The General, on entering Zululand, finding the difficulties greater than he had anticipated, instructed Colonel Wood “to act altogether independently, about the head waters of the White Umveloosi River” (16th January, 1879), and when Seketwayo had either surrendered or been defeated, to “take up a position covering Utrecht and the adjacent Transvaal border, wherever he considers his force can be most usefully employed,” and not to “attempt to advance towards the Inhlazatye Mountain until an advance by the other three columns across the Umhlatoozi River has become possible.” (P. P. [C. 2252] p. 63.) Colonel Wood, from Bemba’s Kop, communicated with Uhamo—a brother of Cetshwayo—who had asked for a way to be pointed out by which he might escape. No. 4 Column now moved towards Intemgeni River, and encamped there on 18th January, Colonel Wood reporting “many of the natives are giving themselves up to me; I have captured about 4000 head of cattle.” On the previous day a party of Wood’s “irregulars” attacked some Zulus, killing 9, wounding about 20, and taking 5 prisoners and 100 sheep; with a loss to themselves of 2 wounded (_ibid._ p. 66). On the 19th and 20th there were skirmishes with some of Tinta’s people, of whom about 12 were killed. A prisoner was brought in by the Native Contingent on the 19th, whom they gravely asked permission to kill in the evening, “thinking they had done their whole duty in obeying orders and bringing the man in.” The column encamped at Tinta’s kraal, on the left bank of the Umvolosi River, and a stone fort was commenced. A reconnaissance across the Umvolosi to Zinguni Mountain met the Zulus in force, and was compelled to retire with a loss of two wounded, the enemy not being checked until the river was recrossed. January 22nd, the Zinguni Mountain was patrolled by a strong force, the enemy retiring hastily, and leaving about 600 head of cattle. In the distance a large force, estimated at 4000, was seen, and it apparently ascended the Indhlobane Mountain. The column had a smart engagement with the enemy on the 24th, and drove them off with a loss of about fifty killed; but on receiving intelligence of the disaster to No. 3 Column, retired to Fort Tinta. At Luneburg a laager was formed by the Dutch farmers, under Commandant Schermbrucker, and Colonel Wood moved his force to Kambula Hill, to cover Utrecht and the neighbouring border, and there firmly entrenched himself. The situation chosen was a commanding and central position between the Umvolosi and Pevana rivers on the Jagt-pad (Hunter’s path), covering the country northward to Luneburg, eastward to the Amaqulusi, southward to the Umvolosi, and westward to Balte’s Spruit and Utrecht. The Zulus abandoned the open, and remained in the mountains and broken country, where rocks and caves afforded them secure positions.