The British commander Frederic Thesiger (Lord Chelmsford) intended to invade Zululand with three columns and converge on the Zulu capital of Ulundi (Ondini).

The distance of these Zulus from the capital, Ulundi, gave them a degree of independence from Cetshwayo, enabling the chiefs to withhold their warriors for local defence, rather than contributing to the main Zulu Army.

At dawn the next day an attack was mounted on Zunguin and the Zulus fled to Hlobane, where Wood observed about 4,000 Zulu drilling that afternoon.

After falling back to Tinta's Kraal, Wood decided to move his column north-westwards to Kambula hill, about 14 mi (23 km) due west of Zunguin.

Their arrival on 31 January was met with a message from Chelmsford informing Wood that all orders were cancelled, he was now on his own with no expectation of reinforcements and he must be prepared to face the whole Zulu Army.

At Kambula, a hexagonal laager was formed with wagons locked together; a separate kraal for the cattle was constructed on the edge of the southern face of the ridge.

Shortly afterwards, Wood received a request from Chelmsford to create a distraction to draw off some of the Zulu strength, while he tried to intervene in the Battle of Eshowe.

[5] Hlobane consisted of two plateaux, the lower and smaller of which rose to a height of about 850 ft (260 m) at the eastern end of the 4 mi (6.4 km) long col (nek) connecting it to Zunguin to the south-west.

Wood's plan was for mounted troops led by Lieutenant-Colonel Redvers Buller to scale the eastern track to the higher plateau, supported by rocket artillery and friendly Zulu to lift the cattle.

Buller's mounted troops reached the summit by 6:00 a.m. the following day and African infantry began herding cattle westwards.

This danger was heightened by the abaQulusi, who after they saw the approaching Zulu army, became more confident and daring in their attacks on the withdrawing troops; the British had to fight their way through the pass.

The force was broken and disorganised, many horses had been lost the men were required to ride pillion to make it to Kambula but they eventually arrived.

Colonel Buller received the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, as did Lieutenant Henry Lysons and Private Edmund Fowler for charging the caves that morning.

Major William Leet and Lieutenant Edward Browne were awarded the VC for going back to save the lives of wounded men at the descent of Devil's Pass.