The FReeper Foxhole Celebrates Independence Day

Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill

One of the many stories of heroism arising from the Battle of Islandlwana is the story of the attempt to save the Queen's Colours by Lt. Teignmouth Melvill. Although no one is exactly sure of the events that took place, the following in D. C. F. Moodie's History of the Battles and Adventures of the British, Boers and the Zulus, Adelaide, 1879, is typical:

When the loss of the camp seem quite certain Colonel [Henry] Pulleine [in command of the 1st Battalion, 24th Warwickshire Regiment] called Lieutenant Melville [sic] and said - "Lieutenant Melville, you, as senior lieutenant, will take the colours, and make the best of your way."

Near Fugitives' Drift Melvill met up with Lt. Nevill Coghill, who had also managed to escape from Isandlwana. Melvill lost the colours as he tried to cross the Buffalo River, and as he and Coghill were climbing Mpethe Hill on the Natal side, they were set upon and killed.

At this point, the story becomes muddled. A group of about 20 Zulus was seen on the Natal side at this time, and they are often thought of as the men who killed the two lieutenants. However, there is a strong local tradition that claims the Melvill and Coghill were killed by Natal natives who feared the Zulu reprisals should Natal be invaded. The colours were found in the river a few days later.

At the time of the Zulu War, the Victoria Cross was not awarded posthumously. In 1906, Melvill's widow was among several who petitioned King Edward VII to recognize the principle of posthumous awards. In January 1907, the London Gazette published a list of names of those so honored, and among them were Teignmouth Mevill and Nevill Coghill.

81 posted on 07/04/2004 1:02:36 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; Jen; MistyCA; SpookBrat; PhilDragoo; All

82 posted on 07/04/2004 1:03:00 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul ("In answer to what we promised, the infidel got his fair treatment," Al-Qaeda to wife's tearful plea)

Believe me I'm in the mood to blow stuff up today. :-)

83 posted on 07/04/2004 1:03:50 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: snippy_about_it

Thanks Humal, for sharing your Church's Flag folding Ceremony with us.

84 posted on 07/04/2004 1:04:39 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: Victoria Delsoul

Afternoon Victoria. Just got home from "Holiday Shopping" ARRRRRRRGH!

85 posted on 07/04/2004 1:05:29 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

Hi Sam! Good to see you.

Just got home from "Holiday Shopping"

Did you get me anything?

87 posted on 07/04/2004 1:28:53 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul ("In answer to what we promised, the infidel got his fair treatment," Al-Qaeda to wife's tearful plea)

You are quite welcome. It has been a wonderful time at our church. The only down-side is the inside of the church now looks empty with all the flags down. I really hope this becomes an annual tradition.

Thank you and Snippy for helping me share these pictures with the other Foxhole Freepers.

88 posted on 07/04/2004 2:25:29 PM PDT by Humal

To: Professional Engineer

She's a CUTEY!!

Happy birthday to us! 228 and still goin strong!

89 posted on 07/04/2004 2:51:15 PM PDT by Valin (Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's just that yours is stupid.)

To: Victoria Delsoul

Good evening Victoria.

90 posted on 07/04/2004 3:22:29 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

To: Victoria Delsoul

I didn't even get me anything. :-(

91 posted on 07/04/2004 3:26:35 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: snippy_about_it

Howdy Snippy. Happy 4th!

92 posted on 07/04/2004 3:29:17 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul ("In answer to what we promised, the infidel got his fair treatment," Al-Qaeda to wife's tearful plea)

Oh no :-( maybe next time.

93 posted on 07/04/2004 3:29:52 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul ("In answer to what we promised, the infidel got his fair treatment," Al-Qaeda to wife's tearful plea)

To: snippy_about_it; All

94 posted on 07/04/2004 4:38:45 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: SAMWolf; CholeraJoe; Professional Engineer

95 posted on 07/04/2004 5:31:19 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

To: snippy_about_it

96 posted on 07/04/2004 5:37:46 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

To: snippy_about_it

My dogs can do that...for a couple of seconds. Short attention span is an issue with year-old labs.

97 posted on 07/04/2004 6:29:38 PM PDT by CholeraJoe (US Armed Forces - The True Freedom Fighters)

98 posted on 07/04/2004 6:37:47 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

To: Victoria Delsoul; SAMWolf; snippy_about_it

I bought a new car yesterday. 3800lbs of pure adrenalin. A limited edition Pontiac GTO 40th Anniversary. Barbados Blue metallic. 5.7 liter V-8, six speed manual transmission, Blaupunkt stereo.

I know. I am having a mid-life crisis. But I'm not going for the gold chains, leisure suit, lounge lizard look.

When I was in high school, the GTO was the hottest muscle car available. They stopped making them in 1975...until now. Just emailed snippy two pics.

99 posted on 07/04/2004 6:43:34 PM PDT by CholeraJoe (US Armed Forces - The True Freedom Fighters)

WOW! I should have a mid-life crisis like that.

100 posted on 07/04/2004 6:46:03 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Member: International Brotherhood of Tagline Thieves!)

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