The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-16
INTO A BELT OF FIRE.
Charge of the Gordon Highlanders on
Dargai Ridge.

VI Cu0 GOfQOQ 6lRn1aQQ6ES on
Dargai Ridge.
London, Nov. 1.-the newspapers of
this city have received graphic details by
mail Of the recapture of Dargai ridge by
the Gordon Highlanders on October %,
during which that regiment exhibited re-
markable dash and courage.
On Wednesday, October 90 General
Biggs sent the second division to dislodge
the tribesmen from the Dargai ridge. The
position was a very strong one, the enemy
occupying the summit of a precipitous
hill. The top of the hill could not be
reached except by a single path, along
which the attacking force, first consisting
of a Ghurka regiment, the Derbyshire
regiment and the Dorsetshire regiment,
obliged to climb in Indian file. while
three batteries of artillery sheued the
breastworks of the hill men.
Dargai ridge, from the direction of the
assault, presents a frontage of about a
mile the left of which is sheer rock for
200 yards. 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 cliff.
AS the Ghurkas, supported by the Der
byshires and Dorsetshires, reached this
UTS zone the Top u the GILL DuISL 4AALO
flame for a thousand tribesmen had re
served their fire until that moment.
Though deciminated, the Ghurkas strug-
gled across the dip and reached the shell
ter of a few rocks, where they lay down
under cover for moment in order to
recover their breath. Then. led by their
officers, they made rush for the cover
of the cIifside. But the others could
not follow, and the enemy reserved their
fire. Ia raO19iDdRr of the C1lur-
kas. the Derbyshires and the Dorsetshires
appeared on the fringe of the dip, yet
to step into the fire zone was to court
death. But the Dorsetshires again tried
to advance to the support of the Ghurkas
and thirteen men struggled into the open
space, only to drop before the far side
had ever been reached. Then, reluct-
antIy, the senior officer photographed down
to the main body of the British troops
that passage could not be made.
At this juncture General Kempster or
dered the Gordon HighIanders to the
front.
The time had arrived for desperate ac-
ton, for it was then 4 o'clock in the aft
ernoon and the dead and wounded were
lying thick every side. Over one
hundred men had already fallen and the
enemy were shouting their defiances and
waving their battle flags and beating
their drums, confident of impregna-
bility of their position and certain of their
success.
But the Gordon High1anders had yet to
be reckOned with. Rapidly forming his
men, and, after his now historic speech,
Men of the Gordon Highlanders, our
general says that position must be taken
at any cost. The Gordon HfghIanders will
take it, Colonel Matthias, the commander
of the Highlanders, dashed out at the
head of his regiment, and in a moment
they were across, carrying every
with them in their rush,
storming the ridge with res
olution that was resistless and beating
down all opposition. When Colonel Ma
thias gave the order to advance he and
his officers leaped into the open and the
pipers followed, striking up Cock of the
North" and with shout the leading
company of killed men was into the fire
zone. A stream of lead swept over,
through and past them. bullets churning
up the dust, which half hid the rushing
bodies.
Piper Finlatoer. blowing his Ioudest and
best, was among the first to show the
way across that deadly strip of ground
and, when after traversing but a few
yards he was laid to by shot through
both legs. he managed to prop himself
against boulder and continued with I'M
a.bated energy to play Cock of the
North" animating his comrades by the
familiar. stirring music of his pipes.
But the fire of the enemy was most
deadly. The leading line melted away,
and it seemed that the Gordon Highland
ers would be annihilated. More men,
however, sprang into the passage and the
leaders struggled across to cover. There
was then a lull, and, as one piper re-
marked, zone had time to see how cruel
had been the slaughter
Then with a second cheer the mixed
troops, Highlanders, Dorsetshires, Ghur-
Izas, Derbyshires and Sikhs, streamed
across, and the enemy. seeing the barrier
had been swept away, left their loop
holes and rock barbados and fed pre-
cipitately down the reverse slopes, with
out waiting for the line Of cold steel
which was then near the crest of the
ridge.
Piper Ffnlatoer has been recommended
for the Victoria cross. Captain Robert
son of the Ghurkas also acted with the
L. 1-ss-