The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-10-04


Fighting with Reckless Bravery.
MADRID, Oct 4-The Spanish authori.
ties recently decided to add to the strength
of the fortiication of Melilla, on theuorth
coast of Morocco The work was begun
and pushed forward rapidly.
This increased the Moors, and on Mon
day morning a force of more than 5000
natives attacked the Spanish garrison
400 souls. Tho Spanish troops had no food,
but this was a matter OF small couse-
quence to them, as they knew chat death
or slavery awaited them should they be
captured. They fought desperately.
The white residents of the town organ
lied a force and took part i'm the defense
They were greatly outnumbered by the
Moors, however, and were finally com
PEELED to retire into the fortress located on
the outskirts of the town, where they are
still basieged
During the battle eighteen Of the Span
iards were killed and thirty-dve wounded,
including three officers
The Spanish gunuers at one time directed
their fire upon a mosque, and almost com
pletely destroyed it, Other buildings in
the range of their fire were also destroyed
Northern Morocco has been greatly eX-
cited by the news Of the attack, and the
fanaticism of the inhabitants is being
aroused by Mohammedan demands for re-
venge upon the "inndels" for destroying
/ the mosque.
The Spanish officers and troops di splayed
the greatest bravery. The town, which is
one of the Spanish penal settlements, is
commanded by a citadel, which is built on
a rock. After the Spanish troops and their
civilian allies were forced by overwhelm-
ing numbers to retreat into the citadel
the Moors attempted to take the place ty
assault They swarmed up the roadways
and tried in every way to scale the walls
The beleagured men poured volley after
volley at them but as the Moors did not
! fight in any regular order, the fire was not
as destructive as it would otherwise have
been. Several sorties were made upon the
Moors, but each time the defenders were
driven back.
! A small body of the Spanish cavalry that
was well drilled and well handled proved
of the utmost service. Toward the end of
the day the Moors abandoned their guerilla
mode of warfare and formed themselves
into ranks. Then, shouting their battle
cries, they advanced upon the citadel
When they were within a short distance Of
the wall the heavy main gate swung open
dashed into the ranks of the advancing
Moors, their keen edged sabres swinging
right and left among the enemy, who broke
ranks and retreated as hastily as possible
The Moors were ridden down and tram
| Piled upon by the iron shod hoofs of the
| horses, and number of them met their
death in this manner. The cavalry made
several charges, always with the same re-
suit. The Moors would retreat until the
chase was abandoned, when they would
again assume the aggressive.
Fhe Moors displayed an absolute disre-
gard for danger that compelled the adj
miration of the men fighting against them.
A the news of the battle rapidly spread
by runners reached the villages back from
the coast the male inhabitants sprang to
arms and hastened to the aid of the tribes
/ men.
The fury of the Moors was added to
when the Spanish artillery men wrecked
the mosque, which was sacred in the eyes
of the natives.
The citade. is well supplied with pro-
! visions and water, and can be taken only
by assault. Meantime the Spanish gov
ernment is hurrying forward reinforce
ments
The Moors requested truce yesterday
The request was granted and both sides
buried their dead. The Moors have sued
for peace. The Moorish government has
been cowed completely by Spain's prepara-
tion for war. 1t has promised TO make any
reparation and has assured Spain Of its
most earnest efforts to repress the saw
| agery of the hostile tribes Most of the
tribes are reported to have promised to
abstain from all further hostilities against
the Melilla garrison, but there is little
confidence that they will keep their word.