Page:The Bromsgrovian, 1883-06-08, New Series, Volume 2, Number 5.pdf/5

 land. My memory does not serve me further as regards the names of camps in Zululand. We lay some time at Landtman's Drift, and were joined by the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, the 94th Foot, some artillery, and the 57th or 58th, I forget which; also a battalion of the 24th was with us. We—the cavalry—went from there to Isandhlwana (English papers print "Isandula;" why, I don't know: certainly not from pronunciation), and began burying some of the dead. We also reconnoitred the district. On our return to Landtman's Drift, General Newdigate took command, and we started into the enemy's country in earnest.

I was for some time with Carey—since notorious: though for my part I fancy he was more to blame for not knowing what was the object of his cavalry (?) escort than for cowardice. When our six regulars were with him there was no "off-saddling" and other colonial soldiering to tempt Zulus to make a rush. Nothing of consequence happened till June 2nd, when three or four of our troops went out and brought in the Prince's body. I was in this detachment, but we saw no Zulus that day. On June 6th, General Marshall, the Cavalry Divisional Commander, of whom I know no particular qualifications, excepting the speed with which he can make cigarettes, took us under fire for four or five hours; but what we went for none of us knew, except it was to shew the Zulus that we had arrived. Our adjutant, Frith, was killed there. After this I was sent down to Landtman's Drift again with General Wood, (there is no doubt about him, and anyone in his column knows what he is doing, and knows pretty well why he is doing it) to bring up provisions. We saw no Zulus, but we afterwards heard Donbleamanza was after us with 12,000 men all the time, but could not get in, baffled by our videttes and scouts. We in the 17th patted ourselves on the back for this. Nothing particular happened then till arriving at the Umvolosi, where Lord William Beresford got the Victoria Cross. I wasn't with him on that day. Two days afterwards, I think it was, we formed up at Ulundi. Ulundi was something like the battles one played at with tin soldiers. We pack our small force into a compact square; the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, surround us on all sides; we both go at one another hammer and tongs, and very soon