The Battle of Gingindlovu (uMgungundlovu) was fought on 2 April 1879 between a British relief column sent to break the Siege of Eshowe and a Zulu impi of King Cetshwayo.

Rivers were swollen by the rains which fell each night and fearing a repeat of Isandlwana, Chelmsford ensured his men spent much time laagering and entrenching their camp at the end of each day and kept ammunition boxes open.

Despite this slow progress, Pearson's observers at Eshowe could see the relief column laagering on the south bank of the Neyzane (now Inyezane) on the evening of 1 April.

Accompanied by Captain William Molyneux of Lord Chelmsford's staff, Dunn make his way to the Ineyzane, which he swam across to examine the ground beyond.

The impi was advancing; the main force split into two columns before crossing the Ineyzane and assuming the "chest and horns" formation.

[8] The Bull's Head formation came at a run on the three sides of the laager as Chelmsford had wanted; at a range of 300–400 yd (270–370 m) the British infantry opened fire, supported by the Gatling guns and rockets.

[9] Though the Zulu regiments made persistent rushes to get within stabbing range, their charges lacked the drive and spirit that had pushed them forward at the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.

The only Zulu to reach the laager was a 10-year-old boy, who was taken prisoner by members of the naval brigade and later served as a mascot on their ship, Boadicea.