The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-28
FIRST is FOUGHT
BATTLE IN MATABELELAND Has
TAKEN PLACE AT LAST.

People of BuIuwayo Make Sortie From
the Town With Their Maxim Gun and
Wait the Onslaught of the Matabeles
Who Come Up in a Manner That suS-
gests That They Have improved on the
Methods of King LobenguIa-According
to the English Dispatches the Natives
Get the Worst of 1t.
Cape Town, April 27.-The news OF
Saturdays events in Buluwayo snow
that the Matabeles are displaying great
boldness and energy in the pursuit OF
their purpose TO surrenderaoin aoin DIN
their purpose to surround the town com
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 being much too close to allow
of any freedom of action by those with
in. Their lines were being energetic
ally extended in both directions, and
threatened to close in on the south and
cut OFF communications with Mangwe
and Mafeking, along which the expect
ed reinforcements and supplies of pro-
visions are coming. The pickets of
the enemy were found to be in no case
beyond four miles distarne from the
Buluwayo lines, and they were giving
lively evidences Of their improved
knowledge Of military strategy over
that displayed in the war of Lobengula
by the way in which they were throw
ing up rude fortifications and earth
work projections beyond which the ma
TIVE 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 jeo-
pardy.
Immediate steps were perceived 10 be
necessary to dislodge the lines Of the
enemy and drive them back. A col
urnn 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-flre gun, and were placed IN COM
mand Of Captain McFarlane. They
were speedily ready for an offensive
movement, and, thus commanded and
equipped, they sailed forth from the
Buluwayo defenses at O'Clock Satur-
day morning. They took a direction
northeastward from the town, in the
direction Of Umguza river. They had
proceeded only about five miles on this
scouts IN advance and outriders on each
side, when the enemy opened the at
tack. The Matabele force numbered
not less than 5000 and their attack was
eager and well directed.
The column from Buluwayo was lust
crossing small stream, q tributary OF
the Umguza, when the attack opened
The overwhelming odds, ten 10 one,
hurled upon the little column, drove II
ft back by mere weight of numbers, and
the advance parties were glad TO retreat
in haste across the stream. This ret
ragrade movement was, however, eff
fected in good order and fighting as
they went, thus drawing the enemy
across the river.
The AIatabeles advanced upon the lit
tie band in formidable array, their line
extending in a crescent advancing 10
the front, creeping and writing like
a +reacherous serpent seeking to in
close its prey and surround it on its
deadly coils
The long, stra ggling line extended
over a distance Of three miles, with wide
intervals between the men in the line
except in the parts where they inclosed
in IN expectation OF a hand-to-hand con-
fiict. Many came out brandishing
p
forth fierce yells in the true savage fash
ion. AS the bowling savages closed in
on the column they afforded an excel
lent target for the sweeping discharge
Of the rapid fire guns. The engage
ment which ensued was a hot and des-
perate one. and dark. leaping bodies
seemed TO spring up as fast as they
were moved down.
The Buluwayo force kept the river IN
their immediate front. The firearms
did heavy execution among the hostiles
natives as they rushed up 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 fin
ally driven back, they were seen to
have sustained a heavy loss. The little
river was dyed a 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 col
umn.
The whites had been hotly engaged
in front. and when they succeeded in
repulsing the attack there they found
more work still waiting for them. The
advanced ends Of the enemy's lines then
got under their TANKS. and they found
squares OF bowling black men in their