Jahleel Brenton Carey

Jahleel Brenton Carey (1847–1883) was a British officer who became notorious for his alleged responsibility for the death in action of Napoléon, Prince Imperial (1856–1879), at the hands of Zulu warriors in South Africa.

[2] During the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, an incident took place which was to drastically alter the hitherto promising military career of Jahleel Carey.

Anxious to gain military experience, he was permitted to take part in scouting parties in May, but had alarmed Frederic Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford, the Commander in Chief, by his habit of enthusiastically pursuing any Zulus he saw during these mounted reconnaissance patrols.

It has since been recognized that Carey was placed in a dangerously ambivalent position, given the social deference expected from a junior officer vis-à-vis the status of the Prince Imperial and the consequent ambiguity of command.

[7] The guilty finding was soon withdrawn, and Carey was acquainted of the fact by Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, in a letter dated 16 August 1879.