The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-08
FIVE HUNDRED KILLED I'm A
PITCHED BATTLE FOUGHT AT
BULUWAYO.
ENGLISH SUFFERED ALSO.
THIRTY TROOPERS AND SIX OFFI-
GERS KILLED BY THE MATA-
Belle WARRIORS.
RAPID FIRE GUNS SAVED THE DAY.
But for Them the British Detach-
ment Would Have Been Wiped
Out of Existence.

cAPETOWN, Aug. "details have
been received of the decisive victory
won on Wednesday by the 700 British
troops composing Col. Plummer's col
umn, over a native force estimated to
have numbered from 5000 to 1000. The
latter fought most desperately and
bravely, charging up within few
yards of the British rapid-fre guns.
About 500 of the Matabele warriors
were slain during the engagement,
which lasted several hours, and the
loss of the British included Maj. Ker-
shaw, Lieut.. Harvey, four sergeants,
about thirty soldiers killed and six Of
flcers, several commissioned Of
ficers and about fifty men wounded,
according to unofficial figures The
Matabeles and their allies were COM
manded by the big chiefs Sokombeo
and Umlungulus and were divided into
five impis or regiments, each of over
1000 men, well supplied with arms and
ammunition
At O'Clock on Wednesday morn
ing, force of about 700 men, whites
and natives, cavalry, infantry and artil-
lery, all under British officers, marched
to the Umlugulu valley. The white in
fantry commanded by Capt. Beresford,
with two screw guns and a Maxim
rapid-f1re gun, was detached to make
detour behind some hills, and then
take up position from which the val
ley could be shelled. 1t had previously
been reported by the scouts that the
enemy in strong force, was encamped
In the valley, preparing for a forward
movement upon the British positions.
The main body of the British troops
was halted while Capt. Beresford's
detachment was making its way to the
position designated for the artillery to
occupy. While this movement was be-
Ing executed, the guns being moved
over small, isolated kopje, the Mata-
beles made a sudden and determined
dash at Capt. Beresford's command.
There was no strategy or concealment.
The natives rushed headlong at the
British and in spite of the heavy fire
which was poured into their ranks,
succeeded in getting within forty yards
or the British guns, and reached a spot
fifteen feet from the Maxim guns.
A minutes delay would have proved
fatal to the Beresford detachment as
the white infantry was apparently un
able to check the reckless wild charge
OF the tribesmen who seemed to court
death In their fierce attack upon the
column. But when the screw guns be-
gan crashing case shot into the
enemy, tearing wide, bloody gaps in
the ranks, and the deadly Maxim rat
tied its hail of lead into the heaving,
serried masses Of the rapidly moving
1mpis, the natives Wavered in their
charge and, moment later, the rush
was stopped, and they began to give
way, leaving heaps of dead and wound
ed on the field. But, rallied by the
chiefs who bravely rushed to the front.
encouraging their followers by a dis
play of magnificent dash, the native
warriors returned to the charge in the
face of the fierce fire of the British
guns and Capt. Beresford's force was
Tor few moments, completely sur
rounded by surging waves Of warriors.
seeming to know no fear
The position Of the Beresford forces
was then most critical, and the COM
mander hurriedly ordered his signal
men to ask Col. Plumer to lose no time
IN advancing with the main body to
their rescue. While the signalling was
In progress. hot and determined fight
RACED around the guns, and several
British officers and men fell In the
distance, could be seen two more i'm
pis rushing forward to join in the at
tack upon Beresford's position. Col.
Plummer ordered the main body Of the
British troops to advance. The mount
ed men were sent forward at a gallon to
storm the hills on the left of Beres-
ford's position, from which the natives
We're delivering hasty. dropping fire,
upon the kopje occupied by the British
guns. The cavalry was gallantly led
by Maj. KerShaw, who charged up to
within fifteen yards of the enemy's
position, when he was shot through the
heart by a native, who almost immed-
lately afterwards fell, literally riddIed
with bullets. The advance Of the main
body of Plummer's forces was quickly
noticed by the natives, who were press
ing around the Beresford detachment,
and it caused them to take steps to re-
between three fires. The guns were
thus able to do better execution and a
well directed fire of case shot, followed
by well placed fire Of shrapnel, soon
changed the native attack into a re-
tract and when the full reenforcements
came into action, the enemy broke and
fled. The guns and war rockets played
upon the natives as long as they were
In range, but the main loss was inf1ict-
ed while they were so bravely charg-
ing almost up to the muzzles of the
British pieces. The bravery Of the ma
tiveS earned the admiration Of the
British, but their shooting was of the
worst possible description.
During the first rush upon the Beres-
ford kopje, Capt. Lewellyn personally
saved the Maxim gun by some smart
sabre and revolver work At one time
he was completely alone, the natives
having driven back the gunners and
being almost in possession Of the
pieces. The captains determined
stand, however. enabled the British
rush to regain the gun, and get him out
Of his difficulties.
The defeat of the natives will I'M
doubtedly have considerable effect, as
the impis defeated are among the best
trained of the rebel forces. Tt is be-
1ieyed, however. that a further ad-
vance of the British forces must be
made, and another defeat inflicted upon
the natives before terms of peace will
be considered by either side. A number
Of friendly natives, serving with the
British, deserted to the enemy during
the fight. The cement lasted about
six hours. Gen. Darlington is under
stood to be preparing to drive the
enemy eastward towards the upper
part of the country, where another
fight may occur before the backbone
Of the uprising is finally broken.
T.ANn RITZ. GAVEn