Pioneer Column

Lieutenant Edward Tyndale-Biscoe hoists theUnion Jackon thekopjeoverlookingFort Salisburyon the morning of 13 September 1890. The day of the column's arrival, 12 September, was anational holidaybetween 1920 and 1979.

ThePioneer Columnwas a force raised byCecil Rhodesand hisBritish South Africa Companyin 1890 and used in his efforts to annex the territory ofMashonaland,later part ofZimbabwe(onceSouthern Rhodesia).

Background

Rhodes was anxious to secure Matabeleland and Mashonaland before the Germans, Portuguese or Boers did. His first step was to persuade the Ndebele KingLobengula,in 1888, to sign a treaty giving him rights to mining and administration (but not settlement as such) in the area of Mashonaland which was not under direct Ndebele rule.Using thisRudd Concession(so called because Rhodes's business partner,Charles Rudd,was instrumental in securing the signature) between Rhodes' British South Africa Company (allegedly on behalf ofQueen Victoriathough without any official knowledge or authority) and Lobengula, he then sought and obtained a charter from the British government allowing him to act, essentially although in a limited way, with the government's consent. The next step was to occupy the territory.

Column assembly

Officers of the Pioneer Corps, c. 1890

Rhodes's military advisers estimated that it would take 2,500 men and about one million pounds to win the war that would, they thought, inevitably result when Lobengula realised that Rhodes meant not only to mine but also to occupy his land.Frank Johnson,a 23-year-old adventurer, however, undertook to deliver the territory in nine months with a mere 250 men for £87,500.Frederick Selous,a hunter with close knowledge of Mashonaland, agreed to join the effort as guide. Johnson published recruitment notices inKimberleyoffering each volunteer 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land and 15 mining claims (aggregating about 8.5 hectares (21 acres)). On the advice of Rhodes, Johnson selected for his column, from thousands of applicants, mostly the sons of rich families, so that if they were, indeed, imperiled by Lobengula their families would be more likely to enlist British government support for their rescue. Johnson's column eventually consisted of 180 civilian colonists, 62 wagons and 200 volunteers (who ultimately formed the nucleus of what became theBritish South Africa Police). A further party of 110 men, 16 wagons, 250 cattle and 130 spare horses later attached itself to the column.The troopers were equipped withMartini-Henryrifles, revolvers, seven-poundfield gunsandMaxim machine guns,as well as an electric searchlight (which they later used to good effect to intimidate Matabele warriors shadowing the column).

Occupation

The route began at Macloutsie inBechuanalandon 28 June 1890. On 11 July, it crossed the river Tuli into Matabeleland. It proceeded north-east and then north over a distance of about 650 kilometres (400 mi) intending to terminate at an open area explored by Selous a few years earlier that he called Mount Hampden. However, the column halted about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) before that at a naturally flat and marshy meadow bounded by a steep rocky hill; (today'sHarareKopje) on 12 September (later celebrated as aRhodesian public holiday). The British union flag was hoisted on the following day, 13 September, in Fort Salisbury.

Three towns were founded; the first in early August at the head of a gentle route that led up from the low altitude area known as the Lowveld (named Providential Pass), called Fort Victoria (renamed Masvingo in 1982); the second at Fort Charter on a plateau halfway to the terminus of the column at the originally named Fort Salisbury.

The Pioneer Corps was officially disbanded on 1 October 1890 and each member was granted land on which to farm.

Consequences

The occupation of Mashonaland by the Pioneer Column lead to the start ofCompany rule in Rhodesia.The BSAC would expand its rule across the Zambezi in 1891, and over Matabeleland through theFirst Matabele Warin 1893-1894.

Campaign medal

In 1927, the government ofSouthern Rhodesiaissued a newBritish South Africa Company Medalto commemorate the earlier 1890 Pioneer Column. This medal was identical to the prior British South Africa Company Medals issued for theFirst Matabele WarandSecond Matabele War,except that it was struck without any campaign details on the reverse.

See also

• Nehanda Nyakasikana
• Shangani Patrol

References

• Samkange, Stanlake John Thompson(1966).On trial for my country.African Writers Series.Heinemann.ISBN9780435900335.
• Hill, Geoff (2003).The Battle for Zimbabwe: The Final Countdown.Cape Town: Zebra Press.ISBN978-1-86872-652-3.
• Hensman, Howard (1900).A History of Rhodesia.Edinburgh & London: Wm Blackwood and Sons.