came in in bullock wagon & arrived about 8 pm. | distance about 30 miles. The road is good by Hill slopes of 1/7 in places On arrival in Camp we learned that the troops were going out that Night. | The mounted troops & levies started about 6 pm to march to P. Tittlestadt's store on the [Ecombi Ridge?], distance about 25 miles, this was to operate agfainst some rebels who were reported to have collected in bush near the store The force arrived before daybreak on 26th. | 26th. Saturday Troops near Tittlestats [sic] Store were prevented from moving on account of the mist | As soon as it cleared they moved on to the spot where the rebels were supposed to be & found that they had gone. Guides. Sergt Calverley & Tittlestadt of Z. M. R. - | General & Self went to top of Empandhleni Ridge over looking Insuzi Valley. Moved from Frys Hotel to Magistrates House. | 27th. Sunday - | Met troops returning horses looked in poor condition - | Col. Mackenzie & Stephen dined with General at Magistrates'. On 29 May: 'Information had been received that the enemy had colle.