Mathews had drilled his troops well and they had demonstrated discipline and a fighting spirit during the occasional punitive expeditions on the coast which they undertook at the behest of the government (and/or the British Resident).
Mathews alivipa vikosi vyake mazoezi ya kutosha na vilionesha nidhamu na moyo wa kupambana wakati wa safari za mara kwa mara pwani ambazo walizifanya kwa maagizo ya serikali (na/au Mwingereza Mkazi).