Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-08-13
VICTORY FOR BRITISH.
Superior Military Training ana
Modern Implements Of War
fare Win.
conrriehted. 1896, by the Associated Press.

Modern implements Oh w Oh
fare Win.
copyrighted 1896, by the Associated Press.
Cana Town. Aug. "details have
haen received here of the decisive victory
won On Wednesday by the 700 British
troons COMPOSING Col. Plummer's col
,,,,, ovar = native force estimated to
have numbered from 5000 to 7OcO. The
latter fought most desperately and brave
", charging up within few yards OF the
Hr;t:sh rapid fire guns. About 500 OF
tba Matabele warriors were slain during
the engagement, which lasted several
bours. and the loss of the British includ-
ad Mai Kershaw, Lieut.. Harvey, four
sergeants and about thirty soldiers Killed,
and six officers, several noncommlsslOned
officers and about fifty men wounded
according to unofficial hgures.
The Matabeles and their allies were
commanded by the big chiefs Sokombeo
and Umlugulus and We're divided into
Ave impis. or regiments, each of over
1000 men. well supplied with arms and
ammunition.
Fought in the Umlugulu Valley.
At 6 O'clock on Wednesday morning
q force of about 700 men, whites and ma
tiyes, cavalry, infantry and artillery, all
under British officers, marched to the
Umluguu valley; Inc p white lafan n;ih
two screw guns and Maxim rapid-fre
gun. was detached to make detour be-
hind some hills and then took up p0-
sition from which the valley could be
shelled. 1t had previously been reported
by the scout that he enemy IN, strong
force was encamped in the valley, pre-
pairing for forward movement upon
the British positions. The main body
of the British troops was halted while
Cant. Beresford's detachment was MAX
ing it's way to the position designated for
the artillery to occupy. While this move
ment was being executed, the guns be-
ing moved over a small, isolated kopge,
the Matabeles made a sudden and de-
termined dash at Capt. Beresford's COM
mand. There was no strategy or con-
cealment.
The natives rushed headlong at the
British and in spite of the heavy ire
which was poured into their ranks sue.
ceeded in getting within forty yards OF
the British guns and reached spot MT
teen feet from the Maxim guns. A min
ute's delay would have proved fatal to
the Beresford detachment, as the White
infantry was apparently unable to check
the reckless. wild charge of the tribes
men, who seemed to court death in their
Eerce attack upon the column
Hail of Lead Poured Down.
But when the screw guns began crash
ing their shot into the enemy, tearing
wide. bloody gaps in the ranks, and the
deadly Maxim ratified it's hail of lead
into the heaying masses of rapldly-moy-
ing impis the natives Wavered III their
charge, and a moment later the rush
was stopped and they began to give way,
leaving heaps of dead and wounded on
the field But, rallied by the chiefs who
bravely rushed to the front, encouraging
their followers by a display of magnii-
cent dash. the native warriors returned
to the charge in the face Of the fierce
fire of the British guns and Capt. Beres-
completely surrounded by surging waves
of warriors, who seemed to know no
fear.
The position of the Beresford forces
was then most critical and the command
er hurriedly ordered his signal men to
advancing with the main body to their
rescue. While the signaling was in
progress a hot and determined fight ragged
around the guns and several British Off
GERS and men fell. In the distance
could be seen two more impis rushing
forward to return the attack uDon Beres-
ford's position. Col. Piummer ordered
the main body of the British troops to
advance. The mounted men were sent
forward at a gallon. to storm the hills on
which the natives were delivering nasty
dropping fire upon the kopje occupied by
the British guns.
Maj. Kers1law Killed.
The cavalry was CALAMITY led by Maj.
kershav- who charged up to within ff-
teen yards of the enemys position, when
he was shot through the heart by ma
tive, who almost Immediately afterwards
fell, literally riddled with bullets. The
advance of the main body Of Plummer's
forces was quickly noticed by the ma
tives. who were pressing around the
Beresford detachment, and it caused
them to take steps to retreat in order to
escape being caught between three tires.
The guns were thus able to do better exc
cution and well directed fire of case
shot followed by we'll placed fire Of
sharpnell soon changed the native attack
into a retreat and when the full rein
forcements came into action the enemy
broke and fed. The guns and war rock
cts played upon the natives as long as
they were in range but the main loss of
the enemy was inflicted while they were
so bravely charging almost up to the
muzzles of the British pieces. The
bravery of the natives earned the adj
ing was of the worst possible description.
It will Have Good Effect.
During the first rush upon the Beres-
ford kopje Capt. Llewellyn personally
saved the Maxim gun by some smart
saber. and revolver work. At one time
he was completely alone, the natives
having driven back the gunners and be-
ing almost in possession of the pieces.
The captains determined stand, however,
enabled British rush to regain the gun
and he was helped out of his difficulties.
The defeat of the natives will undoubt-
edly have considerable effect, as the inn
pis defeated are among the best-trained
Of the rebel forces. It is believed, how
ever, that further advance of the Brit
ish forces must be made and another de-
feat inflicted upon the natives before
terms of peace will be considered by eth
er side.
A number of friendly natives serving
with the British deserted to the enemy
during the fight. The engagement lasted
about six hours.
Gen. Darlington is understood to be
preparing to drive the enemy eastward
towards the upper part of the country,
where another fight may occur before the
backbone Of the uDriSing is finally hrolx