Woods flying Column.

Does anyone know the movements of Wood's Flyig Column, after he departed from his base at Kambula.

"Wood' flying column moved from its base a Kambula to Wolf Hill on the 12th May. From this position Buller led out a mounted reconnaissance to within ten kilometres of Babanangom En route the discovered the traders' wagons track into Zululand which was used later in the advance. Wood later moved nearer the Koppie Alleen and camped out on a low ridge known as Mundia. On the 21st May a strong force was sent Isandlwana to bury the dead with the exception of those recognised as belonging to the 24th regiment. The letter regiment buried their dead in June.

On the 31st May General Newdigate ordered the 1st brigade to cross the Blood River at Harrison's drift. The whole column moved to Itelezi HIll. Wood also moved forward to the Lncenci Hill.

On the 3rd June the flying column took the lead crossing the Jojosi stream
While the rest of the Division camped near where the Prince Imperial had been killed. On the next day the flying column were over the Nondweni Spruit and the Division moved up to their old camp.

Almost the whole of the flying column was required to escort supplies from Koppie Aleen back to Fort Newdigate.

By the 17th June the flying column was back at Fort Marshall and the advance continued. 

On the 20th June the flying Column advanced near the banks of the Mhlatuzi River which was crossed the next day. 

22nd June. A further advace was made and reached the headwaters of the Pembeni River, where two companies started building Fort Evelyn named after their commander.

On the 24th June the flying column ascended Jackal Ridge, that is the western end of the Mtonjaneni heights. From these heights Wood sent patrols down into the Pembeni Valley to burn Zulu imuzi.

By the 27th June the Mtonjaneni ridge overlooking the Mfolozi Valley and the Ulundi plain was reached.

On this day Cesthwayo sent a messenger with presents of elephants tusks and 150 head of cattle which had been captured at Isandlwana. A letter written by the Dutch trader Vijn was also handed over. Chelmsford told them they had until the 29th June to fullfil the original conditions contained in the Ultimatum.

A few kilometres belle the edge of the Mtonjaneni ridge a large camp was established on a wider ledge. He a strong point was constructed overlooking the Ulundi plain.

On the 30th June the Division and the flying column moved further down the valley and camped on a small  bush covered plain. The flying column moved forward to a low ridge about two kilometres from the south bank of the river and a laager was formed. A large force of Zulu appeared on the far side but made no attempt cross. 

On the 2nd of June the division moved up to the flying column, a large area was cleared of bush, a laager was formed and stone redoubt was constructed. This became know as Fort Nolele. While working on the construction a herd of cattle was driven back towards the drift but the Zulu Impi's on the buffs overlooked the river turned them back, they were apparently a peace offering from Cetshwayo, which the Zulu indunas were not prepared to surrender at this stage.

On the 3rd June at 13:00hrs Buller led the mounted men of the flying column out on a reconnaissance patrol of the Mahalbatini ( Ulundi plain) approaching the Nolele Drift the party came under fire from Zulu snipers concealed on the buff which overlooked it from the west. 

On he 4th June the Battle of Ulundi commenced."

G. A. Chadwick.

Littlehand .
I only skimmed over your post but the Battle Of Ulundi was the 4th July , not the 4th June as your post suggests .
Cheers 90th.