Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-05-01

Saturdays events in Buluwayo sho
that the Matabeles are displaying gre'
boldness and energy in the pursuit
their purpose to surround the town CON
pletely and cut off all communicate
with the outside world.
On Saturday morning, it was fonn
that the hostile forces of natives ha'
surrounded the town on the north, cas-
and west, their ranks being much to-
close to the town to allow of any free
dom of action by those within. Thei
lines were being energeticaily extend
ed in both directions, and threatened tc
close in on the south and cut off com
munication with Mangwe and Mafeking
along with the expected reinforcements
and supplies of provisions are coming
The pickets of the enemy were found
TO be in no case beyond four miles dis
tant from the BIluwayo lines, and they
were giving lively evidence of their inn
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
Cape "boys" and one hundred
natives. They were supplied with one
Maxim and one Hotchkiss rapid fire gun,
which were placed in command of Cap
tain MacFarlane. They were speedily
ready for an offensive movement and
.hus commanded and equipped they
sailed forth from the Buluwayo de
enses at ? o'clock on Saturday morning
rhey took a direction nOrlkeasterly
rom the town in the direction of I'm
,uza river. They had proceeded only |
bout FIVE miles on this course, advanc- !
ne cautiously with scouts in advance
nd outriders on each side, when the
nemy opened the attack
The Matabele force numbered not
,ss than 1900 and their attack was eager
nd we'll directed.
The column for Buluwayo was just
-ossing a small stream, tributary of
he Umguza, when the attack opened.
he overwhelming odds, ten to one,
urled upon the little column and drove
back by mere weight of numbers and
e advance parties were glad to retreat
haste across the stream. This retro
ade movement was, however, affected
good order and fighting as they went,
us drawing the enemy across the river.
The Matabeles advanced on the bandin :
array Their line extended
a crescent formation, the horns /
the crescent advancing to the d
mt. creeping and writhing like a c
acherous serpent, seeking to enclose n
prey and surround it in its deadly c
Is.
The long staggling line extending n 2
lance of over three miles with wide
ervals, and between the men in line, -
,ept where they closed in expectation
a hand-to-hand conflict. Many came Il
brandishing their assegias and shields :,
giving forth fierce yells in true saw .
fashion. AS the bowling savages
sed in on the column they afforded .
excellent target for the sweeping =
,harge Of the rapid firing guns The :.
agement which ensued was a hard
desperate one.
he Buluwayo force kept the river in
ir immediate front The fire arms :,
heavy execution among the hostile
ives as they rushed up to the opposite -
K. This only partly checked their M
e onslaughts and many gained the wi
on which the whites stood. These IN
e charged by the troopers and cut te,
n or driven back into the stream ar,
hen the Matebeles in front were A,
Nv driven back they were seen to wi
, sustained a heavy loss The little er,
was dyed crimson with blood of is
victims OK the Maxim gun. One OBJ del
er counted forty dead lying in a lea
! circuit close to the column. pro
whites had been holly engaged in Z
ront and when they succeeded in Sh,
Using the attack there, they found fro
work waiting tor them The ad- ans
e end of the enemy's line then got the
- tbair norke onI fi,ar fo,,,,l l G.