Siege of Eshowe

Wagons crossing Amatikulu drift on the way to Eshowe

Date	22 January – 3 April 1879
Location	28°53′16″S 31°28′30″E / 28.88778°S 31.47500°E / -28.88778; 31.47500Coordinates: 28°53′16″S 31°28′30″E / 28.88778°S 31.47500°E / -28.88778; 31.47500 Eshowe
Result	British victory

Belligerents

British Empire

Zulu Kingdom

Commanders and leaders

Charles Pearson

Dabulamanzi kaMpande

Strength

6,670

12,000

Casualties and losses

137 killed

~1,000 killed

The Siege of Eshowe was part of a three-pronged attack on the Zulu Impis of king Cetshwayo at Ulundi during the Anglo-Zulu War. After a successful incursion as far as Eshowe (then also known as Fort Ekowe or kwaMondi), Colonel Charles Pearson was besieged there for two months by the Zulus.

No.1 Column of the British invasion force, under Colonel Charles Pearson, had been ordered to establish an advanced base at Eshowe before continuing the advance upon Ulundi. The force crossed the Tugela River from Natal into Zululand on 12 January 1879. The advance was smooth and steady until 22 January, when a Zulu force attempted to bar their way. The British were camped about 4 miles south of the Inyezane River, which they had crossed the previous day, beneath a steep ridge with three spurs leading down towards the river, and surrounded by scrub. A prominent knoll sat about halfway, and a small kraal near the left of the crest.

Shortly after 08:00 a small number of Zulus appeared near the knoll on the ridge, and a company of the Natal Native Contingent (NNC), under Lieutenant Hart, were sent up the spur after them. While this company gave chase a mass of Zulus appeared over the crest of the ridge and began pouring downwards. These men were the left "horn" of a 6,000 strong force, dispatched at the same time as the army that engaged the British at Isandlwana, who were preparing just over the crest, to attack the British camp. This left horn had been prompted into a premature attack by the advance of Lieutenant Hart's company, and in the face of this advance the NNC fled, leaving their European officers and NCOs to make a fruitless stand before being swept aside. As soon as Hart and his men began firing, the camp prepared for defence, forming a hasty firing line. A naval company and two companies of Buffs with a Gatling gun and 7-pounders moved up to the knoll, opening up across the advancing Zulu column. Thus, when the Zulus emerged from scrub and began their assault on the camp, they were taking heavy fire on both their flank and front of their force. The Zulus wavered and then withdrew the way they had come.

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Wikipedia