Ulundi, battle of

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Ulundi, battle of, 1879. Last battle of the Zulu–British War of 1879. A force of 10,000 men under General Chelmsford headed for Ulundi, 115 miles north-east of Durban, the seat of Zulu chief Cetewayo. On 4 July 1879 they engaged a Zulu force of 20,000 men. Chelmsford's army marched forward in a square formation with infantry forming the walls and cavalry riding within. The Zulus attacked but were cut down by rifle fire, and harried by the cavalry as they fled. They lost over 1,500 men, breaking the power of the tribe. The British lost just 15 killed and 78 wounded.

Richard A. Smith