Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-11-19
THEY WON DEATHLESS GLORY
STCRMED THE DARGAi RIDGE
Striking t'p the Cock of the NORTH
and With shout the Gordon
UighimuLcrs Rushed Into the Fire
Zone.

London. Nov. l6-The newspapers of
this city have received graphic details
by mail of the rccapture OF Dargai ridge
by the Gordon tIighlandcrs on October
~, during which the regiment exhibited
remarkable dash and courage.
On Wednesday, October 20. Gen. BigSs
sent the second division to dislodge the
tribcsnen from the Dargai ridge. The
position was a strong one, the enemy o.
cupying he summit Of PERCEPTIONS hill
Tn top of the hill could not be reached
except by a single path, along which the
attacking force. consisting OF Il Ghurka
regiment the Derby shire regiment and
the Dorsctshirc regiment was Obliged to
climb in Indian file while three batteries
Of artillery shclled the breastworks of the
hill men.
The Deadly Ridge.
Dargai ridge. from the direction OF the
assault. presents Il frontage Of about Il
mile the left end of which is sheer rock
for 200 yards. In spite of the difficulty
Of the ascent the movements Of the Brit
ish troops were fairly well covered ex-
ccpt in the ease of II low dip or small
valley from 100 TO $50 yards wide, about
half way from the summit Of the cliff
As the Khurkas, supported by the Derby
shircs and Dorsctshres, reached this fire
zone. the top of the cliffs burst out into
flame, for II thousand tribesmen had re-
served their fire until that moment.
Though decin,ated the Ghurkas strug-
gled across the dip and reached the shell
ter Of few rocks, where they lay down
under cover for moment in order to re-
cover their breath. Then, led by their
officers. they made II rush for the cover
If the cliffs. But the others could not
follow. and the enemy, with true military
instinct, reserved their fire. Though the
remainder OF the Ghurkas. the Derby
shircs and the Dorsetshires appeared OH
the end Of the dip, yet to step into the
lire zone was to court death. But the
Dorsctshires again tried to advance to
the support Of the Ghurkas. and IL strug-
glcd into the open space only to drop be-
fore the far side had even been reached.
Then. reluctantly, the senior officer sig
nailed to the main body Of the Brit
i-h troops that the passage could not be
made.
Hlghlamdera to the Front.
At this juncture General kempster or
lercd the Gordon Highlanders to the
front. The time had arrived for desper-
at action, for it was then o'clock in the
afternoon. and dead and wounded were
lying thick ON every side. But the Cor
don Highlanders had yet to be reckoned
with. Rapidly forming his men, and aft
er his now historic speech: "Men Of the
Gordon Highlanders, our general says that
position must be- taken ut all costs. The
Gordon Highlandcrs will take it," Col
onel Matthias the commander Of thu
Highlandcrs. dashed out at the head Of hi
gallant regiment. and in moment they
were across, carrying every one with then
On their onward rush. storming the ridge
with resolution that was resistless.
Cock Ut the NORTH"
When Colonel Matthias gave the orde
to advance. he and his officers leaped int
the open, the pipcrs following, striking NJ
Cock Of the North" and with a shou
the leading company was into the fir
zone.
A stream of lead swept over. through
and past, the bullets churning up tn
dust. which half hid the rushing bodie,
Piper Findlates. blowing his loudest an
best, was among the first to show tn
way across that deadly strip Of grounG
and when, after taversing but fe,
yards. he was laid low by u shot throug
both legs, he managed to prop himse
and continued with undated energy I
play Cock Of the North" animating hi
comrades by the familiar, stirring must
Of HIS pipes.
hut the fire of the enemy was mot
deadly, the leading line melting ava,
and 1t seemed that the Gordon Highlant
ers would he annihilateti. More men. how
ever. sprang into the passage and Il,
leaders struggled across the center. The
with second cheer, the troops streame
across and the enemy. seeing that tn
barrier had been swept away left the
loopholes and fled precipitately.
Piper Findates has been rSommende
for the Victoria cross. Captain Robinso
of the Ghnrkas also acted with III
greatest gallantry. After leading his me
across the fire zone to the cover. an
finding the force there insufficient, he r.
turned over the death trap alone and WI
mortally wounded while leading the So
ond rush OF Ghurkas