National Army Museum

The Matabella [sic] War With Col. Whinfields Column, 1896 (c)

pen and ink with wash, drawing

Accession Number

NAM.1999-08-6-4

Description

The Matabella [sic] War With Col. Whinfields Column, 1896 (c). One page of pen and ink with wash drawings; artist unknown; from an illustrated account of the 2nd Matabele War (1896-1897) on nine sheets of paper, 18 sides. Front: picture 12: caption describes the preliminary bombardment, the advance on enemy held hills by the Seaforth Highlanders and Cape Mounted Police, supported by Marines, and casualties inflicted by Matabele smallarms fire. Verso: picture 13: caption describes how a potential ‘rush’ by the Matabele was repulsed; picture 14: caption describes a Matabele flanking attack against the Mounted Infantry and the resultant stampeding of their horses.

Campaigns

2nd Matabele War (1896-1897)

Units

7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars

Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s)

Royal Marines

Mounted Infantry

Cape Mounted Riflemen (1827-1870)

Matabele Forces

People

Whinfield

Unknown

Inscriptions

Front: Picture 12: 'After the guns had been in action/ half an hour the Advance sounded/ and the whole line began to move/ It was a grand sight. The enemy/ could be seen in large numbers on the/ hills and soon puffs of smoke began/ to be seen coming from all points./ and their fire was not all wasted, as/ 2 wounded (C.M.P.) being carried to the/ rear showed' 'The Seaforth Highlanders Skirmishing up to/ the enemy's position/ The C M Police in the centre had to be reinforced/ by 100 Marines from the left as the enemy/ appeared in great numbers and looked as/ though they were going to make a/ rush.' Verso: Picture 13: 'But they were soon repulsed by the/ steady fire of both forces' Picture 14: 'And just as we were going to storm/ the hills at the point of the bayonet/ We were supprised [sic] to see 6 or 7 horses/ Galloping to the rear riderless, then the/ General received the news that a/ force of the enemy about 5000 had/ supprised the M.I on our left flank and/ had stampeded their horses and had/ surrounded them.'