The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-27
HOW IT WASALL DONE
Details of the Recent Savage Attack
by the Buluwayo Forces.
RIVERS RED WITH BLOOD
The Fapid Fire Gun Saved the Day
for the Whites-The Town Is En-
circled by the Black Saw
ages-ReiIef Expected.

Capetown, April 26.--News of Satur-
| days 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-
ton with the outside world. On Satur-
day morning it was found that the hos
tile forces of natives had surrounded
the town on the north and west, their
ranks being much too close to the town
to allow of any freedom of action by
| those within. Their lines were being
| energetically extended in both direc-
| tions and threatened to close in on the
| south and cut off communication with
Mangwe and Mafeking, along which
the expected reinforcements and sup
| plies of provisions are coming. The
pickets 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 dis
lodge the lines of the enemy and drive
them back. A coluEIn for attack was
hastily formed, consisting of 100 whites,
100 Cape boys" and 100 natives. They
were supplied with one Maxim and one
Hotchlxiss rapid-fire gun, and were
placed in command of Captain Macfar-
lane. They were speedily ready for an
offensive movement and thus COM
| manded and equipped. they sailed
forth from the Buluwayo defenses at z
o'clock on Saturday morning. They
took a direction northeasterly from the
town dn the direction of Umguza river
They had proceeded only about FIVE
miles on this course. advancing eau
tiously, with scouts in advance and
outriders on each side, when the enemy
opened the attack. The Matabele force
numbered not less than 5000, and their
attack was eager and well directed.
The column from Buluwayo was just
crossing small stream when the at
tack opened. The overwhelming odds
of ten to one hurled upon the little col
umn and drove it back by mere weight
of numbers and the advance parties
were glad to retreat in haste across the
stream. This retrograde movement was,
however, effected in good order fight
ing as they went, thus drawing the en-
emy across the river. The Matabeles
advanced upon the little band in for
midable array. three lines extended, in
crescent formation, the horns of the
crescent advancing to the front, creep
ing and writing like treacherous SER
pent, seeking to enclose its prey and
surround it in its deadly coils.
The long. struggling line extended
wide intervals and between the men in
the line. except in the parts where they
closed In expectation In a hand-to-hand
conflict, 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-firing guns. The engagement
which ensued was hard and desperate
one. The Buluwayo forces 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 Matabeles In front were
finally driven back they were seen to
have sustained heavy loss The little
river was dyed with crimson, with the
blood of the victims of the Maxim gun.
One observer counted 40 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 there, they found
more work waiting for them. The ad-
vanced ends OF the enemy's line then
got under their fianks and they found
squares of bowling black men In their
rear, when they turned their attention
In that direction. This came near prov
ing greater peril than the onslaught
from the front, but ii was luckily de-
ferred until the first attack had been
repulsed, and the forces of the Mata-
beles weakened there. But for the open
nature of the ground towards Bulu-
wayo, the encircling tactics of the enc
my would certainly have succeeded |
against the small force opposed to |
them. AS II was, II was possible to |
perceive their movements and move |
accordingly, and the open ground gave |
free play for their Maxim gun, which |
was employed also in that direction |
with deadly effect. The loss sustained |
by the whites was: II. @. whitehouse. |
c. Gordon and B. Parson. killed, the |
exact number of wounded not being /
stated. The rapid-fire gun is thought |
TO have saved the day for the whites /
beyond question.
Although the attacking party came
off without any very heavy losses, they
did not drive the Matabeles, but SIM
ply repulsed their attack. The hostile
lines are practically as near Buluwayo
rs ever. and IL is certain that only part
of the Matabeles who are beleaguring
Buluwayo were engaged In yesterdays
light.
The uneasiness here regarding the
In the hard pressed settlement
s unabated, and about the only agree
lble factor is that the telegraphic COM
with Buluwayo is still open.
fhe administrator there announces
hat the town still has provisions for
% days. The supplies on their way
rom Mafeking are expected to arrive
'efore that period expires.