Details
cover 1879 (29 July) XU5, with contents, to Sussex, endorsed "Per First steamer leaving for England. On service in the field no stamps procurable. H.F. Davies, Colonel", with indistinct indented shield cancellation "6/8/18/79/NATAL", backstamped "G.P.O./9 8/1879 NATAL"; letter headed "Fort Newdigate, Zululand". Photo.
Further details
Extract:
I got a great extent of country thoroughly mapped and although I had no fighting I turned the Zulus out of a considerable extent of country. It was very interesting going into a part of the country that nobody else had seen. I am glad to say that three or four weeks ago I wrote an official letter recommending a post to be established on the White Umfolozi and stating what would be required. Sir Garnet has adopted my views entirely on the subject and the post is now being built. My knowledge of the country may enable me to be useful. There is hardly anybody out here who has seen so much of Zululand as I have done and I hope to see a good deal more.
I can't tell you how glad I was to hear of Sir Garnet's appointment, the way in which everything out here was conducted was simply lamentable. The less said the better. Such a General, such a staff. If the Zulus had not been great fools and if they had not been so confident in their own prowess they might have given us a great deal of trouble. If they had only attacked us in the bush or if they had confined themselves to worrying our convoys we should have had great difficulties, but with the exception of Isandlwana, Holbane and Intombe they have always allowed us to get into good positions and then attacked us when thanks to our superior arms they had no chance.
I have seen a great deal of your Henry's regiment the King's Dragoon Guards and at one time or the other I have had three out of the four squadrons under me and they have accompanied me in nearly all my reconnaissances. I have had a monument put up where the poor Prince Imperial was killed. That was a very sad busineess, and so was the death of poor young Scott Douglas, I knew them both and liked them. How I do pity the poor Empress.
Note:
The envelope was addressed to Miss Hankey, so "your Henry" was General Henry Aitchison Hankey, Colonel 1st Dragoon Guards.
I got a great extent of country thoroughly mapped and although I had no fighting I turned the Zulus out of a considerable extent of country. It was very interesting going into a part of the country that nobody else had seen. I am glad to say that three or four weeks ago I wrote an official letter recommending a post to be established on the White Umfolozi and stating what would be required. Sir Garnet has adopted my views entirely on the subject and the post is now being built. My knowledge of the country may enable me to be useful. There is hardly anybody out here who has seen so much of Zululand as I have done and I hope to see a good deal more.
I can't tell you how glad I was to hear of Sir Garnet's appointment, the way in which everything out here was conducted was simply lamentable. The less said the better. Such a General, such a staff. If the Zulus had not been great fools and if they had not been so confident in their own prowess they might have given us a great deal of trouble. If they had only attacked us in the bush or if they had confined themselves to worrying our convoys we should have had great difficulties, but with the exception of Isandlwana, Holbane and Intombe they have always allowed us to get into good positions and then attacked us when thanks to our superior arms they had no chance.
I have seen a great deal of your Henry's regiment the King's Dragoon Guards and at one time or the other I have had three out of the four squadrons under me and they have accompanied me in nearly all my reconnaissances. I have had a monument put up where the poor Prince Imperial was killed. That was a very sad busineess, and so was the death of poor young Scott Douglas, I knew them both and liked them. How I do pity the poor Empress.
Note:
The envelope was addressed to Miss Hankey, so "your Henry" was General Henry Aitchison Hankey, Colonel 1st Dragoon Guards.