Fort Pearson

Fort Pearson was a fortification constructed by the British on the Natal side of the border with Zululand in the lead up to the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.

Fort Pearson was an earthen redoubt[1] constructed by the 2nd battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Foot (the Buffs) and part of the Naval Brigade (Royal Navy personnel serving as infantry) on the Natal side of the Tugela River in November 1878.

[4] A short distance downstream of the fort the British installed a pont ferry crossing to support the advance.

[10] War was declared in January 1879 and British commander Lord Chelmsford commenced a three-pronged invasion of Zululand.

[12] The first crossing of the Tugela by the column, using the ponts and marshalled by the Royal Navy sailors, was spectacular and drew a crowd of civilian onlookers from Durban.

[18] Following the relief of Eshowe and in advance of the second invasion of Zululand, in April 1879 the fort was strengthened by men of Major-General Henry Hope Crealock's 1st Division.

On arrival Wolseley received news that Chelmsford had defeated the Zulu in the Battle of Ulundi and effectively won the war.