[275] On the left of the road, the enemy had been concealed at the head of a small valley. Vide map and inset.
[276] A brief report on this gun, which was first used at Peyana, will be found on p. 419.
[277] The New Hanover Reserves assembled at Noodsberg Hall, by direction of the Acting Commandant, on the 27th June. On the 28th, a patrol visited the Swedish mission station (Rev. J.F. Ljungquist), under the Great Noodsberg, when a small body of the enemy was seen on the top of the mountains. Mdungazwe reported that the rebels were doing their best to incite people of his and other tribes to rise. As word had come in that Butler's store had been looted at Insuze, the whole of the Reserves, including Messrs. W. Dickens, M. Jackson, J.H. Culverwell and H. Jacobson, left to visit the place, but, on discovering a party of the enemy driving some thirty cattle near the Newspaper Mission Station, two miles from Butler's, the project was abandoned after capturing the cattle. The rebels now assembled in larger numbers at Newspaper, and rumours of an intended attack on the Hall were freely circulated. It was at this stage that Ehlers got into touch with Barker at Dalton.
[278] On moving from the Hall to rejoin his column, Barker left the Reserves where they were, but when he received warning a few hours later of a possibility of his being attacked by strong bodies of the enemy, he ordered them to attach themselves to his column.
[279] There was no opportunity for Barker to obtain levies from local tribes until the 7th. He was then joined by men of those of Mdungazwe and Mahlube, who gave much assistance in seizing cattle and locating rebels.
[280] The owner of this kraal, Kati, was a member of the Natal Police. Kati did not fight at Insuze, but did so at Ponjwana (Sikota's kraal), where he was killed.
[281] This impi was found crouching, their faces towards the drift, in a slight grassy depression at D, about 150 yards in rear of the kraal from which the first attack had come. Although concealed from the troops at the drift or police station, it became easily visible, owing to there being no cover, as soon as men began to move towards its right rear.
[282] This hill was between four and five miles from the camp, and on the far side of, and about 1,000 yards from, Sikota's.
[283] Vide plan.
[284] The regiment now, for the first time during the Rebellion, operated under its O.C. As to its strength, see note 2, p. 191.