Pioneer Days

The First Chimurenga/Umvukela - March to May 1896 (12)

 

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Significant Dates, Matabeleland 1896

  • February 13 - Large meeting of izinduna at Entumbane for planning the uprising
  • March 20 - First murders of Native Police
  • March 23 - Start of attacks on isolated white settlements in Filabusi and Insiza Districts; NC Bentley killed at Filabusi
  • March 24 - First report of the nascent uprising reaches Bulawayo
  • March 27 - Fight at Cummings Store
  • April 2 - Start of the Gwanda Patrol
  • April 4 - Fighting starts at Fonseca's Farm. Lasts until April 7
  • April 6 - Salisbury Relief Force formed
  • April 10 - Gwanda Patrol almost annihilated by Babyaan on fringe of Matobo Hills
  • April 12 - Attack on Belingwe laager
  • April 12-19 - Mangwe Road fortified
  • April 16 - First skirmish on the Umgusa River, led by Grey
  • April 17 - Chamberlain announces Frederick Carrington as Commander of all military forces in Rhodesia
  • April 19 - Second battle on the Umgusa River, led by Macfarlane
  • April 22 - Third battle on the Umgusa River, led by Bisset; VC won by Baxter
  • April 25 - Fourth and decisive action along the Umgusa River, led by Macfarlane; first time the Matabele withdrew after conflict with whites
  • April 29 - Mayeza's attack on Fort Dawson
  • May 2 - Relief of Gwelo
  • May 6 - Relief of Belingwe
  • May 11 - Napier announces BSACo compensation to Rhodesians for losses during war
  • May 14 - Plumer's Matabele Relief Force reached Bulawayo
  • May 19 - Matabele unsuccessfully attack Afrikaner laager behind Memorial Hospital
  • May 19 - Napier's troops combine with Salisbury Relief Force on Pongo River
  • June 1 - Cecil Rhodes arrives in Bulawayo
  • June 2 - Carrington assumes command of white forces in Matabeleland
  • July 4 - Bulawayo Field Force disbanded
  • June 6 - Final action along the Umgusa River, led by Spreckley
  • June 11 - Reoccupation of Shiloh
  • June 15 - Reoccupation of Inyati
  • June 16 - News of start of uprising in Mashonaland reaches Bulawayo
  • June 25 - Nyamanda is made King of the Matabele
  • July 5 - Attack on Ntaba-zika-Mambo Hills begins, led by Plumer
  • July 19 - Plumer launches assault against Babyaan in the Matobo Hills
  • July 20 - Battle at Laing's Rest, Matobo Hills, led by Laing against Dhliso, Mabiza and Hole
  • July 25 - Nicholson's fight near Inungu
  • August 5 - Attack on Tshingengoma in eastern Matobo Hills
  • August 21 - First Indaba between Rhodes and Matabele leaders
  • August 28 - Second Indaba
  • September 9 - Third Indaba
  • October 13 - Fourth Indaba
  • October 22 - Plumer's men disbanded

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Sourced from the Zanj Financial Network 'Zfn', Harare, Zimbabwe, email briefing dated 28 March 2011