This historical record is reconstructed from the reports of Lieutenant Dan Judson (Telegraph Department) and Captain Randolph Nesbitt (BSAP), alongside British South Africa Company (BSAC) archival records.
THE MAZOWE PATROL: HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY (JUNE 1896)
The “Mazowe Patrol” refers to two separate colonial relief efforts dispatched from Salisbury (Harare) to rescue settlers besieged at the Alice Mine during the outbreak of the First Chimurenga.
PHASE I: THE JUDSON RELIEF (JUNE 18–19, 1896)
Following news of the uprising, a small party attempted to reach the Alice Mine to retrieve telegraph equipment and civilians.
Commander: Lieutenant Dan Judson.
Participants: Tprs. Honey, Guyon, King (Godfrey), and Hendricks.
Key Event (June 18): John Blakiston (Judson’s clerk) and Thomas Routledge (telegraphist) volunteered to dash from the mine to the Mazowe telegraph office (2 miles away) to send a distress signal to Salisbury.
The Outcome: After successfully sending the wire, both were killed on their return journey to the mine. Blakiston was shot dead instantly; Routledge was seen galloping away but was never found.
PHASE II: THE NESBITT REINFORCEMENT (JUNE 19–20, 1896)
Upon receiving the telegraph from Blakiston, a stronger force was organized to break the siege.
Commander: Captain Randolph Cosby Nesbitt (BSAP).
The Patrol Members (13 total):
Sgt. O.H. Ogilvie
Cpl. G.M. McGregor
Tprs. C. Bott, H.J. van Staaden, J. Edmonds, S.N. Arnott, R.A. Nesbitt, J.W.S. Byron, G. Jacobs, H. Berry, and others.
The Besieged Civilians at Alice Mine:
Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Salthouse
Mr. & Mrs. Cass (Cass was killed during the retreat)
Mr. & Mrs. Dickenson (Dickenson was killed during the retreat)
Other miners including Faull (killed), Pascoe, Fairbairn, and Stoddard.
PHASE III: THE RETREAT TO SALISBURY (JUNE 20, 1896)
The combined force attempted a 27-mile retreat in a “wagonette” (ambulance) armored with sheet iron.
The Gauntlet: For nearly 10 miles through the Vumbu Hills and the Tatagura Valley, the patrol was under constant fire from the forces of King Makombe and other local leaders.
Casualties Recorded in BSAP Reports:
John Blakiston (Civilian/Telegraph) – KIA June 18.
Thomas Routledge (Telegraphist) – KIA June 18.
Edward Faull (Miner) – KIA June 20.
James Dickenson (Mining Commissioner) – KIA June 20.
George Cass (Merchant) – KIA June 20.
Tpr. van Staaden (SFF) – KIA June 20.
Tpr. McGeer – KIA June 20.
Final Outcome: The patrol reached Salisbury at 9:30 PM on June 20. Out of 26 horses, only 9 survived. Captain Nesbitt was later awarded the Victoria Cross for leading this retreat.
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE SOURCES
**The Judson Report (1896): Detailed field notes sent to Judge Vintcent.
The Nesbitt Citation: London Gazette, May 7, 1897.
BSAP Casualty Ledger: Lists the deaths of Dickenson, Cass, and Faull at “Mazoe Valley.”
The Zimbabwe Field Guide: Modern historical archives correlating the Shona oral tradition (referencing the execution of Pollard) with colonial dates.
The events of June 1896 remain one of the most documented military engagements of the period, highlighting the lethal effectiveness of the Mbari and Mazowe defense forces against colonial cavalry.
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