The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-14
AGAINST GREAT ODDS
Hopeless Fight of British Troop
ers i'm South Africa.
Captain Wilson's Party Led Into Trap
and Annihilated by 1000 of King
LObengula's Followers.

LONDON, Jan. 13.-Dispatches from Cape
Town confirm the previous report of the
massacre OF Captain Wilson's party. The
English force succumbed after most des-
perate struggle. They resisted 10 the last,
and many of the Matabeles were killed.
but their numbers were so many that re-
sstance on the part of the small British
forces was of no avail. Natives who have
just surrendered at Buluwayo say that
Captain Wilson, who was In pursuit OF
King Lobengula, suddenly came upon
strong detachment of Matabeles, about four
thousand in number, headed by the King
himself. The latter was able to mount a
horse and fly before the British advance.
But when the information was conveyed to
the King that the Wilson party was few in
number-thrty-four British troopers and
few natives-the King managed TO get the
Matabeles to make stand and prepare to
take the small British force in a trap In
structing the center of his force to con-
tinue retreating before the British troopers,
who were pressing their horses onward
through the Matabele ranks in the hope Of
capturing the King, the right and left
fianks OF the Matabele Impis We're in
structed to deplOy 10 the right and TO the
left and then TO strike the British force
on both fianlxs and In the rear
The British troopers, under the impression
that the Matabele power was entirely
broken. pressed onward after the King,
Keeping lip a running fire upon the retreat
ing Matabeles which attracted the attention
of Captain Wilson from the maneuNer
which the King had planned. In the mean
time the mounted portion OF captain VII
sons force had become separated from the
native auXiliaries. who, on foot. formedthe
rear guard OF the small force. When King
Iobengula saw that the British were sur
rounded on three sides, he made stand
upon some high ground and. at the same
time. the Matabeles on the hank began
detachent was settled. When il was too
late. Captain Wilson saw the trap into
which he had fallen owing 10 his overcon-
fdence and TO the impulsive desire
or the troopers to capture the
King. The Matabeles first shot the
horses from iInt Hnder tbt hG 70 tbt so.sf5 Sesf5
From behind their dead horses the British
troopers kept UP continual flre from tnelr
Carbines upon the steadily advancing Ma-
tabeles, and when the carbines were no
longer OF use, owing 10 the proximity OF the
savage enemy. they drew their reVolVers
and awaited the last rush OF the natives.
Ii was not long delayed. and then followed
n brief hand-tO-hand conflict, during which
sword and revolver met assegai and club;
only TO be swept down beneath the onward
rush OF overwhelming numbers, and thus
beneath shower of assegais, the troopers
lighting gallantly To the last and nring even
when upon their knees ana dying, met thelr
death. During the latter part OF the stand
made by the troopers against the Matabeles.
not A man OF the British force was uu-
wounded and some OF them had received at
least a dozen wounds. After ali resistance
had been overcome the triumphant natives
strDped the troopers OF every shred Of
clothing and mutilated the bodies in "A hor-
lihe manner.
The Wilson party included Captains Fitz-
gerald Judd Cfreenheld. kirtOn and Bar
row and Lieutenants Hughes and Hoff-
meyer Among the troopers under the
command OF these officers were a lot OF
YOUNGSTERS belonging 10 some OF the best
families in England. who had enlisted as
frooDers I'm order 20 get their first taste
of campaigning. These young men in