Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-25

..--.,,.~ic H. ASSJcldteU fTesS.J
...,vn April photographic
.~mrnica,ion VIII Buluwayo was re-
w. 81 for a time to-day and then
,os another break, believed, how
.o he only a temporary Interrupt
nrrirg the time the wire waa
..-g DISPATCHES were received from
sources in the besieged town.
MUS dashed south is somewhat
s.r-ing. but the main fact seems
-.,..p-d that the British have made
..4e i'm force. encountered large
SHOWS of Na,abeles. inflicted great
mon them. suffered in return,
a, one time in danger Of annihila-
Wv. and finally reiterated. The story
..se feh, must be divided into two
-~s-s the official report and the I'M
,aal account.
rss official version says the British
s .ror.h after midnight, was qui-
~. called TO arms and without appar-
..,- alarming the native part Of the
.lrce OF about 800 msn, under
f~s Napier and Duncan, with one
>.-,.r. ,lell-dre gun and Hotcnklss
firing gun belonging 10 the dag-
vi, - George. mustered outside the
t.r.si-vire defenses, were served With
-.-.rr nj rum and saddled up for a
~. a- -he enemy's hines Swords
sr5 an claUering accOutrements were
--.fsr-d with cloth and the feet OF the
r.~.4s composing the advance guard
,..-s -bacged" ihOOsS covered over
--a1 strong sacking) Owing TO the
,--e7Hions it was necessary TO take
-t.~s was considerable delay in getting
o4 and the first screaks o. gray on the
t7-l9n could be seen when the col
nam arrived within striking distance
o. -be eremy. The latter were quietly
canned behind their stone-topped
esriworks. within about four miles
@. Bu.uwayO.
CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION,
-s. }laa5sles had thrown out pickets.
veich. although surprised by the ad-
vance guard raised the alarm. Ihis
VAS no sooner done than the troopers
r advance charged and shot down
many Of the fleeing natives. This was
-lt signal for the advance OF the man
body OF troopers. and they salboped for
ward TO the support OF their comrades.
Urnckily for the plans OF Captains
Ns1ier and Duncan by this time IL was
getting quite light, and the Matabeles
had sprung to arms all along the hne.
As thz British advanced they were re-
csiyed BY a scattering rife fire from be-
hind the earthwOrks. but the advance
guard charged up 10 the mounds and
sDlrred their horses over them in sew
sral places. Then followed a setoack
for the troopers. The Mata6e,es charg-
cd i'm force and drove the advance guard
back. and. being met by the main body
of the Buluwayo force, fire was opened
at about 400 yards ON the Mat2bele po-
si-ion. This was kept up until day
light. when the advance was ordered,
u view of the fact that too much am
mmitiOn was being wasted.
Up to this time the loss on either side
had not been heavy. although the Mata
ba'es had the worst Of il. especially
when the Maxim and HOtchkisS we're
brought into play 10 cover the retreat OF
the advance guard. Just previous TO
The advance on the MatGbele position,
The TWO rapid-fre guns were again set
TO- work and for about a quarter OF an
hour they were made 20 sweep the Ma
taeele position in front Of the British
force
When the right moment seemed to ar
rive. the charge was ordered and there
vas prolonged period of sharp fight
Ing az close quarters. Pistols, rifles,
SHOT Guns. aSsag3ris, war clubs. spears
and knives FLASHED, the music OF the
l3pll-1re guns sent to the rear for
Tear Of their being captured, having
ceased Both sides fought bravely. 1t
vas case of a handful OF well armed
whites against 4 small army of badly
s.met MatabeleS. Gradually the NIlta-
ts.es. pressed onward by force OF num-
GERS almost surrounded the British
Eao 10 avoid being encircled, reiterated,
Hso1uS foot by foot, but being driven
steadily backward. One squad Tor
lLe was quite cut Off and was only ex-
,..c2,ed Itself by a charge through the
A1'ahc'e Gordon.
'''nn7 ly the British were very hard
pressed and gave ground fast. retreat
pig ,o'r'rd RuluwayO. which place they
..'A'I considerably Shc worse for
"eargrd tear.
NJoH HEROGSNI WAS DISPLAYED
ny individual British troopers and vol
.-'.'rrs IN reScUjrE their wounded com
',' One trooper IS said TO have
-el alone close up 10 The Matabelcs
Ns 10 pick up e wounded friend.
her trooper stood over q fallen
DO. ald with the stock Ct MS
,-5 pat OF the natives until both he
~. iricnd we're rescued Sy q charge
-oi~ co=,reGcs.
~. correct estimate could be made.
,. -e rcporcS place the number of Ma
-o.. KILLED az anywhere from 400 to
s.. i9o loss Of the British is not
. eur !, is bCGsvcI 70 be moro Sc
I'm t3e commanders ct Ba.uwavo
'.t willing 20 admit.
NIL I-oHo1l account o. TIE sortie
N1i'ers in different liEht. II
ere r'cs o great deal OF unnsces-
--.., ia c'tting the troopers away
...-. J'tr.2yc, and that it was almost
r,.- %hS0 they started. Conse-
...-,'. Wien they encountered the Ma
r.-. lHey found the latter ready 10
s,t. ',"m. there was determined
81 - IN to.h SIDES It close range.
6ri'is5. when almost surround
~, 'a''d. sighting stu0b0raly. with
ct many ktled and wou3ded.
NO. settle WIS failure. a de-
.- 'r tLc British, scd what IS worse.