The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-02-05
a Battle with zuIus.

The Zulus, perceiving that they bad
been discovered, abandoned all ideas
OF surprise, snd promptly rushed to
the assault. O6eyiDg the Wise counsel
of their commander 10 fire slowly and
with careful aim; don't waste single
round" the garrison waited till the
enemy were close up-then they deliv-
cred a steady file-fre. The result was
awful. The savage foe fell by fifties
aud hundreds; the field pieces scourged
the slope with shrapnel and grape, and
the Martini-Heprys searched their ranks
like the brand of the destroying angel.
The Zulus had apparently not count.
ed on reception like.thIs, and for the
first time during this eveptful day drew
back in dismay bus only me mentarily,
for they were again urged for ward, and
as promptly disposed Of Every time
a chief, conspicuous by his red plume,
arose from recumbent position and at
tempted TO lead forward his followers,
he would drop dead, pierced by dozen
bullets; they would take to the cover
of the shrubs and open a des ultory fire
upon the fort, but as the garrison kept
well under cover, no lives were lost.
Thus the combat went on till dark,
when the Zulus, bsving drawn of, and
remained silent, it was believed that
they were meditating night attack
while Stimulating retreat. In this inn
preston the garrison was joined by
Ksllula, who informed the officers that
a night attack was the favorite mode
of the Zulus, and warned them TO be
on their guard.
The necessary preparations were
hastily made. GreDades were brought
from the magazine and served out TO
every third mana doz n to each and
hand fire-balls were got ready. A .fou
gasss WAS also planted in the counter
scsrp, connected by galvanic wire with
the inside. The post and fort were To-
csted on hill, so situated ss to be as
ssIlable only in front, or facing the
grassy slope, the re 4r and fanks having
a sheer fall of rock. As all the gerri-
son were on the ramparts, there was 70
need OF doubling sentries-each man
felt that his life depended upon his
vigilance aud intrepidity.
About nine o'clock Kallula, who had
stolen outside, returned with the intel
ligence that the enemy were stealing
forward, and instantly every may was
on the alert No drums were beaten.
and no bugle sounded the alarm, the
commander hoping TO luil the foe into
the idea that the whites were OF their
guard. la this they were shortly un-
deceived, for the vigileBt sentriee had
no sooner detected them swsTfning up
the giacis and into the ditch than the
6re-balls were instantly thrown
among them, Illuminating the country
sll around for hundreds of yards and |
exposing them 70 9 merciless 6re, at |
the same time leaving the fort In COM
parative gloom.
Seeing their game was up, the Znlus,
with 8 bravery worthy Of . better
cause, galIsntly rushed 70 the assault. |
As they jumped into the ditch and /
sersmbIed toward the parapet, the Gre
OF the defenders opened in real earnest :
rife bullets. shrApnel and grape created
3 fearful carnage, while the grenadea,
throWn ct close quarters into their
struggling masses. added fearfully 70
the mortality. Pefceiying that the
eEemy directed all their efiorts 70 car
rying that portion Of the defers
fronting the hospital building. the en-
zineer oliicer suggested 70 the con-
nander the destructive elect cl an en-
iisde FIRE, and kccor iinely . feid-piecs
sas moved 70 the night, 70 portion Of !