13th January

On the 13th Crealock was to complain bitterly over the bad transport and Quartermaster arrangements. He had a over a period of weeks expressed doubt that the small number of inexperienced officers would not be able to handle the needs of the Central Column.
The three columns now in Zululand continued to consolidate their positions moving supplies across the rivers and preparing for an advance into Zulu land. Of the three Woods was the more effective and a private aside was made that he would be held up by the other two columns.
Colonel Durnford had prepared an intelligence report for Lord Chelmsford that had mysteriously been accredited to Colonel Bellairs. As Crealock quoted, "a subject of amusement for many." Was this a sign even then that Durnford was not well liked?
The rain had cleared away and the column experienced its first day of sunshine. Allowing the mounted men to explore up to 10 miles into Zulu land and work parties to prepare the road for the advance. In reality there was no road into Zululand merely a track used by the occasional trader this track dictated the route the column was about to take.