January 22, 1879 · Natal-Zululand Border Theater

Lord Chelmsford had taken half his central column on a reconnaissance, leaving approximately 1,300 men at the camp below the sphinx-shaped rock of Isandlwana. A Zulu impi of 20,000 warriors, concealed in a ravine and discovered by accident, advanced in the classic 'chest and horns' encirclement. The British fired furiously but the front was too wide, ammunition supply faltered, and the Zulu left horn cut the retreat. In less than two hours 1,300 defenders were killed.

January 22–23, 1879 · Natal Theater

While Isandlwana was overrun five miles away, 4,000 Zulus of the reserve attacked the mission station at Rorke's Drift. Lieutenant Chard had two hours' warning to fortify the post with mealie bags and biscuit boxes. For twelve hours through the night, 139 soldiers repulsed successive Zulu attacks. The hospital caught fire; soldiers knocked through walls room by room, extracting patients as the flames advanced. By dawn the attacks had exhausted themselves.

March 28, 1879 · Northern Zululand Theater

Colonel Evelyn Wood's mounted force attacked the abaQulusi Zulu stronghold on flat-topped Hlobane Mountain. As the assault proceeded, the main Zulu army appeared moving toward the British camp at Kambula, threatening encirclement. The withdrawal became a rout as Zulus descended on retreating mounted troops. Buller personally rescued at least three unhorsed soldiers by pulling them up behind him under fire, earning the Victoria Cross.

March 29, 1879 · Northern Zululand Theater

The day after Hlobane, the main Zulu army of approximately 20,000 attacked Evelyn Wood's fortified camp at Kambula. This time the British were ready — the camp was laagered and entrenched, ammunition was accessible, and the men were not surprised. The Zulus attacked in their traditional 'chest and horns' formation but could not break through the disciplined fire. When the Zulus began to waver, the British cavalry launched a pursuit that extended the victory into a rout, killing thousands in retreat.

July 4, 1879 · Zululand Theater

Chelmsford advanced on the Zulu royal capital and formed his entire force into a hollow square — infantry on all four sides, artillery inside — and marched across the plain toward the royal kraal. The Zulus attacked in their traditional formation but could not break the square's concentrated fire. After the Zulus began withdrawing, the cavalry was released in pursuit. The royal kraal at Ulundi was burned. The battle lasted less than thirty minutes.