The relief took place none too soon, there being then but six days’ further supply of reduced rations available for the garrison.
“From first to last, the men showed an excellent spirit, the highest discipline was maintained, and the reduction of the food was never grumbled at or regarded in any other light than a necessity and a privation to be borne, and which they were determined to bear cheerfully.”—(P. P. [C. 2367] p. 39).
CHAPTER XVIII.
NGINGINDHLOVU—RELIEF OF ETSHOWE—BORDER RAIDING.
Lord Chelmsford, having moved down to Durban, reports (February 8th) that No. 1 Column is secure at Etshowe; that he is about to forward troops to the Lower Tugela; and that Durban, Stanger, Pietermaritzburg, and Greytown are prepared for defence, “with garrisons which should prevent panic among those living around;” the frontier quiet, and the road from Greytown quite open.
The first reinforcement for Natal was brought by H.M.S. Shah, which chanced to be at St. Helena (on her voyage home from the Pacific), when the news of the disaster in Zululand arrived. Captain Bradshaw, R.N., immediately decided to proceed to Natal with his ship; the Governor, after consultation with the officer commanding the troops, Colonel Philips, R.E., arranging to send in her all the available force that could be spared from the island. Accordingly she sailed on February 12th, with 3 officers and 52 men of the Royal Artillery, and 2 officers and 109 men of the 88th Regiment.
H.M.S. Boadicea also arrived on the station, bringing Commodore Richards, who relieved Rear-Admiral Sullivan, C.B.
Communications had been established with Etshowe by means of flashing signals, which were conducted by Lieutenant Haynes, R.E., who, after some failure and discouragement at first, persevered until complete success was attained.
Previous to this there had been no communications with Colonel Pearson for a considerable time, but on March 11th a cypher message from him (dated 9th) said that the flashing signals had been understood, and that as officers and men were generally sickly, it would be desirable to relieve the whole of the garrison, and that any relieving force should bring a convoy and be prepared to fight.—(P. P. [C. 2316] p. 81).
On March 16th the signals from Etshowe were first made out, and one of the messages received was: “Short rations until 3rd April. Breadstuffs until 4th April. Plenty of trek oxen. Captain Williams, ‘The Buffs,’ died at Ekowe on 13th March” (ibid. p. 83).