Battle of Rorke's Drift close to defeating the much smaller garrison, but were ultimately repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours. Rorke's Drift, known as "kwaJimu" ("Jim's Land") in the Zulu language, was a mission station and the former trading post of James Rorke, an Irish merchant. It was located near a drift, or ford, on the Buffalo (Mzinyathi) River, which at the time formed the border between the British colony of Natal and the Zulu Kingdom. On 9 January 1879, the British No. 3 (Centre) Column, under Lord Chelmsford, arrived and encamped
Charles S. Baker York Volunteer Infantry. Disabled in the first Battle of Bull Run, he was honorably discharged. Baker was a member of the New York State Assembly (Monroe County, 2nd District) in 1879, 1880 and 1882. He was a member of the New York State Senate (29th District) in 1884 and 1885. Elected as a Republican to the 49th, 50th, and 51st United States Congresses, Baker was U.S. Representative for the thirtieth district of New York from March 4, 1885, to March 3, 1891. He served as Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce during the 51st Congress. He resumed the practice