Crossing the Tugela

This contemorary print is of a flat bottomed pont full of soldiers of either the Buffs or the 99th, although the colourist has given their tunics blue facings which is incorrect. Both regiments were part of Pearson's no.1 Column which crossed the Tugela at it's widest point on Lower Drift. The crossing began on 12th January and took 5 days to ferry the men and wagons over the river. Fort Pearson was built on the Natal side and Fort Tenedos on the Zululand side.