The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-08-08
FIGHT LIKE DEMONS
A Force Of 700 British Puts to Flight
More Than 500 Matabsls.
MARVELLOUS BRAVERY SHOWN
Awful Execution Of tho Maxim Gun
Here's a Thrilling Description
Of Battle That VIII Live
In History Forever.

Cape Town. Aug. "details have been
received here Of decisive victory won
Wednesday by 100 British troops COM
posed OF Colonel Piumers column. over Q
native force estimated at 5000 to 7,Oe.
The latter fought desperately and brave
lyN charging TO within few yards Of the
British rapd-fire guns About 800 Mata-
be,e warriors were slain during the 60
gagement. which lasted several houra
The loss OF the British included Major
kershaw, Lieutenant Harvey, four ser
geants and about 90 soldiers killed and
six officers and several non-commssioned
officers and about 60 men wounded. The
Matabeles and allies were commanded
by the big chiefs. Sokombeo and Umulu-
gulus. and were divided into five impis or
regiments, each OF over 1000 men wen
supplied with arms and ammunition
At o'clock on Wednesday morning
force OF about 700 men. cavalry, In
fantry and artillery. all under British
Officers, marched to the umlugulu VAL
ley. The white infantry, commanded by
Captain Beresford, with two screw guns
and Maxim rapid-fire gun, was de-
tached TO make detour behind some
hills and then take up a position from
which the valley could be shelled. II
had previously been reported by scouts
that the enemy In strong force was en-
camped In the valley, preparing for q
forward movement upon the British Do
sitions, The main body Of British troops
was halted. while Captain Beresford's
detachment was making It's way to tho
position designated for the artillery to
occupy. While this movement was be-
Ing executed. the guns being moved
4 n tAH ha Iot
beles made sudden and determined
dash at Captain Beresford's command.
There was no strategy or conceal
ment. The natives rushed headlong at
the British and In spite Of a heavy fire
whlchn was poured into their ranks,
they Shcceeded In getting within 40
yards OF the British guns and reached
a spot Is feet from the Maxim guns. A
minutes delay would have proved fatal
to the British detachment. as the white
infantry was apparently unable to
check the reckless. wild charge OF the
tribesmen. who seemed to court death
In their fierce attack upon the column.
But when the screw guns began crash
Ing case shot into the enemy. tearing
wide. bloody gaps In the ranks. and the
deadly Maxim ratified Its hail Of lead In
to the heavy serried masses Of the rap
Idly moving impis, the natives wavered
IN their charge and q moment later the
rush was stopped and they began to
give way. leaving their dead and
wounded on the field. But. rallied by
the chief. they bravely rushed to the
front. encouraging their followers by .
display Of magnificent dash. the native
warriors returned to the charge in the
face Of the fierce fire Of the British
guns. and Captain Beresford's force for
| n ~ n ofa of1F
rounded by surging waves Of warriors
who seemed to know no fear. The To-
sition of the Beresford force Was most
critical and their commander hurriedly
ordered his signal men to ask Colonel
Piummer to lose no time In advancing
with the main body to their rescue.
While the signalling was In progress.
q hot and determined fight ragged near
the guns and several British officers
and men fell. In the distance could be
seen two more impis rushing forward
to join In the attack upon Beresfords
position. Colonel Plummer ordered the
main body Of the British troops to ad-
vance. The mounted men were sent
forward at . gallop to storm the hills
on the left Of Beresford's position, from
which the natives were delivering q
dropping fire.
The cavalry was calamity led by Ma
jor Kershaw, who charged up to within
IL yards of the enemy's position. when
he was shot through the heart by O ma
tive who almost Immediately afterward
fell literally riddled with bullets. The
advance OF the main body Of Plum
mer's forces was quickly noticed by the
natives, who were pressing around
Beresfords detachment. and II caused
them to take steps to retreat In order to
escape being caught between three
fires. The guns were thus able to do
better execution and q well directed
fire Of case shot followed by q well
placed fire Of shrapnell soon changed
the native attack into retreat. and
when the full reinforcements came into
action the enemy broke and fed.
The guns and warroekets played upon
the natives as long a. they were within
range. but the main loss to the enemy
was inflicted while they were % brave
; ly charging. almost up to the muxzlee
of the British pieces. The bravery q
the natives earned the admiration q
the British. but their shooting was e
the worst possible description.
During the rush upon the Bereseofd
kopje, Captain Liewellyn personally
. saved the Maxim gun BY some smart
sabre and revolver work. At one tiDo
he was completely alone. the natives
: having driven back the gunnerS and
being almost In possession Of the pieces.
; The captains determined stand. how
ever, enabled the British to regain the
. gun. and he was helped out Of his dim
Guilty.
The defeat Of the natives win un-
doubtedly have considerable effect. a.
the impis defeated are among the best
trained of the rebels. Ii IL believed,
however. that a further advance Of
British forces must be made and an
other defeat inflicted upon the natives
; before terms of peace will be considered
! by either side.
r A number OF friendly natives. serv-
: Ing with the British. deserted to the
: enemy during the night. The engage
ment lasted about six hours.
General Darlington Is understood to
be preparing to drive the enemy east
ward toward the upper part OF the
country. where another fight may occur
, before the backbone OF the uprising d
: finally broken.