During the month of December General Thesiger, who commanded the British forces in South Africa, made every effort to prepare for hostilities. The regiments which were at the Cape were brought round by sea; a brigade of seamen and marines was landed from the ships of war; several corps of irregular horse were raised among the colonists; and regiments of natives were enrolled. Before the date by which the king was to send in his answer the troops were assembled along the frontier in the following disposition:-- Number 1 Column. (_Headquarters, Thring's Post, Lower Tugela_.) Commandant.--Colonel C.K. Pearson, the Buffs. Naval Brigade.--170 bluejackets and marines of H.M.S. _Active_ (with one Gatling and two 7-pounder guns), under Captain Campbell, R.N. Royal Artillery.--Two 7-pounder guns and rocket-battery, under Lieutenant W.N. Lloyd, R.A. Infantry.--2nd battalion, 3rd Buffs, under Lieutenant-Colonel H. Parnell. Mounted Infantry.--100 men under Captain Barrow, 19th Hussars. Volunteers.--Durban Rifles, Natal Hussars, Stanger Rifles, Victoria Rifles, Alexandra Rifles. Average, forty men per corps--all mounted. Native Contingent.--1000 men under Major Graves, the Buffs. Number Two Column. (_Headquarters, Helpmakaar, near Rorke's Drift.) _Commandant.--Colonel Glyn, 1st battalion, 24th Regiment. Royal Artillery.--N. battery, 5th brigade, Royal Artillery (with 7-pounder guns), under Major A. Harness, R.A. Infantry.--Seven companies 1st battalion, 24th Regiment, and 2nd battalion, 24th Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Degacher. Natal Mounted Police.--Commanded by Major Dartnell. Volunteers.--Natal Carabineers, Buffalo Border Guard, Newcastle Mounted Rifles--all mounted; average, forty men. Native Contingent--1000 men, under Commandant Lonsdale, late 74th Highlanders. Number 3 Column. (_Headquarters, Utrecht.) _Commandant.--Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C. C.B., 40th Regiment. Royal Artillery.--11th battery, 7th brigade, R.A. (with four 7-pounder guns), under Major E. Tremlett, R.A. Infantry.--1st battalion 13th Regiment, and 90th Regiment. Mounted Infantry.--100 men, under Major J.C. Russell, 12th Lancers. Frontier Light Horse.--200 strong, under Major Redvers Buller, C.B., 60th Rifles. Volunteers.--The Kaffrarian Vanguard, Commandant Schermbrucker, 100 strong. Native Contingent.--The Swazis, our native allies, some 5000 strong.