When, on the 29th June, Woolls-Sampson was ordered to proceed to Bond's Drift and then to Thring's Post, the N.P., 147, who had been attached to his column since 20th, were, it will be remembered, left at Ngudwini to form part of Mansel's force. Mansel had left Fort Yolland on the 3rd July, with N.F.A., 35 (two guns); N.N.C., 140, and Nongqai, 130, and assumed command at Ngudwini on the same day. Patrols were daily sent by him down and up the Tugela to prevent rebels crossing into Zululand. When the three columns at Thring's Post made a combined move in Matshwili's ward on 8th, and in Ndhlovu's and Ngobizembe's on 10th and 11th, he, as has been seen, co-operated from the Zululand side. On the 13th, his column moved to Isiwasamanqe, from which position a constant watch was kept along the river. N.N.C. and N.F.A. left Mansel on the 16th to demobilize in Durban. The column moved on the 21st and reached Bond's Drift on the 23rd. On Mansel leaving (24th), Lieut.-Col. W.J. Clarke took over the command. The force demobilized in Pietermaritzburg on the 3rd August. Royston's column, consisting of R.H., D.L.I. (including Mounted Infantry) and N.F.A. (two guns), moved to Ndikwe stream on the 20th June, and to Ensingabantu on the 21st. On the same day, the D.L.I. (including M.I.) left to join Woolls-Sampson at Nkandhla. The column was, however, joined by four companies N.R. (Boyd-Wilson). N.F.A. (two guns) were detached and returned to Empandhleni on the 23rd. After establishing a garrison at Ensingabantu with one company N.R. (Capt. J.J. Whitehead), to guard the supplies, Royston left that place and, on the 24th, proceeded on a two days' drive to Macala mountain, down to the Tugela, and from thence to Mfongozi valley. On the 27th, a force of 250 mounted men demonstrated down Mfongozi valley, towards Tugela and Qudeni mountain, returning to Ensingabantu for supplies. The column now went over Qudeni, towards the junction of Tugela and Buffalo rivers. The country between Hlatikulu forest and the Buffalo was driven, after which the force rested at Mangeni. The Mangeni district was next driven towards the Buffalo, about 1,500 head of cattle belonging to Chief Matshana ka Mondise being seized.[297] The column then went on to bivouack at Isandhlwana. Mehlokazulu's ward was now traversed by the column. All prisoners, cattle, sheep and goats that had been seized were handed over to the Magistrate, Nqutu. The force moved to Vant's Drift, where waggons from Dundee had to be awaited, as no transport from Zululand was allowed to cross into Natal owing to East Coast Fever restrictions. Dundee was reached on the 7th July. The column ceased to exist on the 19th. Royston entrained with his regiment for Pietermaritzburg on the 29th.