Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-03

CAPE TowN, November "A special
dispatch to the Associated Press re-
ports that King Lobengula is flying
northward, and.tha when last reported
at Fort Charter, by the native runners
sent out to the rear in order to open up
communication between the columns in
pursuit and that fort, the fugitive king
was trying to rally his troops in the vi
cinity OF the Shangale river and the
Kwelo. The king has been located
about 100 miles north Of Buluwayo aud
about 14O miles west Of Fort Charter.
The dispatches TO the Associated Press
add that King LobeDgula seems TO have
fallen into a complete trap, as his furth-
er flight northward towards the Zambe-
81 river is blocked and impassable' while
the IsetseAy country is in his rear and
Fort Salisbury on his right flank On
his left flank the British columns are
advancing, and thus 10 is expected the
king will be
COMPELLED To SURRENDER
within few days time. During the
march towards the Kwelo river the
British columns have seen numerous
bodies OF MatabeleS, but the latter a.
ways rstreated upon seeing the British
troops advance in force upon them.
on October % a small body of the
British Chartered COmpany's forces,
under Captain White, were guarding a
body of prisoners when a Matabele
force made a furious attack upon the
gusrd. Aftera sharp engagement, dur
ING which a number Of the Matabeles
were killed, the latter were driven of,
but not until the British had lost sew
eral killed and wounded, among the
former being Capt. Burnett, who was
shot dead.
After the British columns crossed the
Shanga river the advance was very
slow. as thew were surrounded by
Matabeles, who, however, made no open
attack. Several war kraals were pass
ed and destroyed.
THIS CONTINUED SEVERAL DAYS,
and on October 81 it was evidenced that
the MatabeleS were preparing for gen
eral battle. The attack was made be-
tween night and dawn, but the British
forces had made every preparation and
were ready. The preparations to re-
ceive the Matabeles were hardly COM
pleted when with wild yells which rent
the air, the NatabeleS, estimated 20 be
$1,000 strong, made desperate
rush forward upon the col
umns and upon the camp, attacking
from several sides al once and in one
instance sweeping by and over an ad-
vance picket which had not been called
into the main body. The Mata6eles
came forward ike o solid black wall
showing admirable discipline and the
greatest bravery. The British COM
manders allowed King L0bengUia'S i'm
pis TO advance until they were within
easy range Of the Martins rifles aud
Maxim guns, when at a prearranged
signal a deadly Ore was poured in the
ranks OF the Matabeles, For n moment
or so the Matabeles still pressed bravely
forward 10 spite Of the hall OF bullets
directed against them, their war cries
being drowned by the fearful grinding
roar OF the machine guns, backed up by
THE DEAFENING vOLLEYs
from the small arms in the hands Of the
colonists. Then for a few moments
there was a scene witnessed which was
peculiarly horrible, from the desperate
courage displayed by the Matabsles,
and bv the display Of terrible, engineer
ing, death dealing skill, made by the
machine guns which poured bullets like
water from a hose into the bowling
natives, moving them down like grass.
Before such a death dealing fire il was
no. to be expected that human beings
could make a stand aud they broke aud
fed, still followed by the ieaden rain
and leaving 500 killed and wounded GA
the field, ia addition TO carrying away
with them hundreds OF others
who were wounded. while as many
more at least were able 20 stagger away
ia retreat bearing more or less severe
wounds, from which numbers Of them
have since died The loss on the side
Of the British is too Insignificant TO re-
cord 10 view Of
THE WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER
OF the MatabeleS. Only two Of the
colOuiStS we're killed and six wounded.
After the battle the British force spent
some time ia burYing the dead and car
ing for the wounded, after which the
march 20 BuluwayS was continued aEd
the road was found clear 20 the capital,
the Natabeles evidently being too dis
heartened 20 attempt any further attack
upon the British force.