[172] It appeared later I had greatly under-estimated the Zulu force, imagining it was the Makulusi regiment only, but the High Commissioner learnt from his agent, and reported to the Secretary of State, not only was the Makulusi routed and dispersed, but that the Nodwengu and Udloko regiments shared in their fate. Later, Sir Bartle Frere wrote: “The Zulus are greatly impressed with the skill with which this force (Colonel Wood’s) has been handled, and are afraid it may push on to the Inhlazatze, and threaten the Royal Kraal.”
[173] They were drawn from the Border Zulus I enlisted at Luneberg in November, and attached to battalions, 6 to each company; their powers of hearing were extra *ordinary; they could see farther than we could with field glasses,—their vision was surpassed only by the telescope. They lived near the battalion cooking fires, and were the cause of considerable difficulty with respect to their clothing. I could not buy soldiers’ greatcoats in Africa, but it was the dumping ground of cast-off full dress uniforms of the British Army, and I obtained from Maritzburg old Cavalry tunics, those of the Heavy Dragoon Guards being the only ones into which the Zulus could squeeze their bodies, and in these it was only the top buttons that would meet.
[174] The nervous Chief who feared I was going to arrest him in September.
[175] Sir Bartle Frere eulogised my agent, Captain Macleod, and me for our “temper, judgment, and patience” in getting Uhamu over from his brother; and a Zulu agent told Bishop Colenso, and Sir Bartle later, that Cetewayo’s altered tone was due to the defection of Uhamu.
[176] General Woodgate, mortally wounded at Spion Kop.
[177] Both killed in action a fortnight later.
[178] Now Colonel Sir Arthur Bigge.
[179] Lately Colonel Commanding a battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment; now on Staff in India.
[180] Horses are linked by a headrope being passed through the head collar, and then through that of the next horse.
[181] They both received the Victoria Cross.