Battle of Hlobane 28th March 1879

Battle of Hlobane

28th March 1879

"We retired well, but I shall never forget the kaffirs getting in amongst us and .. assegaing our poor fellows, some of the cries for mercy from the poor fellows brought tears into our eyes'.

INTRODUCTION

On the 22nd of January Col. Wood had engaged a local Zulu force on the Zunguin range of hills. The attack was successful with a large cattle herd being captured. As for the Zulu warriors, they retired back to the mountain stronghold on the nearby Hlobane mountain.

Wood was to observe later in the day, an Impi some 4,000 strong drilling on the lower slops of Hlobane, but alas his force was in no fit state to engage them so he ordered a halt and a full day's resL, with the interntion of attacking them on 24th. Unfortunately, he was to receive his first report of the action at Isandlwana whilst advancing to attack Hlobane, so the attack was called off, with his column finally withdrawing to Khambula.

Whilst at Khambula mounted patrols continued to skirmish with the now growing Zulu forces around Hlobane, a contingent of warriors had reportedly arrived from Ulundi adding to the Zulu strength. The mountain was becoming a major strong hold with cattle and warriors arriving daily. Wood was determined to attack Hlobane and break the power of the local Zulu Chief Mbilini whose warriors had been definitely a thom in his side for too long.

On the 15th of March, Wood himself reconnoitred the mountain, looking for the best possible route to the top and on the 27th the advance to attack was to take place.

FORCES ENGAGED

British Commander Col. E. Wood

Lieutenant-Colonel Buller's Party -- Captain Gardner, Staff Officer

CORPS OR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AND MEN OFFICER IN COMMAND

Royal Artillery, Rocket Party 7 Maj. Tremlett

Dutch Burghers 32 Mr. Piet Uys

Frontier Light Horse 156 Capt. Barton

Transvaal Rangers 71 Commdt. Raaf

Border Horse 53 Commdt. Weatherley

Baker's Horse 79 Lieut. Wilson

2nd Battalion Wood's Irregulars 277 Maj. Leet, 13th Regt.

Total 675

Lieutenant-Colonel Russell's Party

CORPS OR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AND MEN OFFICER IN COMMAND

Royal Artillery, Rocket Party 10 Lieut. Bigge, R.A.

Mounted Infantry 80 Capt. Browne, 24th Regt.

Basutos 70 Capt. Cochrane, 32nd Regt.

Kaffrarian Rifles 40 Commdt. Schermbrucker

1st Battalion Wood's Irregulars 240 Commdt. Loraine White

Uhamu's People 200 Lieut. Williams, 58th Regt.

Total 640

Zulu

Induna - Mbilini

Chiefs abaQulusi irregulars with elements of either the umCijo or the inGobamakhosi regiments total some 2,000 warriors.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

For the main battle text we have the report prepared by the intelligence branch of the Quartermaster General's Department, the official military report, also a letter written by Lt. Alfred Blaine and Capt. Cecil D'Arcy, Frontier Light Horse. There are no Zulu accounts of interest. The report starts with an earlier action on the 14th March.

WAR OFFICE REPORT On arriving at Kambula on the 14th March Lieutenant-Colonel Russell received an order directing him to follow in support of an expedition under Lieutenant Colonel Buller, which Colonel Wood had himself accompanied. The object of this expedition which had started at daybreak on the 14th, was to bring in a number of Uhamu's tribe who were hiding in caves near the Umkusi river, waiting for an opportunity to join their chief.

Buller's party of mounted men reached these caves which were some 45 miles east of Kambula, about 10 p.m., and the remainder of the night was spent in collecting the tribe. At 9 a.m. the following morning, all were assembled, and the retum joumey was commenced. This was unopposed, except by some longshots fired from the Inhlobana mountain, near which place the retuming party was met by Lieutenant-Colonel Russell and the mounted infantry, who in accordance with Colonel Wood's orders, had left Kambula at 1 a.m. that morning.

The whole party halted at the Zungi mountain on the evening of the 15th, and reached Kambula at 1 p.m. on the 16th. The number of Uhamu's people thus escorted to a place of safety was 958.

Colonel Ward on this occasion had an opportunity of inspecting the southem side of the Inhlobana mountain which appeared to be occupied by about 800 or 1,000 men.

This mountain, like many other eminences in Zululand is table topped, and from its precipitous sides irregular masses of rock have fallen, which lie piled in confusion about the base of the cliffs. The holes which exist among these masses of rock are the so-called "caves" used by the Zulus as hiding places. On the southern side of the mountain there is an almost inaccessible ledge or terrace on which the native kraals were built, but the top of the Inhlobana, which can only be reached by a few difficult paths, was uninhabited, and was used as a place of safety for the cattle belonging to the people who dwelt below.

In the latter part of March, Colonel Wood received a despatch from Lord Chelmsford informing him of the steps he was about to take for the relief of Etshowe, and giving instructions that a diversion was to be made on the 28th March.

Colonel Ward therefore determined to send out a reconnaisance to the Inhlobana mountain, and his orders published on the 26th March, directed that the summit was, if possible, to be gained on the 28th. The force to be employed was to be fumished by the mounted men and native troops, and was divided into two portions to operate against the two ends of the mountain. (The top of the Inhlobana is about 3 miles long). That sent against the eastern end was intended to form the main attacking force, while the other portion was to create a diversion and act in support, but was not to assault the position in the face of serious resistance.

The eastern reconnaissance was to be under Lieutenant-Colonel Buller the western under Lieutenant Colonel Russell, and both these officers were specially enjoined to send out scouts to watch for a large Zulu ammy reported to be advancing on Kambula.

On the 27th March, in accordance with these orders, Lieutenant-Colonel Buller left Kambula with a force of 400 mounted men and 300 natives, and marching about 300 miles, bivouacked some 5 miles to the south east of the mountain.

About noon on the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Russell with 250 mounted men, a rocket detachment, a battalion of Wood's Irregulars and about 150 of Uhamu's people, also left Kambula, and marching about 15 miles bivouacked some 4 miles from the western extremity of the Inhlobana, on the ground occupied on the night of the 15th by the force retuming with Uhamu's tribe.

Colonel Wood with his Staff, [Captain the Honorable Ronald Campbell, Chief Staff Officer, Mr Lloyd, Political Assistant; Lieutenant Lyons, Orderly Officer], an escort of eight mounted infantry and seven [One of these was Vmtonga, Ketchwayo's brother] arrived at Lieutenant Colonel Russell's bivouack at dusk on the 27th, and proceeding eastwards at 3.30 a.m. on the 28th, soon came on Commandant Weatherley with his force on the Border Horse, 54 strong. This party ought to have been with Lieutenant-Colonel Buller's force, but had become separated on the march out.

Buller, who had left his bivouack at 3.30 a.m., was at this time at the north-eastern end of the Inhlobana, and under cover of the morning mist succeeded in reaching the summit. The steep path was hardly passable for mounted men, and as it led up a re-entering angle in the centre of a concavity in the mountain slde, it could not have been traversed in the face of any serious resistance. As it was, the few Zulus who were on the top, though surprised, were able to inflict on the Frontier Light Horse, a loss of two officers killed and one man mortally wounded, in addition to numerous casualties among their horses.

Colonel Wood, who was moving forward, preceded by the Border Horse, on hearing this firing ordered Colonel Weatherley to push on after Buller's forces up the eastern end of the mountain, and proceeded himself in the same direction. Buller was already on the summit, but the track he had taken was marked by the bodies of the dead and wounded horses which had fallen during his ascent. Most of the party with Colonel Wood now dismounted, and leaving their horses below a ledge of rock, advanced on foot. Colonel Wood himself was leading his horse up the steep slope, and, with his Staff and a small escort, was slightly ahead of Weatherley's men, when at a short distance from the top, a severe and well-directed fire was opened on the party from some holes in the rocks above.

By this fire Mr.. Lloyd was mortally wounded, and Colonel Wood's horse was killed, and as these and other casualties appeared to be caused by shots from one cavern in particular, Colonel Wood ordered Colonel Weatherley to send some of his men to the front to dislodge the Zulus from this hiding place. As there was some little delay in obeying this order, Captain Ronald Campbell dashed forward, followed by Lieutenant Lysons and three men of the 90th, but just as they reached the dark entrance of the cavem Captain Campbell fell dead, shot through the head by a Zulu Iying hidden within. His death was speedily avenged by his companions, and the cavem was cleared. Colonel Weatherley and his men now moved on with the object of joining Buller's force on the summit, while Colonel Wood and his escort descended to a ledge to which Mr. Lloyd had been carried. He was now dead so his body, along with that of Captain Campbell, was taken to a spot lower down the hillside, and there both were buried.

Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, on gaining the high plateau which forms the summit of the Inhlobana mountain found it to have a large area of about 3 miles in length by a mile and a half in length. [This would make it between two and three thousand acres]. Some 2,000 head of cattle which had been placed here for safety were now collected, and the Zulus who had been guarding them dispersed. While this was being done, Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, accompanied by Mr. Piet Uys, examined the plateau and the tracks by which a descent from it might be ade. Of these tracks there appeared to be only, three, viz., that at the north-eastern end, by which the ascent had been made, and two at the western end, both of which presented greater natural difficulties than the one already traversed. The path at the north-western point of the mountain however, descended nearly at the apex of a salient angie with long faces, and being thus secure from flanking fire, Lieutenant-Colonel Buller determined to use it for the retreat of a portion of his force.

By this time it was nearly 9 o'clock, and Lieutenant Colonel Buller retuming to the east end of the mountain sent off Captain Barton, his second in command, with a party of 30 men to bury the bodies of the two officers killed during the ascent. All was now quiet on the summit, and Captain Barton was instructed to find Colonel Weatherley, and to retum along with him to Kambula by the route south of the Inhlobana mountain which had been followed the day before.

Very soon after captain Barton's departure Lieutenant-Colonel Buller saw a Zulu ammy, estimated at 20,000 strong, approaching the mountain from the south-east. The army was at this time about 6 miles off, and it was calculated that the force on the mountain would thus have about an hour's start. The retreat however, of that portion of the force ordered back to Kambula by the south of the Inhlobana was seriously threatened by the Zulu advance and two troopers were therefore sent after Captain Barton, telling him to retum "by the right of the mountain," an expression which was intended to convey the idea that his homeward route was to be by the north side, instead of the south as previously arranged.

The captured cattle had by this time been collected by Raaf's Corps and Wood's Irregulars near the western extremity of the plateau which forms the summit of the Inhlobana, and to this point Buller and the force with him now proceeded.

It was considered that a descent by the rugged path at the north-western angle of the mountain previously reconnoitred, would allow the scattered troops on the summit to be united and withdrawn in comparative safety, while they would thus gain the support of Lieutenant Colonel Russell's force, which, as already mentioned, had been directed on this end of the mountain.

To the west of the Inhlobana, and forming a continuation of the same range, is another and smaller plateau about 150 feet below the main plateau occupied by Buller, and on this lower plateau, to which the above mentioned path descended, Russell's force had by about 7 a.m. taken up a position. Viewed from below, this path up the cliffs had appeared so precipitous that Lieutenant Colonel Russell had considered it totally impracticable for horsemen, and had consequently made no attempt to take his party by it to the upper plateau. The mounted infantry, Schermbrucker's Corps, and the Basutos had therefore been drawn up in support of the natives, who were engaged in capturing some cattle on the slopes of the Inhlobana.

As it was impossible from below to see what was occurring on the summlt of the mountain, Lieutenant Colonel Russell sent Captain Browne with 20 men of the mounted infantry to make their way on foot to the upper plateau, and communicate with Buller's party. Captain Brown arrived at the top without opposition, and after speaking to Major Tremlett, R.A, and Major Leet, 1/13th regiment retumed with a report that all was quiet on the upper piateau, and that the path was almost impracticable, even for men on foot.

Colonel Wood, after burying the bodies of Captain Campbell and Mr. Lloyd, retumed to the bottom of the mountain, and was proceeding slowly towards its western end to ascertain how Russell's part had progressed, when at about 10.30 a.m. he became aware of the approach of the Zulu army on his left. On this Lieutenant Lysons was despatched with the following order: -- "10.30 a.m., 28th March, 1879. Colonel Russell, there is a large army coming this way from the south. Get into position on the Zunguin neck. (Signed) E.W." Colonel Wood with his escort then moved on rapidly to this place, the name of which is more correctly written "Zungen nek."

At about 9 a.m., however, Lieutenant-Colonel Russell had himself seen the Zulu army in the distance, and had immediately sent a report, addressed to Colonel Wood, to the upper plateau, where he believed him to be at the time. [This report was received by Lieutenant-Colonel Buller about 9.20.]

At about 10 a.m., in consequence of the rapidity with which the Zulus were approaching, Lieutenant-Colonel Russell had issued orders for his men to abandon the cattle which they had collected and to secure their own retreat to the open country below. The descent from the lower plateau was safely accomplished, and Lieutenant Colonel Russell, sending his native troops back towards Kambula, proceeded to draw up his mounted men on some rising ground near the foot of the Inhlobana, to cover the retreat of Buller's force whom he expected to find falling back towards this point. Before the fommation was completed, the order above quoted was received, and Lieutenant-Colonel Russell consequently prepared to move his force to the Zungen nek.

There was some doubt, however, as to the spot which bore this name, and Lieutenant-Colonel Russell, after consultation with his officers, came to the conclusion that the point to which the order directed him to proceed was that at which the track from Kambula crosses the western portion of the Zungi mountain. To this point, therefore, he moved as rapidly as possible.

The point, however, to which Colonel Wood had gone, and where he intended Lieutenant-Colonel Russell to join him, was at the eastern end of the Zungi mountain, about 6 miles from the spot to which the mounted infantry were now hastening.

The appearance of the Zulu army had not been unperceived by the inhabitants of the Inhlobana mountain, who soon came out from their hiding places and in constantly increasing numbers harassed Buller in his movement towards the western end of the plateau.

When the top of the path leading down the cliff was reached, the serious difficulties of the descent became apparent, while a glance at the lower plateau showed that no support from Russell's party could be counted on, as they had already withdrawn. Buller and his men. however, had no altemative but to continue the retreat to which they were committed, and the descent to the lower plateau was undertaken. The path, as stated above, had been reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Russell as barely practicable for men on foot, and it could only be considered passable by horses by reason of the fact that the rocks of the encircling precipice here presented some appearance of regularity, and fommed a series of ledges from 8 to 12 feet wide, on which an insecure foothold could be obtained, the drop from one ledge to the next being about 3 or 4 feet.

The Native portion of Lieutenant-Colonel Buller's force went down first, their retreat being covered by the mounted men. These men began to descend, the Frontier Light Horse, who formed the rear guard, for a while successfully keeping in check the enemy, who were constantly endeavouring to press closer. Much time, however, was occupied in the descent, and before the bulk of the force had reached the lower plateau the rear guard unfortunately ceased firing, thinking that the approaching Zulus were some of their own natives. The enemy, profiting by this mistake, promptly occupied the rocks close to the line of descent, and poured a hot fire at short range into those who were endeavouring to get their horses over the almost impassable natural obstacles in their way. The casualties, which up to this had not been of much importance, now became serious, as the Zulus succeeded in closing with the assegai on the scattered members of the party. One officer and about 16 men were lost, and at this spot fell Mr. Piet Uys the gallant leader of the Boer Contingent, who had rendered such valuable services to Colonel Wood's column.

The lower plateau was at last reached, but Buller's force was by this time in a very disorganised condition. Many of the men were dismounted, their horses having been lost by falling over the rocks, and if the fears which were entertained of an attack by the main Zulu ammy had been realised, a very serious loss must have ensued. No attack, however, was made by this army, and Buller, having to some extent rallied his men, withdrew towards the Zungi mountain, unmolested except by the Zulus of the Inhlobana, who followed and fired on his party from long range.

Captain Barton, as mentioned above, had been wamed of the approach of the enemy's force, and directed to withdraw "by the right of the mountain." When Captain Barton received this message he was facing the east, and unfortunately came to the erroneous conclusion that he was meant to retreat by the south of the mountain. Having, therefore, been joined by Colonel Weatherley and his party, they proceeded together towards Kambula, till they found themselves within a short distance of the Zulu army, which had by this time approached the Inhlobana so closely as to leave no outlet between its right flank and the mountain. From this critical position they at once sought to extricate themselves by turning about and endeavouring to pass the Ityenteka Nek, in order to gain the safe line of retreat by the north side of the Inhlobana.

It appears that a small portion of the main Zulu army turned aside to pursue them, but the principal opposition was caused by a number of the enemy who descended from the Inhlobana, and barred the pass over the Ityenteka Nek. Through these they endeavoured to cut their way, but hampered by the difficulties of the ground and greatly outnumbered, their efforts were unsuccessful. Colonel Weatherley, his son and all the Border Horse except eight were slain, and Captain Barton with 18 of the Frontier Horse likewise perished. Those who survived reached Kambula late the same evening, being brought in by Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, who, on hearing of what had happened, started again from the camp with a party to render assistance.

Colonel Wood, after ordering Lieutenant-Colonel Russell to the Zungen nek, went himself to this place viz., the low ground at the eastern end of the Zungi mountain. Finding that he was not joined by this officer and his party, Colonel Wood sent a fresh order, directing him to move eastwards from the point to which he had gone, in order to cover the retreat of the natives belonging to Buller's force, who were suffering heavy loss at this time.

Before this order was delivered to Lieutenant-Colonel Russell, he had already, in consequence of the mistake as to the meaning of the term "Zungen nek," taken up his position at the western end of the Zungi mountain, and before he could come to the assistance of the native troops they had been cut off almost to a man, and the Zulus had withdrawn from the pursuit. Russell's force then returned to Kambula, where it arrived between 4 and 5 p.m., unmolested by the Zulu army.

The casualties this day were heavy. Out of Buller's force of 400 Europeans, 92 were killed and 7 wounded, 12 of the former being officers. A heavy loss also occurred among the native troops, but the number has not been ascertained as with the exception of about 50 the whole of Wood's irregulars deserted the same night.

CAPT. CECIL D'ARCY

All the mounted men had to take a very strong position on a mountain called the Hlobane. We got up there, driving the natives before us at every point, although they fought very well. Williams was killed as we charged up the hill, the Baron on the top while he was in command of his troop, a Zulu spotted him from above and shot him right through his head. Barton was sent down a hill with C troop, and just as we got down we saw about three thousand Zulus below us, trying to get between us and our camp; we at once crossed the hill to come down a most awfully steep place; the Dutchmen got to the place rushed to their horses, and bolted as hard as they could go. My troop was left behind, and Blaine myself, and Hutton got them to go quietly down the hill, which was really a fearful place. I had of course to leave the top of the hill; the Zulus all this while were giving us awful pepper from Marlini rifles. I saw, I thought, all our men down, and then considered I had to think of myself, and got half-way down when a stone about the size of a small piano came bounding down; I heard a shout above, 'Look out below', and down the beastly thing came right on my horse's leg, cutting it right off. I at that same time got knocked down the hill by another horse, and was nearly squeezed to death.

I had taken Ihe bridle off, and was about to take the saddle, when I heard a scream; I looked up, and saw the Zulus right in among the white men, stabbing horses and men. I made a jump and got down somehow or other, and ran as hard as I could with seventy rounds of ball cartridge, a carbine, revolver, field glass, and heavy boots. l went some 300 yards when a fellow called Francis got a horse for me, but no saddle or bridle, a riem did for both, when one of the Frontier Light Horse got wounded through the leg, and I had to jump off, put him on my horse, and run again. Colonel Buller saved my life by taking me up behind him on his horse, then Blaine, who had been keeping the natives off in the rear, saw me (as after I got my breath I got off the Colonel's horse) and he nearly cried when he met me, all the fellows thinking I had been killed on top of the hill.

He behaved as he always does, and stuck to me, and pulled me through the second time, The third time a major of the Artillery, Tremlett by name, took me up behind. Our men and officers all behaved well, but the other volunteers were what Major Robinson would call a 'big rabble'. We lost many white men and a number of natives. The Frontier Light Horse lost three officers and twenty-four non-commissioned officers and men, and sixty-six horses. Each of our men arrived in camp with another man behind him.

LIEUT. ALFRED BLAINE

On the morning of the 27th we started with Colonel Buller, our strength about 500 mounted men and natives. The first night we slept about four miles from the mountain, our horses stool ringed and saddled-up the whole night. In the morning, before daylight, we started for the mountain, which we reached just as the day began to break. As soon as we got to the foot of the mountain one shot was fired by the enemy. We then got the order to go up in skirmishing order as fast as we could which we did to the best of our ability. The Zulus poured bullets into us from two spots as we went up, and we did the same to them. We lost one of our officers, Williams, and two or three horses.

As soon as we got up, we mounted our horses and rode along the top for a little way, then dismounted and took up our positions all along the ridge of the mountain. There we fought for two or three hours.... At last an order came for us to retire to the other side of the mountain, which we did, and immediately we moved off the Kaffirs came out in hundreds and let us have it. We had not gone very far when another order came to tell us to go back to our positions, as the first order was a mistake, and only one corps was intended to retire, so we rode back as hard as we could, and found the positions we had just left occupied by the Kaffirs. We succeeded in taking our place, and we fought with them for about half an hour, when, to our horror, we saw an enormous impi coming down from the opposite range to reinforce the Hlobane Zulus. We saw at once it would be all up with us if we did not cut quickly, so the order was given to stand to our horses and retire, which we did in good order until we got to the steep, stony krantz which we had to go down.

It was just possible for men to go down with horses in single file; but the Kaffirs were behind us in hundreds, and everyone was so anxious to get down that we got all jammed up. Then an awful confusion took place.... The Kaffirs got in amongst us and assegaied our fellows. We could not hit them even with our carbines, for we were too jammed up. The officers could not use their swords. A lot of us got down, and then we rallied our fellows and made a stand for a time. We retired fighting, the Zulus were the whole time within a hundred yards behind us sometimes even closer. They did not fire much, but were evidently trying to assegai. We lost no end of horses, and men jumped up behind others. Both Buller and myself were riding one for some time. D'Arcy's horse fell down the krantz and broke his leg, so he was dismounted, but we soon put him up behind us. The Hlobane retreat was a most awful affair. Never do I wish to see another day like it.

We retired well, but I shall never forget the Kaffirs getting in amongst us and assegaing our poor fellows. Some of the cries for mercy from the poor fellows brought tears into our eyes. We lost over a hundred officers and men. No men ever fought more pluckily than the Zulus, they are brave men indeed.

BATTLE PROFILE

This action was never going to be easy; mounted units climbing up terrain where a mountain goat would have problems. Initially the Zulu warriors withdrew beforethe advance of the various mounted columns, seeking the safety of the many caves and rock hide-outs. But once they realised the white men's strength was so small many warriors reappeared started to harass the struggling columns with progressively accurate rifle fire.

Contact with the individual attacking units and trying to ensure a co ordinated attack was impossible for Wood, as units lost there way or their advance was held up due the poor terrain.

The appearance of the Zulu Impi on its way to Khambula was monumental bad luck. But it was known to be in the area and it was expected to arrive any day begging the question was the attack such a good idea. Even without the presence of the main Zulu lmpi the attack would not of been altogether successful in damaging Mbilini force and due to the scattered nature of the mounted units they would still of had a hard time of it descending back down Hlobane with the mountain top warriors growing in boldness and numbers.

WARGAMING HLOBANE

This action is one that can be played both full scale wargame style or using a reduced 1-1 scale.

As smooth surface is required I suggest you use the by now much mentioned book and cloth method, if no sculptured terrain is at hand. (Take a trip to a local quarry, or if you have a few pound spare buy a large sand rock from your DIY store, smash a little with a hammer and you have your rocks. Sprinkle over some sand and green scatter and you have your convincing mountain, add the odd small Zulu Kraal for appeal.

The following are suggestions to recreate the action:

2. The British Player should draw his attack plan on paper before the game.

3. The British force should be in one column at the start of the game, splitting up for its attack.

4. If a British unit passes one of the chosen routes up the mountain, on its way to another one, it should roll a dice to see if it mistakenly chooses this one to climb the mountain;

56 - Has to use other route.

5. Arrival of Zulu Impi - the Zulu player should pick a card from a pack, not showing the British player, putting it face down somewhere visible for future verification. The number on card is the game period the Impi arrives on the table.

Direction of Zulu Impi's approach.

CASUALTIES: British

CORPS OR DPT KILLED WOUNDED

OFFICERS NCO & MEN OFFICERS NCO & MEN

Frontier Light Horse Capt Barton, Coldstream GuardsLt. Williams 26 Capt. Brusseau 2

Burgher Force Mr. Piet Uys - - -

Transvaal Rangers Capt. P.R.Hamilton 6 - 2

Border Horse* Lt-Col. Weatherley
Adjt. Lys
Lieut. Poole
Sub-Lt. Weatherley
Sub-Lt. Parminder 39 - 1

Baker's Horse Staff Capt. Hon. R. Campbell 8 - 1

Wood's Irregulars Capt. Potter**
Lt. Dunscombe - - -

Mounted Infantry Lt. Williams, 58th - - 1

Uhamu's People (Number killed uncertain, probably about 80)

Total 15 79 1 7

*Trooper Grandier, who afterwards rejoined, is not included
**Missing, Number killed uncertain
CASUALTIES: Zulu

Negligible

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