The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-08-08
A Decisive Battle Won by the
British Troops
NATIVES FOUGHT FlERCELY
But We're Moved Down by the Rapid
Fire Guns
Five Hundred ratabele Warriors Lett Dead
on the Field, and the
British Loss Is Heavy


won on Wednesday by 700 British troops
composing Colonel Plummer's column,
over native force estimated at 5000 70
1000. The latter fought desperately and
bravely, charging up to within few
yards of the British rapid fire guns.
About 500 Matabele warriors were slain
during the engagement, which lasted
several hours. The loss of the British in
cludes Major Kershaw, Lieutenant Har-
vey, four sergeants, about thirty soldiers
killed and six officers, several non-com-
missioned officers and about fifty men
wounded.
The Matabeles and allies We're COM
manded by the big chiefs Solombeo and
Umlugulhs and divided into five impis cr
regiments, each of over 1000 men, well
supplied with arms and ammunition.
At o'clock on Wednesday morning
force of about 700 men, cavalry, infantry
and artillery, all under British officers,
marched to the Umlugulu valley. The
white infantry commanded by Captain
Beresford with two screw guns and
Maxim rapid fire gun was detached to
make a detour behind some hills and
then take up a position from which the
valley could be shelled. 1t had previous
ly been reported by the scouts that the
enemy in strong force was encamped
in the valley, preparing for forward
movement upon the British positions.
The main body of the British troops was
halted while Captain Beresford's de-
tachment was making it's way to the
position designated for the artillery to
While tbiC n1nEar1apt he
ing executed, the guns being moved
over a small. isolated kopje, the Mata-
beles made a sudden and determined
dash at Captain Beresfords 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,
they succeeded in getting within forty
yards of the British guns and reached q
spot fifteen feet from the Maxim guns.
A minutes delay would have proved
fatal to the British detachment, as the
white infantry was apparently unable to
check the wild charge of the trbesmen.
who seemed to court death in their
fierce attack upon the column. But
when the screw guns began crashing in
to the enemy, tearing wide, bloody gaps
in the ranks, and the deadly Maxim
ratified it's hail of lead into the heavy
masses of the rapidly moving impis, the
natives wavered in their charge and
moment later the rush was stopped and
they began to give way, leaving their
dead and wounded on the field, but ral-
lied by the Chiefs they bravely rushed
to the front. Encouraging their followers
by display of magnificent dash, the ma
tive warriors returned to the charge in
the face of the fierce fire of the British
guns, and Captain Beresfords force for
Il few moments was completely sur
rounded by the surging waves of war
riors, who seemed to know no fear.
The position of the Beresford force was
most critical, and their commander hur-
riedly ordered his signal men to ask
Col. Plummer to lose no time in advanc-
ing with the main body to their rescue
While the signaling was in progress a
hot and determined fight ragged around
the guns, and several British officers
and men fell In the distance could be
seen two more impis rushing forward
to join in the attack upon the Beres-
ford position. Col. Plummer ordered the
main body of British troops to advance.
The mounted men We're sent forward al
a gallop to storm the hills on the left of
Beresford'S position, from which the ma
tives were delivering a dropping fire.
The cavalry was gallantly led by Ma
jor Kershaw, who charged up to within
fifteen yards of the enemy's position,
when he was shot through the heart by
q, native, who almost Immediately af-
terward fell, literally riddled with bull
lets. The advance of the main body Of
Plummers forces was quickly notified
by the natives, who We're pressing
around the Beresford detachment, and it
caused them to take steps to retreat, in
order to escape being caught between
three fires. The guns We're thus able to
do better execution. and a well directed
fire of case-shot, followed by q well
placed fire of shrapnel, soon changed
the native attack into a retreat, and
when the full reinforcements came into
action, the enemy broke and fed
The guns and war rockets played upon
the natives as long as they were within
range, but the main loss of the enemy
was inflicted while they were so brave
ly charging almost up to the muzzles
of the British pieces. The bravery of the
natives 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. Llewellyn 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 gun
ners and being almost in possession of the
pieces. The captains determined stand,
however, enabled the British to regain
the gun, and he was helped out of his
difficult case. The defeat of the natives
will undoubtedly have considerable eff
feet, as the impis defeated are among the
best trained of the rebel forces.
1t is believed, however. that a further
advance of the British forces must be
made and another defeat inflicted upon
the natives before terms of peace will be
considered by either side.