The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-08-02

into parties and fighting for dear
life. Colonel Westherley and his CORPS
were almost cut up to man. They
were separated from the main body, and
the last that was seen of the gallant col.
onel was his commanding figure, sword
in hand, killing the enemy right and left
and selling his life as dearly as possible.
The retreat home was fight. We
reached camp in the evening by twos
and threes, some with arms and clothing.
Others almost devoid of either. Some
horses were carrying two men, others
tnree. Everyone was Inundated. This
10 the picture of the disaster in The
Devils Pass" on the ZIobana mountain,
on March Is, 1879. 1t was getting con-
siderably into the forenoon of the twens
ty ninth before ] had sufficiently recov-
cred myself to feel exactly how and
where I YVES. The ordinary mourning
duties of camu-life had been going on,
and now and then had come across a
companion of the previous day whose
haggard face still betokened how he had
been face to face with DEATH" Our
camp was to all intents and purposes
impregnable. 1t was proof against an
ordinary European army withour artil.
lery. About eleven o'clock in the morn
ing we learned that Zulu spy had been
caught sind informed Colonel Wood that
the Zulus were to attack us during our
dinner. Shortly afterwsrd it YVES shown
that this was so. The Zulus could be
seen in huge black mass about five
miles away, coming on very slowly and
leisurely. Everything went on in camp
ust the same /; even the dinner was pre-
red and eaten. There were two
Thousand OF us, and we were confident
and eager to be avenged. When
they got within about three miles the
alarm was sounded, tents struck, the
forts manned and every one stood
to arms. The Zulus appeared 70
form themselves into battle array
about three miles of, the main body
advancing direct to the camp and the
'thorns," as they are termed, stretching
to the right and left. When they got
within about three Thousand yards the
calvary were sent ont and did good SER
vice in drawing them on firing and re-
tresting) within the range of the artil-
lery. The calvary being a very small
force, retreated within the camp, at
about mile range the artillery opened
mp ON the enemy. The rapidity and
precision with which this branch volleyed
death and destruction into the dense
mass of Zulus was admirable. Ten or
fifteen of them were sent to glory every
shot. Next day they Lay i'm rows. But
still on they came with the ferocity of
tigers, never hating, never wsvering,
never finching or hesitating for q mo-
ment. Ssy what people may about its
being animal ferocity rather than manly
bravery, ne soldiers in the world could
have been more daring than were the
Zulns that day. When the main body
got within about eight hundred yards
the men of the Nineteenth regiment,
who were opposite to them, opened one
of the most deadly fusilades it il impos-
sible to imagine. Numerous as they
were, this CALLING fire stopped the pro-
gress Of the enemy, and they began to
break up and shelter behind the stones
and trees. In the meantime the forces
that had attacked our right and left
tanks had besn equally warmly received,
and tbs enemy apparently raw that they
must change their tactics. They did SO,
and scattered themselves, and began to
creep up through the long grass, while one
portion made desperate rush and suc-
cssded in getting possession of 3 small
hill commanding the cattle iaager. 1t
was necessary to dislodge the enemy
from the hill, and Msjor. Hackett and
two companies of the Einteenth were
sent out, and although they suffered
severely they succeeded in doing 90,
firing yolley after voliey, and at last
changing the position at the point Of the
bsyonet. I'm bringing back his men
Maior. Hackett was fatally wounded and
Lieutenant Bright was killed. During
all this time Sighting had been going on
all around, and 8 party Of Zulus made q
desperate rush and gut into the esttle
aaager, driving company OF the Thir-
teenth out Of 1t. They, however gal
lsntry reformed and CALAMITY drove back