80th (Staffordshire Volunteers)
Lieutenant Henry Hollingworth Harward
cover 1879 (5 May) XU5 to England, endorsed "Free in S.Africa. H.H. Harward Lt. 80th Regt.", bearing Transvaal 6d. tied by "11" in concentric circles cancellation, showing "UTRECHT/Z.A.R./ME 5/79/ZUID AFRIKA" c.d.s., backstamped "PETERSFIELD/C/JU 12/79"; stamp with creasing, cover with small tear and a little stained. Photo.
Details
cover 1879 (5 May) XU5 to England, endorsed "Free in S.Africa. H.H. Harward Lt. 80th Regt.", bearing Transvaal 6d. tied by "11" in concentric circles cancellation, showing "UTRECHT/Z.A.R./ME 5/79/ZUID AFRIKA" c.d.s., backstamped "PETERSFIELD/C/JU 12/79"; stamp with creasing, cover with small tear and a little stained. Photo.
Further details
Note:
Harward had served in the Ashanti war with the 1st West India Regiment. As it had been impossible on the departure of the Transvaal Column from Derby, Natal, to carry away the heavy accumulation of stores, convoys of wagons were sent back escorted by two companies of the 80th Regiment. On March 7th an escort consisting of 104 men under the command of Capt. D.B. Moriarty reached the Intombi River. During the 8th, 9th and 10th the river was too high to allow a crossing but on the 11th an attempt was made. The river was still exceptionally high and they were unable to get the wagons across before nightfall. The escort therefore became divided. Lieut. Harward, who had crossed the river with about 35 men was woken at 4 a.m. on the 12th by a shot. About an hour later as the fog lifted it revealed a Zulu Impi with a front 2 miles wide, 200 yards from the wagon laager on the far bank. Lieut. Harward's men directed their fire at the flanks of the enemy who were attempting to surround the laager. His fire power enabled many of the men to escape and successfully cross the river but Capt. Moriarty and 43 of his men were killed together with several others who were drowned crossing the Intombi. Harward saddled his horse and galloped to Lüneberg for help, but by the time he returned with Major Tucker the laager was completely wrecked, the cattle stolen and the contents strewn about. Harward was subsequently courtmartialled for deserting his men in the face of the enemy. He was acquitted of the charges but Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley refused to acknowledge the findings of the court.
Harward had served in the Ashanti war with the 1st West India Regiment. As it had been impossible on the departure of the Transvaal Column from Derby, Natal, to carry away the heavy accumulation of stores, convoys of wagons were sent back escorted by two companies of the 80th Regiment. On March 7th an escort consisting of 104 men under the command of Capt. D.B. Moriarty reached the Intombi River. During the 8th, 9th and 10th the river was too high to allow a crossing but on the 11th an attempt was made. The river was still exceptionally high and they were unable to get the wagons across before nightfall. The escort therefore became divided. Lieut. Harward, who had crossed the river with about 35 men was woken at 4 a.m. on the 12th by a shot. About an hour later as the fog lifted it revealed a Zulu Impi with a front 2 miles wide, 200 yards from the wagon laager on the far bank. Lieut. Harward's men directed their fire at the flanks of the enemy who were attempting to surround the laager. His fire power enabled many of the men to escape and successfully cross the river but Capt. Moriarty and 43 of his men were killed together with several others who were drowned crossing the Intombi. Harward saddled his horse and galloped to Lüneberg for help, but by the time he returned with Major Tucker the laager was completely wrecked, the cattle stolen and the contents strewn about. Harward was subsequently courtmartialled for deserting his men in the face of the enemy. He was acquitted of the charges but Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley refused to acknowledge the findings of the court.