Scouting ahead of Major Patrick Forbes 's column attempting the capture of the Matabele King Lobengula ( following Self_motion his flight from his capital Bulawayo a month before ) , it crossed Motion_directional the Shangani late on 3 December 1893 .

It moved Motion on Lobengula the next morning , but was ambushed Killing by a host of Matabele riflemen and warriors near the king 's wagon .

Controversy surrounds the breakout before the last stand—which various writers have posited might have actually been desertion—and a box of gold sovereigns , which a Matabele `` inDuna '' ( leader ) later claimed Statement had been given Giving to two unidentified men from Forbes 's rear guard on 2 December , along with a message that Lobengula admitted defeat and wanted the column to stop Process_end pursuing him .