The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-08

| the Most Desperate Saior Upon Df't-
| ish Force Equipped With the Deadly
| Machine Gun-sscond Repulse and the
Arrival of Reiuforcements Get Them
ON the Run-Fearfui Slaughter is Ef-
| fected-Another Licking Needed Yet
| Copyrighted 1896 by the Associated Press)
Cape Town, Aug. "details have been
received here Of the decisive victory won
on Wednesday by the British troops
composing Colonel Plummer's column
over a native force estimated TO nave
numbered from 5000 to 1000. The latter
fought most desperately and bravery
charging up within few yaros Oh 'ne
British rapid fire guns. About oo" oi
the Matabele warriors were siam Jul
ing the engagement, when iasteo
eral hours, and the loss OF the Dri'isn
moulded Major Kershaw, lieutenant
Harvey. four sergeants, about thirty
soldiers and six officers, several non
| conou,i ssroned officers and about nrty
mon wounded, according to official ng-
ures The Matabeles and their allies
We're commanded by the big Chiefs So
kombeo and Umuglus, and were d.
vided into five impis, or regiments, each
of over / 900 men, well supplied with
arms and ammunition.
THE BRITISH ADVANCE.
At 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning,
force of about 100 men whites and ma
tives, cavalry, infantry, and artillery,
all under British officers, marched to the
Umugulu valley. The white infantry,
commanded by Captain Beresford, with
two screw guns and a rapid-fire gun,
was detached to make a detour behind
some hills and then take up position
from which the valley could be shelled.
1t had been previously reported by the
scouts that the enemy, IN strong force,
was encamped in the valley, preparing
for a forward movement upon the Bri-
fish possessions. The main body or the
British troops was halted while cap
tain Beresford's detachment was max
ing it's way to the position designated
for the artillery to occupy. While this
movement was being executed, the guns
being moved over small isolated kop-
lie. the Matabeles made a sudden and
determined dash at Captain Beres-
ford's command. There was no STRAIT
egg or concealment. The natives rush.
ed headlong at the British. and in spite
of the heavy fire which was poured in
to their ranks. succeeded In getting with
in forty yards of the British guns. and
reached a spot fifteen feet from the
Maxim guns. A minutes delay would
have proved fatal to the Beresford de-
tachment, as the white infantry was
apparently unable to check the reck
less wild charge Of the tribesmen. who
seemed to court death in their fierce at
tack upon the column.
THE GUNS AT WORK.
But when the screw guns began
crashing case shot into the enemy tear
ing wide bloody gaps in the ranks, and
the deadly Maxim ratified X hail of
lead into the heaying sennied masses Of
the rapidly moving impis, the natives
wavered in their charge, and, q mo-
ment later the rush was stopped, and
they began to give way, leaving heaps
OF dead and wounded on the field. But,
rallied by the chiefs, who bravely rushed
to the front, encouraging their fellow
ers by a display of magnificent dash,
tn native warriors returned to the
charge in the face of the fierce fire Of
the British guns, and Captain Beresford
force was for a few moments, COM
pletely surrounded by surging waves OF
warriors who seemed to know no fear
The position of the Beresford forces
was then most critical and their COM
mander hurriedly ordered his signal men
to ask Colonel Plummer to lose no time
in advancing with the main body to
their rescue. While the signalling was
in progress a hot and determined fight
ragged around the guns and several Bril-
fish officers and men fell. In the dis
lance could be seen two more impis
rushing forward TO join in the attack
upon Beresford's position.
THE RESCUE.
Colonel Plummer 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 whom the ma
tives were delivering hasty, dropping
fire upon the kopjec occupied by the
British guns. The cavalry was gall
lantly led by Major Kershaw, who
charged up to within fifteen yards OF
the enemy's position. when he was shot
through the heart by a native, who al
most Immediately afterwards fell lit
orally riddled with bullets. The ad-
vance OF the main body Of Plummer's
forces was quickly noticed by the me-
tives who were pressing around the
Beresford detachment, and IL caused
to escape being caught between three
frs.
The guns were thus able TO better exc
cution and a we'll directed fire Of case
shot followed by a weli-placed fire OF
shrapnell, soon changed the natives at
tack 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 in range. but the
main loss of the enemy was inflicted
while they were so bravely charging al
most I'D to the muzzles OF the British
pieces The Drawer of the natives earn
ed the admiration OF the British. but
their shooting was of the worst posi-
bic description
NEED ANOTHER LICKING
During the first rush upon the Beres-
ford kopje Captain Lewellyn personal
ly saved the Maxim gun by some smart
ssber and revolver work At one time
ne was completely alone. the natives
having driven back the gunners ana oe-
ing almost in possession of the pieces
The captains determined stand. now
ever, enabled the British rush TO Ne
gain the gun, and he was helped out or
his difficulties. The defeat OF the ma
tives will undoubtedly have considerable
effect. 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 viii
be considered by eithr side.
A numbr of friendly natives serving
with the British.deserted 10 the enemy
during tn night. The engagement
lasted about six hours General Har-
rington is understood 20 be preparing