SIR BARTLE FRERE'S POLICY—CENSURE OF THE HOME GOVERNMENT—SLOW
OPERATIONS—AFFAIR OF THE 5TH OF JUNE—THE PRINCE IMPERIAL—HIS
ARRIVAL—SERVICES—CHARACTER—DEATH—COURT-MARTIAL—FUNERAL RITES AND
EMBARKATION OF THE BODY OF THE PRINCE IMPERIAL.
So far back as the 9th of February, Lord Chelmsford had written
to the Home Government, requesting that an officer of the rank
of major-general should be sent out at once. Sir Bartle Frere
concurred in that representation, and suggested that the officer
selected should be fitted to succeed him in the position of High
Commissioner. On the 19th of March, the Secretary of State blamed
Sir Bartle Frere for not having afforded her Majesty's Government
an opportunity of considering the time as well as the manner of
coming to issue—should it be necessary to come to issue—with the
Zulu king. Sir Michael Hicks Beach says that this should have
been done, although a favourable season for the operations of
British troops might have been lost, and the means of further
arming and victualling his forces given to Cetywayo; but the
Secretary of State does not say, and of course could not say, that
it should have been done at the imminent risk of the invasion
and destruction of our colony at Natal. Yet, after all, that
is the true question. Sir Bartle Frere was specially charged,
under his commission, with the protection of our own territory
from native inroads, and was bound, in a great emergency, to make
use of his immense delegated power in a prompt manner. Cetywayo,
for two years, had been arranging for a great special blow upon
the white people. He was couching ready to spring, and the High
Commissioner knew it was absolutely necessary to act at once.[36]
Hence the commencement of hostilities early in January within
Zululand. If there had been no disaster at Isandhlwana there
would have been no censure. The ideas of her Majesty's Government
with regard to conditions of peace will be found expressed in the
Secretary of State's despatch, dated the 20th of March:—No further
interference with the internal government is to be permitted
than what is necessary for securing the peace and safety of the
adjacent colonies. Duly authorized residents or agents to reside
in the country. The Zulu military system to be discontinued, and
missionaries to be admitted. These views necessarily subject to
modification by future events.
[Sidenote: _Sir Bartle Frere's justification._]
[Sidenote: _Mission operations._]
The battle of Ghinghelovo was fought upon the 2nd of April, and the
battle of Ulundi, which will be referred to in due course, took
place on the 4th of July. A complete chronicle of the operations of
the different columns during the interval would be most tiresome
and uninteresting. Such a narrative would be occupied with little
raids upon the enemy, and of the enemy upon us; occasional scares;
the active operations from Wood's column in scouring the country
within forty miles; captures and losses of cattle; movement of
troops; fort-building; camp life; and, above all, the troubles,
anxieties, and annoyances of the slow march towards the front and
the difficulties of transport.[37] Messengers, ostensibly from
the king, came in at various times to ask for peace; but, viewed
in the light of subsequent events, there is little doubt that
such people were merely sent as spies, with the double object of
putting us off our guard and obtaining information. An engagement
took place on the 5th of June, between the enemy and a portion of
Brigadier-General Wood's column, which requires more than mere
passing mention. As an attack was expected on the line of march,
reinforcements of cavalry (Lancers and Dragoons) as well as mounted
natives were sent. Colonel Buller, with two troops of Frontier
Light Horse, and detachments of Baker's and McDonald's forces,
together with Cochrane's Mounted Basutos, formed a scouting force
in advance. Lord William Beresford assisted Colonel Buller as
staff officer. The 90th Regiment formed the advance-guard of the
main column, the 80th was in the centre, and the 1-13th formed
the rear-guard. Two large bodies of Zulus, about 1000 in number,
were observed near the large kraal of Usirayo, and they seemed
by their position to challenge an attack. Our men were ordered
to advance at a trot, and the enemy retired into the belt of
thornbush surrounding the base of the mountain, from which they
poured a heavy fire. After half an hour's fusillade from each side
the enemy's fire began to slacken. Lancers and Dragoons crossed
the river, but, not being supported by artillery, were unable
to dislodge the Zulus, and unfortunately lost Adjutant Frith, a
young officer of great promise. Subsequently the troop of Natal
mounted natives under Shepstone checkmated an attempt of the enemy
to cut off our retiring vedettes. After this the Zulus contented
themselves with shouting out defiance. The British troops returned,
having previously burned the kraals and ascertained the approximate
number of the enemy assembled to oppose the march of the column.
It is noteworthy that on this occasion the conduct of the regular
troops and volunteers is described as manifesting both pluck and
steadiness.[38]
[Sidenote: _The Prince Imperial._]
We must now advert to the career of the most distinguished
volunteer of the war, a prince who owned the most conspicuous
dynastic name of the time—Napoleon Louis Bonaparte, Prince Imperial
of France. Born in the purple and brought up amidst the greatest
magnificence, the misfortunes of France became his own, and as an
exile in England he studied at the Military College of Woolwich,
where his success far surpassed even the sanguine expectations of
his friends. The war in South Africa seemed to offer a sphere in
which the heir of conquerors could learn to conquer. As a soldier,
the prince earnestly desired to attain practical knowledge of his
profession; as a Napoleon, he thirsted to distinguish himself by
taking the sword each of his family had experienced to be the Key
of Empire. Great Britain was the refuge of his family, and among
the soldiers of Great Britain he felt at home. On the 27th of
February, 1879, Prince Louis Napoleon received the sacrament of
the Catholic Church before the Emperor's tomb at Chiselhurst, and
then embarked in the steamer _Danube_ for the theatre of war. His
determination to go to Zululand was absolutely his own act, and
his brave mother had to yield to his judgment what her own heart
opposed. The prince was singularly calculated to win the affection
of all. Pure, wise, and Christian, he had declared, "If I am
restored to the throne of my father, I will have none near me whose
truth, honour, and morality are not above suspicion." As free from
affectation as possible, he was gay, simple, affable, and so full
of kindliness as to draw to him the hearts of all with whom he came
in contact. On the voyage out he mixed with the passengers as one
of them, joined in their games, and made himself beloved as much by
the charm of his manner as the goodness of his nature.[39] Arrived
at Cape Town, the prince became the guest of Lady Frere, the
Governor being absent in Natal. He only remained there a few days,
during the stay of the _Danube_, and went on in that steamer to
Natal. The prince had received permission from the authorities to
accompany the staff of the British army, and the Duke of Cambridge
had written letters on this subject to Lord Chelmsford and to Sir
Bartle Frere.
[Sidenote: _The prince in action._]
With that hatred of ostentation and desire of giving as little
trouble as possible which markedly actuated all the proceedings
of the prince, he merely took one servant to the front, and even
left his faithful companion, M. Uhlmann, at D'Urban. Towards the
end of April indisposition prevented his joining the head-quarters
staff of Lord Chelmsford, but he was delayed only a few days in
Pietermaritzburg. It soon became evident to all his companions in
arms that the prince was the bravest of the brave. No idea of fear
ever crossed his mind, and as this undaunted disposition was not
tempered by experience, it should have induced greater watchfulness
on the part of those men of high rank in the British army who were
virtually his guardians during the campaign. In a reconnaissance
which took place on Sunday, the 18th of May, the prince displayed
that coolness in the face of danger for which he was remarkable.
On that day twenty-five men of Bettington's Horse, and the mounted
Basutos under Colonel Harrison, accompanied by the Prince Imperial,
crossed the Blood river, and subsequently descended into the
Ityotyozi valley, where they were to meet Colonel Buller and 300
men. They missed this force, however, and had to bivouac for the
night near the south-east extremity of the Incqutu. No fires were
allowed, and in shivering silence the night was passed, the enemy
being expected at any moment. At daybreak they set off in quest of
the road, and when approaching an ascent leading to a large kraal,
were fired upon by sixty Zulus, who lined the ridge of rocks above.
This fusillade was immediately returned, and without any hesitation
Captain Bettington led straight up. The road was exceedingly steep
and covered with boulders, but by a sudden charge the position was
taken. Two Zulus were killed and seven horses captured. The prince
evidently relished this engagement, and was as cool and collected
throughout as if sitting in his study. In the captured kraal
several relics of Isandhlwana were discovered, among which was a
saddle of Colonel Black's, 2-24th, empty boxes of Martini-Henry,
and an artillery forge bellows.
To show the narrow escapes which sometimes occurred, an incident
that followed this little engagement may be related. Captain
Bettington rode after three Zulus, two of whom were armed with guns
and one with assegai. Thinking he was unarmed, they allowed him to
come within ten yards. He called out and fired his revolver; two
of the three loaded chambers missed fire, and one of the Zulus was
just taking aim with his gun at a distance of only fifteen yards,
when the third chamber exploded and the man fell dead. The other
two ran away, and the remainder of the patrol came up shortly
afterwards.
The prince was exceedingly fond of real work, and of sharing
every privation and danger of his comrades. He was no feather-bed soldier.
Anxious always to go out with patrols and on reconnaissance
duty, it would have seemed ungracious to check his ardour, but
his own daring and utter absence of fear made it specially
necessary that men of tried experience should accompany him. At
the commencement of June the Prince Imperial, attached to the
Quartermaster-General's department, was at General Newdigate's
camp. He had applied for and obtained leave to go on ahead of
the division to the site of the new camp about to be formed. On
the morning of the 1st of June, the reconnoitring party set out,
consisting of the Prince Imperial, Lieutenant Carey of H.M. 98th
Regiment, six selected men of Bettington's Horse, and one Kafir.
Six mounted Basutos had been ordered to join the party, but they
were left behind. The spot to which they were about to proceed was
familiar to the prince, and he was aware
[Sidenote: _Death of the prince._]
that it was in the vicinity of Lord Chelmsford's camp on one side,
and of General Wood's on the other. The party started at half-past
nine o'clock, and when they arrived at the neck of the Incenci
mountain were joined by some officers, who, after riding some
distance with them, went off towards the left, in the direction
of General Wood's camp. After crossing a rivulet which forms a
tributary to the Ityotyozi river, they reached a large flat-topped
hill, and there the prince, ordering the men to slacken girths for
a little, took a sketch of the country.[40]
Shortly after the march was resumed, the prince pointed out the
kraal from which he had been fired upon on a previous occasion,
and turned off to examine another one, which was found empty.
Immediately afterwards the party descended towards a third kraal,
about a mile further on, as the prince observed a small river—the
Mbazani—at which the horses could be watered, and where coffee
could be made for the men. The kraal consisted of five huts, with
a small stone enclosure, and was distant about 200 yards from the
river. In front there was an open space, on which fires for cooking
had been made, but between the kraal and the river tambookie grass
grew, five or six feet in height, with mealies and Kafir corn
interspersed. The party halted on the open space, and the prince
gave the order to "off saddle" for an hour. No sign of life was
visible, except where two or three dogs furtively ran from the
intruders. Water was obtained, coffee made, the horses were turned
into the grass and grain crops, while with a feeling of perfect
security all lay stretched, resting, on the ground.
[Sidenote: _The prince's heroism._]
The hour quickly passed, and during that time, unknown and
unsuspected, fifty Zulus crawled in ambush preparing to make a
spring. The position of the ground was most advantageous for their
purpose. A deep donga formed excellent cover, and out of that
they crept along the water's edge, completely screened by the
rank vegetation. It was while they were thus concealed that one
of them was seen by the Kafir sent to bring water to the Prince
Imperial's party. The Zulu burst out of his ambush and fled. The
Kafir returned and reported what he had seen. Meanwhile the prince,
looking at his watch, remarked, "You can give your horses ten
minutes more." What the Kafir reported had, however, made every
one anxious to go, and the horses were caught and saddled. All
stood ready, and the prince examined the bit of his horse for a few
moments. Then came the words, "Prepare to mount! Mount!" and almost
at the same moment a volley fired from forty rifles, at a distance
of twenty yards, crashed among them. At this time the party were
standing in line, close to their horses, with their backs to the
kraal and their faces turned eastward, the prince being in front
and nearest to the Zulus. Then with a tremendous cry, "Usutu!"
and "Lo, the English cowards!" the savages rushed on. The horses
immediately swerved, and some broke away. An undoubted panic seized
the party; every one who could spring on his horse mounted and
galloped for his life. There was no thought nor idea of standing
fast and resisting this sudden attack. The prince was unwounded,
but unable to mount his charger, which was sixteen hands high, and
always difficult to mount. On this occasion the horse became so
frightened by the firing and sudden stampede, as to rear and prance
in such a manner as to make it impossible for the prince to gain
the saddle. Many of the others saw the difficulty, but none waited
or tried to give the least assistance. One by one they rushed their
horses past, Private Le Tocq exclaiming as he went by, lying across
his saddle, "Dépêchez-vous, s'il vous plaît, monsieur." The prince,
making no reply, strained every nerve, but, alas! in vain, to gain
the back of his horse, holding his stirrup-leather with his left
hand and the saddle with his right. With the help of the holster he
made one desperate effort, but the holster partially gave way, and
it must have been then that the horse trod upon him, and galloped
off, leaving his master prostrate on the ground. The prince then
regained his feet and ran after his friends, who were far in
advance. Twelve or thirteen Zulus were at this time only a few feet
behind him. The prince then turned round, and, sword in hand, faced
his pursuers. From the first he had never called for help, and now
died bravely with his face to the foes, fighting courageously to
the last. It is thought that the Zulus hurled their assegais at
him, and that he quickly fell dead, pierced through the eye by a
mortal wound.
In death, as in life, the Prince Imperial of France behaved as a
brave soldier, the worthy heir of a great cause and a true son of
France. No torture or pain accompanied his last moments. His first
wound was mortal, and the noble and beloved prince in his last
moments, as during his entire career, did nothing to sully the name
he bore or the country which gave him birth.
Two of the troopers were shot. One of them, Rogers, never reached
his horse, and received his death wound when standing by a hut,
rifle in hand, preparing to defend himself. Trooper Abel was shot
at the first discharge—at all events, before he could reach the
donga. The Kafir who had accompanied them and had brought the water
for coffee, was quickly surrounded and killed. The rest of the
party galloped off at full speed. Lieutenant Carey and two others
crossed the donga at a difficult place, while the others, who were
followed by the prince, took an easier route. The direction taken
by the fugitives was General Wood's camp. Lieutenant Carey, shortly
after starting, called out, "Keep to the left, and cross the donga,
and rally behind it." At the same time he noticed Zulus apparently
endeavouring to cut off their retreat. On a rise a little further
on, he looked round, and one of the troopers, who happened to be
near him, called attention to the prince's horse galloping away.
In reply to a question, the man said it was useless to return.
The other troopers were then 200 yards distant. Lieutenant Carey
shouted out to them to keep to the left, and all made the best of
their way to the camp, which was reached at 6.30 p.m.
[Sidenote: _Lieutenant Carey's report._]
It ought specially to be noted that the attack of the Zulus was a
thorough surprise by an overwhelming force. No sentries bad been
posted, nor precautions of any kind taken, and at the time of the
attack no carbines were loaded. Lieutenant Carey says that he did
not notice the prince after he saw him mounting, and that he did
not perceive any fighting when he looked round.
General Wood and Colonel Buller met Lieutenant Carey and the other
survivors of the party. These officers were at the time about
six miles from camp, and four or five from Isandhlwana mountain,
when they saw five white men riding as if for their lives under
the hills on the right. So soon as the fugitives saw the general
and his escort, they came up to them at full gallop, and told the
dreadful news. By means of field-glasses three horses were seen
being led off at a distance of about seven miles, accompanied by
twenty or thirty Zulus on foot. It was then nearly five in the
afternoon, and too late to do anything. On the following morning
(Whit Monday) the advanced guard of Natal Native Contingent and
Raaff's Horse pushed forward from Wood's camp to the scene of
the disaster. They were joined there by squadrons of Lancers and
Dragoons from General Newdigate. The search for the bodies was
not a long one. That of poor Rogers was first found, lying stark
naked, riddled with assegai stabs and with a gash in the abdomen.
Thirty yards distant was that of Abel in the same condition. A
wound in his right hand seemed to show that he had fought for his
life at close quarters. Thirty yards or so from this, and in the
donga, lay the corpse of the Prince Imperial. Surgeon-Major Scott,
specially deputed for the purpose by Lord Chelmsford, took charge
of the body and proceeded to examine it. There was one longish
wound on the right breast, which was evidently mortal; an assegai
had pierced the right eye, and had at once either caused death or
paralysis to pain. There were two wounds in the left side, and less
serious ones all over the upper part of the chest. A long gash in
the abdomen exposed the intestines, but had not injured them. Round
the neck was a small gold chain, to which was attached a medal and
Agnus Dei. These the Zulus had not dared to touch, as they look
upon all such articles as charms to be dreaded. The body of the
prince was then conveyed to camp, and those of the troopers were
buried with religious ceremony.
It is now necessary to furnish the evidence taken at the
court-martial and the statement of Lieutenant Carey. The
preliminary report was as follows:—
"The Court is of opinion that Lieutenant Carey did not understand
the position in which he stood towards the prince, and, as a
consequence, failed to estimate aright the responsibility which
fell to his lot. Colonel Harrison states that the senior combatant
officer, Lieutenant Carey, D.A.Q.M.G., was, as a matter of course,
in charge of the party, whilst on the other hand Carey says, when
alluding to the escort, 'I did not consider I had any authority
over it, after the precise and careful instructions of Lord
Chelmsford as to the position the prince held.' As to his being
invariably accompanied by an escort in charge of an officer, the
Court considers that the possibility of such a difference of
opinion should not have existed between two officers of the same
department. The Court is of opinion that Carey is much to blame for
having proceeded on the duty in question with a portion only of the
escort detailed by Colonel Harrison. The Court cannot admit the
irresponsibility for this on the part of Carey, inasmuch as he took
steps to obtain the escort, and failed in so doing. Moreover, the
fact that Harrison was present upon the Itelezi range gave him the
opportunity of consulting him on the matter, of which he failed to
avail himself. The Court, having examined the ground, is of opinion
that the selection of the kraal where a halt was made and the
horses off saddled, surrounded as it was by cover for an enemy, and
adjacent to difficult ground, showed a lamentable want of military
prudence. The Court deeply regrets that no effort was made after
the attack to rally the escort, and to show a front to the enemy,
whereby the possibility of aiding those who had failed to make
good their retreat might have been ascertained.—Signed by General
Marshall; Colonel Malthus, 94th Regiment; Major Le Grice, R.A."
[Sidenote: _The court-martial._]
On this report a court-martial was summoned by Lord Chelmsford,
for the trial of Lieutenant Carey, for having misbehaved before
the enemy on the 1st June, 1879, when in command of an escort
in attendance on the prince, who was making reconnaissances in
Zululand, in having, when the prince and escort were attacked by
the enemy, galloped away, and in not having attempted to rally them
or otherwise defend the prince. The Court, under the presidency of
Colonel Glyn, consisted of Colonels Whitehead, Courtney, Harness,
Major Bouverie, and Major Anstruther.
Judge-Advocate Brander prosecuted, and Captain Crookenden, R.A.,
was for the defence.
When the Court opened the plan of the ground was proved.
Corporal Grubb said the prince gave the order "Off saddle" at
the kraal, and "Prepare to mount." The prince mounted. After the
volley, he saw Carey putting spurs to his horse, and he did the
same. He saw Abel fall, and Rogers trying to get a shot at the
Zulus. Le Tocq passed him, and said, "Put spurs to your horse,
boy; the prince is down!" He looked round and saw the prince under
his horse. A short time after the prince's horse came up, and he
(Grubb) caught it. No orders were given to rally.
Le Tocq was called, and said: The prince told the natives to
search the kraals, and finding no one there they off saddled. At
the volley, he mounted, but, dropping his carbine, stopped to pick
it up. In remounting he could not get his leg over the saddle.
He passed the prince, and said in French, "Hasten to mount your
horse." The prince did not answer. He saw the prince's horse
treading on his leg. The prince was in command of the party. He
believed Carey and the prince would have passed on different sides
of a hut in fast flight, and it was possible that Carey might have
failed to see that the prince was in difficulty. It was 250 yards
from where he saw the prince down to the spot where he died.
Trooper Cochrane was called, and said: The prince was not in the
saddle at the time of mounting. He saw, about fifty yards off, the
prince running down the donga with fourteen Zulus in close pursuit.
Nothing was done to help him. He heard no orders given, and did not
tell Carey what he had seen until some time after. He was an old
soldier. He did not think any rally could have been made.
[Sidenote: _Examination of witnesses._]
The Court then adjourned to the next day. On reassembling, the
first witness called was—
Sergeant Willis, who stated that he had seen Trooper Rogers lying
on the ground by the side of his horse, close to the kraal, as he
left the spot. He thought he saw the prince wounded at the same
time that Trooper Abel threw up his arms. He thought the prince
might have been dragged to the place where he was found after
death, and that a rally might have been made twenty yards beyond
the donga.
Colonel Harrison being called, stated that Carey was senior
combatant officer, and must therefore have been in command of the
party. Carey volunteered to go on the reconnaissance to verify
certain points of his sketch. The prince was ordered to go to
report more fully on the ground. He had given the prince into
Carey's charge.
Examined by the Court, Colonel Harrison stated that when the prince
was attached to his department he was not told to treat him as a
royal personage in the matter of escort, but as any other officer,
taking due precaution against any possible danger.
Dr. Scott (the prince's medical attendant) was then called, and
stated that the prince was killed by eighteen assegai wounds, any
five of which would have been fatal. There were no bullet wounds.
The prince died where the body was found.
This closed the case for the prosecution. The defence called again—
Colonel Harrison, who testified to Carey's abilities as a staff
officer, and said he had every confidence in him.
Colonel Bellairs was also called, and stated that it was in
consequence of the occurrence of the 1st June that Carey had been
deposed from his staff appointment the day previous to his trial.
Lieutenant Carey here submitted that his case had been prejudged,
and that he had been punished before his trial.
[Sidenote: _Lieutenant Carey._]
The following is Lieutenant Carey's statement:—
"On the 31st May, I was informed by Colonel Harrison, A.Q.M.G.,
that the Prince Imperial was to start on the 1st June, to ride over
the road selected by me for the advance of the column, for the
purpose of selecting a camping ground for the 2nd June. I suggested
at once that I should be allowed to go with him, as I knew the road
and wanted to go over it again for the purpose of verifying certain
points. To this Colonel Harrison consented, reminding me that the
prince was going at his own request to do this work, and that I was
not to interfere with him in any way. For our escort, six Europeans
of Bettington's Horse and six Basutos were ordered. Bettington's
men were paraded at 9 a.m., but owing to some misunderstanding
the Basutos did not turn up, and, the prince being desirous of
proceeding at once, we went without them. On arriving at the ridge
between Itelezi and Incenci, I suggested waiting for them, but the
prince replied, 'Oh no; we are quite strong enough,' or words to
that effect. We proceeded on our reconnaissance from there, halting
about half an hour on a high hill overlooking the Ityotyozi for the
prince to sketch. From here the country was visible for miles, and
no sign of the enemy could be discovered. We then descended into
the valley, and, entering a kraal, off saddled, knee-haltering our
horses. We had seen the deserted appearance of the country, and,
though the kraal was to the right surrounded by mealies, we thought
there was no danger in encamping. If any blame is attributable to
any one for this, it is to me, as I agreed with the prince that
we were perfectly safe. I had been over this ground twice before,
and seen no one, and the brigade-major of the cavalry brigade had
ridden over it with only two or three men, and laughed at me for
taking so large an escort. We had with us a friendly Zulu, who,
in answer to my inquiries, said no Zulus were about. I trusted in
him, but still kept a sharp look-out, telescope in hand. In about
an hour—that is, at 3.40 p.m.—the prince ordered us to saddle up.
We went into the mealies to catch our horses, but took at least ten
minutes saddling. While doing so, the Zulu guide informed us he had
seen a Zulu in the distance, but as he did not appear concerned,
I saw no danger. The prince was saddled up first, and, seeing him
ready, I mounted, the men not being quite ready. The prince then
asked if they were all ready; they answered in the affirmative,
and he gave the word 'Prepare to mount.' At this moment I turned
round, and saw the prince with his foot in the stirrup, looking at
the men. Presently I heard him say, 'Mount,' and turning to the
men, saw them vault into their saddles. At this moment my eyes
fell on about twenty black faces in the mealies, twenty to thirty
yards off, and I saw puffs of smoke and heard a rattling volley,
followed by a rush, with shouts of 'Usutu!' There was at once a
stampede. Two men rushed past me, and as every one appeared to be
mounted, I dug the spurs into my horse, which had already started
of his own accord. I felt sure no one was wounded by the volley,
as I heard no cry, and I shouted out, 'Keep to the left, and cross
the donga, and rally behind it!' At the same time I saw more
Zulus in the mealies on our left flank, cutting off our retreat.
I crossed the donga behind two or three men, but could only get
beyond one man, the others having ridden off. Riding a few hundred
yards on to the rise, I stopped and looked round. I could see the
Zulus after us, and saw that the men were escaping to the right,
and that no one appeared on the other side of the donga. The man
beside me then drew my attention to the prince's horse, which was
galloping away on the other side of the donga, saying, 'I fear
the prince is killed, sir.' I immediately said, 'Do you think it
is any use going back?' The trooper pointed to the mealies on our
left, which appeared full of Kafirs, and said, 'He is dead long
ago, sir: they assegai wounded men at once.' I considered he had
fallen near the kraal, as his horse was going from that direction,
and it was useless to sacrifice more lives. I had but one man near
me, the others being some 200 yards down the valley. I accordingly
shouted to them to close to the left, and rode on to gain a drift
over the Tombokala river, saying to the man at my side, 'We will
keep back towards General Wood's camp, not returning the same way
we came, and then come back with some Dragoons to get the bodies.'
We reached camp about 6.30 p.m. When we were attacked our carbines
were unloaded, and, to the best of my belief, no shots were fired.
I did not see the prince after I saw him mounting, but he was
mounted on a swift horse, and I thought he was close to me. Besides
the prince, we lost two troopers, as well as the friendly Zulu. Two
troopers have been found between the donga and the kraal, covered
with assegai wounds. They must have fallen in the retreat and been
assegaied at once, as I saw no fighting when I looked round."
[Sidenote: _Grief in Natal._]
A shudder of horror and reproachful regret passed through Natal.
It was sorrowful that the prince should be killed, but doubly
lamentable that he should fall by the assegais of savages when his
comrades deserted him. In the army the feeling of indignation and
regret was particularly strong; and, however desirous men felt
to do justice, it was scarcely possible for human nature to be
entirely free from prejudice in forming a judgment with regard to
the conduct of those who had been with the prince on the fatal day
of his death. The court-martial condemned Lieutenant Carey, and
sent him home under arrest. But a reaction of opinion subsequently
took place. The Empress interceded for the unfortunate man, and our
own Queen was pleased to order his release from arrest.
The death of the Prince Imperial was felt as a personal grief
by every colonist. It spread gloom throughout the country,
and recalled vividly the shock that followed the disaster at
Isandhlwana. The generous ardour with which the prince had given
his services to the cause of the colonists seemed to have received
a pitiful return. The heir of an Empire was dead, and the news must
go hence to a widowed mother, who had made England her home. Every
possible manifestation of grief and respect was paid. The military
and the military authorities vied with the civil authorities and
the people in doing honour to the illustrious dead. Natal went
into mourning. When the corpse arrived at Pietermaritzburg, people
of all classes crowded into the streets to show their respect by
joining the procession. The _Times_ of Natal tells us that on
the 8th of June, at 1.15 p.m., a gun was fired from Fort Napier,
announcing that the body had arrived within two miles of the city,
and by two o'clock a number which must have exceeded 3000 had
assembled at the place of rendezvous on the Commercial Road. Here
the procession was formed, the military headed by Major-General the
Hon. H. H. Clifford, Inspector-General of Communications, on the
one side; and the civilians, headed by his Excellency Sir Henry
Bulwer, the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony, on the other.
[Sidenote: _The body brought to Natal._]
Thousands of people lined the way up to the place where the
procession had to fall in, and some time was taken before all were
in their places in the order above indicated. Following the civil
authorities, came the City Guard, some sixty strong, under Colonel
Mitchell as general leader, and J. H. Spence as district leader;
and after them came a large number of the Odd Fellows and Foresters
in the funeral insignia of their order. After this the general
public followed, all in mourning.
The arrangements being completed, amid the solemn booming of the
minute guns, and the tolling of the church bells, the gun-carriage
bearing the coffin was seen slowly coming down the hill,
accompanied by the escort of regulars and mounted police which
had come with it. As it approached the military fell into their
places, and there was a hush which spoke, more eloquently than
any words, the feelings of the vast concourse of people as the
body of the late prince approached. As the _cortège_ passed every
hat was raised in respect, and the military presented arms. The
coffin was wrapped in a large tricolour, and upon it was a helmet
and sword, together with wreaths of roses and camellias, and a
beautiful cross of violets; while the grey charger, draped with a
black pall, with the letter "N" on the corners, and with the boots
reversed, according to military custom, followed. The procession
then formed in the order given above, Major-General Clifford and
the Lieutenant-Governor being immediately in front, while behind it
were Fathers De Lacy and Baudry, the latter of whom had just come
down with the body. In the procession were observed many clergy
of the English Church and of other denominations, among them the
Right Reverend Bishop Colenso, the Right Reverend Bishop Macrorie,
Dean Green, Archdeacon Usherwood, the Rev. G. M. St. M. Ritchie,
chaplain to the forces, etc., etc. The two valets of the late
prince immediately followed the Catholic clergy. The pall-bearers
were Captain Willoughby, 21st Scots Fusiliers; Captain Fox,
R.A., D.A.A.G.; Major Russell, 12th Lancers; Lieutenant-Colonel
East, 57th Foot, D.Q.M.G.; Lieutenant-Colonel Steward, R.E.;
Colonel Reilly, C.B., R.H.A. The personal staff in attendance
upon Major-General Clifford were Captain Fox, R.A., D.A.A.G., and
Lieutenant Westmacott, 77th Regiment, A.D.C. General Bisset was
also present, in full uniform. Major Spalding, D.A.A.G., acted as
adjutant-general, in the absence of Colonel Bellairs. Amongst the
civil servants were the Attorney-General, Hon. M. H. Gallwey; the
Colonial Treasurer, Hon. Mr. Polkinghorne; the Surveyor-General,
Mr. P. C. Sutherland, M.D.; the Mayor of Maritzburg, Mr. W.
Francis, and the Town Councillors; Mr. W. Akerman, M.L.C., and Mr.
C. C. Griffin, M.L.C.; and all the heads of departments who were
not either absent from Maritzburg or prevented from being present
by sickness.
[Sidenote: _Lord Clifford's special order._]
The Maritzburg Rifles assembled in full number, under Lieutenant
and Adjutant Scoones, and their band played the Dead March in
"Saul," adding greatly to the solemnity of the procession. It
marched slowly up Commercial Road to the corner of Church Street,
up which it turned, and then wheeled along Chapel Street into
Longmarket Street, arriving at the Roman Catholic School at about
ten minutes before four. Here the coffin was taken from the
gun-carriage by the pall-bearers, and conveyed into the chapel,
followed by as many of the procession as the building would hold,
the military who were on the ground being formed into two lines
outside the building. The Rev. Father Barrett met the procession
at the door, and, together with Father De Lacy and Father Baudry,
officiated, reading a short service over the coffin; all present
appearing deeply affected. The military were then drawn up outside
the building, and his Excellency and other distinguished personages
passed through the lines, and the doors of the building were then
closed upon the mortal remains of the late lamented prince.
The following special order had been issued by General Clifford:—
"Wednesday, June 4th.
"The Inspector-General of Lines of Communication and Base has
received from his Excellency the Lieutenant-General commanding
official confirmation of the calamity which has befallen the
forces under his command, by the death, on duty in the field,
of the late gallant young soldier the Prince Imperial, Louis
Napoleon, who, having in his military training been associated
with the British army, came out to this country to take part in
the Zulu campaign.
"The Inspector-General feels that he is carrying out the wishes of
his Excellency the Lieutenant-General commanding, now in Zululand,
by thus recording the feelings of deep sorrow and sympathy,
experienced by every officer and man whose duty keeps him at his
post in the colony, with the loss thus sustained.
"The body of the unfortunate prince will arrive here probably on
Monday next, the 9th inst., _en route_ to England. Arrangements
will be made to receive it with all due respect and expression of
sorrow."
From the capital city of Pietermaritzburg, the body of the prince
was conveyed to D'Urban, the seaport, and at the latter place
the following eloquent special order was issued by the Assistant
Adjutant-General.[41]
"10th June, 1879.
"The mortal remains of Prince Louis Napoleon will be carried
to-morrow, at half-past 9 a.m., from the Roman Catholic Church, in
D'Urban, to the Wharf, at Port Natal, for embarkation in H.M.S.
_Boadicea_ to England.
"In following the coffin which holds the body of the late Prince
Imperial of France, and paying to his ashes the final tribute of
sorrow and of honour, the troops in garrison will remember:—
"First. That he was the last inheritor of a mighty name, and of a
great military renown.
"Second. That he was the son of England's firm ally in dangerous
days.
"Third. That he was the sole child of a widowed Empress, who is
now left throneless and childless, in exile, on English shores.
"Deepening the profound sorrow, and the solemn reverence that
attaches to these memories, the troops will also remember that the
Prince Imperial of France fell fighting as a British soldier.
"W. F. BUTLER,
"_A.A.-General, Base of Operations_.
"D'Urban, Natal, South Africa."
[Sidenote: _Funeral ceremonies at D'Urban._]
The Roman Catholic Church at D'Urban was transformed into a
_chapelle ardente_, and the coffin remained there all night after
its arrival. Solemn requiem Mass was celebrated the next morning.
The _Natal Mercury_ tells us that by nine o'clock an immense crowd
of persons had assembled outside the church where the gun-carriage
was in waiting, and every arrangement had been made for speedily
forming the procession after the ceremony was over. The principal
object of interest outside was the grey horse belonging to the late
prince, which he had purchased from a D'Urban gentleman, and the
groom in charge of it was busily engaged in answering questions put
to him with regard to the late prince. The horse was saddled, and
in just the same condition as it was when it came back riderless to
the camp. The troops outside waiting to take part in the procession
numbered altogether 700; the whole, as on the previous day, being
under the command of Major Huskisson, commandant of the garrison.
Every regiment doing service in South Africa was represented,
including even the Dragoons and Lancers. At a quarter to ten the
doors of the church were thrown open, and the coffin was brought
to the gun-carriage, the honour of carrying it having been
conferred on Captain Haynes (staff paymaster), Captain Granville
(commissariat), Captain Young (commissariat), Captain Brunker,
Commissary Marsh (ordnance), and Surgeon-Major Leslie.
The procession was constituted as follows:—
The band.
The body.
Guard of honour. Guard of honour.
Pall bearers. Chief mourners. Pall bearers.
Military.
Friendly societies.
Public bodies.
Town guard.
Consular officers.
Military and Heads of departments. Civilians four-deep.
Volunteers. Archdeacon and clergy.
Members executive and legislative.
Mayor and Town Council.
Public schools.
The public.
Having proceeded to the Point, the coffin was conveyed by a
small steamer to H.M.S. _Boadicea_, where it was taken on board
and hoisted into the hold of the vessel amid all the reverent
marks of respect so fitting for the occasion. Monsieur Deleage,
correspondent of the Paris _Figaro_, with two of the prince's
attendants, accompanied the remains.
"We will conclude this sad chapter of the history of the Zulu war
by inserting a copy of the address signed in Natal, expressing deep
sympathy with the widowed Empress:—
[Sidenote: _Letter of condolence._]
_"A Sa Majesté l'Imperatrice Eugénie._
"MADAME,
"Les sous-signés, habitants de Natal, viennent respectueusement
exprimer à votre Majesté Impériale leurs sentiments de douloureuse
sympathie, à l'occasion de la mort du jeune et vaillant prince
votre fils, tombé à la fleur de l'âge, victime de ses sentiments
de dévouement à une noble cause.
"En présence d'une telle infortune qui cause tant de regrets et
emporte de si brillantes espérances à votre cœur de mère, dejà si
éprouvé, tous les colons de Natal, sont emus d'un même et unique
sentiment de profonde affliction dont cette respectueuse adresse,
n'est que la faible expression.
"Nous prions Dieu, Madame, de vouloir bien répandre sur votre
Majesté les consolations que lui seul peut donner. En effet, votre
douleur est si grande, qu'il semble impossible a notre nature d'en
supporter le poids.
"Nous avons l'honneur d'être, avec le plus profond respect
"de votre Majesté Impériale,
"Les très humbles et obéissants serviteurs."