Battle of Gingindlovu
South bank of the Inyezane River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
What happened
A British relief column under Lord Chelmsford fought a Zulu army whose leaders included Somopho kaZikhala and Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande. In the Anglo-Zulu War, a British force had been besieged at Eshowe for over two months. Chelmsford's relief column camped in a fortified square of wagons beside the Inyezane River. Before dawn on 2 April, a Zulu army of about 12,000 attacked from three sides, but the British held, and the Zulu army withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It cleared the way to relieve the British garrison at Eshowe. It came ten weeks after the major Zulu victory at Isandlwana.
What came next
Chelmsford's column reached Eshowe on 3 April 1879.
Did you know?
While besieged, the Eshowe garrison made its own heliograph, a mirror signalling device, to send messages to British troops 35 km away.
Timeline
- 22 January 1879The siege of Eshowe begins; the Zulu army wins at Isandlwana.
- 29 March 1879The relief column sets out.
- 2 April 1879The British win at Gingindlovu.
- 3 April 1879The relief column reaches Eshowe.