Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-08-12
VICTORY FOR BRITISH.
| Superior Military Training and
Modern Implements of War;
fare Win.
Copyrighted, 1896, by the Associated Press.

Cape Town, Aug. "details have
been received here of the decisive victory
won on Wednesday by the 100 British
troops composing Col. Plummers col
umn over native force estimated to
have numbered from 5000 to 1000. The
latter fought most desperately and brave
Iy, charging up within few yards of the
British rapid-tire guns. About 800 OF
the Matabele warriors were slain during
the engagement, which lasted several
hours, and the loss Of the British includ-
ed Maj. Kershaw, Lieut.. Harvey, four
sergeants and about thirty soldiers Killed,
and six officers, several nOncommlssloned
officers and about fifty men wounded,
according to unofficial figures.
The Matabeles and their allies were
commanded by the big chiefs Sokombeo
and Umlugulus and were divided into
five impis, or regiments, each OF over
1000 men, well supplied with arms and
ammunition.
Fought in the UmIugulu Valley.
At 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning
a force of about 100 men, whites and ma
tives, cavalry, infantry and artillery, all
under British officers, marched to the
commanded by Capt. Beresford, with
two screw guns and Maxim rapid-tlre
gun, was detached to make detour be-
hind some hills and then took up po-
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 a forward movement upon
the British positions. The main body
of the British troops was halted while
Can't. 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 kople,
the Matabeles made a sudden and de-
termined dash at Capt. Beresford's COM
mand. There was no strategy or con-
cea lment.
The natives rushed headlong at the
British and in spite. of the heavy fire
which was poured into their ranks sue
ceeded in getting within forty yards OF
the British guns and reached spot nj
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 seerled to court death in their
fierce 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 its hail of lead
into the heaving masses of rapldly-nOy-
ing impis, the natives wavered IN their
charge, and a moment later the rush
was stopped and they began to give way,
leaving hears of dead and wounded or
the field But, rallied by the chiefs who
hraveIy rushed to the front, encouraging
their followers by display of magnif-
cent dash. the native warriors returned
to the charge in the face of the fierce
fire of the British guns and Capt. Beres-
ford's force was. for q few moments,
~, JaA Nv
of warriors, who seemed to know no
fear.
The position of the Beresford forces
was then most critical and the command
err hurriedly ordered his signal men to
ask Col. Plummer to lose no time in
advancing with the main body to their
rescue While the signaling was in
progress n hot and determined fight ragged
around the guns and several British Off
GERS ard men fell. In the distance
could be seen two more impis rushing
forward to return the attack upon Beres-
the main body of the British troops TO
advance. The mounted men were sent
forward ct a gallop to storm the hills on
the left Of Beresford's position, from
which the natives were delivering haSty
dropping fire upon the kOpje occupied by
the British guns.
Mai Kershaw Killed.
The cavalry was CALAMITY led by Maj.
KerShav- who charged up to within fif-
teen yards of the enemy'S position, when
he was shot through the heart by IL 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 fires.
M IL, Ill a. l.
cution and a well directed fire of case
shot followed by we'll placed fire of
SharpneIl soon changed the native attack
into retreat and when the full rein
fercements 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
miration of the British, but their shoot
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
saher 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 i'm
pis defeated are among the best-trained
of the rebel forces. 1t is believed, how
ever, that a 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 uprising is finally brok-
en-.