The Battle of Isandlwana (1885)

The Battle of Isandlwana is an oil on canvas by Charles Edwin Fripp, painted around 1885 which hangs at Chelsea's National Army Museum. It depicts the events of 22nd January 1879, which shamed the mighty British empire.

In 1879, Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford's army invaded Zululand to coerce the Zulus into joining a federation of British colonies in South Africa. Underestimating them, Chelmsford did not organise proper defences for his camp at Isandlwana. He then marched out part of his force to confront a rumoured Zulu army. Over 20,000 warriors, under Ntshingwayo KaMahole, then encircled the remaining men, mainly from the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment and Natal Native Contingent. Fighting in an over-extended line and too far from their ammunition, the camp was overrun. Around 1,700 British and African soldiers in the camp were killed.

Men with spears and shields can defeat a well-equipped modern army if it is better led, especially if its opponents underestimate warriors because of skin colour, tactics or intelligence. A mighty empire was humbled while a proud nation was vindicated. Although individuals fought bravely and with courage, Lord Chelmsford was an inferior general to KaMahole.

Let us not underestimate our three chief opponents: the world, the flesh and the devil. The latter is wily and subtle; the middle is ever-present and watchful; the former is ever-ready to absorb and be absorbed.