AZW - Fugitives Drift Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Fugitives' Drift is famous as the site where officers Melvill and Coghill gave their lives to save the Queen's colours of their regiment. They had earlier fought at the KwaZulu-Natal battlefield of Isandlwana, and when all was lost had been sent to save the pride of their regiment.
Site of a fierce battle during the Anglo-Zulu War, Fugitives' Drift in KwaZulu-Natal is today a world famous Natural Heritage Site, overlooking both the Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift battlefields.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pulleine, in command of the encampment at Isandlwana, entrusted the Queen's colours to a pair of officers - Melvill and Coghill - when it became apparent their position was going to be overrun.
The pair broke through a narrow gap in the Zulu line to the south of Isandlwana where Coghill's horse received an assegai wound in the hindquarter. Despite this they continued through heavy bush, pursued by the Zulu, heading for the garrison post at Helpmekaar.
The Buffalo River, however, was in flood and Melvill was nearly washed away. Under fire they lost their horses but managed to make the far bank. Unable to make it up the last bit of the bank, they were killed on the Natal side of the river.
Melvill and Coghill were the first to earn the Victoria Cross for valour in the Anglo-Zulu War, the site of their deaths marked by a memorial.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n fznyy ebpx orgjrra fbzr ovttre ebpxf
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures