Campaigning in South Africa: reminiscences of an officer in 1879

Hardcover, (140mm x196m) Large 16mo, ex-library book in professionally restored condition. Bound in a library binding of red leather and marbled paper. Eight preliminary and 368 pages of text.

Captain Montague of the 94th Regiment, was in quarters at Aldershot when orders were received for the Battalion to embark for South Africa, on the12th February 12th, 1879. The activities and incidents of departure are given in detail, showing how unwieldy a machine even a small army can be. The call-up was the result of the attempts to suppress the Zulu Nation by military means when Lord Chelmsford was sent to invade Zululand. The resultant war was notable for several particularly bloody battles, including the Zulu victory at Isandlwana, where, on the 22nd January 1879, approximately 22,000 Zulu warriors defeated a force of approximately 1,350 British and Native troops in one of the first engagements of the Anglo-Zulu War. That battle remains the single greatest defeat for the British Army at the hands of a native army. This was a bitter experience to Victorian England and reinforcements were called up to achieve a decisive British victory and end the Zulu nation's independence.

The book describes the trip from Durban and onwards to Ulundi. Several incidents, including the death of the Prince Imperial of France are covered. An interesting addition to accounts of the Zulu war, as it was written by a participant instead much else which was published in the press at the time.