aign against the natives was far more serious than the
preceding one. The Zulus were probably the bravest of all these
southern tribes, and had some form of discipline, organisation, and
tactics, though their arms--clubs or “knob-kerries,” shields, muskets
of sorts, and assegais--were much the same as in other parts of Africa,
save that the latter were shorter, blunt at the end, and broader in
the blade, being intended for stabbing rather than throwing. In other
respects the people were bloodthirsty, superstitious, and sanguinary,
given over to “witch doctors” and brutal massacres. There had been
frequent raids on the Natal frontier by them from 1838 onwards until
1878, when the spirit of restlessness increased, and General Thesiger
took command of the army at the Cape, which then consisted of the 3rd,
13th, 24th, 80th, 88th, and 90th Regiments, with two batteries of
Artillery and some Engineers. The country was to be invaded by three
columns. The first or southern column, under Colonel Pearson, consisted
of the Buffs, the 99th, with some Artillery, a Naval Brigade, and local
levies; the second or central column was to move from Helpmakaar under
Colonel Glyn, and contained the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 24th, a
battery, and other levies; and the northern, which was based on Utrecht
in the Transvaal, under Colonel Evelyn Wood, in which were a battery
and the 13th, 60th, and 90th Regiments. A fourth column under Colonel
Durnford was to march later, between the first and second columns.

Opposed to them were supposed to be about 40,000 fighting men. They
were organised in large masses, and used skirmishers. Speaking
generally, their tactical method was to form a complete ring, if
possible, around the body attacked, and then close. On the 12th January
1879 the troops marched, and on the 22nd Pearson had a smart brush with
the enemy at Inyezane, but reached his first objective, Etschowe, where
a depôt was to be formed, without further opposition.

The central column had been less fortunate, for, crossing t