BRITISH BACKGROUND and SET-UP The No.1(right flank) Column of the British invasion of Zululand have been at their base, Eshowe (a disused Norwegian mission station), for about two months after the battle of iNyezane River (22 January 1879). They had made the mission into the first major fortified site, called Fort Eshowe, to be used as a staging post for the final push on Ulundi, the Zulu capital. After receiving the news of the disaster at Isandhlwana, and that they "could expect the whole Zulu impi at any time", and "no reinforcements were to be expected", the troops were forced to endure a siege. Over the past couple of months the Zulu impi has not appeared, but bodies of Zulus (probably from independent inDunas in the area) have kept the fort under an almost total siege of sorts. The only daily activity was for the mounted troops to patrol and scout the surrounding countryside (sometimes up to seventeen miles away) for Zulu movements, and to harass any bodies of Zulus they found. During the last month or so the Zulus have kept an almost constant siege of Fort Eschowe, and supplies are very low. Subsequently, the garrison has sent back most of its Native troops, and is on half rations. At the end of Feburary 1879, one of the mounted patrols from Fort Eschowe reported that a large kraal, reported to be of Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande, who is the popular Chief induna of the area and King Cetshway's brother (and led the impi that attacked Rorke's Drift), was only about seven miles away. The No.1 Column, and subsequently Fort Eshowe's commander, Colonel Charles Knight Pearson (C.O. 2nd Batt./3rd Regt. "The Buffs" East Kent Regt.), has decided to personally lead a force from the garrison to Dabulamanzi's kraal to disperse any Zulus in the locality (about 1-2,000) and burn the kraal. This should cause considerable problems for Dabulamanzi, and possibly lead him into declining to send reinforcements to Ulundi or provoking an assault on Fort Eshowe, which would be quite bloody for the Zulus (Fort Eshowe was remarked to be "Zulu proof"!). Arriving about dawn in the area where reportedly Dabulamanzi's kraal was located, a couple of Vedettes were sent out to scout the area and locate the kreal. About 6 a.m. Dabulamanzi's kraal was located. It is rather large, about 60 huts in size, and nestled just below a rocky hill, known as eNtumeni. The area, like most in Zululand, is of dense bush with patches of tall (at least waist height) mealie grass. There are also some rocky outcroppings, plus a ravine (conga) which lies between the far hills. No Zulus were encountered during the night's march, but they could be either asleep in the kraal or already aware of your presence. Although, all seems quiet at this time. The British forces, being tired after a hard march, are currently resting in the plain just below the hill, Colonel Pearson and his staff discuss plans to proceed quickly with the mission and get back to the safety of Fort Eshowe. Your troops are both tired and hungry, and the Natal Native Contingent want to get through with this mission, as they are to be sent back to Natal after its completion, due to the worsening supply situation. Basically, although your force is sufficient to handle a small Zulu force, it would not want to be caught by the entire Zulu army! BRITISH NOTES 1 Set-up your forces within 12" of Western edge of board, in any information desired, even column. 2 You may, if you wish, send out Vedettes from the mounted units to scout area more closely. A Vedette is 2 figs (NCO/1 Pvt). 3 Your mission is simple. Capture and burn all Zulu dwellings in the area after dealing with whatever slight resistance is encountered. Then retire off-board from I;; same edge (Southwest) that you have just entered. TOTAL HISTORICAL BRITISH FORCES Col. Charles Knight Pearson Commander [+1] (C.O. 2nd/3rd) Staff 4 Officers 20 NCOs/Men Lt-Col. Frederick W.E.E Walker Adjutant Commander [+1](2nd/3rd) Maj. C. Coates (lst/99th) 10 2nd/3rd Bandsmen as stretcherbearer 10 hospital orderlies as stretcherbearers. Surgeon H.F Norburg (Royal Navy, H.M.S Active). All officers & surgeon are mounted. 11th Battery'/7th Brigade Royal Artillery Lt. Wiltord N. Lloyde, Battery-Commander Vet (O) 1 x 7-Pounder Gun 1 Officer 10 NCOs/Men Gun is 7 pdr muzzleloader with 6 rounds shell, 6 shrapnel & 4 case shot. Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Active Lt. T.W. Dowding, C.O. Vet (1) 1 Company 1 Officer 40 NCOs/Men 2nd Battalion/3rd (East Kent) InfantryRegiments "The Buffs" Capt. H.J.N. Wiltiams & Lt. Martin, Coy 'A' Capt. H.D.Harrison, Coy 'F' Capt. W.H. Wyide & Lt. C.E. Mason, Coy'H' Capt. J.E. Forster, Coy'l' Vet (1) 4 Companies 6 Officers 280 NCOs/Men Captains may be mounted. 99th (Duke of Edinburgh's Lanarkshires) Infantry Regiment Capt. F.L.Stroy & Lt. A.W. Turner Colour-Sgt. J.W. Burnett Exp (0) Company 'B' 2 officers 118 NCOs/Men 6 shrapnel & 4 case shot. No. 2 (Field) Company, Royal Engineers Capt. Warren Richard Colvin Wynne Lt. D.C. Courtenay Sgt. Tuckett, Senior-NCO Vet (2) Half-company 2 Officers 60 NCOs/Men No.2 Company, Natal Native Contingent Pioneer Corps Capt. G.K.E. Beddoes Lt. Porrington Trn (2), irregular* 2 Officers 60 NCOs/Men "Uhlans" (Impenal Mounted Infantry from the 99th Regt. & Natal Volunteers) Capt. Charles Shervinton (lst/2nd NNC) Lt. Rowden (99th Regt.) Exp (1)** 2 Officers 30 NCOs/Men Total No. Troops 22 Officers 663 NCOs/Men NB - these are actual men - not figures! * Armed with breechloading carbines, but no bayonet, spear or shield, and therefore are 'Weak Irregulars' for melee and morale modifiers; Fire as 'Green' troops; Wear red coats & white pants; Officers are UV: Vet/Fieldcraft 1, armed with sword & revolver; Capt. Beddoes is mounted ** Hvy.Horse, but Lt. Horse in melee; Armed as infantry, but may not fire while mounted; When dismounted will require horseholders 2" to rear; Mount/Dismount takes half of move; May be in Close or Open Order, and may volley fire if in Close Order If using 'Soldiers Companion' 1 NCO figure in each British company may be considered a bugler. Zulu Forces & Notes Back to Raid on Dabulamanzi's Kraal 1879 Back to Battlefields Vol. 1 Issue 6 Table of Contents Back to Battlefields List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1997 by Partizan Press. 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