Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-16
CAPTURE OF DARGAI..
DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF
OCTOBER 10Th.
GALLANTRY OF GORDON HIGHLANDERS
Remarkable Dash and Courage Of
the Regiment-The Victoria Cross
for Piper FtndInter-How 1t Was
Won.
Won.

LONDON, November 15.-The news
papers OF this city have received graphic
details by mail of the recapture of Dar-
gai Ridge by the Gordon Highlanders on
October 9th. during which that regiment
exhibited remarkable dash and courage.
In order that the narrative may be
complete IL is necessary to make a brief
review of details already cabled After
the fighting on Monday, October 18th.
between the column OF British troops
commanded by General Sir Yeatman
Biggs and the tribesmen from Chagru.
on the Samana range, the British re-
tired from Shinwar, and the enemy,
greatly reinforced, reoccupied Dargai
Ridge, which commands Chagru.
On Wednesday, October 10Th, General
Biggs sent the Second Division to dis
lodge the tribesmen from the Dargai
Ridge. The position was very strong
one, the enemy occupying the summit of
a precipitous height. The top of this
height could be reached only by single
path, along which the attacking force, at
first consisting Of a Ghurko Regiment,
the Derbyshire Regiment, and the Dor
setshire Regiment. was obliged To climb
In Indian file while the batteries OF artil-
lery shelled the sangars or breastwork
entertainments of the hill men.
The Dargai Ridge, from the direction of
the assault. it is now more fully ex-
planned. presents a frontage Of about a
mile, the left end of which is sheer rock
for 30 yards.
A VALLEY OF DEATH.
In spite OF the difficulty of the ascent.
the movements of the British troops were
fairly well covered, except in the case
of a low dip or small valley, from 100 to
$50 yards wide, about half way up the
ridge. This dip was exposed to direct
fire from the summit of the cliffs. AS
the Ghurkas, supported by the Derby
shires and Dorsetshires, reached this fire
zone. the top of the cliffs burst out in
fame, for thousand tribesmen had re-
served the fire of their rifles until that
moment Though decimated. the little
mountaineers (Ghurkas) struggled across
the dip. and reached the shelter of few
rocks. where they lay down under cover
for a moment or so, to recover their
breath. Then, led by their officers, they
made a rush for the cover OF the cliff
side.
the Derbyshires, and the Dorsetshires
appeared. To step into the fire zone was
to court death, but the Dorsetshires
again tried to advance to the support or
the Ghurkas, and thirteen men struggled
into the open space only to drop before
the cliffside haven was reached.
General Kempster then ordered the
Gordon Highlanders TO the front.
GORDONs TO THE RESCUE.
Rapidly forming his men, and after
his now historic speech-"Men or the
Gordon Highlanders, our general says
that position must be taken at all costs.
The Gordon Hghlanders will take it,
Colonel Matthias, the commander OF the
Highlanders, dashed out at the head of
his gallant regiment, and In moment
they were across, carrying every one,
with them in their on-rush. storming the
ridge with resolution that was resist
less. and beating down all opposition.
Piper Findlater blowing his pipes, was
amongst the first to show the way across
that deadly strip of ground, and when,
after traversing but a few yards, he
was laid low by a shot through both
legs. he managed to prop himself up
against a boulder, and continued with
unabated energy to play Cock OF the
North" animating his comrades by the
familiar stirring music Of his beloved
pipes.
The barrier was finally swept away
and the enemy left their loopholes and
rock barricades and fed precipitately
down the ravine, without waiting for the
line of cold steel which was then nearly
on the crest OF the ridge.
THE VICTORIA CROSS.
Piper Findlater has been recommended
for the Victoria Cross.
=. Cantain Robinson. of the Ghurkas, also
acted with the greatest gallantry. After
leading his men across the fire zone to
the cover. and finding the force there In
sufficient. he returned over the death
trap alone, and was mortally wounded
while leading the second rush OF Ghurkas
to support the first body Of that regi-
ment.