For the past and recent history of this fine regiment, the reader could not do better than consult the following work: The Natal Carbineers, 1856 to 1911. Edited by Rev. John Stalker, M.A.—P. Davis & Sons, Pietermaritzburg, Natal. 1912.
[285] Woolls-Sampson's, Mackay's and Leuchars' columns were composed as follows: Woolls-Sampson—N.M.R., 300 (Murray-Smith); N.D.M.R., 200 (Abraham); Z.M.R., 100 (James); and one squadron R.H. (Cape), 85 (Simmons).
Mackay—N.C. Right Wing (Barker); Left Wing (Brandon), 560; L and Y, 150 (Peakman); N.R., 350 (Dick); N.F.A., two guns, A battery (Wilson), two guns, B battery (Acutt), and two guns (pompoms), (Swain).
Leuchars—U.M.R., 270 (Newmarch); B.M.R., 160 (Arnott); N.C., D squadron, 89 (Montgomery); N.F.A., two guns, C battery (Currie).
[286] At 3 a.m. on the 15th, a fire suddenly broke out at the field hospital, Thring's Post, owing to a hurricane blowing about fragments from a burning rubbish heap. The medical officer (Dr. R. Milner Smyth) assisted by others, succeeded with considerable difficulty, in rescuing the patients (one of them, the man referred to in the text) from their burning tents.
[XVIII.]
ACTION AT IZINSIMBA.—CONCLUDING OPERATIONS.—DISBANDMENT.—COURTS-MARTIAL.—COST OF THE REBELLION.
It was clear from the outset that the impis that attacked the convoy at Macrae's on the 2nd July had come from Matshwili, Ntshingumuzi and Ngobizembe's tribes. Of these, the leading spirit was undoubtedly Matshwili[287] of the Mtetwa tribe. Intelligence went to show that a force of some eight companies of the rebels, i.e. between 400 to 600 men, was concealed in his ward in deep ravines at Izinsimba, a tributary of the Tugela. These rebels, although they had failed to annihilate Campbell, were awaiting favourable developments in other parts to amalgamate, or effectively co-operate, with the impis of Meseni, Ndhlovu and others. Only by striking decisively was it possible for McKenzie to break down the widespread disaffection in Mapumulo, Lower Tugela and Ndwedwe divisions, all thickly inhabited by uncivilized Natives.