St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-25

behind their stone-topped earthworks, about
four miles out of Buluwayo. Contrary to ex-
pectations, the Matabeles had thrown out
pickets, which, although surprised by the ad-
vance guard raised the alarm. This was no
sooner done than the troopers in advance
charged and shot down many Of the fleeing
natives.
This was the signal for the advance of the
main body of the troopers, and they galloped
forward in fine style to the support of their
comrades. Unluckily for the plans of Capts
Napier and Duncan, by this time it was
getting quite light and the Matabeles had
sprung to arms all along the line. AS the
British advanced they were received by
scattering rife fire from behind the earth
works, but the advance guard charged right
up to the mounds and spurred their horses
over them in several places. Then followed
a setback for the troops. The Matabeles
charged In 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 Matabele position. This was
kept up until broad daylight when the ad
vance was ordered back, in view Of the fact
that too much ammunition was being wasted.
Up to this time the loss on either side had
not been heavy, although the Matabeles had
by far the worst of it, especially when the
Maxim and Hotchkiss guns were brought into
play to cover the retreat of the advance
guard. Just previous to the advance
on the Matabele position, the two
rapid-f1re guns were again set to
hour they were made to sweep the Matabele
in oft tbo Drift hon
the right moment seemed to arrive a
charge was ordered, and there was a pro-
longed period of sharp fighting at close quar-
ters. Both sides fought bravely. 1t was
case Of a handful of well armed, whites
against small army of badly armed Mata-
beles. The former were fighting forthe help
less women and children in the beleaguered
town of Buluwayo; the latter were fighting
for what they considered to be their own,
their native land for Buluwayo, the old cap
ital Of King Lobengula. Gradually the Ma
tabeles, pressed onward by sheer force of
numbers, almost surrounded the British,
who, to avoid being encrcled, retreated,
fighting foot by foot, but being driven stead
lily backward. One squad for a time was
quite cut off. and only extrcated itself by
brilliant charge through the Matabele Gordon.
Eventually the British were very hard
pressed, and gave ground fast. Then, raj
lied by Napier and Duncan, they again as
sumed the offensive and drove back the
swarms of natives, under well-directed fire.
Then it was the turn of the Matabeles to give
ground, and squad Of troopers. charging
with ringing cheer, threw them into con-
fusion, and the British were apparently get
ting the upper hand and slowly forcing the
enemy backward, when, suddenly, a retreat
was ordered and the British retreated towards
Buluwayo, which place they reached consider
ably the worse for wear and tear.
The loss of the enemy is said to have been
very great No correct estimate could be
made, but the reports place the number Of
Matabeles killed at anywhere between 400 and
1000. The loss Of the British is not stated
but it is believed to be more severe than the
commanders at Buluwayo are willing to admit
The unofficial account places matters IN a
somewhat different light. 1t says there was a
great deal of unnecessary delay in getting the
troopers away from Buluwayo, and that it was
almost daylight when they started. Conse-
quently, when they encountered the Mata-
beles, they found the latter fully prepared to
receive them. There was determined fighting
on both sids at close range, and the British
when almost surrounded, retreated, fighting
stubbornly with the loss of many killed and
wounded. In brief, the sortie was a failure
a defeat for the British, and. what is worse
penditure of much of the small stock Of am
munition remaining at Buluwayo.
The Matabeles are believed to be flushed
with victory They have driven back into
Buluwayo a strong force, about half the gar
rison of that place, and, though they suffered
severely, the loss in prestige and ammunition
to the British is much more severe.
Further particulars in regard to the sortie
show that when the Matabele main body was
first made out, about four miles west of Bulu-
wayo, the enemy occupied ridge, on top of
which were the earthworks and stone parapets,
and were prepared to receive the British force
Consequently slight detour was made so as
to bring the column slightly north of Bulu-
wayo. After fierce fighting the natives drove
the British back, and down the bank. Cross
ing the river In the retreat F. c. Selous had
a narrow escape. His horse was killed in
nidstream, and he became entangled in the
stirrups. When he extricated himself he was
half-drowned, and would have sunk had it not
been for Lieut.. Windley, who swan his horse
out into the middle Of the river In face of the
fire Of the enemy and rescued Selous and
reached the left bank without injury
The squad of troopers previously said to
have been for a time quite cut OF, and only
able to extricate itself by a brilliant charge
through the Matabeles Gordon, was Capt.
Grey's scouts. They were, to a certain de-
gree, ambushed and almost in the hands of
the enemy, when. by a desperate rush. they
extricated themselves. It is now said that
both the Hotchkfss and the Maxim guns
worked badly, and that hey were only used for
comparatively short time, as the mechanism
5ammed repeatedly. No correct estimate of
the killed or wounded has yet been received,
the only statement being that of the British
official reports, which says that the British
loss was very slight and the Matabeles lost
heavily. The opinisn is gaining that the Brit
ish suffered bad defeat, and that the Mata-
belle loss was not SO great as at first ru-
mored.