The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-08

4NO II SsiT-sTstllant COhuucE Oh Men
Who Do Credit to Her Majesty's
Army.
CAPETOWN, Aug. 7.-(Copyright by
Associated Press. "Details have been re-
ce2yed here of a decisive victory ON
Wednesday won by ZOO British troops,
composing Colonel Plummer's column,
over the native forces estimated at from
5000 to 1000. The latter fought desper-
ately and bravely, charging within a few
yards of the British rapid hre guns.
ABOUT 800 Matabele warriors We're slain
during the engagement, which lasted sew
eral hours. The loss to the British IN
+ Guided Major Kershaw. Lieutenant Har-
Vey and four sergeants, with about
thirty soldiers killed and six officers, sew
eI-al non-commiSsioned officers and about
fifty men wounded
The Matabeles and allies were COM
manded by the big chiefs SokoInbeo and
| Umlugulus, and divided into five impis
or regiments, each OF over LOCO, we'll sup
piled with arms and ammunition.
AT o'clock Wednesday morning, a
force of about 700 men, cavalry, infantry
and artillery, all under British officers,
marched TO the Umiugulu valley. The
white infantry, commanded by Captain
Beresford, with two Sew guns and a
Maxim rapid-fire gun, was detached to
then take up a position from which
THE VALLEY COULD BE sHELLED.
1t had been previously reported by the
scouts that the enemy in strong foFce
was encamped in the valley, preparing
for forward movement upon the Brit
iSh positions. The main body of the
British troops were halted, while Cap
tain Beresford's detachment was making
its way to the position designated for the
artillery to occupy. While this move
ment was being executed, the guns be-
ing moved over small, isolated kopje,
the Matabeles made a sudden and deter
termined dash at Captain Beresford' 5
command. There was no strateSy or con-
| cealment 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
spot fifteen feet from the Maxim gun.
A minutes delay would have
PROVED FATAL TO THE BRITISH
detachment, as the white infantry was
apparently unable 10 check the reckless
wild charge of the tribeSmen, VINO seemed
to court death in their fierce attack upon
the column. But when the screw guns
began crashing case shot into the en-
envy, tearing wide, bloody gaps in the
ranks and the deadly Maxim ratified Its
hail of lead into the heavy-serried mass
eS of the rapidly moving imp.s, the ma
tives waveTed in their charge and mo
ment later the rush was stopped and they
began to give way, leaving their DEAD
and wounded on the field; but rallied by
the chiefs, they bravely rushed 10 the
front Encouraging their followers by g.
display OF magnificent dash, the naive
warriors returned to the charge in the
face of the fierce fire OF the British guns,
and Captain Beresford's force for few
moments was completely surrounded by
the
sURGING WAVES OF WARRIORS,
who seemed to know no fear. The posi-
ton of the Beresford force was most crit
zeal and their commander huTrledly Or
dered his signal men TO ask Co-onel
Plummar to lose no time LII advancing
with the main body to Their rescue.
| While the signalling was in progress,
hot and determined fight ragged around
/ the guns, and several British officers and
men fell. In the distance could be seen
two more inp4s rushing forward to Joln
in the attack upon the Beresfords posi-
ton. Colonel PIummer ordered the main
| body of the British troops to advance
! The mounted men were sent forward at
| a gallon TO storm the hills On the left
of Beresford's position, from when the
natives were delivering a dropping fire.
| The cavalry was gallantly led by Ma
! ior KershaW, who charged up TO within
| fifteen yards of the enemys position,
when he was
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART
! by a native, who almost immediately
! afterwards fell literally riddled with bui-
| let's The advance of the main body OF
! Plummers forces was quickly noticed by
! the natives, who were pressing around
| the BereSford detachment, and 1t caused
them to take steps TO retreat in order to
! escape being caught between three fires.
! The guns were thus able to do better eX-
| ecuton, and a well directed ire OF case
| shot, followed by wei-placed nre or
! shrapnell, soon changed the native at
tack into a retreat, and when the full
reinforcementS came into action the en-
| envy 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 bravery
/ charging, almost up to the muzzleS of
| tn British pieces. The
BRAVERY OF THE NATIVES
earned admiration of the British. but
| their shooting was of the worst poss1b4e
! description.
! ford kopje, Captain Lleweliyn personally
! saved the Maxim gun by some smart
sa,ber 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 ne was helped ne PED Out
1 tives viii undoubtedly have considerable
I effect as the imp!s defeated are among
1 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.
A number of friendly natives, serving
with the British, deserted to the enemy
during the night. The engagement lasted
about six hours.
General Carr.ngton is understood to be
preparing to drive the enemy eastward
toward the upper part of the country,
where another fight may occur before the
backbone of tine uprising is finally broken.
T