The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-08

received here % a decisive victory won n
WeIns sday by "a British traaps compos-
Ing Col. PiummerS ; coiama over native
force estimated AZ 1000 10 f.aap. The lat
ter foughf desperately and hraxeiy, chaFE~
Ing withta few yards OF he British rapid
fir.ng guns. About 500 Matahele warriors
were slain In the engagement. which last
ed several hours.
The loss Of the British included Maier
KeTshaw. Lieut.. Harvey, four sergean,s
and about thirty soldiers killed, and six
officers several non-commisesoneI officers
and about tfiy men wounded The Mata-
oeles and allies We're commanded by the
big chiefs, Sokomheo and Umlugulus. AMI
were divided into five impls or regiments.
each OF over lGs0 men. well supplied with
arms and ammunition.
AT 6 O'clock on Wednesday morning a
force of about 100 men. cavalry. infantry
and artillery. ALI under British officers.
marched to the Umlug1slu valley. The
white infantry. commanded by Capt.
Beresford. With two screw guns ard
Maxim rapld-fiTing gun. vas detached 10
make detour behind some hills. and ihen
take UP position from which the valley
could he shelled. IL had previously been
reported by the scouts that the enemy
in strong force was eucamped In the val
ley, preparing for forward movement
upon the British positions The main body
OF the British troops were halted whiie
Capt. Berestord's s detachment was making
its way 20 the position designated FOR the
artillery TO occupy.
While this movement was being execut-
ed, the guns being moved over small
Isolated kopje, the MRtabeles made sud
den and determined dash at Capt Beres-
ford's command. There was no strategy
or concealment. The natives rushed head
long 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 reach
ed a spot fifteen feet from the Maxim
guns. A minutes delay would have proved
fatal TO the British detachment. rs the
white infantry was apparently unable 10
check the reckless Wild charge Of the
trihesmen. who seemed 10 court death IN
th-air fierce attack upon the column. but
when the screw guns began crashing INTO
the enemy. tearing wide, bloody gaps III
the ranks. and the deadly Maxim ratified
It's hall Of lead into the heavy masses OF
the rapidly moving impls. the natives waV-
cred Ia their charge, and a moment later
the rush was stopped. and they began 70
give way. leaving their dead and wonnded
on the field but rallied by the chiefs, who
bravelv rushed 70 the front, enccuraEing
their followers by display ef magnsficent
dash the native warriors returned 10 the
charge in the face Of the fierce nre or the
British guns and Capt. Beresford's force
for n few moments was completely sur
rounded by the surg.ng waves Of warriors.
who seemed TO know no fear.
The position OF the EeresfoFd farce was
rnost critical. and their commander bur-
riealy ordered bis signal men 20 ask Col
plummer 10 lose 20 time in advancing
with re main hody TO their rescue. While
the signaling was in progress. hot and de-
termined fght ragged around the guns. ana
several British officers and men fell. In
40. ftsFsr rap
rushing forward 10 join in the attack upon
Barpsford's position. Gel. Plummer order
cd the main body Of the British troops 20
alyance. The mounted men we're sent
forward at a gauop 20 storm the hills on
the LEFT az Beresfori's position. from
which the natives were delivering drop
ping fire.
The cavalry was gailant!y led by Maj.
Kershaw. who charged up 70 Within fif-
teen yards OF the enemy position. when
ne was shot through the heart hy na-
tive. who almost Immediately afterward
fen literally rideleA With bullets. Tho
advance Of the main body of Plammer's
forces was quickly noticed by the na-
tlves who were pressing around the
Peresfora detachment. and Il caused them
20 take eteps 20 retreat IN order 10 escape
being caught between three fires. The
guns were thus able 70 do better eNeeu-
siorr and a well directed fire Of case shot.
mel, soon changed the native attack into
retreat and when the full reinforce
neHtz came into action the enemy broke
and ned.
The euns and war rockets played upon
the natives as lonw AZ they were within
range but the main loss of the enemy was
inflicted while they we're 50 oraveiy eharg-
ing almost up 10 the INJURIES % the Brit
Ish rleoes- Tvle bravery Of The natives
earned the admiration ~ the British. bat
sheI- shooting was Of the worst possible
description.
During the first rush upon the BeFesford
kop3e. Capt Taewellyn personally saved
the Afaxira gun rs some smart saher ard
va.ofver work At one tirae he was COM
r,latelv alone. the natives having driven
hack the Runnera an1 being almost ia
rosueexlan OF the pleer. The cantaln's dee
tsrnlnaa stand. however enabled the
British 20 regain the gun, ard he was
helped ont of his difficulties.
The defeat of the natives VII unaoubt-
saFy have considerable effect. as t-e
irnols defeated are among fAe best trained
az the rebel forces II is believed. how
ever. that a further advance % the Brit
ish foveas must be made ard another de-
feat inflicted upon the natives before
terms of peace vii be considered by
either side. number of friendly natives
sewing ufth ne British aesertea 20 fhe
enemy during the rlEbt. The engage
rnent lasted abous six hours Cen Car
ysneton "a understood 70 be preparing 90
drive TIE enemy eastward toward fhe up-
per part of the country, whore another
azht may occur before the backbone OF
The uprising r. fnaily broken.