The Red Cloud chief., 1896-05-01
MATCH FOR BRITONS
MhTABELES FORCE THEM
TO RETREAT.
The English Dofeatcd-An Attempt To
Surprise the Natives in their Camp
Proves Bi,astrcrs-Eurious lighting ON
Both Sides.

boNh ElHfNs
CAFE Town, April photographic
communication with Euluwayo was
rcopened fora time to-day and reports
came of "A British sortic in force which
encountered large numbers OF Meta.
beles, inflicted much loss upon them,
suffered in return, were one time III
danger of annihilation and finally re.
treated to the town.
According to the official report the
British force, shortly after midnight,
was quietly called to arms, and, with
out apparently alarming the native
part Of the town, 800 men, under Cap
tains Napier and Duncan. with one
Maxim rarid fire gun, and d liotchkiss
quick frlug gun, belonging to the
flagship ST. George, gathered outside
of the barbcd wire d~cfcnses, were
served with "a ration al rum and
started for a dash at the Matabele
lines, Swords and all gathering ac-
coutrcmcnts were Gcadcncd with cloth
and the feet Of the horses Of the aG-
vance guard were covered with strong
sacl<ing. About dawn the column ar
rived within striking distance of the
Mata Oelcs who were quietly Camped
bchiuu their stone topped carthworhs,
about -four miles from B~uluwayo.
The Malta belle pickcts, although sur
priscd 10y the advance guard, raised
the alarm and the troopers ia advance,
charged and Shot down many of the
fleeing natives. The main body Of the
troopers then galloped forward in
fine style TO the support Of their COM
radcs. Ky this time IL was getting
quite light and the M%atabclcs had
sprung TO arms all along the line. AS
the British advanced they were ic-
ceivcd by II scattering rifle fire from
behind the c~arthworks, Eut the adj.
vance guard charged right up to the
mounds and spurrcd their horses over
them in several places.
uAE FIGHTING On BOTH SIDES
Then the Matabelcs charged in
force and drove the advance guard
back and, being met by the main
body of troopers, fire was opcncd Ivy
the rapid fire guns ut about 800 yards
on the Matabclc position. This was
kept up until broad daylight. when it
was found hat ammunition was be-
ing wasted.
just previous to the general advance
on the Matabele position, the two
rapid fire guns were again set To work
and for about II quarter of an hour
they were made to sweep the Malta
belle position IN front OF the British
force. Then a charge was ordered
and there was Il prolonged period of
sharp fighting at close quarters with
pistols, rifles, shotguns, war clubs,
spears and knives. Both sides fought
%bravely, though it was "a case of n
handful of well armed whites against
u small army Of badly armed Malta
belcs. Gradually the Matabeies.
pressed onward by sheer force of mum
bcrs, almost surrounded the British,
who retreatcd, fighting bravely. One
squad for n time was quite cut off and
only eXtrica,cd itself by u brilliant
charge through the Matabcle Gordon.
Finally the British, very hard
pressed, gave ground fast, but, rallied
by Napier and Duncan, they again
assumed the offensive and drove back
the swarms OF natives under n well
directed fire. Then a squad OF troop
ers, charging with "A cheer, threw the
Matabeles into confusion and the
| British were apparently getting the
I upper hand and slowly forcing the
enemy backward, when suddenly the
=. retreat was ordered and the British
moved back to Buluwayo, which place
they reached, considerably the wors,
for wear and tear.
HERoIsM on THE BRITISH TROOPS
Much hcroiSm was displayed by in
e dividual British troopers and volun
. teers in rescuing their wounded con
d rades. One trooper is said to hav'
charged alone close up TO the Malta
9 bclc's works, 10 have picked up
o wounded friend, dragged him upon hi
y saddle and retrcatcd after emptyini
the magazine of his rife at the enemy
Another trooper stood over a fallcl
= comradc and, with the stock of hi
4 rifle, beat off the natives until both h
4. and his friend were rescued by
c charge of their comrades,
Il The loss of the enemy is said to hav
lie been very great. No correct cstlmat
l. could be made, hut the reports plac
3 the number of Matabelcs killed a. he
n tween 100 and l,G00. The loss of tn
British is not stated, but il is believe,
to be more severe than the command
crs at Buluwayo are willing TO admit