The Battle

On January 20th the Center Column reached Isandlwana and made camp on the base of its slopes, not planning to stay long they dug no entrenchments and did not put their carts and wagons into defensive positions as was regulation. On January 21st Major Dartnell led a mounted reconnaissance mission of 150 men 10 miles in the direction the column was to advance. At the same time a Commandant Lonsdale led a 1,600 strong force of the Natal Native Contingent South towards Malakatha Mountain, likely to stop any Zulus that may try to cross the river there and invade Natal. Dartnell encountered a force of Zulus and was engaged in skirmishes with them until the early hours of January 22nd. Two men were sent to inform Chelmsford of what the reconnaissance team had found, Dartnell deciding to not return to the camp so he could keep an eye on the enemy. Chelmsford decided to move against the Zulu force and attack with hopes of defeating a large chunk of the Zulu Army there and then. As soon as it was light Chelmsford and Glynn left camp with the main column along with mounted infantry and four guns. Colonel Pulleine and his 1st Battalion, 24th foot were stayed at the camp and orders were sent to Colonel Durnford to bring his men up to reinforce them. In the early morning Chelmsfords forces linked up with Dartnells but the Zulus had disappeared, so the column began searching the hills for their foe. The Zulus had bypassed Chelmsford’s column and were making for the camp at Isandlwana. Not long after groups of Zulus were seen on the hills to the Northeast and East of the camp, Colonel Pulleine formed up his men in the direction where the warriors had been spotted. He also dispatched a message to Chelmsford telling him that Zulus were threatening the camp, but Chelmsford showed little regard for Pulleine’s message and did not believe the British camp could be taken by the Zulus. He returned the paper to his staff officer without saying a word.