The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-04-30
THE BRITISH DEFEATED
BATTLE NEAR BULUwAYo, MATA-
BELEs VICTORIOUS.
Desperate Fighting Mt the areasf-
works of the Natives, Who
Were TOO strong.

Matabeles and a large number OF the lat
ter were killed
The official version of the sorte says
that the British force shortly after mid
night was quietly called to arms and
without apparently alarming the native
part of the town, force of about 800 men
under Captains Napier and Duncan, with
one Maxim gun and with n Hotchkiss
quick-fring gun, mustered outside the
barbed-wire defenses, was served with "a
ration Of rum. and saddled up for a dash
at the enemy's line Swords and all clat-
tering accouterments were deadened with
cloth, and the feet of the horses compos-
ing the advance guard were dragged"
Owing to the precautions 1t was necessary
to take, there was considerable delay In
getting off, and the first streaks of gray
on the horizon could be seen when the col
umn arrived within striking distance e
the enemy The latter were quietly camp
ed behind their stone-topped earthworks.
about four miles from Buluwayo. But,
contrary to expectations, the Matabeles
had thrown out pickets, who, although
surprised by the advance guard, raised
the alarm This was no sooner done than
the troopers In advance charged and shot
down many of the fleeing natives This
was the signal for the advance of the maia
body OF the troops, and they galloped for
ward In fine style to the support OF their
comrades.
unluckily for the plans of Captains Ma.
pier and Smith, II was getting light md
the Matabeles had sprung TO arms all
along the line. AS the British advanced.
they were received by scathing rifle fire
from the earthworks, but the advance
guard charged right up to the mounds and
spurred their horses over them In several
places Then followed a setback for the
troopers. The Matabeles charged in force
and drove the advance guard back and.
being met by the main body of the Bulu-
wayo force, fire was opened at about 400
yards on the Matabele position. This was
Kept up until broad daylight, when an ad-
vance was ordered In view of the fact
that too much ammunition was being
wasted. Up to this time the loss on either
side had not been heavy, although the
Matabeles had by far the worst of it, cs-
pecially when the Main and Hotchkiss
guns were brought into play to cover the
retreat OF the advance guard.
FIGHT AT CLOSE QUARTERS.
Just previous to the advance on the
Matabele position the two rapid-fre guns
we're again set to work and for about a |
sweep the Matabee position In front of |
the British force. When the right moment |
seemed to arrive, the charge was ordered |
and there was prolonged period of sharp |
nshting at close quarters. Pistols, rifles |
shot guns, war clubs. spears and knives |
ciashed prettily. the music of the rapid
hre guns, sent to the rear for fear of their
being captured, having ceased Grad
uahy tne matabeles pressed onward by
sheei iorce Oh numbers, almost surround
my inc BRUSH VINO, to avoid being en-
s'ie'eu 'eerea'eu' nshting root by foot
'"' oeihs urlVen steadily backward. One
squad. for time. was quite cut Off and
oi"s eN'ricateu itseit by brilliant charge |
through the Matabele Gordon.
eventually the British were very hard
pushed and gave ground fast. then, rallied
by Napier and Smith, they again
assumed the offensive and drove
Duck the swarms of natives under
well-directed fire. Then 1t was the
80, - W '"e Niu'apeies 10 give ground and
tbar, IT, .s.,ss1',- ~, se "eni threw
apnarentlv gatt,r,r 49,, ~ ."e 80 , ,''sh were
s,a,',,.s ss., ee'."s 'he upper hand and
The rs,roas rs. s''o enei',y pacNward when
,a,raa,as we oiuo,eo' ana the Brush
thav r,a,,.1,'' =. 10 pu'uw"yo, which place
waa, ass . eo"s'uer"oiy 'ne worse Tor
N va
HNhoic DEEDS.
Much heroism was displayed by indi-
Viuuai British troopers and volunteers in
rescuing their wounded comrades. one
trooper Is said to have charged alone close
up TO the Matabee works to pick up .
wounded friend, dragged him upon his |
saddle and retreated after emptying the |
magazine of his rifle a the enemy.
another trooper stood over a fallen
comrade and with the stock of his rifle |
beat or the natives until both he and
MS friend were rescued by a charge of
their companions.
Ihe loss of the enemy Is said TO have !
peen very great. No correct estimate
could be made. but the reports place the |
number of Matabeles killed at between
100 and 1000 The loss of the British is moi |
stated. but II is believed to be more severe
han the commanders at Buluwayo are
willing to admit
sORTIE WAS A FA1rrpp
The unofficial account of tha .o.,,o
places matters in a somewhat ,,,oarsn, =
light. 1t says there was n gooa daal - =
Unnecessary delay in getting the ,roor a
RS away from Buluwavo ora ,ha, a., =
lmost daylight when they started consa-
uently when they encountered tbs No.
eles they found the latter fulIy nrs,,.,'s, =
o receive them There was de,orn,,nos
ghting on both sifas ~ .io,, .s =