Shortly before the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu war (1879), Natal Native Contingent was formed on the initiative of the British, i.e. a kind of auxiliary army of the regular British army consisting of the indigenous people living in the then British South Africa. These troops were composed of infantry and cavalry. Infantry units were formed into regiments, which in turn were divided into 2-3 battalions, and each battalion was divided into companies (from 8 to 10) with the strength of approx. 110 men each. On the other hand, the cavalry (called Natal Native Horse) was divided into six troops (called Troops), each of which consisted of about 50 people. It is worth adding that people from the Natal tribe were recruited to them, almost traditionally hostile to the Zulus. It is worth noting that the cavalry units were much better equipped than the infantry and often had full uniforms, and the main armament was a sideline, threaded cavalry rifle and a traditional spear, acting as a "lance". During the war of 1879, the Natal Native Horse units proved to be very useful and disciplined. They took part, inter alia, in the Battle of Isandlawana.