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DateOriginal Topic
2nd December 2002Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine’s death
By David Bluestein
The popular myth of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine’s death at Isandlwana has him (in some scenarios) writing a personal letter. I have read many conflicting versions and wondered what was generally accepted as truth. Where did this myth come from? Is there any shred of truth associated with this? And lastly what do we actually know about how this officer met his end? Thanks in advance for your help.
DateReplies
2nd December 2002Julian Whybra
There are two versions of his death. One that his body was recognized among Anstey's party on the Manzimnyama, the other given by the Zulu 'Maqedindaba' who described killing an officer writing in his tent (he never said it was Pulleine - that assumption was made subsequently). Neither are myths, both were documented contemporaneously.
2nd December 2002Lee Stevenson
Doesn't Lt. Milne, RN. state that Col. Glyn and several men went "into the camp" on the morning of the 23rd January, and that Glyn himself recognised the body of Col Pulleine, Captain Younghusband and Lieut. Hodgson?
3rd December 2002John Young
On page 291 of 'Zulu Victory...', by Ron Lock & Peter Quantrill, we have Curling's statement to the Court of Inquiry;
'I then left the guns. Shortly after this I again saw Lieutenant Coghill, who told me Colonel Pulleine had been killed.'

This is then followed by Private Bickley's statement:
'...Lieut. Coghill afterwards joined us, and reported to the Adjutant that Colonel Pulleine had been shot.'

So before Coghill had left the camp, he was aware of Pulleine's death.

When recounting the events of the morning of 23rd January, 1879. George Hamilton Browne writes;
'...On my way I reined up my horse sharply, for there lay the body of my old friend Lieut.-Col. Pulleine; I could do nothing for him, and it at once flashed through my mind our last words of chaff, so I saluted the poor remains and passed on as quickly as I could to my men.'

The only problem is he does not describe where he saw the body.

John Young,
A.-Z.W.R.S.
3rd December 2002Peter Ewart
John

Does Hamilton-Browne say whether this was during the poking about among the remains of the tents which some officers insisted on doing during the night and in the half-light before dawn, or whether it was just as Chelmsford's party was moving off from the camp?

If he doesn't indicate either, it might suggest the latter, given that he says "...on my way.." and also, after suddenly stopping to observe Pulleine's body, he "...passed on as quickly as I could to my men," suggesting he had to catch up with them. The fact that he was mounted also indicates it was while the column was leaving.

This at least might suggest, although hardly conclusively, that they were on their way out of the camp (or of his area of the bivouac) and if so the chances are that he was, by this time, moving towards - or already on - the nek, or even further; down the other side on the way to the Manzimnyama, perhaps, as they would still be passing through many bodies on and past the nek.

On the other hand, had H-B and his men bivouacked near the eastern or northern fringes of the orignal camp, they would still have to ride diagonally through the middle on their way out and the body could have been on the eastern slopes or anywhere near the middle of the original camp, without necessarily contradicting his statement.

But if that is the only clue he gives, I'd suggest it is (slightly?) more likely that the body was seen on or to the SW of the nek.

Perhaps Coghill not only knew Pulleine was dead but had witnessed the deed? But this would lessen the chances of Pulleine being killed on the nek or further out, as surely Coghill left well before the groups of 24th were pushed onto & over the nek in their last stands? I imagine it is completely inconceivable that Pulleine would have been over there BEFORE the groups of 24th were pushed there, unless he was somehow forced over there relatively early or had gone to check on reports that the "back door" was closed.

If Coghill had seen Pulleine killed in the camp itself, wouldn't it interfere with the roughly understood timing of Coghill's likely flight? Or not? It is perfectly possible that Coghill had simply been told by another fugitive that Pulleine was dead and was passing it on.

Too many imponderables! And here's another: historians have always been quick to criticise H-B as a rascal and have doubted some of his statements, some made many years after the event. Without necessarily suggesting that "the veracity of his statement might be seriously impugned" I suppose this is one more claim which might have to be treated with caution? After all, is it not in keeping with his love of drama and a colourful tale, and just what the public likes to read?

Peter
3rd December 2002John Young
Dear Peter,

I�ve gone over the text again, and here hopefully are some answers.

Where possible I�ll let George Hamilton Browne (By the way, I�m not actually sure when he chose to hyphenate his second name to his surname.) talk for himself.

�Just before daybreak orders were given to fall in and as soon as I got my men into their places I galloped across to my tent to try and save some papers, medals etc.�

Only one thing I found curious there is his use of the word �medals�. Although it is feasible he may very well have gained other medals apart from his 2nd Maori War medal from the other flags that he had fought under.

His intended rummaging around took place � ��in the grey dawn�� Browne�s camp ��was on the extreme left of the line, and the best part of the fighting had taken place there. � He continues, �As I reined up I glanced out to the left and left front of the camp�� Whilst here he hears a bugle sound the advance, and he �galloped back to my men as fast as I could without trampling on the bodies of my poor comrades.� Then he goes into the piece I�ve ready mentioned about Pulleine. So I conclude he was riding south, or south-west, across the face of the mountain, towards the nek when he encounters the body of Pulleine.

After this he rejoins his men, who alone apart the remains of the No.1 Squadron, Mounted Infantry, which was designated as a rearguard under Wilsone Black. The remainder of the surviving part of No. 3 Column, having already moved off, prior to his return.

Browne then places his men under Black�s command and joins the rearguard.

As to the Coghill matter, we have two survivors giving hearsay evidence, so who actually knows the truth?

With regard to George Hamilton Browne�s statements and how much validity we set by them, I was discussing this earlier today with F.W.D. Jackson. David has followed up one story that Browne relates with regard to the acquisition of a bell by men of 88th (Connaught Rangers) Regiment. Through his research David has discovered what appears on the face of it to be a piece of yarn spinning is actually true.

Browne was a gentleman-ranker - "Damned from here to Eternity", (Hence the titles of his books.) who by his varied service gained officer status in the colonial forces. He was the product of his time. This may account for his obvious xenophobia and anti-Semitic views. My own thoughts are very different from my forebears who would have been his contemporaries. Frankly those who endeavour to judge him should do so in the mindset of 19th/early 20th century man. One might add that he was Protestant Ulsterman � however that should by no means cloud our view of him, but merely to judge from which class he belonged. Let us not forget, either, that his father, Montague Browne, of Co. Londonderry, still appeared in �The Army List of 1880�, as holding a responsible position for army pensioners in Ireland. Lastly, we should not forget that his father�s former regiment was the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.

John
4th December 2002Peter Ewart
John

Puts a different complexion on it, doesn't it? The body could certainly have been anywhere in the middle of the original camp or on the slopes - yet, depending on how soon during his gallop back to his men he saw it, the Nek (or further?) presumably still can't be completely ruled out.

Something else which will probably never be established with certainty! Unless something turns up even now (which can't be ruled out, given that previously unknown primary sources still surface from time to time).

Peter
4th December 2002PETER HARMAN
I to have read many different stories regarding the death of Colonel Pulleine.
Colonel Pulleine ordered Lieutenant Melville to save the colours.This story oringinated in a report which appeared in a Natal newspaper in January.Based on an account by a gentleman whose testimony may be relied on.
There is nothing to suggest that Coghill was ordered to assist with the saving of the colours.Although Melvill left the camp at about the same time as Coghill they did not necessarily leave together.Nothing is know of Coghill's movements in the battle;while he was probably acting as an ADC to Pulleine. This is my own opinion after reading many accounts. I think Coghill was annoyed that Melville was given a chance to get away.
As acting ADC to pulleine he would have stay with Pulleine. Lieutenant Curling of the Artillery saw Coghill and asked him if he could not rally some men and make a stand: Coghill said he did not think this could be done. Shortly after Curling saw Coghill again who told him Colonel Pulleine was dead.Curling's last Reference to Coghill is interesting,since it suggests that the latter had left the camp on his own.Curling makes no reference to seeing Melville at all during this time.So did Melville leave the camp before Coghill. Brickhill was the first one to see Melville after he had left the camp with the colours. Brickhill become aware of Coghill being there because Coghill shouted "get on your horse Mr T-,this is no place to be leading a horse.Back in the camp Pulleine had said to Melville you as the senior Lieutenant will take the colours ,and make the best of your way.
Pulleine then shook hands with him and then turned round and said "Men of the 1-24th,we are here, and here we stand and fight it out to the end. Coghill must of been out raged if he had stayed he would have died with then rest.
I think Coghill shot Colonel Pulleine In-side the Colonels tent and made off after Melville.In the heat of the battle who would have known.If the zulus had killed Pulleine why was Coghill not killed he was Pulleine's ADC.
5th December 2002Peter Ewart
Crikey! Cluedo in the shadow of the sphinx!

Guilty party, victim, location, time, weapon & motive. Simple - why on earth did no-one think of it? Would make a great whodunnit- and then the film??? Do you think Coghill had realised that Pulleine had finally found the tent containing the elusive cricket gear & they were arguing violently over the ownership of that famous pair of pads? After all, with a crocked knee, Coghill needed them more than his Colonel did.

Peter
5th December 2002John Young
Peter,

I've solved it!

It was Lieutenant Coghill - in the tent - with the revolver. And I didn't use the secret passage!

John
5th December 2002Peter Harman
Thank you Peter Ewart & Thank you John Young. I hang my head in shame. I can see you two certainly take no prisoners.John tell me more about this Secret Passage.
5th December 2002Peter Harman
Thank you Peter Ewart & Thank you John Young. I hang my head in shame. I can see you two certainly take no prisoners.John tell me more about this Secret Passage.
5th December 2002Peter Ewart
Peter

No need at all to hang you head, Peter. I'm quite new to this site myself & certainly not in JY's league, but do enjoy the odd light-hearted comment - if appropriate, of course. I'm usually quite serious but have previously mentioned the cricket pads found at Isandlwana & will, when I get a moment, expound my riveting theory about the cricketing background to the whole tour (sorry, campaign) which historians have consistently overlooked. Then watch me get shot down in flames!

Peter
6th December 2002David Bluestein
Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion.
David