The Official Army List, 1911, Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, E.C.
[188] It was, at the date in question, disposed as follows:—At Dundee—Transvaal Mounted Rifles, 500 (Lieut.-Col. W.F. Barker); Royston's Horse, 550 (Lieut.-Col. J.R. Royston); section, Natal Field Artillery (two pompoms), 25; half a company of Durban Light Infantry, 55; detachments of Medical, Veterinary, Signalling and Service Corps. At Ntingwe—Zululand Mounted Rifles, 90 (Major W.A. Vanderplank); Northern District Mounted Rifles, 150 (Major J. Abraham). At Komo Hill (Fort Yolland)—Natal Naval Corps, 106 (Commander F. Hoare); section, Natal Field Artillery, 35 (two 15-pounders); Natal Police, 200 (Lieut.-Col. G. Mansel); Zululand Native Police, 90 (Major C. Fairlie). At Eshowe—Two companies, Durban Light Infantry, 210 (25 mounted) (Major J. Nicol). At Gingindhlovu—Half a company, Durban Light Infantry, 55.
[XI.]
CONVERGING MOVEMENT ON CETSHWAYO'S GRAVE.—NEGOTIATIONS FOR SIGANANDA'S SURRENDER.—FURTHER OPERATIONS, NKANDHLA.—TATE GORGE.
The force that arrived at Empandhleni with McKenzie on the 8th May rested on the 9th. Intelligence, at this time, went to show that Bambata, with his own adherents and a few others, had gone to Macala.[189] After enquiring into the position, McKenzie realized the impossibility of starving the rebels out "by sitting quietly on the hills and allowing them to collect provisions everywhere at night." He considered it necessary to operate at once, and to begin by destroying all their kraals and supplies.
At 4 a.m. on the 10th, the T.M.R., under Barker, left for Ntingwe, to strengthen that important strategical post. The country to be traversed was exceptionally rough, especially at Mdunduzeli ridge. The result was that the waggons, much too heavily laden, could not reach their destination the same day. With even the lightest loads, a journey of thirty-five to forty miles with ox transport over country such as this was obviously impossible. Two squadrons were detached the same day and pushed forward to reinforce Vanderplank, who anticipated attack at Ntingwe. It required the whole of the 11th for the transport to ascend the ridge referred to, some five miles long. At 12.30 a.m., 12th, messengers arrived at Ntingwe from Capt. C.E. Ligertwood, who had bivouacked with the transport on top of Mdunduzeli, to say the enemy was concealed in force in a forest close by, evidently with the intention of attacking at daylight. The two squadrons referred to immediately saddled up and returned, reaching Ligertwood about 3.30 a.m. Everything was quiet and in order. Half-a-dozen waggons had, however, capsized. That day the waggons got on to Kombe forest. Shortly after daybreak on the 13th, Tpr. H.C. Maw, I.L.H. squadron, went in search of his horse. When near the edge of a bush, he was sniped from within it and mortally wounded. The troops immediately lined a ridge running parallel and volleyed three or four times into the forest; nothing, however, could be seen of the enemy. The whole force, including the transport, reached Ntingwe about mid-day on the same day. Maw died the following morning at Ntingwe, where he was buried.
McKenzie, with the remainder of the troops, including Mackay's, made a reconnaissance in force at 4.30 a.m. on the 10th to the top of Nomangci ridge, overlooking Mome gorge. Some thirty mounted Native scouts were sent ahead under a European officer. A few of these, on reaching the summit, were fired at by rebels from a stone shelter at the top of a kopje on the left. After the troops (N.C.) had come up and a couple of volleys had been fired at the shelter, the enemy vacated it and fled into a forest close by. An examination was now made of the country round about Green Hill, whereupon the force moved along Nomangci ridge and the northern edges of the forest to the vicinity of Sisusa peak. Here the scouts, among whom was Chief Sitshitshili, a splendid specimen of a brave and loyal Zulu,[190] proceeded to lower ground on the south where some rebel kraals were burnt and stock captured. On withdrawing in the early afternoon, McKenzie left three squadrons of Carbineers concealed close to the kopje referred to, in the hope of surprising the enemy. The ruse, however, proved unsuccessful.