First edition: iv preface + iii, 156 pages, original blue pebble-grained cloth decorated and titled gilt on upper cover within a blind stamped border, slightly worn at the top and bottom of the spine and corners bumped, overall a very good copy of a scarce book on the Zulu War.
Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol 1 pages 494-5. 'The history of John Dunn, the white Chief, is one of the most extraordinary narratives in South African annals. He started for the country in 1853, and traded and hunted till 1856, when the war of succession broke out between the two sons of Mpanda, i.e. Cetewayo and Umbulazi. Dunn joined the forces of the latter prince, who was defeated and slain, but he was afterwards reconciled to Cetywayo, and was successful in recovering the cattle of the white traders in Zululand. Some time after, the successful heir to the throne asked him to settle in Zululand, "as he wanted a white man as a friend to live near him and advise him," and after some consideration he accepted this offer. Panda dying in 1872, Cetewayo succeeded him, and there is a description of the scenes of his coronation, at which Mr Shepstone represented the English nation at the King's desire; amongst those present being Mr. Baines, the celebrated traveller.
'Soon after, however, matters became strained between the English and the Zulus, owing to the former nation assuming an authority over the King of the Zulus which he would not acknowledge. Much argument and correspondence followed but eventually war broke out, which resulted in the crushing of the power of Cetywayo. In the resettlement of the country John Dunn was made a chief, a position which he took up conditionally that the King was never restored to Zululand, a promise eventually broken. The three generals under whom Dunn served are thus described by him: Lord Chelmsford, he asserts, was "a thorough gentleman, and good and brave soldier, but no general"; General Crealock "was a good commanding officer," but "if fighting had occurred he would not have shone as a general"; Sir Garnet Wolseley "a good general, a thorough soldier, and, in fact, a man fit for any emergency."'
(https://www.anglozuluwar.com/images/Journal_14/Dunn,John.pdf) JOHN DUNN, Native chief, British spy and polygamous founder of a huge family. By Major Bob Smith, Former Curator of the 24th Regimental Museum at Brecon.
'John Dunn holds a unique position in South Africa for creating a new social dimension. He and his forty nine wives produced one hundred and seventeen children and the extended family throughout the world, at the turn of the millennium, must have numbered many thousands. To be a member of the ‘Dunn’s Descendants Association’ is a source of pride for those who claim descent from that remarkable man who started life in South Africa on the lowest rung of the ladder. Yet by the time he was forty years of age, he had become one of the richest traders in Zululand and Natal, as well as friend, adviser and treasurer to King Cetshwayo who rewarded him with huge amounts of land and the accolade of chieftainship. John Dunn was respected for his business acumen by the white settlers of Natal but despised for his polygamous lifestyle with Zulu women.
'Being a fluent speaker of the Zulu language, he was able to communicate with both sides and did his best to prevent the Zulu War. But then his benefactor - the King of the Zulus, doubting his loyalty, rejected him. There was no other course for John Dunn to take than offer his services to the white government of Natal and its military machine.
'His knowledge of the Zulu mind and the way they fought their battles was of inestimable value to Lord Chelmsford, the Commander-in-Chief and later General Wolseley, his replacement. Dunn played a vital part in the eventual success of the campaign.
'Having lost all his possessions during the war, he was granted one of the thirteen chieftainships (the others were Zulus) when King Cetshwayo was captured and deposed. Once again, he became the greatest landowner in the whole of Zululand. His is a story of ups and downs and playing off one side against the other. Despite his many reversals of fortune, he managed to stay on top.'
- Overall Condition: Very good
- Size: 8vo (230 x150mm)
