Pioneer Column

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Zimbabwe
Surnames/tags: Cecil_Rhodes British_South_Africa_Company Rudd_Concession

In 1890, Cecil Rhodes joined with his British South Africa Company to attempt annexation of Mashonaland.(later Southern Rhodesia and now Zimbabwe). This group was named the Pioneer Column.

In his search for gold, he wanted to beat the Germans, Portuguese and Boers to secure Matabeleland and Mashonaland.

His first step toward this goal was before this time. He went about getting King Lobengula to sign a treaty in 1888. This treaty allowed Cecil to have mining and administration rights but did not set out for settlement.

This treaty was called the The Rudd Concession after his business parther, Charles Dunell Rudd, who secured the treaty signature from the king.

Despite not having permission to occupy the area, that was an intent of his so he started the Pioneer Column. Origionally it was estimated they would need 2,500 men and around 1 million pounds to win the war they knew was going to come from the King.

One of his men, Frank Johnson, delivered the area with just 250 men and 87,500 pounds. It was just a 9 month time. Part of the recruitment was to offer each 3000 acres of land and 15 claims for mining.

His party included 180 civilian colonists, and 200 volunteers. They had 62 wagons at their disposal. One of these men was Frederick Selous. He had a close knowledge of Mashonaland. Irish Commander Liutenant Colonel Edward Pinnefather was placed as the director of the troops. Later, 110 men, 16 wagons, and 380 cattle and horses joined to assist. Weapons consisted of Martini-Henry rifles, revolvers, field guns, Maxim machine guns and an electric searchlight.

Timeline

1885 Colonial powers advocated Pioneer Column at Berlin Conference

1888 Treaty signed between Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company and King Lobengula

June 28, 1890 Troops started at Macloutsie in Bechuanaland planning to stop at Mount Hampden

August 1890 Three towns founded - Fort Victoria, Fort Charter and Fort Salisbury

September 12, 1890 Column arrives

September 13, 1890 Union Jack raised overlooking Fort Salisbury by Lieutenant Edward Tyndale-Biscoe

October 1, 1890 Corps disbanded

1927 Government issued British South Africa Comany Medal to commemorate the Pioneer Column

September 12, 1920 - 1979 National Holiday celebrating Pioneer Column arrival in 1890

Sources

* Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Column

* Pioneer Column, Pindula: https://www.pindula.co.zw/Pioneer_Column

* Pioneer Column, Military, Wikia.org: https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Column