Lords Sitting of 23 July 1879

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—East Indian Railway (Redemption of Annuities)* (160); Petroleum Act (1871) Amendment* (161).
Second Reading—Committee negatived—Considered—Third Reading—Army Discipline and Regulation (Commencement) * (157), and passed.

SOUTH AFRICA—THE ZULU WAR—LATEST TELEGRAM—VICTORY AT —ULUNDI—QUESTION.
LORD TRUROasked, If Her Majesty's Government had received any further intelligence from the Cape?
VISCOUNT BURY: My Lords, a very satisfactory telegram has been received at the War Office from Lord Chelmsford, dated July 6. I must mention that it is not yet perfect, as it is still passing through the station. The telegram is as follows:—
"TELEGRAM FROM MAJOR GENERAL THE HON. H. CLIFFORD TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR, WAR (ST. VINCENT, JULY 23, 1879):—
"JULY 6.
"Following received from Chelmsford:—'Cetywayo not having complied with my demands by noon yesterday, July 3, and having fired heavily on the troops at water, I returned the 114 cattle he had sent in, and ordered a reconnoissance to be made by the mounted force under Colonel Buller. This was effectually made, and caused the Zulu Army to advance and show itself. This morning a force under my command, consisting of the 2nd Division, under Major General Newdigate, numbering 1,870 Europeans, 530 Natives, and 8 guns, and the flying column under Brigadier General Wood, numbering 2,192 Europeans and 573 Natives, 4 guns, and 2 Gatlings, crossed the Umvolosi River at 6.15, and, marching in a hollow square, with the ammunition and intrenching tool carts and bearer company in its centre, reached an excellent position between Unodwengo and Ulundi about half-past eight. This had been observed by Colonel Buller the day before. Our fortified camp on the right bank of the Umvolosi was left with a garrison of about 900 Europeans, 250 Natives, and one Gatling gun, under Colonel Bellairs. Soon after half-past seven, the Zulu Army was seen leaving its bivouacs and advancing on every side. The engagement was shortly after commenced by the mounted men. By nine o'clock the attack was fully developed. At half-past nine the enemy wavered. The 17th Lancers, followed by the remainder of the mounted men, attacked them, and a general rout ensued. The prisoners state that Cetywayo was personally commanding, and had

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made all the arrangements himself, and that he witnessed the fight from Lickazi Kraal, and that 12 regiments took part in it. If so, 20,000 men attacked us. It is impossible to estimate with any correctness the loss of the enemy, owing to the extent of the country over which they attacked and retreated, but it could not have been less, I consider, than 1,000 killed. By noon Ulundi was in flames, and during the day all the military kraals of the Zulu Army and in the valley of the Umvolosi were destroyed. At 2 P.M. the return march to the camp of the column commenced. The behaviour of the troops under my command was extremely satisfactory. Their steadiness under a complete belt of fire was remarkable. The dash and enterprize of the mounted branches were all that could be wished, and the fire of the Artillery very good. A portion of the Zulu Forces approached our fortified camp, and at one time threatened to attack it. The Native Contingent forming a part of the garrison were sent out after the action, and assisted in pursuit. As I have fully accomplished the object for which I advanced, I consider I shall now be best carrying out Sir Garnet Wolseley's instructions by moving at once to Eulongamite, and thence towards Kamaguasa. I shall send back a portion of this force with, the empty waggons for supplies, which are now ready at Fort Marshall.
"'I beg to forward a list of casualties:—Killed.—2nd Division—Captain Wyatt-Edgell and Farrier Sergeant Taylor, 17th Lancers; Corporal Tompkinson and Private Coates, 58th Regiment; Private Kent, 94th Regiment; Trooper Sifona, Shepstone's Horse. Flying Column.—Corporal Carter, R.A.; Bugler J. Burnes, Private W. Dirdley, 13th Regiment; Private Floyd, 80th Regiment; Trooper Jones, K.N. (sic) Horse. Wounded.—2nd Division.—Dangerously—Troopers Jones and Charles "Waste, 17th Lancers; Privates H. Yalder and W. Bowner, 21st Regiment; Privates N. Fash, W. Stewart, and M. Marony, 58th Regiment; Private Muzazu, Shepstone's Horse. Severely—Major R. W. C. Winsloe, Privates Swadle, G. Brown, F. Fidler, and J. Daveny, 21st Regiment; Major W. D. Bond, Privates Catterell, H. Hawee, and W. Severett, 58th Regiment; Lieutenant H. C. Jenkins, 17th Lancers; Lieutenant A. B. Phipps, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment; Lieutenant G. E. Liebenrood and Sergeant Piper, 58th Regiment; Driver Breeman, R.A.; Hospital Bearer Mubique. Slightly—Lieutenant and Captain the Hon. R. S. G. Stapleton Cotton, Scots Guards; Lieutenant W. C. James, 2nd Dragoons; Lieutenant A. B. Milne, R.N.; Trooper J. Koyeau, 17th Lancers; Private Aly, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment; Private M. Murtah, 94th Regiment; Lieutenant Jenkins, Natal Native Contingent. Flying Column.—Dangerous—Lieutenant G. A. Pardoe, Private J. Davies, Mr. Shepstone, and Bugler M. Cockling, 13th Regiment; Gunner J. Morton, R.A.; Privates P. Tulley and W. Hunt, 80th Regiment; Trooper Leagdo, Mounted Basutos. Severely—Gunner W. Morshead, R.A.; Sergeant R. Wood, R.E.; Privates J. Bourne, H. Owens, C. Johnson, W. Heit, and J. Curing, 13th Regiment; Sergeant Onerill, Privates A. Beecroft and M. Duffy, 80th Regiment; Private J. Flood, 90th Regiment; Trooper P. Legos, Baker's Horse;
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Captain Hurber, Wood's Irregulars; Lieutenant Cowdell, Wood's Irregulars; Trooper Salein, Mounted Basutos. Slightly—Private P. Stokes, 13th Regiment.'"

ARMY DISCIPLINE AND REGULATION (COMMENCEMENT) BILL.
Read 2a (according to Order); Committee negatived: Then Standing Orders Nos. XXXVII. and XXXVIII. considered (according to order), and dispensed with: Bill read 3a, and passed.
House adjourned at a quarter past Two o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter before Four o'clock.