3 (Centre) Column (accompanied and effectively commanded by Lord Chelmsford) crossed into Zulu territory across the Rorke's Drift following the expiry of the British ultimatum, on 11 January 1879 .

1 (Right Flank) Column, under command of colonel Pearson, began to cross into Zulu territory, in order to advance along the coast.

On 18 January 1879, Cetshwayo's force divided: the main section (some 25,000 strong), under Ntshingwayo kaMahole and Mavumengwana kaNdlela, advanced west towards Rorke's Drift, while a smaller detachment (some 3–4,000 men) under Godide kaNdlela moved south to support Zulu forces harassing Pearson's advance.

On the northern bank Pearson erected Fort Tenedos in order to protect the ferry, which was finished by January 18.

In the mid-morning of 22 January, Zulu forces under command of Godide, some 6,000 strong, intercepted Pearson's column during the crossing of the river Nyezane, on its northern bank.

1 Column had some 4,750 men, including 4,271 combat troops and 384 wagons with more than 500 civilian drivers under command of colonel Charles Knight Pearson.