Description:

ZULU WAR MEDAL ISSUED TO A PRIVATE KILLED AT ISANDLWANA
Rare and highly desirable Zulu War campaign medal awarded to Private John Sullivan of "H" Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Foot, killed by Zulu warriors at the massacre at Isandlwana, South Africa on January 22, 1879. This example bears the "1877-8-9" clasp above the medal itself. The obverse bears an image of Queen Victoria in profile and reads at edges: "VICTORIA REGINA", while the reverse bears a lion and thistle bush, a native shield at bottom, and the words: "SOUTH AFRICA" at top. The edge of the medal is deeply engraved: "1495. PTE. J. SULLIVAN. 1/24TH FOOT.". The medal, which swivels at top, is complete with its fully-intact ribbon. But for some light accumulated soiling, the medal is in excellent condition. The battle of Isandlwana was the first major encounter in the Anglo-Zulu War, instigated when British troops crossed the Buffalo River into Zululand. Pvt. Sullivan was under the command of Capt. George Vaughan Wardell, a Canadian whose company was among the first to cross the boundary. After a skirmish with outlying parties of the enemy, on January 20th the column advanced to the foot of Isandlwana Hill. Two days later, the Zulus attacked in force, using their traditional "horns and chest of the buffalo" tactics. At first the British advanced, then pulled back in an orderly manner until the Zulu right horn punched a hole in the British right flank. Wardell, Sullivan, and their fellow soldier, were at the center of the line and on the fringe of the break-through. Desperate fighting ensued: once flanked, they finally resorted to bayonets until they were annihilated. Of the 1,700 men at Isandlwana, 1,300 were killed - no prisoners were taken.

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January 30, 2013 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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