The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-04-30
WITH B0LDNESS AND ENERGY
Matabeles Displaying Both to
an Extent Most Alarming.
situation Very seriOus-River Dyed
Crimson with the Blood OF the Vie
tins OF the Maxim Gun-Whftes
Have Met Obstacles Thay Had Lii.
tie Idea OF when the Campaign
First Opened.

saturdays events in Buluwayo show
that the Matsbeles are displaying great
boldness and energy in the pursuit of
their purpose to surround the town COM
Pletely and cut off all communication
with the outside world
On Saturday morning, it was found
that the hostile forces of natives had
surrounded the town on the north, east
and west. their ranks being much too
clos to the town to allow of any free
dom of action by those within Their
lines were being energeticaIly extend
ed in both directions, and threatened to
close in on the south and cut of COM
munication with Mangwe and Mafeking,
along with the expected achievements
and supplies of provisions are coming.
The pickets of the enemy were found
to be in no case beg ond four miles dis
tant from the Buluwayo lines, and they
were giving lively evidence of their i'm
proved knowledge of military strategy
over that displayed in the war of Lo-
bengula, by the way in which they are
throwing up rude Notifications and
earthwork 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 per-
ceived to be necessary to dislodge the
lines of the enemy and drive them back.
A column for attack was hastily formed,
consisting of one hundred whites, one
hundred Cape "boys' and one hundred
natives. They were supplied with one
Maxim and one llotchkiss rapid fire gun,
which were placed in command of Cap
tain MacFarlane. They were speedily
ready for an offensive movement and
thus commanded and equipped they
sailed forth from the Buluwayo de-
lenses at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning
They took a direction northeasterly
from the town in the direction of Um-
guza river They had proceeded only
about five miles on this course, adpanc-
ing cautiously with scouts in advance
and outriders on each side, when the
enemy opened the attack.
The Matabele force numbered not
less than 5000 and their attack was eager
and we'll directed.
The column for ,Buluwayo was just
crossing a small stream, tributary of
the Umguza, when the attack opened.
The overwhelming odds, ten to one,
hurled upon the little column and drove
1t back by mere weight of numbers and
the advance parties were glad to retreat
in haste across the stream. This retro
grade movement was, however, affected
in good order and fighting as they went
thus drawing the enemy across the river
| The Matabeles advanced on the band in
formidable array. Their line extended
in crescent formation, the horns
of the crescent advancing to the
front, creeping and writhing like a
treacherous serpeEr' seeking to enclose
it's prey and surrda16d it in its deadly
coils
The long staggling line extending (
distance of over three miles with wide
intervals, and between the men in line
except where they closed in expectation
of hand -to-hand conflict. Many came
on brandishing their assegias and shields
and giving forth fierce yells in true saw
age fashion. AS the bowling savage
closed in on the column they afforded
an excellent target for the sweeping
discharge of the rapid firing guns. Tn,
engagement which ensued was a har,
and desperate one.
The Buluwayo force kept the river ii
their immediate front The fire arm
did heavy execution among the hostil
natives as they rushed up to the opposit
bank, This only partly checked thei
fierce onslaughts and many gained tn
side on which the whites stood. Thes
were charged by the troopers and Gu
When the Matebeles in front wer
finally driven back they were seen t
have sustained heavy loss. The littl
river was dyed crimson with blood {
the victims of the Maxim gun. One oil
server counted forty dead lying in
small circuit close to the column
The whites had been holly engaged /
the front and when they succeeded
, repulsing the attack there, they foun
more work waiting for them. The az
q vance end Of the enemy's line then g
under their TANKS and they foun
:, squares of bowling black men in the
rear when they turned their attention
that direction. This came near provin
a greater peril than the onslaught fro
the front, but it was luckily deferred u
= til the first attack had been repulse
and the force of the Matabeles weakent
there. But for the open nature of Il
ground toward Buluwayo the encirclir
tactics of the enemy would certain
have succeeded against the small for
C opposed to them. AS it was 1t was posi-
; Bile TO perceive their movements al
d move accordingly and the open grour
4 gave free play for the Maxim which W
Is employed also in that direction wi
IF deadly effect The loss sustained
al the whites were: H. c. Whtehouse,
d Gordon and B. Persons, killed al
v wounded, the exact number not bel
y stated. The rapid fire gun is thong
to have saved the day for the whites
In yond question The loss they sustain
he in view of the force of the attack