FOOTNOTES:
[251] Nkandhla column: C squadron N.C.; N.D.M.R.; Z.M.R.; 150 N.P.; pompom section, N.F.A.; and 3 companies N.R. The N.P. at this time had only one officer, Sub-Inspector F.B.E. White. Royston was, at the same time, given command of a column, known as Royston's Brigade, consisting of R.H.; D.L.I.; 4 companies, B, C, G, and H, Natal Rangers; and one section, 15 pounders, B battery, N.F.A.
Before the O.C. Troops left Nomangci, his Intelligence Officer, Capt. E.J.B. Hosking, asked for a squadron in order to search for Bambata's body, said to be lying in the Mome gorge. The application however, could not be granted, as there were no men to spare, and because McKenzie realized that, if Bambata was dead, his body could no doubt be recovered later. Under the circumstances, it was certainly wiser to act on the assumption, weak though it was, that Bambata was still at large, than on the far stronger one that he was already dead, and that, therefore, absolute proof of such fact was necessary.
[252] From ufa or ulufa, a crack.
[253] Conclusive as is the evidence as to Bambata's death, strong rumours nevertheless got afloat shortly after the Rebellion that he was still alive and in hiding, first in one part of Zululand then in another. To this day, there are Natives and Europeans who believe the rumours, but such beliefs have probably been formed without due consideration of the facts here set forth. For the most part, they rest on the mere fact that Bambata's wife, Siyekiwe, did not go into mourning. Under normal conditions, this would undoubtedly have been an important criterion, but the conditions were clearly very abnormal.
[254] This officer had been to explain more thoroughly than could be done on paper the particular problems that confronted the troops at Nkandhla.
[255] It was composed as follows: N.D.M.R. (with one Maxim), 198; Z.M.R. (with three Rexer guns), 99; N.P., 147; N.R. (three companies, A, D and E), 290; N.F.A. (one 15-pounder and two pompoms), 26; departmental corps, 19; staff, 11. Total, 790. There were also Native levies (Lieut. W.H. London).
[256] Woolls-Sampson was ordered to Empandhleni. Leaving his infantry at Ensingabantu store, he reached Empandhleni with the rest of the force on the 22nd. The D.L.I., detached from Royston's brigade, joined Woolls-Sampson, whilst three companies of Rangers (A, D and E), under Boyd-Wilson, became attached to Royston, in lieu of B, C, G and H, whose disposition is referred to further on. The N.F.A. (B battery), moreover, detached from Royston's brigade, returned to Empandhleni to join Mackay, whilst N.F.A. (two guns, 15-pounders), detached from Mackay, joined Royston.
Mackay was directed on the 22nd to move to Empandhleni as speedily as possible.
Dick, with N.R. (C, F, G and H companies), left on the 23rd for Fort Yolland. He had with him 40 N.N.H. B company, N.R. remained as garrison at Empandhleni. He moved to Middle Drift on the 26th, to Krantzkop on the 28th, and to Thring's Post on the 2nd July.