The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-24
Night SOrtie From BulWayO
By British.
The MatabeleS Had Thrown
Out Pickets, However.
Fierce Battle Followed and Party
Nearly Surrounded.

Copyrighted. 1890. by The Associated Press
CAPE TowN, April "a. -Telegrapic COM
munication with Buluwayo was reopened
~<or time today and then there was
another bretk, bstteved, however, to be
only temporary interruption. During
the time the wire was working dispatches
were received from several sources in the
is somewhat conflicting, but the main
fact seems well established that the Bri'
tish have, in sortie in force, encountered
large numbers OF Matabeles, inflicted no
real loss upon them, suffered in return,
were long time in danger OF annihilla-
tion and finally retreated.
The official version of the sortie says
that the British force, shortly after mid
night, was quietly called to arise and,
without alarming the native part OF the
town, a force of about 300 men, under
Captains Napir and Duncan with enc
Maxim rapid tre gun and Hotchkiss
quick firing gun, belonging to the nag
ship st. George, mustered outside the
barbed wire defences, were served with
for a dash at the enemys
lines Swords end all Gathering ac-
coutrements were deadened with cloth
and the feet of the horses composing the
advance guard were "bagged" (hoofs
covered over with strong sacking). Ow-
ing TO the precautions II was necessary to
take there was considerable delay. in get
ting started, and the first streaKs OF
gray on the horizon could be seen when
the column arrived within striking dis
tance OF the enemy. The latter were
quietly camped behind the stonetopped
mound earthwork thrown up when the
Matabeles made their last advance to
within about four miles OF Buluwayo.
But, contrary TO expectation, they had
thrown out pickets which although sur
prised asleep 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
main body of the troopers and they gal
loped forward in fine style to the support
plans OF Captains Napier and Duncan,
by this time.it was getting quite light
and the Matabeles had sprung at arms all
along the line. As the British advanced
they were received by scattering rifle
fire from behind the earthworks, bot the
advance guard charged right up TO the
mounds and spurred their horses over
them in several places.
Then followed a setback for the troop
ers. The Matabeles charged in force and
drove the advanceguard back, and being
met by the main body of the Buluwayo
force fire was opened at about 400 yards
on the Mstabele position. This was kept
up until broad daylight, when the ad-
vance was ordered in view OF the fact that
too much amunitiuon was being wasted.
Up to this time the loss on either side
had not been heavy, although the Mata-
beles had by far the worst OF 1t, especially
when the Maxim and Hotchkiss 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 iire guns were again set to work
and for about quarter of an hour they
| were made 10 sweep the Matabele posi-
| tion in 'front.' the British force.
Both sides fought bravely. II was q
case OF handful of well armed whites
| against n small army of badly armed
| Matabeles. The former were fighting fol-
; the men. women and CHILDREN in the
beleagured town OF Buluwayo. the latter
were fighting for what they considered tc
| be their own, their native land.
Gradually the Matabeles pressed onward
by sheer force of numbers, almost sur
rounded the British, who, to avoid heinf
encircled, retreated, fighting foot by foot
| but being uriven steadily backward.
Eventually, the British were very hare
pressed and gave ground fast. then
rallied by Napier and Duncan, they agaii
assumed the offensive and drove back th'
swarms OF natives under slow but wei
directed fire.