The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-27

dition Enrouts.
Copyright. 1888. by the Aspaciased Press.)
CAPE TOWN, April 2s.-The news Of
to-day's events in Buluwayo show that
the MatRbeles are displaying great
bcldnesS and energy in the pursuit Of
their purpose to surround the town
completely and cut of all communities
tlon with the outside world.
on Saturday morning 1t was found
that the hostile forces OF natives had
surrounded the town on the north, east
and west, their ranks betting much too
close to the town to allow of my free.
dom Of action by those within. Their
lines were being enerEetlcally extended
In both directions and threatened to
close In on the south and cut on COM
municatlonB with Mangwe and Mafe-
king, along which the expected rein-
forcements and supplies OF provisions
are coming.
The plckets Of the enemy were found
to be In no case beyond four miles dis
tant from the Buluwayo lines, and they
are giving lively evidence OF their Inn
proved knowledge OF military strategy
over that displayed in the war Of Lo-
Bengula by the way in which they were
throwing up rude fortIficatlons and
earthwork projections beyond which
the native warriors could resist the
charge OF the whites. They threatened
thus to work an approach to the town
which waS speedily putting the place In
jeopardy. Immediate steps were per-
ceived to be necessary to dlslodge 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 one maxim and one
Hotchkiss rapid fire gun and were
placed In command OF Captain Mac
Farlane, They were speedily ready for
an offensive movement. and thus COM
manded and equipped they sailed forth
from the BuluwRyo defenses at
o'clock on Saturday morning.
They took a direction northeasterly
from the town in the direction OF the
UmguEa river. They had proceeded
only about five miles on this course, ad-
vRncing cautiously with scouts in ad-
vance and outriders on each side, when
the enemy opened the attack. The
Matabele force numbered not less than
three thousand and their attack was
eager and well directed.
The column from Buluwayo was Just
crossing small stream, tributary OF
the Umguza, when the attack opened.
The overwhelming odds, ten to one,
hurled upon the little column, drove 1t
back by mere weight Of numbers, and
the advance parties were glad to re-
treat in haste across the stream. This
retrogra1e move was, however, effected
in good order and fighting as they went,
thus drawing the enemy across the
river.
The Advance.
The Matabeles then advanced upon
the little band OF warriors in formidable
array, their line extended In a crescent
formation, the horns Of the crescent ad-
Vanced to the front, creeping and
writhing like q treacherous serpent
seeking to enclose Its prey and sur
round II In its deadly coils.
The long struggling line extended
over a distance Of three miles, with
wide intervals between the men in the
line, except in the parts where they
closed in in expectation of hand to
hand conflict. Many came on, brand
ishinE their aBsegais and shields and
giving forth fierce yells in true savage
fashion.
As the bowling snvages closed In on
the column, they AFFORDED an excellent
target for the sweeping discharge Of the
IaDlu Bullbs 4 lAC GHbAbEAlAGAAS WAAANh
enBued was hot and desperate one,
and dark, leapIng bodies seemed to
spring. up as fast as they were moved
The Buluwayo force kept the river in
their immediate front. The firearms did
heavy execution among the hostile ma
tlves ns they rushed up the. opposlte
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 n
nally 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 forty dead lying In a
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 stIll waiting for them. The
advanced ends OF the enemy's line had
got under their ilanks and they found
SQUADS OF bowling black men in their
rear when they turned their attention
In that direction. This came near prov
ing a greater peril than the onslaught
from the front, but 1t was luckily de-
ferred until the first attack had been
repulsed and the forces OF the Matabele
weakened there.
But for the open nature Of the ground
toward Buluwayo, the enclrclinE tao
tics OF the enemy would certainly have
succeeded against the email force OPP
posed to them. AS It was, 1t was pos
able to perceive their movements and
move accordingly. and the open ground
gave free play for the maxim, which
was employed also In that direction
with deadly effect.
Tho Losses.
The losses sustained by the whites
were: II. C. whltehouse, c. Gordon and
b. Parsons killed and sevrai wounded,
the exact number not being stated. The
rapld fire gun Is thought to have
saved the day for the whites beyond
question. The loss they sustained. In
view OF the forces OF the attacking party
and the fact that they were actually
outnankcd, Is considered small and the
whites are considered lucky to have
come on 10 well. They retired upon the
conclusion OF the flRht. but they were In
possession OF the Held when they did so.
Although the attacking party came
or without any very heavy losses they
did not drive the Matnbeles but simply
rcpuised their attack. The hostile lines
arc practically as near to Buluwayo as
ever and II Is certain that only part
OF the Aintabeles who are beieaBuering
Buluwnyo were engaged In yesterdays
fight. Ii IL not clear that the aortlc has
been effsctual In preventing the advance