The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-04-27
BTLTWAYO SURROUNDED
Matabeles on Three Sides of the
Besieged African City,
ANOTHER INEFFECTIVE CHARGE

A Small British Force Makes an Effort to
Drive or the savages, and Narrowly Es-
capes Annihilation-After Brave Fight
They Retreat in Good Order
CAPE Town, April 27-The news of Sat
urday's events in Buluwayo show that the
Matabeles are displaying great boldness
and energy in the pursuit Of their purpose
to surround the town completely and cut
off all communication with the outside
world.
On Saturday morning it was found that
the hostile forces of natives had sur.
rounded the town on the north, east and
west, their ranks being much too close to
the town to allow of any freedom of action
by those within. Their lines were being
energetioally extended in both directions
and threatened to close in on the south
and cut of communication wi tn Mangwe
and Mafeking, along which the expected
endorsements and supplies of provisions
are coming.
The piokets of the enemy were found tc
be in no case beyond four miles distant
from the Buluwayo lines, and they were
giving lively evidence of their improved
displayed in the war of Lobengula by the
way in which they were throwing up rude
Notifications and earthworl1s 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
perceived to be necessary to dislodge 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
guns, and were placed in command of
Captain MacFarlane. They were speedily
ready for an offensive moveme MT, and sal
lied forth from the Buluwayo defenses at
o'clock on Saturday morning.
They had proceeded only about five
miles, advancing cautiously with scouts
in advance and outrlders on each side,
when the enemy opened the attack The
Matabele force numbered not less than
5000, and their attack was eager and well
directed. The column from Buluwayo
was just crossing a small stream, a tribu-
tuary Of the Umguza, when the attack
| opened The overwhelming odds hurled
upon the little column drove it back by
mere weight of numbers and the advance
party was glad to retreat across the stream.
The Matabeles advanced upon the little
band of warriors in formidable array, their
line extending in crescent formation
over distance of three miles Many came
on brandishing their assagais and shields
and giving forth fierce yells in true savage
fashion.
The engagement which ensued was hot
and desperate one, and dark, ,leaping bodies
seemed to spring up as fast as they were
moved down by the rapid fire guns. The
Buluwayo force kept the river in their
immediate front, and the firearms did
heavy execution among the hostile natives
as they rushed up TO the opposite bank.
This only partly checked their fie rec on
slaught, 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 finally driven
back they were seen to have sustained a
heavy loss The little river was dyed a
dark crimson with the blood of the vic
tins 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 repuls-
ing the attack there they found more work
still waiting for them. The advanced ends
of the enemy's line had got under theiI
flanks, and they found squads of bowling
black men in their rear when they turned
their attention in that direction. This
came near proving greater peril than the
onslaught from the front, but 1t was
luckily deferred until the first attack had
been repulsed and the force of the Mata
beles weakened there.
But for the open nature of the grounC c
toward Buluwayo the encircling tactics o.
the enemy would certainly have succeeded
against the small force opposed to them
AS 1t was, it was possible to perceive theil
movements and move accordingly, and tn,
open ground gave free play for the maxim
which was employed also in that direction
with deadly effect.
The losses sustained by the whites were
H. G. Whitehouse, @. Gordon and B. Par
sons killed and several wounded, the ex
act number not being stated. The rapi'
fire gun Is thought to have saved the da.
for the whites, beyond question. The los
they sustained, in view Of the forces of th'
attacking party and the fact that they
were actually outfianked, is considered
small, and the whites are considered lucky
W AdNo COluo Oll 81 Wcll+ lhog TdbiHcA
upon the conclusion of the fight, but they
were in possession of the field when they
did so.
Although the attacking party came of
without any very heavy losses, they did
not drive the Matabeles, but simply re-
pulsed their attack. The hostile lines are
practically as near to Buluwayo as ever,
and 1t is certain that only part Of the
Matabeles who are beleaguerlng Bulu-
wayo were engaged in Saturdays fight.
1t is not clear that the sortie has been ef'
fectual in preventing the advance of the
Matabeles to the south of Buluwayo,
which is the outcome most feared.
Buluwayo still has provisions for twenty
days, and the supplies on their way from
Mafeking are expected to arrive before
, that period expires. But it is very much
feared that the relief column may be at