On the 30th the descent into the valley of the White Umvolosi was commenced, through a country covered with scattered bush and aloes. Two indunas were escorted in during the day, one bearing a letter from Cetshwayo to Lord Chelmsford,[173] and the other the sword of the Prince Imperial, which the king sent in immediately on learning the value attached to it.[174] Sir Garnet Wolseley—having been ordered out to Natal as Governor of Natal and the Transvaal, and Her Majesty’s High Commissioner for the eastern portion of South Africa—landed at Durban on the 28th June. On the 30th Lord Chelmsford sent him the following message: “Five miles from Entonganini; ten miles from Umvolosi River. King’s messengers have just left with message from me. I must advance to position on left bank of river. This I do to-morrow, but will stop hostilities, pending negotiations, if communicated demands are complied with by 3rd July, noon. There are indunas come with cattle and guns. I have consented to receive 1000 captured rifles instead of a regiment laying down its arms. As my supplies will only permit of my remaining here until the 10th July, it is desirable I should be informed by you of the conditions of peace to be demanded. White man with king states he has 20,000 men. King anxious to fight; Princes not so. Where is Crealock’s column? Signal.” On the 1st July the Flying Column and General Newdigate’s division reached, without opposition, the southern bank of the White Umvolosi, within five or six miles of the royal kraals of Ulundi. Defensible laagers were at once formed, and the position made secure before night. Large bodies of Zulus were seen in motion at Ulundi. Next day the 2nd Division closed up their laager to that of the Flying Column, and a stone redoubt was erected on knoll in rear; so that a small garrison might hold the post, leaving the main force unencumbered to operate as desired. The Zulu army was not seen, and no messengers arrived from the king; but a large herd of white (royal) cattle was observed being driven from the king’s kraal towards the camp, and shortly afterwards driven back again. On the 3rd, as the Zulus were firing on watering-parties at the river, and no message had come in, a reconnaissance on the farther side was ordered. At noon, the cattle, sent in with the last messengers from the king, were driven back across the river, and about the same time Colonel Buller crossed lower down with the mounted men of the Flying Column to reconnoitre towards Ulundi. Detaching parties to cover his flank, he advanced rapidly to within about 200 yards of the Ulundi river, and about three-quarters of a mile from Ulundi, when he came upon about 5000 Zulus concealed in the river-bed, who at once opened fire, while large bodies of the enemy, moving down on each flank, endeavoured to cut off his retreat.