Evening star., 1896-08-07
BRAVE MATABELES
They Give Desperate Battle to the
British.
THOUSANDS CHARGE MACHINE GUNS
Several English Officers Lose Their
Lives.
A G. r z A 7 F G. H T

Copyright. 1885, by the Associated Presso
CAPE TOWN, August "details have
been received here of the decisive victory
won on Wednesday by the 100 British
troops composing Col. Plumer's column
over native force estimated to have num-
bered from 5000 t, 1900 men. The latter
fought most desperately and bravely.
charging up within a few yards of the
British rapid-hre guns. About 500 of the
Mata belle warriors were slain during the
engagement, which lasted several hours.
and the loss of the British included Maj
Kershaw. Lieut.. Hervey. four sergeants
and about thirty men killed and six Off
GERS, several non-commissioned officers and
about fifty men wounded. according to un-
official figures
The Matabeles and their allies were COM
nanded by the big chiefs Sokombeo and
Umlugulus. and were divided into five i'm
pis. regiments. each of over 1000 men,.
well supplied with arms and ammunition.
At o'clock on Wednesday morning a
force of about 100 men. whites and ma
tives. cavalry. infantry and artillery. all
under British officers, marched TO the Um-
luEulu valley. The white infantry, COM
mandei by Capt. Beresford with two screw
guns aEd Maxim rapi6-fire gun. was de-
tached to make detour behind some hills.
and then take up position from which
the valley could be shelled. 1t had pre-
viously been reported by the scouts that
the enemy. in strong force. was encamped
in the valley, preparing for a forward
movement upon the British positions.
A Living Tidal Wave.
The main body of the British troops was
halted while Capt. Beresford's detachment
was making Its way to the position 6esig-
mated for the artillery to occupy. While
this movement was being executed. the
guns being moved a small, isolated
kopje. the Matabeles made a sudden and
determined dash at Capt. Beresfords COM
mand- There was no strategy conceal
ment. The natives rushed forward like
living tidal wave. and, in spite of the hot
IRE which was promptly poured into their
ranks. succeeded in getting within forty
yards OF the screw guns and reached a
spot only fifteen yards from the Maxim
rapid fire gun before any of these pieces
could be brought into action. In fact, an
oth-r minutes delay in opening fire with
the guns might have proved fatal to the
Berestord detachment. as the white infan-
try was apparently unable to check the
reckless. wild charge If the tribesmen, who
seemed TO court death in their fierce at
tack upon the column.
But, when the screw guns began crash
ing case-shot into the enemy te iring wide
bloody gaps In the ranks, and the deadly
Maxim ratified its hail of lead into the
heaving. serried masses of the rapidly
moving 1mpis. the natives w1vered in
their charge. and. moment later, the
rush was stopped and they began to give
way, leaving heaps of dead and wounded
on the field. But. rallied by the chiefs who
bravely rushed to the front. encourag ging
their followers by a display of magnificent
dash. the native w;rriors returned to the
charge In the face of the fierce fire Of the
British guns and Cept. Beresford's force
was, for a fsw moments, completely sur
Iounded by surging waves of warriors, who
seemed 10 know no fear.
Order to Advance.
The position of the Beresford forces was
then most critical. and their commander
hurriedly ordered his signal men to ask
Col Plumer TO lose no time In advancing
with the main body TO their rescue While
the signaling was in progress a hot and
determined fight ragged around the guns
and several British officers and men fell
In the distance could be seen two more
ln'pis rushing forward to join in the at
Ia upon Beresfords position Colonel
runner ordered the main body of the Brit
ish troops 10 advance. The mounted men
We're sent forward a a gallop to storm the
ills on the left of BeresfoId's position
from which the natives were delivering a
hasty. dropping fire on the kopje occupied
by the British guns. The cavalry was gal
Ia ntIy led by Maj kershsw. who charged
UP TO within fifteen yards of the enemy's
position. when he was shot through the
heart by native. who almost immediat tely
afterward fell. literally riddled with bull
let's
The advance of the main body of Plumer' q
forces was quickly noticed by the natives
who We're pressing around the Beresford
detachment, and 1t 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 a
well-directed fire of case shot followed by
well-placed fire of shrapnel soon changed
the native attack into a retreat, and when
the full reinforcements came into action The
enemy broke and fed.
Bravery of the Natives
The guns and war rockets played upon
the natives long they were In range
but the main loss of the enemy was infiict-
ed while they were bravely charging al
pieces The bravery OF the natives earned
the admiration of the British but their
shooting was of the worst possible descrip-
tion.
During the first rush upon the Reresford
kop1e Capt Llewellyn pei sonally saved the
Maxim gun by some smart saber and re-
yolver work. AT one time he was complete
ly alone. the natives having driven back
the gunners and being almost in possession
Of the pieces The captains determined
stand. however. enabled the British rush
10 regain the gun and he was helped out of
his difficulties
The defeat of the natives will undoubted-
ly have considerable effect as the irnpis
defeated are among the best trained of tbs
rebel forces. 1t is believed. however that
a further advance the part of the Brit
ish forces must be made and another de-
feat inflicted upon the natives before terms
OF peace will be considered by either side.
A number of friendly natives. serving with
the British, deserted 10 the enemy dI,-ir .
the hght The engagement lasted apoui
six hours.
Gen. Darlington is understood TO he nr.-
paring 10 drive the enemy eastward to-
ward the upper part of the country. wher-
another fight may occur before the hack
bone Of the uprising is finally broken.