Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04
MOVING DOWN THE MATABELE.
Episode of the Recent Campaign Against
Lobengula.

private Letter In London Telegraph
Whenever we were on the march we
always had vedettes and scouts out to
right, left, front, and a rear guard; thus
IL we saw a party OF horsemen rushlnS
toward US at break-ncck speed 1t was a
signal to lager up, which we had TO do
so often that 1t could be done In twenty
mlnutes-which is saying a great deal
the rear wagon being a long distance
astern, each wagon being almost locked
IN with the one ahead of IL. with the
dessel-boom Tor shafO outside, so that all
wagons could inspan together. The
wagons were made into square, long
or short, according to the number or
vehicles.
We made two laagers-the Victoria
one, the Salisbury another-and between
the two laagers the cattle 900 head truck
oxen) and loot were driven. Then bush
was cut and put outside. thus every
thing was as compact as possible, ana we
mounted on top Of the wagons and de-
Tended the lager. This continued day
after day, the monotony being only
broken by burning and lootinS kraals
OF the enemy and shooting game. I'LL we
came TO a river called Shangani, where
we laagered up for the night. or course.
every night we had main guard and a
nickel out all night. the main guard
being 100, the picket 900 yards from camp.
and a lot Of Makalakas { tribe which
stood in deadly fear Of the Matabele) TO
the north of the camp.
On the morning of October 18th at $50
we were awakened by hearing shots hred.
Immediately we stood to arms, and look
ing through the darkness saw Thousands
of niggers rushing towards US. When the
Maxim guns started firing there was a
sudden check. They could not believe II;
made arother rush, and were checked
again. and so on until mornins-till day.
light broke-and some Of the most ghast-
" objects It has ever been my lot 10
see-and I was in EgyDt-were visible
bodies being literally tors In pieces and
lying as near as ten and twelve yards
from camp.
As II got lighter the enemy moved
further off, and our seven-pounder % con-
verted underground Armstrong; came
into play. another object of wonder 10
them. We saw common shell thrown
800 yards, and It would nave lain harm
less. only az soon as they saw II they
fired at 1t with their rifles and burst It
to their own detrlinent.
One incident of herOism Is worth record
ing. AS the daylight was breaking we
heard about 100 yards of. yells Of pain.
and on looking IN the direction saw n
wounded Niger standing up crying
"Miaw." C'mother" an exclamation al
ways used by Xulus IN time of distress.
and these Matas are proud that they are
true Zulus) Immediately every rifle
ceased firing. and cries Of run in were
raised he seemed undetermined for a
long while. till the Bishop Of Mashonaland,
DR.. Knight. went out to him. and helped
him into camp amid constant shots from
the enemy. A cheer went UP, and busl-
ness was resumed.
when the enemy were getting thinned
out little. horsemen were sent out TO
complete the rout We had ten men killed
In this battle. We staid there TIL the
afternoon, and small parties went into
the bush, where We came upon numerous
dead bodies, and almost incredible 70 te-
lieve, any aamount OF Martini-Henry
rifles, even Express and Winchester wea-
pons one OF the sights we saw was an
Iduna Chief shot through the abdomen
and hanging by the neck II Is conjec-
tured he was in command OF the eXpedi-
ton, and hanged himself IN preference 10
being killed by his king, Lobengula, which
was certainty after being defeated