Frederic Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford, was the British general who commanded the invasion of Zululand in 1879. He divided his forces and was absent when the central column was destroyed at Isandlwana, a defeat that brought intense criticism. Remaining in command long enough to continue the campaign, he defeated the main Zulu army at Ulundi before being replaced.
The destruction of the central British camp at Isandlwana badly damaged Chelmsford’s reputation, but he retained command long enough to reorganise the invasion. British forces relieved Eshowe and eventually defeated the main Zulu army at Ulundi in July 1879. Chelmsford returned to Britain soon afterwards, and debate over his decision to divide his force has remained central to histories of the Anglo-Zulu War.
Ian Knight’s The Sun Turned Black scrutinises Lord Chelmsford’s decision to divide his invading force before Isandlwana and the catastrophe that followed when the Zulu army destroyed the exposed camp. Michael G. Thomas’ Fallen Kings follows Chelmsford later in 1879 as he drives towards Ulundi, seeking a decisive victory before political pressure removes him from command. Knight’s Companion to the Anglo-Zulu War sets his decisions within the campaign’s command structure and battles, while Voices from the Zulu War lets soldiers’ testimony show how those decisions were experienced on the ground. Zulu Rising returns in depth to Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, weighing Chelmsford’s responsibility against the wider operational failures and the effectiveness of the Zulu army.
