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== No. 1 Company ==
== No. 1 Company ==
No. 1 Company was commanded by Lieutenant J Nolan and numbered 80 men.<ref name=hmso/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bancroft |first1=James W. |title=The Terrible Night at Rorke's Drift |date=1988 |publisher=Spellmount |isbn=9780870525711 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OQZzAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref> The unit was assigned to Chelmsford's Centre Column for the invasion and were put to use almost immediately after the initial crossing of the [[Buffalo River (KwaZulu-Natal)|Buffalo River]] into Zululand at [[Rorke's Drift]] on 11 January. The marshy ground around the Bashee River proved impassable to Chelmsford's wagon train and Nolan's Pioneers were called into action to construct a [[corduroy road]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Donald R. |title=The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 |date=2017 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781446426081 |page=323|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXglDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>



No.1 company commanded by Nolan, initially with no.3 column, a detachment fought at Isandlwana. Comapny the served with No.4 column. During the 2nd invasion it marched with Wood's Flying Column and was at Ulundi.<ref name=dict/>
No.1 company commanded by Nolan, initially with no.3 column, a detachment fought at Isandlwana. Comapny the served with No.4 column. During the 2nd invasion it marched with Wood's Flying Column and was at Ulundi.<ref name=dict/>


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Positioned in the centre of the British square at Ulundi.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brinton |first1=Wilfred |title=History of the British regiments in South Africa 1795-1895 |date=1977 |publisher=Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of Cape Town |page=218 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=i28sAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
Positioned in the centre of the British square at Ulundi.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brinton |first1=Wilfred |title=History of the British regiments in South Africa 1795-1895 |date=1977 |publisher=Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of Cape Town |page=218 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=i28sAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
Immeditely after crossing at Rorke's Drift the pioneers were required to construct a cordruoy road over marshlands of the lower Bashee River<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Donald R. |title=The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 |date=2017 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781446426081 |page=323|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXglDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>


The Pioneers at Islandlwana accompanied Chelmsford's force in the advance guard to provide crossings of severaldongas for Harness' artillery.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Donald R. |title=The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 |date=2017 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781446426081 |page=337|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXglDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>
The Pioneers at Islandlwana accompanied Chelmsford's force in the advance guard to provide crossings of severaldongas for Harness' artillery.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Donald R. |title=The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879 |date=2017 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781446426081 |page=337|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tXglDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>


Company with Chelmsford to clear the road.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moodie |first1=Duncan Campbell Francis |title=Moodie's Zulu War |date=1988 |publisher=N & S Press |isbn=9780620130721 |page=65 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=DuBBAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
Company with Chelmsford to clear the road.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moodie |first1=Duncan Campbell Francis |title=Moodie's Zulu War |date=1988 |publisher=N & S Press |isbn=9780620130721 |page=65 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=DuBBAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref>

One officer (Lieutenant Nolan) and ten men left at the Isandlwana camp, together with 4 RE sappers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bancroft |first1=James W. |title=The Terrible Night at Rorke's Drift |date=1988 |publisher=Spellmount |isbn=9780870525711 |page=22 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OQZzAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref>


At Isandlwana they were detailed to camp near the road that ran through the British camp to better provide protection and at night mounted a special guard detail here.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Keith |title=Dead Was Everything: Studies in the Anglo-Zulu War |date=2014 |publisher=Frontline Books |isbn=9781473837454 |page=140 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f9WwBAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>
At Isandlwana they were detailed to camp near the road that ran through the British camp to better provide protection and at night mounted a special guard detail here.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Keith |title=Dead Was Everything: Studies in the Anglo-Zulu War |date=2014 |publisher=Frontline Books |isbn=9781473837454 |page=140 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f9WwBAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref>

no.1 under Nolan with no.3 column, then wood's column (80 men).. <ref name=hmso/>


== No. 2 Company ==
== No. 2 Company ==

Revision as of 06:24, 2 October 2019

Natal Native Pioneer Corps
Natal Native Pioneer Corps non-commissioned officer
ActiveNovember 1878 - October 1879
DisbandedOctober 1879
AllegianceBritish Empire
TypePioneer
SizeCirca 264 men
EngagementsBattle of Isandlwana, Siege of Eshowe, Battle of Ulundi

The Natal Native Pioneer Corps commonly referred to as the Natal Pioneers was a British unit of the Zulu War.

Background

The British High Commissioner for Southern Africa Sir Henry Bartle Frere had been attempting to form a confederation of British possessions in Southern Africa. As part of this ambition the annexation of Zululand was planned, this led to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.[1] As part of preparations for this war the British military commander Frederic Thesiger (later and more commonly known as Lord Chelmsford) began gathering forces in the Colony of Natal for an invasion of Zululand.[2] Chelmsford's plan called for an invasion by five columns of troops, though manpower shortages required him to reduce this to three. The Right Column (formerly No. 1 Column) under Charles Pearson advanced on the eastern coast, the Left Column (formerly No. 4 Columm) under Evelyn Wood was to launch a feint on the west flank and Chelmsford's Centre Column (comprising the former Nos. 2 & 3 Columns) struck for the Zulu capital at Ulundi. The former No. 5 Column under Hugh Rowlands was assigned to defend the Natal border.[3]

The columns would need to march along existing tracks in Zululand and all supplies would need to follow them by wagon. These tracks were ill-formed and only used occasionally by traders. They turned to quagmires in the rain and were occasionally broken by steep sided dongas (dry river beds). River fords (locally known as drifts) were impassable in high water and quickly ruined when trafficked heavily.[4] Engineering teams would be necessary to maintain the tracks and drifts to allow the columns to pass through and supplies to reach the troops.[2]

Formation

Chelmsford, guided by the commander of No. 2 Column Anthony Durnford - a seasoned South African campaigner, raised a force of pioneers from the black subjects of Natal.[5][2] This was a development of the Natal government's isiBhalo levy system by which for years men had been pressed into duty to carry out road repairs.[6][2] Durnford took the best men from the Natal Native Contingent (NNC), which had been raised as an auxiliary fighting force, to form the Natal Pioneers.[5][7]

Three companies were raised, with a nominal strength of 5 white officers, 4 black officers and 96 men (though only No.2 company reached this strength). It had originally been intended that each company would be commanded by a regular British Army officer of the Royal Engineers but there were too few to spare and Durnford had to turn to the Natal government to supply suitable men. The Natal Colony also supplied the equipment for the troops: each man was provided with a pickaxe, shovel or crowbar and the non-commissioned officers were issued with a rifle. The men were issued uniforms of cast-off pre-1872 British Army issue red frock jackets; these were the traditional red coats but with the cuff facings and collar removed (these were coloured to identify individual British Army regiments). The Natal Pioneers were also issued knee-length white canvas trousers, a blue pillbox hand with a yellow band and a British Army greatcoat.[2] Durnford had intended that the entire NNC would be similarly uniformed but a lack of supply left them to make do with only a red rag tied around the head as an identifying badge.[8]

The Natal Pioneers were raised in November and December 1878.[9] They served throughout the war of the following year and were disbanded in October 1879, after the Zulu capitulation.[10]

No. 1 Company

No. 1 Company was commanded by Lieutenant J Nolan and numbered 80 men.[9][11] The unit was assigned to Chelmsford's Centre Column for the invasion and were put to use almost immediately after the initial crossing of the Buffalo River into Zululand at Rorke's Drift on 11 January. The marshy ground around the Bashee River proved impassable to Chelmsford's wagon train and Nolan's Pioneers were called into action to construct a corduroy road.[12]


No.1 company commanded by Nolan, initially with no.3 column, a detachment fought at Isandlwana. Comapny the served with No.4 column. During the 2nd invasion it marched with Wood's Flying Column and was at Ulundi.[6]

A detail was left behind at Isandlwana and fought there.[13]

4 officers, 46 men and 4 horses at Ulundi under Captain J Nolan[14] Lieutenants Hickley and Andrews wounded in action[15]

Positioned in the centre of the British square at Ulundi.[16]

The Pioneers at Islandlwana accompanied Chelmsford's force in the advance guard to provide crossings of severaldongas for Harness' artillery.[17]

Company with Chelmsford to clear the road.[18]

At Isandlwana they were detailed to camp near the road that ran through the British camp to better provide protection and at night mounted a special guard detail here.[19]

No. 2 Company

No.2 under Beddoes with no.1 column (104 men),. [9]

Comapny acocmpanied Pearson's column.[20]

Helped (with 2 companies of the Buffs) to prepare the drift over the Amatakulu River on 20th to allow Pearson's column to pass.[21]

Lieutenant Main of the RE commanded and was mentioned in dispatches for his role in organising repairs of the road ahead of the column.[22]

Half company at Eshowe.[23]

At Eshowe the Pioneers ventured out of the beseiged settlement to gather mealies and pumpkins which they sold to the defenders. Despite being fired upon repeatedly by the zulu none were killd.[24]

Besieged at Showe Jan to APril 1879 where they distinguished themselves as scouts, as well as carrying out their engineering duties.[2]

No. 3 Company

no.3 under Allen with no.2 column (80 men). [9] Company with Durnford's column.[25]


References

  1. ^ Knight, Ian (2008). Companion to the Anglo-Zulu War. Pen and Sword. p. 5. ISBN 9781844158010. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Castle, Ian (2003). Zulu War: Volunteers, Irregulars & Auxiliaries. Bloomsbury USA. p. 14. ISBN 9781841764849. Retrieved 25 March 2019. Cite error: The named reference "castle" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Raugh, Harold E. (2004). The Victorians at War, 1815-1914: An Encyclopedia of British Military History. ABC-CLIO. p. 351. ISBN 9781576079256.
  4. ^ Morris, Donald R. (2017). The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Random House. pp. 309–13. ISBN 9781446426081.
  5. ^ a b Morris, Donald R. (2017). The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Random House. p. 308. ISBN 9781446426081.
  6. ^ a b Laband, John (2009). Historical Dictionary of the Zulu Wars. Scarecrow Press. p. 181. ISBN 9780810863002.
  7. ^ Wynne, Warren Richard Calvin (1995). "A Widow-making War": The Life and Death of a British Officer in Zululand, 1879. Paddy Griffith Associates. p. 51. ISBN 9780952148807.
  8. ^ Castle, Ian (2003). Zulu War: Volunteers, Irregulars & Auxiliaries. Bloomsbury USA. p. 9. ISBN 9781841764849.
  9. ^ a b c d Great Britain War Office Intelligence Division (1881). Narrative of the Field Operations Connected with the Zulu War of 1879. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 169.
  10. ^ Thompson, Paul Singer (1997). The Natal native contingent in the Anglo-Zulu War, 1879. University of Natal. p. 369. ISBN 9780620215244. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  11. ^ Bancroft, James W. (1988). The Terrible Night at Rorke's Drift. Spellmount. p. 22. ISBN 9780870525711.
  12. ^ Morris, Donald R. (2017). The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Random House. p. 323. ISBN 9781446426081.
  13. ^ Hope, Robert (1997). The Zulu War and the 80th Regiment of Foot. Churnet Valley Books. p. 59. ISBN 9781897949245.
  14. ^ Division, Great Britain War Office Intelligence (1881). Narrative of the Field Operations Connected with the Zulu War of 1879. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 165.
  15. ^ Division, Great Britain War Office Intelligence (1881). Narrative of the Field Operations Connected with the Zulu War of 1879. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 166.
  16. ^ Brinton, Wilfred (1977). History of the British regiments in South Africa 1795-1895. Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of Cape Town. p. 218.
  17. ^ Morris, Donald R. (2017). The Washing Of The Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Random House. p. 337. ISBN 9781446426081.
  18. ^ Moodie, Duncan Campbell Francis (1988). Moodie's Zulu War. N & S Press. p. 65. ISBN 9780620130721.
  19. ^ Smith, Keith (2014). Dead Was Everything: Studies in the Anglo-Zulu War. Frontline Books. p. 140. ISBN 9781473837454.
  20. ^ Knight, Ian (2003). The National Army Museum Book of the Zulu War. Sidgwick & Jackson. p. 48. ISBN 9780283073274.
  21. ^ The South African Campaign, 1879. Low. 1880. p. 331.
  22. ^ Commons, Great Britain Parliament House of (1879). Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons. Ordered to be printed. p. 43.
  23. ^ Lord Chelmsford and the Zulu War. Pen and Sword. 2014. p. 97. ISBN 9781783463237.
  24. ^ Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. J. Mason. 1879. p. 14.
  25. ^ The Biograph and Review. E.W. Allen. 1879. p. 367.
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