The Battle of Bloody River
by On December 16, 1838, some 470 Dutch Settlers were attacked by over 10,000 Zulu Warriors. In spite of great odds, the Dutch defeated the Zulu without the loss of a single life. The Zulus lost at least 3000.
On this date, 170 years ago (December 16, 1838), 470 European settlers were attacked by more than 10,000 native Zulu warriors in an eastern region of South Africa now called KwaZulu-Natal, along the Ncome River. When the battle was over, 3,000 Zulu lay dead on the battlefield, while the Europeans did not lose one soul.
This is remarkable, to be sure. Three other battles come to mind. One was when Spartacus and his followers rebelled against Rome, defeating 3 Roman Legions and capturing many Roman prisoners. Ultimately, however, Spartacus was overcome by the sheer numbers of well-trained Roman soldiers under Pompey, and died in battle in 71 B.C.
A second battle that comes to mind is defense of the Alamo, in San Antonio. Some 200 Texians were attacked in March 1836 by 2400 Mexican soldiers, and, while the Texians lost, they killed about 600 Mexicans.
A third military confrontation also comes to the fore: the Battle of the Little Bighorn in eastern Montana during late June 1876. Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and about 240 troops were attacked by 1,000 – or more – native Americans and all members of Custer’s cohort were all killed. Perhaps 100 or so natives died in that battle.
However, few battles in history compare to the Battle of Bloody River. With an overwhelming ratio against them of 7 to 1, the Dutch Pioneers not only successfully defended themselves, not one of them was killed. The Dutch defended themselves with single shot rifles and two cannon, but that seemed to be more than enough against the Zulu with their medium-range spears.
Of course, for the Dutch to land and settle an area such as the land of the Zulu is similar to European Americans settling North America, and intruding into the many lands of the native Americans. Any such kind of invasion, no matter what the intentions are, can only lead to violent confrontation.
Without prejudice on either side, this author recognizes the courage and valor of these Dutch who overcame huge odds and were able to preserve the lives of all in their company.
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