McKenzie had decided on the general movement referred to because of the main body of the enemy being camped at the grave and having with them large herds of cattle. The route to this spot was more difficult for the troops on Nomangci than for those at Fort Yolland or Ntingwe. The one selected was viâ Gcongco, Gcongco being an abnormally steep spur abutting on the Insuze, barely a mile from the Mome stream.[192] Owing to lack of intelligence as to the precise nature of the spur, there was, at starting, some doubt as to whether the troops, especially mounted men, would be able to descend it with safety. Barker was directed to proceed down the Msukane neck and along the Insuze valley. Mansel, who was to bring transport, was to bivouack at Mfanefile's store at Maqonga hill on the 16th, and move forward on 17th viâ Mkalazi and Insuze valleys. The time fixed for the columns to arrive at the grave was 11 a.m.
The descent of Gcongco was accomplished without accident, whereupon McKenzie,[193] seeing Barker coming down the valley, and noticing that his own force would strike the road before Barker could get up, did not trouble about his rear-guard, beyond sending back a D.L.I. Maxim as support, when the enemy was slightly engaged and Pte. Williams wounded. The main body thereupon made straight for the grave. A large number of cattle and goats were captured by London's levies near Tate gorge.
Barker, who had left Ntingwe at 3 a.m., proceeded through the neck referred to and along a bridle path in single file. The enemy, as day broke, was seen descending Macala heights, streaming on to high ground on Barker's right flank. Recognizing the disadvantages the column must be under if attacked, an effort was made as speedily as possible to reach more open country. Shortly after the advanced guard and main body had come on to open ground, the rear-guard, consisting of the N.D.M.R., was attacked from Macala. The guard, in command of Abraham, assisted by a squadron sent back from the main body, succeeded in driving off the enemy, who made no further attempt to follow. About six rebels were killed. One of the officers, Lieut. H. Wilkins, N.D.M.R., was wounded in the arm with an assegai whilst crossing a drift. Barker reached the grave about 11.30 a.m.
Had intimation of the intended combined movement reached him earlier, Leuchars might, in conjunction with Barker, have made an effective raid through the Macala hills and got in touch with the other columns. As it was, he crossed at Hot Springs at 10 a.m. and moved in a northerly direction on to a high ridge running eastwards from Macala, where a column near the grave (McKenzie's), and another near Komo (Mansel's), were sighted. Owing to a mishap, Leuchars' signallers had not reached him, so it was impossible to reply to the heliograph flashing from the first-mentioned column. A few rebels were observed making along the ridges towards Macala; these were chased in a dashing manner by the Reserves. From 150 to 200 rebels were then observed congregated on a knoll (Simakade) towards which the Reserves, who had become scattered, were making; the U.M.R. were thereupon pushed forward at a hand gallop, when the enemy fled to the bush at Macala, eight being killed and others wounded.
One of those wounded by the Reserves was no other than the notorious emissary from Dinuzulu, Cakijana, the man who, as alleged, had been sent from Usutu to Mpanza to help Bambata start the Rebellion. Cakijana had formed one of the party that emerged from Macala bush the same morning and attacked Barker's rear-guard all the way from Umzilingwana stream to that of Lugada, near the Tate gorge. Repulsed by Barker, they made towards Nomtulwa hill with the view of joining those who had remained behind with Mangati; but on getting to the hill they came upon Leuchars' Reserves, who at once made for them, as above described. They succeeded in joining Mangati, who, seeing the Reserves scattered and unsupported, contemplated attack. The plan was, however, frustrated by the main body of the U.M.R. moving smartly up, upon which Mangati and his men disappeared over the slopes to the west. Cakijana, dressed in khaki tunic and breeches, with leather gaiters and helmet, ran in the direction of Masolosolo stream. He was quite tired out, having shortly before given over his rifle to another, when he was fired at and struck in the calf of the left leg—a flesh wound.
Mansel's column was late in coming up, owing to difficulties with the transport. Neither McKenzie nor Barker had brought any transport. Had Mansel deployed at Bobe, it would have considerably assisted the enveloping movement, and prevented a number of the enemy from escaping into the forests. By 4 p.m. all the columns had joined hands. They bivouacked for the night near the grave, not far from the junction of the Nkunzana and Insuze rivers.
The result of the day's operations was somewhat disappointing. The enemy's losses, however, must have been heavier than the twelve actually seen dead, especially in the engagement with Barker's rear-guard.
About 800 head of cattle and 1,500 goats were captured, besides the 150 cattle driven off by Leuchars' column. Many kraals belonging to the insurgents were burnt, including a large number of temporary war-huts near the grave. "A gale of wind," says McKenzie, "was blowing at the time, and the grass on the fringe of Cetshwayo's grave caught alight, but no damage was done to the trees of the plantation surrounding the grave. It was an unavoidable incident. Most stringent orders, which I am pleased to say were strictly carried out, were issued to all columns to prevent the desecration in any way of the grave. The matter was at once reported to Mr. Saunders, so that the true facts could be conveyed to Dinuzulu."[194] The Commissioner advised Dinuzulu accordingly.
McKenzie's column, with those of Barker and Mansel, formed a combined camp a few hundred yards south of the grave and on the site of what had, for a month, been the enemy's recognized headquarters. The strength of the camp was about 1,700 (mostly mounted men), exclusive of about 2,000 Natives (levies).
Leuchars' force moved back down a steep ridge that led towards the Tugela at Ndundumeni, and immediately below Macala, where it bivouacked (Zululand side). At 7.30 p.m., however, the column crossed and bivouacked in Natal. Leuchars gave strict orders for all camp fires to be left burning, whilst no lights were to be struck when on the march. The crossing of an unknown drift on a pitch dark night was carried out without mishap.