[264] These squadrons, when preparing to move from Dundee to Helpmakaar, got orders on the 20th to move to Chaka's Kraal, on the north coast. The destination was altered to Stanger and, on 21st, to Otimati, for which latter place the troops marched from Stanger on the 22nd, having by then been joined by C Battery, N.F.A. (Major Currie); Durban Reserves (Chief Leader N. Chiazzari); and the Indian Stretcher-bearers (Sergt.-Major M.K. Gandhi). The column was placed under the command of Lieut.-Col. W. Arnott.
[265] Although giving the command to Arnott, Leuchars accompanied the column, and, with his staff officer (Major Carter), witnessed the operations from the field gun position referred to later on in the text.
[266] Probably the first time this type of gun was used in action.
[267] The artillery fired about fifteen rounds, viz. shrapnel, from C. To begin with, the shells burst on graze; later on, good bursts were obtained.
[268] This squadron had been sent out in the morning to patrol near Tugela. It arrived at a most opportune moment.
[XVII.]
GENERAL CONCENTRATION AT THRING'S POST.—ACTIONS AT MACRAE'S STORE, INSUZE AND PONJWANA.—CONVERGING MOVEMENT ON MESENI'S WARD.
McKenzie reached Krantzkop on the same day that the action at Peyana[269] was fought. He met and discussed the position with the Acting Commandant (Major-General Sir John Dartnell)[270] and Leuchars on the 29th June. Owing to its appearing that disaffection was spreading from Mapumulo towards Tongaat, and not being confined to Mapumulo division, as had been supposed, he gave up the idea he had first entertained of trying to force the rebels towards the Tugela, where they would have found themselves opposed by Mansel and Woolls-Sampson on the Zululand side, for one that involved a far more extensive field of operations. In pursuance of the fresh plan, Barker (then at Middle Drift) was detached from Mansel,[271] and, on account of being closer than Mackay, and having mule-transport which had been resting a few days, was sent round by Dalton and Great Noodsberg to take up a position at Esidumbini, that is, on the far or south-western side of the disturbed area. Barker reached Krantzkop from Middle Drift on the 29th. He left the same afternoon and got to Dalton on the 30th. On the night of the 29th, two guns, A Battery, N.F.A., were pushed forward to reinforce him, as it was reported the enemy was in force at the junction of Umvoti and Hlimbitwa rivers. The artillery was sent, as it appeared possible to shell the rebels from the slopes of Noodsberg and drive them back to the sphere of intended operations, viz. that part of Umvoti valley occupied chiefly by Meseni's and Swaimana's people. Woolls-Sampson was instructed to move viâ Bond's Drift and Bulwer to Thring's Post, whilst Mansel, supplemented by such police as, up till then, had been attached to Woolls-Sampson's column, proceeded to the position just vacated by the latter column.[272] A detachment of D.L.I. formed a garrison at Bond's Drift. At this point was a large railway bridge connecting Natal with the coastal districts of Zululand. Mackay's column, by this time hastening to concentrate with the other troops at Thring's Post, reached Krantzkop at mid-day on the 30th, only to move later the same day towards its destination.