The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-08-13
THE BRITISH TROOPS, WON A De
CISIVE VICTORY IN SOUTH
AFRICA.
THE WILD CHARGE OF The NATIVES.
They Seemed 70 Court Death and Their
Bravery Won the Admiration of the
British-They Almost Captured
the British Guns.

lSJb. ny lne ASSOCldleu L reSS.l-DetdllS
have been received here of the decisive
victory won on Wednesday by the 100
British troops composed of Col. Plume's
column over a native force estimated to
have numbered from 5000 to 1000 men.
The latter fought desperately and brave
ly, charging up within Il few yards Of
the British rapid fire guns About 800
of the Matabele warriors were slain dur
ing the engagement, which lasted several
hours and the loss of the British included
Maj Kershaw, Lieut.. Harvey four SER
geants and about thirty men killed and
six officers, nOn-cOmmissioned officers
and about fifty men wounded according
to unofficial figures. The Mataheles and
their allies were commanded by the biz
chiefs Sokombeo and Umlugulus and
were divided into five impis or regiments.
each of over 1000 men well supplied
with arms and ammunition.
At & o'clock on Wednesday Il force of
about 100 men, whites and natives, cav
airy and infantry, all under British Off
GERS. marched TO Umlugulu valley. The
white infantry. commanded by Capt.
Beresford with two siege guns and
Maxim rapid fire gun was detailed 10
make a detour behind some hills and then
take up Il position from which the valley
could be shelled. 1t had previously been
reported by the scouts that the native
army in strong force was encamped i'll
the valley preparing for a forward
movement upon the British position.
The main body of the British troops was
halted while Capt. Beresfords detach-
ment was making its way to the position
designated for the artillery to occupy.
While this movement was being executed
the guns being moved over to an isolated
kopje, the Natal eles made a sudden and
determined dash at Capt. BerestordS
command. There was no strategy or con-
cealment. The natives rushed forward
like living tidal wave, and in spite of
the hot fire, which was pretty hotly
poured in their ranks, succeeded in
reaching a spot 100 yards from the
Maxim rapid fire guns before any of the
guns could be got into action. In fact.
another minutes delay in opening fire
with theg uns might have proved fatal
to Beresford's forward detachment, as
the white infantry was apparently una
BILE 10 check the reckless wild charge
of the tribesmen, who seemed to court
death in their wild attack upon the col
umn. When the guns began crashing
into the enemy. tearing wide. bloody
gaps in their ranks and the deadly Maxim
ratified its hail of lead into the heaving
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 killed
and wounded on the field. But. rallied
by the chiefs who bravely rushed to the
front. encouraging their followers by Il
magnificent dash, the native warriors
returned to the charge in the face of the
fierce fire of the British guns. and Capt.
RcreSfOrd'S forces We're for Il few mo-
mentS completely surrounded by surg
ing waves Of warriors who seemed 10
know no fear. The position of the BereS-
ford forces was then most critical and
their commander hurriedly ordered his
signal men to ask Col. Plume TO lose no
time in advancing with the main body
To their rescue While the signalling was
in progress Il hot and determined tight
ragged around the guns and several
British officers and men fell. In the dis
lance could be seen two more implS rush
ing forward to join in the attack upon
BereSford's position.
Col. Plume ordered the main body of
the British troops to advance. The
galop to storm the mills on the left of
Beresford's position. from which the ma
tiveS were delivering nasty. dripping
fire upon the kopje occupied by the Brit.
ish guns. The cavalry was CALAMITY led
by Maj. Kershaw. who charged up 10
within fifteen yards of the enemy's po-
Siton. when he was shot drought the
heart by Il native. who almost immedl-
ately afterwards fell ridded with bullets.
adv - hn hII N
Plume was quickly noticed by the ma
tives. who We're pressing around the
BereSford detachment and it caused them
to take steps to retreat in order to es-
cape being caught between three hreS.
The guns were thus able to do better eN,
ccution and Il well directed fire OF shell
shot. followed by Il well placed hre OF
Sharpnet. soon changed the native AT
tack into Il retreat and with tuil rem,
forccments they Immediately, broke ana
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
bravely charging almost up To the mu|-
Zles of the British guns. The bravery
of the natives earned the admiration or
the British but their shooting was of the
worst possible description.
During the first rush upon the BereS-
ford kOple, Napl. l-leNellel ptIH'ldlIH
saved the Maxim gun by some smart
sabre and revolver work. At one time he
was completely alone with the natives.
they having driven back the gunnerS
and being almost in possession of the
field. The captains determined stand.
however. enabled Il British rush to re-
gain the gun.
The defeat q the natives undoubtedly
will have considerable effect as the impiS
defeated are among the best trained of
the rebel forces. 1t is believed. however.
that further advance of the British
force must he made and another defeat
inflicted upon the natives before the
terms of peace will be considered by
either side
4 number of friendly natives serving
with the British deserted to the enemy
during the fight. The engagement lasted
about six hours.
Gen Darlington 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 the uprising is finally
hrol.nO