§ SIR ROBERT PEELasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, it having been officially stated that Lord Chelmsford's plan of campaign against the Zulu King was submitted to and approved by the Horse Guards or Military Authorities of this Country prior to its being put into execution, his future plan of campaign has also been submitted to and approved by the Horse Guards or Military Authorities in this Country?
§ COLONEL STANLEYLord Chelmsford's plan of campaign against the Zulu King was not submitted to the Horse Guards or the military authorities of this country in the sense in which that term is generally understood; but the Horse Guards and military authorities—and, I may add, myself—were cognizant of the terms of Lord Chelmsford's Memorandum, which was attached to despatches, and we saw no reason why we should interfere, with, perhaps, imperfect knowledge, with the discretion of the General Officer on the spot. So far as I am aware, Lord Chelmsford has not seen any reason 136 to depart from his general ideas respecting military operations in Zululand; and I must say that I should consider that only most exceptional circumstances could be held to justify interference by the home authorities with the plans of a General Officer commanding in the field.