Isandlwana—Time Breakdown

CHRONOLOGY—BATTLE OF  ISANDLWANA

 

 

11th December 1878—The British Ultimatum delivered on Lower Thukela River to a stunned Zulu delegation.

 

11th January 1879—The ultimatum expires and Lord Chelmsford crosses into Zululand over Rorke’s Drift.

 

12th January 1879—Chelmsford and No: 3 Column attack the Zulu stronghold of Sihayo in the Batshe Valley.

 

17th January 1879—The Zulu Impi leave Ulundi to attack No: 3 column under Cetshwayo’s orders.

 

20th January 1879—No: 3 column reach Isandlwana Hill—1st camp  on route to Ulundi. Durnford

moves to Rorkes Drift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21st January 1879—Chelmsford orders Dartnell to probe the Malakatha Hills—South of Isandlwana looking for the Zulu Army.

 

21st January 1879—The Zulu Army moves from Siphezi Hill to Ngwebeni Valley—5 miles from Isandlwana.

 

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22nd January 1879—0400hrs. Chelmsford splits his force at Isandlwana and marches to Mangeni Falls to assist Dartnell.

 

22nd January 1879— 0800hrs. Zulu’s move in iNyoni Hills to North. Pulleine alerted and camp stand to.

 

22nd January 1879— 1030hrs. Durford arrives in camp after being ordered up to support Chelmsford. No orders left in camp for him.

 

22nd January 1879— 1100hrs. Durnford moves out of camp  to sweep Isandlwana Plain after reports from Nyoni of Zulu movements.

 

22nd January 1879— 1100hrs. Two troops of Durnfords NNH encounter Zulu Army in Ngwebeni Valley. NNH retreat.

 

22nd January 1879— 1145hrs. Zulu assault begins.

 

22nd January 1879— 1200hrs. Cavaye & Mostyn on Tahelane commence firing at Zulu right horn due North of camp.

 

22nd January 1879— 1230hrs. Main battle starts. Durnford withdraws to Donga.

 

22nd January 1879— 1345hrs. British squares broken up in Nek. Chelmsford starts back to camp from Mangeni Falls.

 

22nd January 1879— 1445hrs. Main British resistance broken and last stands at a conclusion.

 

22nd January 1879— 1530hrs. Last British resistance falls in Manzimnyama Stream.

 

22nd January 1879— 1630hrs. Zulu’s begin assault on Rorke’s Drift in Natal after crossing Buffalo River.

 

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23rd January 1879— 0430hrs. Rorke’s Drift battlefield abandoned by Zulu’s.

 

23rd January 1879— 0800hrs. Chelmsford crosses Buffalo back into Natal. Stops at Rorke’s Drift.

 

 

Isandlwana 1879