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Date	Original Topic
16th November 2001	Chelmsford After the Zulu War By Stephen McDonald Clearly, Chelmsford was tainted by the Zulu War and by his command decisions prior to Isandlwana. Here's the question...did he ever make any comments or statements about the War? And specifically about his command of the Campaign?
Date	Replies
7th December 2001	Peter Critchley To help with this, I have taken a passage from 'Soldiers of the Victorian Age' By Charles Rathbone Low 1880. "Though public opinion was divided in the press, in society and in the army, was much divided as to the generalship displayed by Lord Chelmsford, every one was agreed that he was actuated by a determination to do his best without regard to personal convienience, and that he never spared himself in the public service. The cardinal defects of his conduct of the campaign would appear to have been:- his share in the Isandlana (sic) disaster, already referred to ; a dilatoriness in the final advance after his preparations had been completed; his retreat after the battle of Ulundi, thus endangering the fruits of his victory; and his retirement from Etshowe (sic). Political, if not military considerations, apparently, demanded his retention of this post, as the situation bore a remarkable analogy to that after the relief of Lucknow, in November, 1857, when Sir James Outram held his ground at Alumbagh, after Sir Colin Campbell had withdrawn the garrison, with the sick and non-combatants, from the Residency. Equally with that memorable defence of an open position, a great moral effect would have accrued, had a garrison remained in the heart of Zululand, almost within striking distance of the capital, while the military advantage is apparent. But Lord Chelmsford was not an Outram. A Strict disciplinarian and total abstainer, Lord Chelmsford has always been popular in the army, while his upright character and blameless life have acquired for him the respect and affection of his numerous friends." Hope that helps! Peter