Thousands of documents relating to Chelmsford’s direction of the Anglo-Zulu War survive. The 116 documents selected for this volume all emanate from the General himself, rather than his many correspondents. Chelmsford thus speaks for himself, exposing his plans, decisions, problems and disputes to the closest critical assessment. The documents cover all key aspects of his conduct of the campaign including his strategic planning, tactical intentions, logistical problems, inadequate field intelligence, and conflicts with both local civil authorities and his superiors in England. The inescapable conclusion must be that there was much in Chelmsford’s generalship to criticise, and little to commend.