MARCH TO ULUNDI. 
155 
Barracks. The men were in fours, and merely faced outward when 
halted; they therefore were at double intervals, not like an ordinary 
square of four ranks. The two kneeling ranks kept their double 
intervals, the fourth rank closed up, making with the third rank 
one standing rank at ordinary intervals. The infantry fire from 
the 2nd Division was principally by vollies, which keep the men much 
steadier. 
The square soon wheeled to its right, advanced towards Ulundi, 
and soon halted. The guns took up their positions either a little in 
front of the line of infantry or in gaps formed for the purpose. They 
unlimbered, and the limbers went inside the square. Masses of the 
enemy were seen all round at from 2 to 3000 yds. off, and our mounted 
men were soon engaged. General Wood now asked Lord Chelmsford 
for two guns to be placed at the left-front angle, and I was going to 
bring up the two 7-prs. of Lt.-Col. Harness' battery; but Gen. Wood 
wanted 9-prs., so I sent for the two under Lieut. Eliot from the left- 
rear corner. The Flying Column now had six guns and two Gatlings 
distributed along the front of its infantry, with two guns on each 
flank dividing it from the 2nd Division, while the 2nd Division had 
two guns on its front and two on each flank. I notice this particularly, 
because there has often been an impression that the 2nd Division 
infantry being all young untried regiments, were not so much to be 
depended upon as the Flying Column. It is, however, quite evident 
from this disposition of his artillery that Lord Chelmsford did not 
think so, as he would not in that case have supported his best infantry 
with nearly all his artillery. 
By 8.30 the mounted men were engaged all round, and by 8.45 
they were inside the square. The guns opened at about 2300 yds. 
range, and made good practice before the columns broke up to 
skirmish. Soon the infantry began, and the attack seemed to be 
first more on the front and right face. The No. 1 at a 7-pr. at 
right front angle was killed, and Lieut. Davidson, at the same guns, 
knocked down by a bullet, almost at the commencement of the action, 
and these guns began firing case rapidly; the Gatlings also lost two 
men wounded, and fired about 3000 rounds, but they jammed several 
times. The fire got pretty heavy from all sides, but so badly directed 
that it nearly all passed over our heads. At the right-rear angle, 
where the two guns of N/6 were between the 21st and 58th, the 
formation of the ground enabled the enemy to approach closer, and 
the casualties among the officers here was larger. One Zulu was killed 
within 40 yds. of the square. Major Le Grice's guns made excellent 
practice; they fired 11 rounds a gun, N/5 fired the same, and 10/7 
22 rounds a gun. The Zulus began to retreat about 9.20, and the- 
retreat became rapid and general; the 17th Lancers, and then the 
mounted infantry, &c., and afterwards the natives, followed them up. 
Two of Major Le Grice's guns then followed, and made excellent 
practice at some bodies of Zulus who were reforming on the hills. 
Captain Crookenden also fired a few rockets into Nodwengo, which 
had been occupied by the enemy during the action. I rode round the 
outside of the square with Captain Alexander, R.A,, and we counted 
