The first reinforcement for Natal was brought by H.M.S. _Shah_, which chanced to be at St. Helena (on her voyage home from the Pacific), when the news of the disaster in Zululand arrived. Captain Bradshaw, R.N., immediately decided to proceed to Natal with his ship; the Governor, after consultation with the officer commanding the troops, Colonel Philips, R.E., arranging to send in her all the available force that could be spared from the island. Accordingly she sailed on February 12th, with 3 officers and 52 men of the Royal Artillery, and 2 officers and 109 men of the 88th Regiment. H.M.S. _Boadicea_ also arrived on the station, bringing Commodore Richards, who relieved Rear-Admiral Sullivan, C.B. Communications had been established with Etshowe by means of flashing signals, which were conducted by Lieutenant Haynes, R.E., who, after some failure and discouragement at first, persevered until complete success was attained. Previous to this there had been no communications with Colonel Pearson for a considerable time, but on March 11th a cypher message from him (dated 9th) said that the flashing signals had been understood, and that as officers and men were generally sickly, it would be desirable to relieve the whole of the garrison, and that any relieving force should bring a convoy and be prepared to fight.—(P. P. [C. 2316] p. 81). On March 16th the signals from Etshowe were first made out, and one of the messages received was: “Short rations until 3rd April. Breadstuffs until 4th April. Plenty of trek oxen. Captain Williams, ‘The Buffs,’ died at Ekowe on 13th March” (_ibid._ p. 83). Reinforcements arriving from England, Lord Chelmsford determined to effect the relief of Etshowe, and assembled a strong force on the Lower Tugela for that purpose. The column to be in two divisions: the first, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Law, R.A., composed of the Naval Brigade of _Shah_ and _Tenedos_, 57th Regiment, 2 companies “Buffs,” 5 companies 99th Regiment, mounted infantry, volunteers, and natives, and 5th Battalion Natal Native Contingent; artillery—2 9-pounders, 2 24-pounder rocket-tubes, and 1 Gatling gun; also 150 of John Dunn’s people as scouts. The second division—Lieut.-Colonel Pemberton, 60th Rifles, commanding—Naval Brigade of H.M.S. _Boadicea_, Royal Marines of _Shah_ and _Boadicea_, 60th Rifles, 91st Highlanders, and 4th Battalion Natal Native Contingent; artillery, 2 24-pounder rocket-tubes and 1 Gatling gun; making a total fighting strength of 3390 white troops and 2280 natives. The Lieut.-General decided to take command of the column himself, and directed that it should advance by the coast road, so as to avoid the bush country; to advance without tents, and with only a blanket and waterproof-sheet for each man. The convoy, taking one month’s provisions for the garrison and ten days’ supplies for the column, consisted of about 100 waggons and 44 carts.—(P. P. [C. 2318] pp. 74, 75).