The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1896-05-02
THE BOLD MATABELE
CLOSING III ON BULUWRYO TO CUT
OFF OUTSIDE COMMUNICATION

whites Make an Attempt to Drive
Them Back, but Don't Succeed Rapid
Fire GUNS Of the English Caused
Havoc With tho Blacks.
CAPE Town, April 2S..-The news Of
Saturdays events in Buluwayo show
that the Matabeles are displaying great
boldness and energy in the pursuit Of
their purpose to surround the town
completely and cut off all communica-
tion with the outside world.
On Saturday morning it 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 tho town to allow Of any free.
dom Of action by those within The
piokets Of the enemy were found to be
In no case beyond four miles distant
from the Buluwayo lines. They threat.
ened thus to work an approach to the
town which was speedily putting the
place in jeopardy. Immediate steps
were perceived to be necessary to
Disiedge the Lines Of the Enemy
and drive them back. A column for
attack was hastily formed, consisting
of 100 whites, 100 Cape "boys" and 100
natives. They were supplied with two
rapid fire guns and were placed in
command Of Captain MacFarlane.
They were speedily ready for an often
sive movement and thus commanded
and equipped they sailed forth from
the Buluwayo defenses at Z o'clock on
Saturday morning. They took a di.
reotion northeasterly from the town in
the direction of the Umguza river.
They had proceeded only about five
miles on this course, advaning eau
tiously with scouts in advance and out.
riders on each side, when the enemy
opened the attack. The Matabele
force numbered not less than 5000 and
their attack
az wss Eager and Well Directed.
The column from Buluwayo was
Just crossing small stream, q tribu-
tary OF the Umguza, when the attack
opened. The overwhelming odds, 10
TO l, hurled upon the little column
drove 1t back by mere weight OF mum.
bers and the advance parties were glad
toret,eat in haste across the stream.
The Matabeles again advanced upon
the little band Of warriors in formid.
able array, their line extending in q
crescent formation, the horns OF the
crescent advancing to the front. 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 . Hot and Desperate One,
and dark. leaping bodies seemed to
spring up as fast as they were moved
down. The Buluwayo force kept the
river in their immediate front. The
firearms did heavy execution among
the hostile natives as they rushed up to
the opposite bank. This only partly
checked their fierce onslaught and
many gained the side on which the
whites stood. These were charged by
the troopers and cut down Or driven
back into the stream.
When the Matabele in front were
finally driven back they were seen to
have sustained heavy loss. The little
river was dyed dark crimson with the
blood Of the victims OF the Maxim gun.
One observer counted 140 dead lying in
: small circuit close to the column.
The losses sustained by the whites
4Were three killed and several wounded,
the exact number not being stated.
Although the attacking party came
- .%-sAr 80 -. ,,r,.x, hoavv lOaS0a thew