On the 7th, the division advanced, clearing the country of Zulus and burning their kraals, and encamped at the Upoko River; remaining there till the arrival of Brigadier-General Wood’s Column with a large convoy of supplies for which it had been sent. The time was usefully employed in reconnoitring, examining the road in advance, making drifts practicable, etc. A line of telegraph was laid by the half Telegraph Troop (C) Royal Engineers, from Quagga’s kraal (on the road between Newcastle and Ladysmith), where it joined the colonial line to Doornberg _viâ_ Dundee and Landtmann’s Drift, thus placing head-quarters in communication with Pietermaritzburg, etc.; flag-signalling being employed to communicate with Doornberg. On the 16th June the correspondent of _The Times_ wrote: “We are wandering towards Ulundi much as the Children of Israel wandered towards Canaan, without plans, or even definite notions for the future. It would seem not impossible to form some plan of campaign—something, at any rate, more definite than the hand-to-mouth manner in which we are now proceeding. Deep science and tactical skill are not necessary to contend with savages; a simple method and plain common-sense suffice, if backed by energy, decision, and determination.” The intelligence now telegraphed that Sir Garnet Wolseley was on his way to Natal to unravel the various tangled skeins of civil and military policy, doubtless acted as the “spur in the head” which expedited Lord Chelmsford’s movements. On the 17th, Brigadier-General Wood arrived with the supplies, and next day the force advanced to the Upoko River, where the road from Rorke’s Drift to Ulundi crosses it. Here there was a halt for a day, and a depôt formed, called Fort Marshall. Colonel Collingwood was left in charge of the two posts, Forts Newdigate and Marshall; and the whole line of communication in the enemy’s country, and such of the garrison as were left in frontier-posts for the purpose of patrolling, were placed under the command of Major-General Marshall. Fort Marshall was about twenty-five miles from Rorke’s Drift, and sixteen from Fort Newdigate; from this post to Koppie Allein (on the Blood River) the distance was twenty-one miles. Having struck down into this road, which runs into Zululand in an easterly direction, a glance at the map will show how needless was the waste of time and money spent in concentrating stores at Conference Hill—so far removed from the line of communications with Pietermaritzburg. The combined column reached the Umhlatusi River on the 21st, having traversed difficult and mountainous ground, where in many places the train was obliged to pass by single waggons. The Zulus took no advantage of the many opportunities for attack that presented themselves, and the march to Ulundi was practically unopposed. At this halting-place Fort Evelyn was built; and on the 24th the march was resumed.