“There can be little doubt that this raid has been made in retaliation for the one that was made into the Zulu country opposite the Krans Kop by a force under Major Twentyman, of Her Majesty’s 4th Regiment, on the 20th May, and which was reported to you in my despatch of the 31st of that month.”—(P. P. [C. 2454] p. 150).
Thus the opinions expressed in Sir H. Bulwer’s despatch of 24th May were to some extent justified, with the probability of a blood-feud being set up between the two border populations, and widening the breach between ourselves and the Zulu people; and with it the increased difficulty of obtaining a satisfactory settlement for the future.
CHAPTER XIX.
REINFORCEMENTS—ISANDHLWANA REVISITED.
During the latter part of March and April reinforcements kept steadily pouring into Natal, and with them four general officers—Major-General the Hon. H. H. Clifford, V.C., C.B., who was stationed at Pietermaritzburg, to command at the base of operations; Major-General Crealock, C.B., to command No. 1 Division, concentrating on the Lower Tugela; Major-General Newdigate, to command No. 2 Division, head-quarters Dundee; and Major-General Marshall, to command the Cavalry Brigade attached to No. 2 Division; Brigadier-General Wood, V.C., C.B., retaining his previous command—to be styled the Flying Column.
By the middle of March the available force consisted of an effective strength of non-commissioned officers and men—Imperial troops, 7520; volunteer cavalry, etc., 1367; Europeans, attached to native contingents, 495; making a total of 9382 Europeans, with 5769 natives.—(P. P. [C. 2316] p. 85).
No operations of any consequence took place beyond concentrating troops and forwarding supplies. On the 20th April, Lord Chelmsford reported that Major-General Crealock had taken up his command and, if transport arrangements permitted, would shortly commence operations. Major-General Newdigate was on his way to his command.
The reinforcements alone considerably exceeded the strength of the force with which the war was so rashly undertaken. They consisted of the 1st Dragoon Guards, 17th Lancers; 21st, 57th, 58th, 60th, 88th (one company), 91st, 94th Foot; two batteries Royal Artillery, and detachments from St. Helena and Mauritius; one company and half C troop Royal Engineers; drafts for various regiments; detachments of Army Service and Army Hospital Corps; etc. etc.;—a total (including the staff embarked in February from England) of 387 officers and 8901 men.
But even after the arrival of this enormous accession of strength, further reinforcements of three battalions were demanded “for reserve and garrison purposes.”—(P. P. [C. 2367] p. 162).
At the end of April the effective force was: