The Battle of Inyezane took place on 22nd January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. It was part of the British invasion of Zululand, led by Colonel Charles Pearson of the No. 1 Column. The battle occurred on the north bank of the Inyezane River, near the British camp.
The British forces, numbering around 2,400 men, including 1,000 Europeans, were well-armed with two 7-pounder guns, a 24-pound rocket battery, and a Gatling gun. They were camped beneath a steep ridge, with three spurs leading down towards the river. The Zulu forces, led by Godide kaNdlela, consisted of approximately 6,000 warriors.
The battle began when a small number of Zulus appeared near the ridge, prompting a company of the Natal Native Contingent (NNC) to give chase. This action alerted the main Zulu force, which launched a premature attack on the British camp. The British defenders quickly formed a hasty firing line and brought up their artillery and Gatling gun to repel the Zulu assault.
Despite the intense Zulu attacks, the British forces managed to hold their ground and inflict heavy casualties on the attackers. The Zulus eventually withdrew, leaving the British in control of the camp. The British suffered 10 killed and 16-20 wounded, while the Zulu casualties were estimated to be between 300 and 600 killed.
The Battle of Inyezane was a British victory and demonstrated the effectiveness of well-prepared defensive positions against a numerically superior enemy. It also highlighted the challenges faced by the British in their invasion of Zululand and the fierce resistance of the Zulu warriors.
Orders of Battle
British Orders of Battle
- British Commander-in-chief
- 1st Division, No. 1 Column Colonel C.K. Pearson
- No. 11 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery 2 x 7 pounder guns and limbers
- Naval Brigade Artillery, Royal Marines Light Infantry with
- 2 x 7 pounder guns and limbers
- 1 x 24 pounder rocket tubes
- 1 x Gatling gun and limber
- No. 2 Company Royal Engineers
- Naval Brigade’s Contingent from HMS Active
- 6 x Companies 2nd/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) Regiment of Foot
- No. 2 Squadron Mounted Infantry
- Natal Hussars
- Stranger Mounted Rifles
- Victoria Mounted Rifles
- 7 x Companies 1st/2nd Natal Native Contingent
- No. 2 Company, Natal Native Pioneer Corps
- 2nd Division, No. 1 Column (detachment) under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W.H.D.R. Welman
- 2 x Companies 2nd/3rd East Kent (The Buffs) Regiment of Foot
- 99th (Duke of Edinburgh’s Lanarkshire) Regiment of Foot
Zulu Orders of Battle
- Zulu Commander-in-chief
- Godide kaNdlela
- Matshiya kaMshandu
- Masegwane kaSopigwasi
- Mblilwane kaMhlanganiso
- Phalane kaMdinwa
- umXhapho
- uDlambedlu
- iNgulube
- inSukamngeni
- iQwa
- uDududu
- iNdabakawomble
- amaPhela
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