The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-13
THEY Died LIKE CUSTER
story ar the heroic Death of Wilson's
Command in 1Iatabeland-


story ~ the heroic Death u wilson's
Command an 71atsabeland-
CAPETowN, Jan. Details Of the
massacre of Captain Wilson's party by
the 1Iatabeies were received today. The
news from Buluwayo shows that Captain
Wilson and his men made hard fight
and died gallantly. fighting to the last
Captain Wilson. who WAS In pursuit on
King Lobengula suddenly came upon
strong detachment of Aataoeles. headed
by the king himself. The latter was able
to mount horse and hy before the Brit
ish advance. But when the Information
was conveyed to the king THAI the VIII
SON party was few Ina num oerss some re-
ports placing the detachment ut forty
British troopers and q hundred on SO aux
iliaries. the king managed % get the
1Iatabeles to make stand and prepare
to- take the small British force in a trap.
InstrucUng the centre of his force to con
tinue retreating before the British troop
ers, who were pressing their horses on
ward through the Alatabele ranks in hope
of capturing the king the right and left
fanks Of the Aata0ele impis were IN
slructed TO deplOy the right and to the
left and to gradually converge inward, So
as to take the British force on both TANKS
and ia the rear.
When King L0bengula saw that the
British We're surrounded en- three Sides
q
the fate Of the British detachment was
sealed. Hurriedly having the halt sound
ed. Captain Wilson, gathered his men to-
gether and prepared to- retreat upon the
dismounted portion of his command. in
hope OF being able to make stand
against the enemy. or failing III this, to
sell their lives as dearly as possible
Then began 4 gallant fight to the
death. From behind their dead horses
the British troopers kept up continual
fire from their carbines upon the stead
ily advancing Matabeles. and when the
carbines were no longer of use, owing to
the proximity of the savage enemy, they
drew their revolvers and awaited the
last rush of the natives. 1T was not long
delayed, and then followed "a brief hand
to hand conflict, during which sword and
revolver met assegai and elubs only to be
swept down beneath the onward rush Of
overwhelming numbers, and this be
Meath a shower Of asaegais, the troopers
fighting galIanuy to the last, and firing
even when upon their knees and dying,
met death.
After all resistance had been overcome,
the triumphant natives stripped the
trooper of every shred Of clothing aud
mutilated the bodies in horrible man
ner.
Captain Wilson'S force. outside of a
few natives, is now said TO have NUM-
bered only thirty-hve troopers, and the
number of natives which surrounded
them is varicusly estimated al from one
To four thousand
Captain Wilson's party included Cap
tains Fitzgerald, Judd, Greenfield, kier-
ten ana Burrows, and LIeutenalts Hughes
and Hoffmeier.
Among the troopers under the conn
mand Of these officers were a lot of
youngsters belonging 90 some Of the best
families in England. who had enlisted
as troopers in order to get their first
taste Of campaigning These young
men included among their number the
SON of Sir Julius NogeI- formerly the
agent general for New Zealand il Lon
don
All reports confirm the statements that
the young troopers made the most gal
liant defense keeping tAe savages at bay
for a comparatively long time, owing To
their excellent manship and the
excellent manner in which they faced
the enemy throughout