The San Francisco call., 1896-04-25
Fierce and Deadly Fighting
Along the Banks of the
Umguza River.
MANY OF THE sAvAGES SLAIN
Heroic Acts of the Brave Defenders
in Which Sacrifices We're Made
to Save Companions.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, April a.
a dispatch from Buluwayo dated April
- says that Commander Duncan with 200
whites and 100 natives with Maxim and
Hotchklss guns met the Matabeles three
miles out from Buluwayo.
The details of the fighting show that
the defenders of Buluwayo decided to
make sortle from that town and engage
the natives who were besieging it. The
British party met with no resistance until
they reached the Umguza River where
they came upon the enemy. The force
from Buluwayo occupied the south bank
of the river for a distance of mile, while
the Matabeles were stretched along the
north bank for four miles.
SeIous, with 100 natives, was stationed
in the center, the Afrikanders formed the
left wing and Guys scouts the right wing
The British force crossed the river and
rush ed upon the Matabeles, who were out
fanked and driven into the water. The
enemy swarmed up and attempted to get
in the rear of the British, obliging the
Afrikanders to gallop back to intercept
them.
Guys scouts fell into an ambush and
ha5 to make q rush to extricate themselves
hot fire into them.
There were many instances of personal
heroism. Trooper Baxter, seeing Corporal
wise severely wounded and his horse shot
from under him, jumped from his own
horse and helped Wise to mount him, thus
enabling the corporal to escape. Baxter
gave his life for his friend, for shortly after
Wise's escape he was killed by a stroke
an 1ad
ambushed foe. Guy had a narrow escape.
bullet grazing his scalp
Lieutenant Hood was severely and
Lieutenant Crewe slightly wounded. The
latter insisted that Hood should take his
horse. and Hood, after some demur,
did so and effected his escape Crewe also
got away without further injury, but had
great difficulty in escaping Baxter's fate.
The Hotchkiss and Maxim guns became
jammed early in the fight. They were
only fired twice. Had it not been for this
the loss of the Matabeles would have been
far heavier than it was. The horse that
Selous was riding was killed in mid
stream and the rider barely escaped with
his life. All the troops were cool and
plucky. They drove the enemy up the
river, inficting heavy loss upon them.
AA0 eAdSI AumOer OF the Killed and
wounded Matabeles is not known.
The Matabeles were in full retreat and
were being closely pursued by the British
and their native allies when the order
was given for the latter to fall back to
Buluwayo, it being feared that a much
stronger force would be met with.
The Government has cautioned the Off
GERS to act on the defensive only until re-
endorsements shall have arrived. 1t is
thought here that the sortie will prevent
the natives from attempting to attack the
town, which it was their evident intention
to do. There is no truth in the report that
the British were defeated. The only basis
for 1t was a statement in the first dis.
patches that the British had been driven
into the river. Later details make no
mention of this, and it is thought that the
statement was mistaken one. for the
British crossed the river to reach the
enemy at close quarters.
1t is reported that a large number of
Boer wagons, conveying ammunition and
other field requisites, are leaving Pretoria
the capital of the Transvaal. Their desti. Il
nation is unknown.
Earl Grey, the newly appointed admin
istrator of the British South Africa Com.
pany, who is at Palla on his way to pa
lapy, has sent dispatch to the comnanv
stating that he has very good reasons 10
believe that the defenders of Buluwavo
will be able to hold the position until the
arrival of fre-enforcements.