The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-25

CAPE TOWN, April 24.-[Copyright,
| 1896, by the Associated Press. l-Tele-
graphic communication with Buluwayo
was re-opened for a time today and
then there was another break. While
the wire was working dispatches were
received from several sources in the be-
sieged town. The news is somewhat
conflicting, but the main fact seems
well established that the British sor-
tie in force, encountered large numbers
of Matabeles, killed perhaps a thous-
and and were at one time in danger of
annihilatfon and finally retreated.
The official version of the sortie says
that the British force, shortly after
midnight, was quietly called to arms,
and, without apparently alarming the
native part of the town, a force of
about 800 men under Captains Napier
and Duncan, with one Maxim gun
and with a Hotchklss quick-firing gun,
mustered outside the barbed wire de-
lenses, were served with
A RATION OF RUM
and saddled I'd for dash at the
enemy's lines. Swords and all clatter-
ing accoutrements were deadened with
cloth, and the feet of the horses COM
posing the advance guard were bag
ged" (hoofs covered with strong sack
ing). Owing to the precautions it was
necessary to take. there was consider
able delay in getting off and the first
streaks of gray on the horizon could
be seen when the column arrived with
in striking distance of the enemy.
The latter were quietly camped be-
hind their stone-topped earthworks,
about four miles from BuluWayo But,
contrary to expectations, the Matabeles
had thrown out pickets, which 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 sig
nal for the advance of the main body
of the troops, and they galloped for
ward in fine style to the support of
their comrades Unluckily for the plans
OF Captains Napier and Duncan, by this
time 1t was getting quite light and the
Matabeles had sprung to arms all along
! the line. AS the British advanced, they
from behind the earthworks, but the
advance guard charged right up to the
mounds and spurred their horses over
them in several places. Then followed
setback for the troopers. The Mata-
beles charged in force and drove the
advance back. and being met by the
main body of the Buluwayo forces,
fire was opened at about 400 yards on
the Matabele position. This was kept
until broad ia yIior11t Iunay3 n
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, al
though the Matabeles had
BY FAR THE WORST OF IT.
especially when the Maxim and Hotch-
KISS guns were brought into play to
cover the retreat of the advance guard
Just previous TO the advance ON the
Matabele position the two rapid fire
guns were again set to work and for
about a quarter Of an hour they were
made to sweep the Matabele position IN
front of the British force
When the right moment seemed to ar
rive, the charge was ordered and there
was prolonged period of sharp fight
ing at close quarters. Pistols, rifles,
shot guns, war clubs, spears and
knives clashed prettily, the music Of
the rapid fire guns sent to the rear
for fear of their being captured hay
ing ceased.
Gradually the Matabeles pressed for
ward by sheer force of numbers, al
most surrounding the British, who, TO
avoid being encircled, retreated,
FIGHTING FOOT BY FOOT,
but being driven steadily backward
off and only extricated itself by a
brilliant charge through the Matabele
Gordon.
Eventually the British were very
hard pushed and gave ground fast;
then, rallied by Napier and Duncan,
they again assumed the offensive and
drove back the swarms of natives IN
der a well directed fire. Then it was
the turn of the Matabeles to give
ground, and squad of troopers, charg-
ing with a ringing cheer, threw them
into confusion and the British were
apparently getting the upper hand and
slowly forcing the enemy backward,
when suddenly the retreat was or
dered and
THE BRITISH REITERATED
towards Buluwayo which place they
reached considerably the worse for
wear and tear.
Much heroism was displayed by in
dividual British troopers and volun-
teers in rescuing their wounded COM
rades. One trooper is said TO have
charged alone close up to the Matabele
works to pick up a wounded friend,
dragged him upon his saddle. and re-
treated after emptying the magazine of
his rifle at the enemy. Another troop
er stood over a fallen c0mrade and
with the stock of his rifle beat off
the natives until both he and his
friend were rescued by a charge of
their comrades.
The loss of the enemy is said to have
been very great. No correct estimate
could be made. but the reports place
the number of Matabeles killed at be-
tween 400 and 1000. The loss of the
British is not stated, but it is believed
to be more severe than the command