The Forgotten Prequel to the Zulu War (1877)

The 9th Cape Frontier War is almost completely forgotten. But today's guest presenter Cam Simpson has been doing a lot of research on the little known Battle of Umzintzani. It was a desperate fight deep in rural South Africa - it's a fight rich with valour, excitement and tragedy.
Cam is the author on numerous books about military history and they can be purchased via this link - amzn.to/3WjBkGA
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via ko-fi.com/redcoathistory or sign up for our Patreon page over at / redcoathistory

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Where and how do you find all this fascinating information? I thought I had a pretty sound background in Victorian ( and Napoleonic ) history But time and time again you present topics I never heard of and know nothing about …..weird weird ….you’ve had some fantastic and intelligent guest speakers and what I truly appreciate is that you let them speak , with occasional necessary “ come back to the subject “ moments 🤣🤣🤷🏻‍♂️….keep it coming 👏👏🙏👍

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks - this was all Cam's work today...He really is an incredible font of knowledge. Lots of good stuff coming up in the next few weeks also.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Trawling through the archives and newspapers brings these less know campaigns and battles to light. I'm glad you liked it.

[@ethanlewis1459]

I hope you do a series on the Cape Frontier Wars because that needs to be told more

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Indeed they do

[@willpotter8343]

Thanks for telling this story. My Great Grandfather served at the Battle of Komgha in Dec 1877, as 2Lt with the 88th Regiment (Connaught Rangers). His company commander, Brevet-Major H. G. Moore had won the VC the day before - the first on South African soil. G grandfather received MID.

[@redcoathistory]

Fantastic thanks for sharing such a great family story.

[@SmokinLoon5150]

Bravo. Thanks a many for the presentation. Very much appreciated.

[@redcoathistory]

You are welcome - any other campaigns or characters you'd like us to look in to?

[@tamlandipper29]

One of the fireside truths I grew up with was that there were 'Native' units that, when properly lead and treated with respect performed very well. I'd love to hear more about these, and if there are any local traditions remembering them. Possible lessons for future coalition and capability building. A subsidiary question I have is why regular officers seemed so disdainful when locally raised regiments in India were often prized. I feel like you are unusually well placed to do this.

[@SmokinLoon5150]

I can answer some of this due to a research project I did while in college. One of things a person of today must take in to account when asking the "why" when looking back in history is to do your best to put yourself in the shoes of the person you're asking the question of or about. For instance, officers in general looked at native units as bottom tier due to their lower standards of living, lack of education, lack of modesty, lack of technological ability, lack of anything a "proper officer" or British person wasn't. In the case of India, keep in mind that there were a certain number of natives that tried to assimilate in to the British culture as much as possible. It was a way out of poverty, a way to education, etc. Even then, one a native achieved a certain level of "being British", whatever that may have been (language, education, etc., etc.), it was still a rare occurrence that they were thought of as equals to an Englishman, Welshman, Scotsman, or Irishman (in that order). Throughout history there have been British officers that have noted the value of properly trained natives and used them to good effect. Durnford was a prime example with the Natal Native Contingent and in particular the Basotho.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

I second that request 👍👏

[@redcoathistory]

Hi there...That's a tricky one for sure. Some officers did trust and respect locally raised black troops but they were a small minority. In the Zulu war the Natal Native Horse were probably the best lead and best armed of the local black troops and they did very well. Colonel Durnford (killed at Isandlwana) had really invested in them and it showed...in fact some of their NCOs were exceptional eg. Simeon Kambule (probably spelled wrong as I'm writing from memory). The racial attitudes in South Africa were more extreme than in some other colonies and that may have influenced recruitment and use of local troops. It was certainly a missed opportunity in my opinion as elsewhere in Africa units like the Kings African Rifles performed creditably.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

It's true, I have gathered some interesting material on the various Native Levies that were raised. Maybe we need to put something together on these.

[@rossanomorelli5732]

Very interesting thank you for show us it....sam. Ireland.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrisstewart7420]

Wow, Chris. That's just great. I've never heard of this war/engagement very interesting. Thanks to you and Cam for a fascinating insight. Keep up the great work.❤❤

[@redcoathistory]

Thnaks - Glad you enjoyed it...Any other battles/characters you'd like me to look in to?

[@chrisstewart7420]

Well, that's a hard one,you know more than me by a country mile. Off hand, the only campaign I've never seen anything about is the Anglo Egyptian War of 1882. From memory, we won, and only 3 months, but m8ght be something there. ( If of course, you haven't already covered it !!)

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Another fascinating deep delve into a little known part of South African history. I had no idea about it. The few years leading up to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 are really comparatively scant in attention but episodes like this do a lot to gain some much needed focus. Cheers to both of you.

[@user-yf7gj4xz1s]

needed focus?, to offer some salve when they got carved up?

[@stevewixom9311]

Terrific video. Great research and very well told. Good Job

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Many thanks indeed

[@FranciscoPreira]

What a great video, congrats Chris you nailled it again, thanks for sharing mate.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks a lot. Im busy editing the one on Britain and Portugal's friendship - that should be out in June.

[@Maverick0451]

Damn fine work this!! Wow!! I read Cam's book Frontier Light Horse after watching your video here, and it was a fantastic read!! I have to say thank you sincerely to you Chris for bringing us all these amazing and largely unheard-of accounts of so many amazing moments in history. You have a knack at finding some of the best researchers and authors, like Cam in this instance, but many others who cover different topics as well. I appreciate more than I can say those folks who scour primary sources and bring to light with modern language the events of the past.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Wonderful for you to say so.

[@dirkbogarde44]

This man knows his stuff.

[@redcoathistory]

Very true. Cam is exceptionally knowledgable.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Thanks

[@janlindtner305]

Nice lecture. Ps. At your inspriration I have started on a Continental Marine Corps figure in 1:32, 54mm. Are there more pictures of the uniform possibly from the back?❤👍🤟

[@skorpio156]

Love the movie Zulu Dawn

[@WargamingHistory]

Cracking battle report

[@redcoathistory]

Amazing detail from Cam - I am always blown away by his level of research. Thanks for watching.

[@welshwarrior5263]

Lots of information and great content as always. Thanks mate.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. I think you'll find next week's video intersting also

[@welshwarrior5263]

@@redcoathistory Can't wait. 👍

[@chrisdonlon5603]

Interesting and informative

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it - any other campaigns you'd like us to look into?

[@tomtaylor6163]

Terrifying story. Almost made me start drinking again…..

[@marvwatkins7029]

An Aussie or Kiwi interested in SA history? Unusual perhaps but why not?

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

A lifelong interest in SA history

[@DT-sb9sv]

I'm an American interested in SA and Rhodesian history.

[@SteveRussellP]

Hi Chris, Can you do a episode on the 28th of Foot and how they were given the back Badge the only British Regiment that wore two Cap badges @ Battle of Alexandria on 21 March 1801. Loving the videos on KZbin and Emailed. Also on a previous video you mentioned you’re in the army. Was that the British Army and what regiment mate. All the best 3:26 Steve

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Steve. Yes, that's a great story and would love to cover it. Thanks for the idea - any sources you'd reccomend?

[@redcoathistory]

PS Steve - did I reply to your email? I just checked my inbox and am not sure if I missed it? If it slipped into my spam folder please send again so I can reply. In answer to your second query...I am not former military but I have spent a lot of time covering conflicts on the front line in my role as a cameraman.

[@MikeSage-hv3hz]

I think the modern place name is Msintsana.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Yes, that's right

[@gerardhogan3]

That was very interesting. I could tell this was in Australia. I heard a white cocky and peewees in the background! LoL

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Lol

[@Gator-357]

South Africa not Souf Africa

[@redcoathistory]

Im glad you enjoyed the film and appreciate the years of research that went into it.