Zulu king” (_ibid._ pp. 187, 188). The preliminary arrangements for the campaign were the formation of four columns, with sufficient transport, etc. to enter Zululand at different points, and concentrate on Ulundi. No. 1 Column, Colonel Pearson, to assemble on the Lower Tugela, garrison Fort Pearson, and cross and encamp on the Zulu side, under the protection of the guns of the fort. This Column at first was composed of 2 guns Royal Artillery, 1 company Royal Engineers, 2nd Battalion “The Buffs,” 99th Regiment, Naval Brigade (2 guns and 1 Gatling), 1 squadron Mounted Infantry, about 200 Natal Volunteers, 2nd Regiment Natal Native Contingent (2 battalions), and 1 company Natal Native Pioneers. No. 2 Column, Lieut.-Colonel Durnford, R.E., to cover the Tugela, and co-operate with Colonel Pearson, was almost entirely composed of natives. Its strength, a rocket battery, 1st Regiment (3 battalions) Natal Native Contingent, 315 “Natal Native Horse,” and 1 company Natal Native Pioneers. No. 3 Column, Colonel Glyn, C.B., to cross at Rorke’s Drift, when the time granted the Zulu king had expired. “On the advance being ordered,” it would “require two days for this column to reach a good military position;” and it was to keep up communications “with the columns on the left and right.” Strength of column, 6 guns Royal Artillery, 1 squadron Mounted Infantry, 1-24th Regiment, 2-24th Regiment, about 200 Natal Volunteers, 150 Mounted Police, and 3rd Regiment (2nd Battalion) Natal Native Contingent, also one company Natal Native Pioneers. A company of Royal Engineers was ordered to join this column. No. 4 Column, Colonel Wood, V.C., C.B., to advance to the Blood River. Strength, 6 guns Royal Artillery, 1-13th Regiment, 90th Regiment, Frontier Light Horse, some 200 Native Contingent; and a small Dutch force was expected to join this column. A 5th Column (which had been operating against Sekukuni) was under the command of Colonel Rowlands, V.C., C.B., composed of the 80th Regiment, three guns, and mounted irregulars. The strength of the columns is given as: Imperial Native Conductors and Contingent. and Waggons and Carts. Colonial Troops. Drivers. No. 1 Column 1872 2256 238 266 (144 hired) ” 2 ” 5 3488 84 30 ” 3 ” 1747 2566 293 233 (82 ” ) ” 4 ” 1843 387 162 102 (21 ” ) ” 5 ” 1202 338 25 62 (50 ” ) Forming a grand total of Imperial Native Conductors, Waggons, etc. and Contingent. etc. Colonial Troops. 6669 9035 802 693 (of which 297 were hired)