1 Column of the British invasion force, under Colonel Charles Pearson, had been ordered to establish an advanced base at Eshowe.

Shortly after 08:00 a small number of Zulus appeared near the knoll on the ridge and a company of the Natal Native Contingent (NNC), under Lieutenant Hart, were sent up the spur after them.

Pearson sent a group of empty wagons with escorts to collect fresh supplies from the Lower Drift, while the rest of his force began to dig in.

Without giving any details of the disaster at the Battle of Isandlwana he informed him that all orders were cancelled and that he was to take such as action as he thought fit to preserve his column, including withdrawal from Eshowe if necessary.

[5] Pearson had no precise information on the whereabouts of the Zulu and although his defences around the mission would soon be complete, it was not an ideal position to defend.

The decision to stay was settled on when news arrived of the return of the supply wagons, with five further companies as reinforcement from the Lower Drift.

The appearance of large bodies of Zulu on the surrounding hills on 2 February, although they retreated under shelling from the 7-pounders, compelled Pearson to request reinforcements.

Pearson considered withdrawing part of his garrison, if Chelmsford agreed, but receiving no response and no further runners, it became clear that Eshowe had been cut off.

With the establishment of communications, they learned a relief force would depart the Lower Drift on 13 March and advance to the battle site of Inyezane where the garrison would meet it.

However, progress was slow because in addition to taking a roundabout route to avoid any Zulu ambush, the rivers were swollen by heavy rains.

[8] The British camp was sited atop a 300 ft (91 m) east-west ridge that had sloping ground on all sides providing the defenders with a good field of fire.

A waist high wall of earth was constructed around the encampment from the spoil dug from a 4 ft (1.2 m) deep trench.

Despite numerous attacks by the Zulus throughout the day to emulate the victory they had achieved two months ago at Isandlwana, the defenders firepower kept them at bay.

Bivouacking on the first night after their departure from it on 6 April, Pearson's men could see that the Zulus had set the Eshowe encampment ablaze.