Now of course I did not see all of the terrible battle that
followed and can only tell of that part of it in which I had a
share. Colonel Durnford rode out about three and a half miles to
the left front, I really don't quite know why, for already we
were hearing firing on the top of the Nqutu Hills almost behind
us, where Captain Shepstone was engaging the Zulus, or so I
believe. Suddenly we met a trooper of the Natal Carabineers
whose name was Whitelaw, who had been out scouting. He reported
that an enormous impi was just ahead of us seated in an umkumbi,
or semi-circle, as is the fashion of the Zulus before they
charge. At least some of them, he said, were so seated, but
others were already advancing.
Presently these appeared over the crest of the hill, ten thousand
of them I should say, and amongst them I recognized the shields
of the Nodwengu, the Dududu, the Nokenke and the Ingoba-makosi
regiments. Now there was nothing to be done except retreat, for
the impi was attacking in earnest. The General Untshingwayo,
together with Undabuko, Cetewayo's brother, and the chief Usibebu
who commanded the scouts, had agreed not to fight this day for
the reason I have given, because it was that of the new moon, but
circumstances had forced their hand and the regiments could no
longer be restrained. So to the number of twenty thousand or
more, say one-third of the total Zulu army, they hurled
themselves upon the little English force that, owing to lack of
generalship, was scattered here and there over a wide front and
had no fortified base upon which to withdraw.
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