Wood knew about the Main Zulu Impi

Just read Major C.G. Dennison's account of the Hlobane Battle in Ron Lock's Zulu Frontiersman. Has the fact that Wood knew about the proximity of the Zulu Impi, according to Dennison, been discussed on the forum? I find it intriguing that the Colonial officer should have been discredited to such an extend!! Reference to page 60 of above mentioned book.

johann. Thanks for that, I do have that book. I will have a read to-night.

Hi Johann .
The following from ' Blood On The Painted Mountain , Zulu Victory And Defeat Hlobane And Kambula 1879,
by Ron Lock.
'Hamu's spies had been correct and persisted with their reports of the zulu army advancing towards Hlobane , giving
the date of the intended departure from Ulundi as the 26th 27th , the regiments wishing to be cleansed by their witchdoctors
before departure . DESPITE THESE REPORTS , it was apparantly during his return from laying waste to Mbelini's country
in the Intombi Valley that Wood finally made up his mind to raid the painted mountain , and therafter wasted no time ' .
On reading further it seems Russell was the first to see the zulu army advancing toward the mtn , as Buller on the summit
hasnt a field of view he was oblivious to the fact . Ron Lock then asked the very important question ' where were the British scouts '
Wood and Buller were caught napping , and worst still they had disregarded one of their own cardinal rules , no screen of watchdog
scouts or Vedettes had been posted , as only a couple of weeks earlier Wood had again slated Russell for posting his vedettes only
a half mile out . Wood has also said that his native scouts vision was only surpassed by the telescope , so once again why werent
they on a sentry duty on the apprach to the Mtn ?. From Nyembe Hill which was less than 2 miles from the site of Bullers bivouac ,
the zulu army would have BEEN VISIBLE THE PREVIOUS DAY ! . Russell then frantically scribbles a note to Wood , whom he assumed to be up on the plateau , warning him of the approaching danger . The messenger couldnt find Wood but found Buller ,
but by this stage Buller knew of the appraching danger . So once again many mistakes by those involved which led to another defeat.
cheers 90th.

Hi 90th! Thanks for the reply! It is quite clear to me that Wood et al knew that the main army was coming, but that they were that close as Major Dennison reported really is the point I am making ! Dennison reports to have been within earshot of the main army and reported this to his superior!!!