The herald., 1896-04-25
A FIERCE FIGHT FOLLOWS
Resulting Ia the Death Of . thousand
Savages
The Troopers Are Driven Blackjack Of An.
munltlon and Of Provisions Makes
the Situation Desperate
Associated Press Special Wire.


several sources in the beseiged towns.
The news is somewhat conflicting. but
the main fact seems established that a
British sortie in force encountered
large numbers of Matabeles and killed
perhaps a thousand Of them. They
were at one time in danger OF annih1la-
tion and finally retreated.
The official version of the sortie says
that the British force shortly after mid
night was quietly called to arms and
without apparently alarming the native
part of the town, force of about 300
men under Captains Napier and Dun
can, with one Maxim gun and with a
Hotchkiss Quick-firing gun, mustered
outside the barbed wire defenses, were
served with ration of rum and saddle6
Up for a dash at the enemies lines.
Swords and all Gathering accoutrements
were deadened with cloth and the feet
of the horses composing the advance
guard were "bagged" (hoofs covered
with strong saclking). Owing to the pre-
cautions it was necessary to take there
was considerable delay in getting Off,
and the first streaks of gray on the hor-
izon could be seen when the column ar
rived within striking distance of the
enemy. The latter We're quietly en-
camped behind their stone-topped earth
works, about four miles from Buluwayo
Eut, contrary to expectations, the
Matabeles had thrown out pickets,
which, although surprised by the ad :
vance guard, raised the alarm. This
was no sooner done than the troopers
in advance charged and shot down
many of the fleeing natives. This was
the signal for the advance of the main
body of the troopers, and they galloped
forward in fine style to the support OF
their comrades. Unluckily for the
plans of Captains Napier and Duncan.
by this time it was getting quite light
and the Matabeles had sprung to arms
all along the line. AS the British ad-
vanced they were received by scatter
ing rifle fire from behind the earth
works, but the advance guard charged
right up to the mounds and spurred
their horses over them in several places.
Then followed a setback for the
troopers. The Matabeles charged in
force and drove the advance guard back
and. being met by the main body of the
Euluwayo force, fire was opened at
about 400 yards on the Matabele posi-
ton. This was kept up until broad day
light, when an advance was ordered,
in view of the fact that too much ammu-
milton was being wasted. Up to this
time the loss on either side had not been
heavy, although the Matabeles had far
the worst of u, especially when Maxim
and Hotchkiss guns were brought into
play to cover the retreat of the advance
guard.
Just previous to the advance on the
Matabele position the two rapid fire
guns wereagain set to work, and for
about quarter of an hour they were
made to sweep the Matabele position in
front of the British force. When the
right moment seemed to arrive the
charge was ordered and there was a
prolonged period of sharp fighting at
close quarters. Pistols. rifles, shotguns,
war clubs, spears and knives clashed
prettily, the music of the rapid fire guns,
ha nf their hpinQ
captured, having ceased.
Gradually the Matabeles, pressed on
ward by sheer force of numbers, almost
surrounded the British who, to avoid
being encircled, retreated, fighting foot
by foot. but being driven steadily back
ward. One squad for time was quite
cut off and only eXtricated itself by a
brilliant charge on the Matabeles.
Eventually the British were very hard
pressed and gave ground fast; then,
rallied by Napier and Duncan, they
again assumed the offensive and drove
back the swarms of natives under a
well directed fire. Then it was the turn
Of the Matabeles to give ground, and as
squads Of troops charged with ringing
cheer it threw them into confusion and
the British were apparently getting the
upper hand and slowly forcing the
enemy backward, when suddenly the re-
treat was ordered and the British re-
bcdtcO tOWdTu IuluWdyO, winch place
they reached considerably the worse
for wear and tear.
Much heroism was displayed by indi-
vidual British troopers and volunteers
In rescuing their wounded comrades
One trooper is said to have charged
alone close up to the Matabele works,
to have picked up wounded comrade,
dragged him upon his saddle and re-
treated after emptying the magazine of
his rifle at the enemy. Another trooper
stood over fallen comrade and with
the stock of his rifle beat off the natives
until both he and his friend We're res
oued by charge of their comrades.
The loss of the enemy Is said to have
ben very great. No correct estimate
could be made. The reports place the
number of Matabeles killed at between
400 and 1000. The loss of the British is
not stated, but it is believed to be more
severe than the commanders at BuIu-
wayo are willing to admit.
The unofficial account of the sortie
places matters in a somewhat different
light. 1t says there was good deal of
unnecessary delay in getting the troop
ers away from Buluwayo and that it
was almost daylight when they started
consequently when they encountered
the Matabeles they found the latter
fully prepared to receive them. There
was determined fighting on both sides
at close range, and the British, when
almost surrounded, retreated. fighting
stubbornly, with the loss of many killed
and wounded.
In brief. the sortie was failure, a de-
feat for the British, and. what is worse,
under the circumstances. there was an
expenditure of much of the small stock
of ammunition remaining at Buluwayo.
The Matabeles are to be flushed with
victory They have driven back into
Suluwayo a strong force, about half the
garrison of that place, and though they
suffered severely. the loss in prestige
and ammunition to the British is much
more severe.
+. c. Selous, the explorer, with a
squad of fifty troopers, was last report
ed on his way to Mangwe to complete
the repairs of the telegraph line at Fig
Tree and protect the line as far as pos
rible from marauding bands of Mata-
beles.
The rinderpest is still making terri
nc ravages in Bechuanaland, where the
natives are killing what remains of
tneir nerds in order to provide supplies
WIN which to sustain themselves. A
!amine Is in prospect, as the herds are
IN one way or the other being wiped out
Of existence. To make matters worse
the plague is attacking sheep and goats.
Politically there seems to be a SLIGHT
cnanee for the better, due, no doubt
TO the influence of Berlin. 1t is rumored
tnat the members of the reform commit
lee are 20 be leniently dealt with on con-
suitlon tnat they plead guilty of conspir-
ing against the government of Pretoria
ana u 10 added that the reformers are
oHy 100 8lau to to eScape at any roof