150 
MARCH TO ULUNDI. 
the cavalry brigade staff had gone back to the frontier from the 
Upoko camp. 
The 24th Regt. and N/6 marched off at 7, so as to get across a bad 
bit of ground q,t the top of the hill by 8. We then advanced a little, 
and ontspanned to feed, the wagons doing the same in succession, and 
about 11 a.m. we began again to advance. A great deal of grass 
about here has been burnt, as well as some mealie fields. We 
encamped on the west side of the Ibabanango Spruit, the rear of 
the column getting in about 4. The laager was 300 yds. x 200 yds., 
with two traverses across it; great grass fires all round. 
June 21st .—The ox-wagons began crossing the spruit at 6.30 a.m., 
and forming up in succession. The first divisions of them fed the cattle 
until 9.30, when the leading brigade crossed, and advanced several miles 
across a fine open plateau, until about noon, when we arrived at the top 
of a high steep hill looking into a deep valley surrounded on all sides, 
except towards the south, by steep broken hills, and much intersected 
by dongas. The leading battery and regiment took up a position 
here, while the wagons descended into the valley, in the far end 
of which General Wood's wagons were still to be seen struggling 
through. Altogether this would have been a very favourable spot for 
the enemy to have attacked us; but either they were not sufficiently 
enterprising, or the scouting was so well done by the mounted men 
under Colonel Lowe, 17th Lancers, and Colonel Buffer, 60th Rifles, 
that the enemy had no chance, and we were never disturbed on the 
march. 
The laager was not completed on the west bank of the Umlatoosi by 
5.30, when a violent thunderstorm passed over us, and the 24th Regt., 
which was the rear-guard, did not get in tiff past 8. General Wood's 
camp was on the east bank of the river. 
June 22nd [Sunday ).—General Wood's column marched off early. 
The 2nd Division halted, and, after divine service, as there was an 
abundant supply of water, and a hot sun and fresh breeze, the day 
was employed in bathing, and washing the men's clothes, and the 
cattle got a good feed, as there was plenty of grass about. 
June 23rd ,—The ox-wagons began crossing the river at 6.30 a.m., 
outspanned and fed, the rear divisions of them feeding round the camp. 
At 9.30 a.m. JST/6 and some infantry crossed, and at once moved up a 
very steep hill, followed by the wagons which had first crossed. It was 
only by outspanning on the road in this manner that the cattle got 
any food, as they all had to be in laager soon after 5 p.m., and could 
not be let out much before 7 a.m. 
We continued on a broad ridge for some time, tiff we came to a 
sharp descent to our right, and we laagered on one of the spurs of a 
range of steep hills. General Wood's force was on several spurs to 
our left rear, but more on the direct road to IJlundi. We could see 
the kraals about Ulundi to-day for the first time. The country on our 
right is a bolder range of hills and more wooded, and on these exposed 
hills it is very cold. 
