The accounts add little to our knowledge of the affair
at Isandula, and without more details it is impossible to decide on all the causes of that disaster. It is quite clear, however, that the main causes were carelessness and ignorance. The camp was left unfortified, even in the Cape manner, by linking the waggons; and Lord Chelmsford made all his movements in profound ignorance that 3,000 Zulus were behind him, threatening Rorke's Drift, and 15,000 Zulus advancing on him. For all he knew about them, the Zulus might have had the power of making themselves invisible. He had mounted men with him, if not regular cavalry, native guides, Volunteers familiar with native ways, if not with the special country. Yet he marched along with as little pre- caution as if he had been in Yorkshire. He is not likely to make that mistake again; but we see, as yet, nothing in his movements which indicates that he has either the decision or the initiative required in a General in his position. Still, his own full accounts must be awaited.
