The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-08-13
MA,s.cpr
Det"ii" OF a Bloody Fight H..
Them and the pr,., "etwcel

Wv
CapetOwn, Aug. 9-DetaiIs ~.
received of the decisive vinto ma'eb been
Wednesday by the 700 Rri,iss, won on
composing Col. Plumer's column" oops
a native force estimated to have over
bered from 5000 to 1000. Tho num-
Fought most desperately and msIer
charging up within Il few wards ~ Z
BRUSH rapid-firc guns. Abont sno Ae
the Matabcle warriols were slain vi
Ing the engagement, which lastnd !"
IL hours. and the loss of ,hn NV -
included Maj. Kershaw. Ltput U ~
four ~SergedntS. about thirty .oLr!,
killed and six officers and ahor, as
men wounded, according 10 urnein,G,
figures. The MatabelcS and thoir =" a.
lies were commanded by the bio rLiosl
Sokombeo ana HmluguluS. ana yo.a
divided into five impiS. on. ro~in,nn
each of yer 1000 men. we'll sunntiaS
with arms and ammunition. g. -
o'clock on "Wednesday morning , fnro"o
of about 700 men. whites and natives
cavalry. infantry ana artillery. all mn
der British officers. marched ro rho
Emlu@ulu valley. The white infant,r
commanded by Capt. BcrcSford. with
tho screw guns and Il Maxim rand.
fire gun. was detached to make , DO
tour behind some hills. and then take
up Il position from which the valley
could be Shclled. The Matabplcs made
a sudden and determined dash at Cam.
BOreSfOrd'S command. There WAS No
strategy or cOncoalment. The atiyes
rushed hcadlong at the British, and in
spite of the heavy fire which was
poured into their ranks, succeeded in
getting within forty yards of the Bril-.
iSh guns and reached Il spot fifteen feet
from the Maxim guns. When the
screw guns began crashing ease shot
into the enemy, tearing wide, bloody
gaps in the ranks. and the deadly
Maxim ratified its hail Of lead into the
heaVing. sCrricd masses of the rapidly
moving impiS. the natives Wayered in
their charge. ana. a moment later. the
rush vas stopped and they began 10
give way, leaving heaps OF dead and
wounded Oh the field. But. rallied hv
the chiefs, who bravcly rushed 10 the
front. encouraging their followers by
display Of magnificent dash. tn" native
warriors returned 10 the charge in the
face of the fierce fire of the British
guns. and Capt. B~cresfOrd'S force was
for Il few moments completely sur
rounded by Surging waves Of warriors,
seeming TO know no fear.
Col. plumer ordered the main body Of
the British troops To advance. The
mounted men were sent forward at a
gallop TO storm the hills on the left of
BereSfOrd'S position. from which the
-, tt,-,a. -~a,.a Ja1t nj . ~. A l,Hyu 1pn,,
ping fire upon the kopje occupied by
the British guns. The cavalry was cal.
lantly led by Maj. Kershaw, who
charged up Il within fifteen yards Of
the encny's position. when he was
shot through the heart by a native.
who almost Immediately afterwari
fell riddled with bullets. The advance
of the main body of Plumer'S force
was quickly noticed by the NATIVES,
who were pressing around the Beres'
ford detachment. and IL caused them
to take steps to retreat in order 70
escape being caught between three
fires. The guns were thus able TO 90
better execution. and a well directed
fire of east shot, followed by a wen
placed fire of Shapnel soon changed the
iltNlN iNNal' N lhl' u 'H
the full achievements came into ac
ton the enemy broke and fed. Inc
bravery of the natives earned the ad'
miration of the British. but their SHOOT
ing was Of the worst possible descrlp,.
ton. The defeat Of the natives VIII
undoubtedly have considerable elec''
as the impis defeated are among Tue
best trained of the rebel forces. III
believed. however. that further au-
of the British forces must p
made and another defeat inflicted upon
the natives before terms of peace VIII
be considered by either side. Inc eur
gagement lasted about six hours. "eh'
Darlington is understood 10 be prepal'
ing To drive the enemy eastward ~
ward the upper part OF the couhus'
where another fight nay occur peio,o
the backbone Of the uprising Is hiian'
broken.