The herald., 1896-04-27
The Natives Display Both Bold
ness and Skill
A FIERCE BATTLE FOUGHT
The Natives Are Driven Back but Not
Defeated
Meantime Provisions Grew Scarce at Bulu-
wayo, and Anxiety Increases In the
Bslesgusred Ssttlemsnt
Associated Press speoial Wire.

CAFE IOWN, ApTll zo.-IHe news OL
events IN Buluwayo show
that the Matabeles are displaying great
boldness and energy in the pursuit OF
their purpose to surround the town COM
pletely and cut off all communication
with the outside world.
On Saturday morning 1t was found
that the hostile forces Of natives had
surrounded the town on the north. east
and west, their ranks being much too
close to the. town, to allow OF any free
dom of action by those within. Their
lines were being energetically extend
ed in both directions and threatened to
close in on the south and cut off COM
with Mangwe and Mafe-
king. The pickets of the enemy were
fouSS to be in no case beyond four miles
distant from the Buluwayo lines and
proved knowledge of military strategy
over that displayed in the war of Loben-
gula. by the way in which they were
throwing up rude Notifications and
earthwork projections beyond which
the native warriors could resist the
charge Of the whites. They threatened
thus to work an approach to the town
jeopardy. Immediate steps were per-
ceived to be necessary to dislodge the
lines of the enemy and drive them back.
A column for attack was hastily formed,
consisting of 100 white. 100 Cape boys"
and 100 natives. They were supplied
with one Maxim and one Hotchkiss
rapid fire gun and were placed in COM
speedily ready for an offensive move
ment. and thus commanded and
equipped they sailed forth from the
Buluwayo defenses at o'clock on Sat
urday morning, northeasterly, in the d.
rection of Umguza river. They had
proceeded only about five miles on this
course, advancing cautiously, with
scouts in advance and outriders on each
side. when the enemy opened the at
tack. The Matabele force numbered not
less than 5000, and their attack was
eager and we'll directed. .
The column from Buluwayo was just
crossing a small stream, a tributary of
the Umguza, when the attack opened.
Overwhelming odds, ten to one, were
hurled upon the little column and drove
it back by mere weight of numbers and
the advance parties were glad to re-
treat in haste across the stream. This
retrograde movement wass however,
effected In sood order, ana ngntihg as
they went,. thus drawing the enemy.
across the Ever.
The Matabeles advanced upon the lit
tie band in formidable array. Their line
extended in crescent formation, the
horns of the crescent advancing to the
front, creeping and writhing like a
treacherous serpent, seeking to enclose
its prey and surround it in it's coils
The long, struggling line extended q
distance of over three miles. with wide
intervals between the men in line. ex-
cept in the parts where they closed
in in expectation of hand to hand con-
flict. Many came on. brandishing their
assegais and shields and giving forth
fierce yells. in true savage fashion. AS
the bowling savages closed in on the
column they afforded an excellent tar
get for the sweeping discharge of the
rapid-fire guns.
The engagement which ensued was
hard and desperate one. The Bulu-
Wayo force kept the river in their i'm
mediate front. The firearms did heavy
execution among the hostile natives as
they rushed up the opposite bank This
only partly checked their fierce on
which the whites stood. These were
charged by the troopers and cut down
or driven back into the stream
When the Matabeles in front were
finally driven back they were seen to
have sustained a heavy loss. The little
river was dyed dark crimson with the
blood of the victims of the Maxim gun.
one observer counted forty dead lying
in small circuit close to the column.
The whites had been hotly engaged in
front. and when they succeeded in re-
pulsing the attack they found more
work waiting for them. The advanced
ends of the enemy's line then got under
their TANKS and they found squares of
noWnng black men in their rear when
they turned their attention in that di
rectlon. This came near proving a
greater peril than the onslaught from
the front, but it was luckily deferred
until the first attack had been repulsed.
and the forces of the Matabeles weaken
ed there. But for the open nature Of the
ground toward Buluwayo, the encir-
chhg TACTICS OF the enemy would GER
salniy nave succeeded agaist the small
force opposed to them. As it was. it was
possible to perceive their movements
and move accordingly, and the open
ground gave free play for the Maxim
wnich was employed also in that di
rection with deadly effect.
The losses sustained by the whites
were: Killed-H G.. Whitehouse =
Gordon and e. Parsons.
The exact number of wounded ia not
stated. -'o.
The rapidfire gun is thought to have
saved the day for the whites bevond
question. The losses sustained. in view
of the force of the attacking party. anil
the fact that they were actually ont
Hanked, is considered small, and the
"ni'cS arc CoislueTeu lucky to have
come off so WE'LL They retired upon the
conclusion of the fight. but they were in
possession of the field when they did so.
Although the attacking party came off
without any very heavy losses, they did
not drive the Matabeles, but simply re-
pulsed their attack. The hostile lines
are practically as near to Buluwayo as
possible and 1t is thought that only
part of the Matabeles who are beleag-
uering Buluwayo were engaged in yes
terday's fight 1t is clear that the sor-
tie has been effectual in preventing the
advance of the Matabeles to the south
Of Buluwayo, which is the outcome most
feared. The uneasiness here regarding
the situation in the hard-pressed settle-
ment is uabated, and about the only
factor is that telegraphic
communication is still open.
The administrator there announces
that the town still has provisions for
twenty days. The supplies on the way
from Mafeking are expected to arrive
before that period expires. But their
arrival at all depends upon many contin-
gencies. 1t is very much feared that the
relief column may be attacked. If the
supplies were not captured in such q
case they would certainly be delayed.
The same thing would happen II the Inc
of COmmunfCat tim w0re cllt afr q M