St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-27

bank. This only partly checked their fierce
onslaught 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 sus-
ta1ned heavy loss. The little river was
DYED DARK CRIMSON
with the blood of the victims of the Maxim
gun. one observer counted forty dead lying
In small circuit close to the column. The
whites had been hotly engaged in front, and
when they succeeded in repulsing the attack
there they found more work still waiting for
them. The advance ends of the enemy's
line mad got under their fanks and they
found squares Of bowling black men in their
rear, when they turned their attention in that
direction. This came near proving a greater
peril than the onslaught from the front. hut
1t was luckily deferred until the first attack
had been repulsed and the forces of the Ma
tables weakened there. =
tut for the open nature of the ground
toward Buiuwayo, the enemy's tactics would
certainly have succeeded against the small
force opposed to them. AS 1t was. It was
supposed to perceive their movements and
move accordingly, and the open ground gave
1ree play for the Maxim gun, which was, en-
pioyeo also in that direction with deadly eff
were: H. G. Whitehouse, G. Gordon and B..
Parsons killed and several wounded. the ex-
act number not being stated. The rapid-fre
gun is thought 10 have saved the day for the
whites, beyond question. The loss they sus-
tanned in view of the force of the attacking
party and the fact that they were actually
outhanked is considered small, and the whites
are thougnt lucky to have come off SO WELL
They retired upon the conclusion of the fight.
NJ fha
they did So
Although the attacking party came off with
OUT any very heavy losses, they did not
drive the Matabele but simply repulsed
their attack. The hostile lines are practically
as near Buluwayo as ever and 1t is certain
that only part of the Matabeles who are
beleaguering Buluwayo, were engaged in
yesterdays fight 1t is not clear that the
sortie has been effectual In preventing the
advance Of the Matabele to the south of
Buluwayo, which is the outcome most feared.
The uneasiness here regarding the situa-
tion in the hard-pressed settlement is una
bated, and about the only agreeable factor
is that telegraphic communication with Bulu-
Wayo is still open. The administrator there
announces that the town still has provisions
for twenty days. The supplies on their way
from Mafeking are expected to arrive before
that period expires. But their arrival at
all depends upon many CONTINGENCIES tt Is
very much feared that the relief column may
be attacked. If the supplies were not cap
tured in such case, they would certainly
be delayed. The same thing would happen
If the line of communication were cut and
some point on 1t strongly held. The best
speed the relief column can make without
hostile obstruction will not bring 1t to Bulu-
wayo until 1t is urgently needed.
The administrator in Buluwayo Is doing
all In his power to increase his stock and
to provide against the contingency of delay
Of the relief from Mafeking He has or
dered that all passenger service be stopped
in order to enable the coaches from the
south to be used for bringing in the availa-
BILE supply Of meat. 1t is said also that an
arrangement has been made with friendly
chief for further supplies, and these, 1t is
hoped, will tide over the needs of the COM
munity until they are better provided for.
An official dispatch forwarded here from
Mafeking reports that UP to the present time
all is well with the relief column.