The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-02
BulawayO, the South African MOnarch's
Stronghold, in the Hands of
the Colonial Forces.
5000 OF THE NATIVES SLAIN
Moved Down by Deadly Machine
Guns and Repeating Rifles.
British Loss Reported to Be Very Small
English AggressiOns in Tan
gier to Be Checked.

LONDON, Nov. IA dispatch from Cape
Town says that the troops under the COM
mand of Major Forbes and DIR. Jameson,
administrator of the British South African
Company, have occupied Bulawayo after
several fights. in which the Matabeles suf-
fered heavy losses. The first fighting oc-
CURED between Hope Fountain and Bula-
wayo, where the Matabeles had concentra-
ted in force. The Matabeles were armed
probably with their native weapons-asse-
gals and knot-kerries- some of
them had rifles that proved of little SER
vice to them. The natives fought bravely
and made desperate attempts to get with
in striking distance of the British. The
latter. however, with the superior arms
and their Calling guns, were able to keep
them from getting in dangerously close
quarters.
During one of the fights Major Forbes's
column made an onslaught on the Mata-
beles, destroying half regiment, number
ing several hundred natives. The British
loss in all these engagements was small
No stand was made at Bulawayo, and all
the people living at the kraal Joined the
fleeing army, the course of which was
northward along the foot Of the Matappo
hills. 1t is thought the Matabeles will
make for the Zambesi river for the
comparatively uninhabited country to the
westward of the Umaiau river. The i'm
perial troops took no part in the fighting
They followed Major Forbes and DR.. Jane
son to Bulawayo arriving there some time
after the advance columns had taken pos
session of the place King Lobegula ac-
companied his regiments in their flight
northward. At the head of the remnants
f;,,or ,,~S1e,
the Zambesi river, pursued by column of
the British colonial troops. No details are
given as to the loss of life, but the colo
nists are not believed to have suffered Sc
riously.
Official dispatches received this evening
from Cape Town confirm the reports that
the Chartered Company's troops have de-
feated the Matabeles in several fights. have
put Lobengula to flight and have occupied
Bulawayo. The official account says, more
over, that Major Gould Adams's column
was engaged with the Matabeles and after
the capture of Bulawayo it joined Major
Forbess troops.
The Daily News protests against the
home government allowing Rhodes to settle
the trouble with the Matabeles as the Cape
government suggests. The News has this
news from Fort Victoria: "All the adj
vancing columns had share in the
skirmishing. Their passing was necessarily
slow The Matabeles were wary and
tious, but for days Forbes's and Jameson's
columns kept in touch with them. On Fri
Day a Matabeie impi opened determined
attack upon Major Forbes's column. The
fight was vigorously sustained, but the
enemy were unable TO make any
impression upon the whites. who
hold their position in Larger. The
Matabeles were moved down on all sides
and finally retired with very heavy losses.
Fresh impis resumed the attack on Satur-
day, Major Forbes and the combination
columns being then within q few miles of
Bulawayo. The blacks fought with great
bravery but, in the face of machine guns
and improved rifles. were never able to get
within striking distance. Finally the at
tack weakened and the Matabeles showed
signs of retreat. The Maxims played on
their dense masses, and the whites in
Stantly rushed on the wavering warriors.
One royal imbeZzi regiment attempted to
stand it's ground. Half its men were shot
down, and the remainder fed back
to Bulawayo. In this practically
decisive battle Lobengula HIM
self commanded, personally directing
the movements OF MS neau men, Inc Tor
ward movement of troops was decided upon
before Lobengula had time rally his
men. The combined columns opened the at
tack on Bulawayo. There was but little
fight left in the Matabeles, who fled to
the north. The leading column was sent in
pursuit to prevent their rallying although
DR.. Jameson and Major Forbes lelieve
them beaten and cowed. Lobengula's power
is utterly gone. The losses OF the British
were slight, and were confined mainly to
Major Forbes's column. The loss of the
Matabeles is reported to exceed three thou
sand killed and wounded. The imperial
forces under Maj. Gould Adams reached
Bulawayo the day after the fighting, and
took part in it. All ihe settlers hope
the Matabeles may be driven beyond the
Zambesi"