The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-23

BrItons Face Death with hrnNers
Equal 10 That OF Dnfnkinsn.

Equal 10 That OF Dnfni<lnFn.
simIa. Oct. 2l.-According TO adyices
from Fort Lockhart. the tribesmen hav-
ing occupied Dargai Ridge. which com
mnnded Chagru, on the Samana range
Gen. Sir Yeatman-Biggs sent the Sec
ond division Wednesday morning TO dis-
lodge them. The position was very
strong one. on the summit Of precip-
itous hill, reached only by a single path,
along which the attacking force, con
sisting OF the Gurkha regulars, the Dor
setshire regiment was obliged to climb
"a Indian file, three batteries mean
while Smelling the Sangars. The Brit
ish suffered temporary check when
they reached the open space, and were
exposed 10 an accurate fire. After a
prolonged artillery fire the Gurkhas
we're reinforced by the Gordon high
landers. Then followed "A magnificent
rush across the open space in the face
OF n murderous fusillade. The enemy
/ stood their ground till the British
reached the rocks below, down when
the tribesmen could not see 10 fire, and
then they fled pell-mell The losses q
tho Gurlhas and the Gordon highland
ers were severe.
According to later advices Gen. Biggs'
division advanced AT daybreak by way
OF Chaqru Kotal. with Gen. kempsier s
brigade leading II was nearly ten
o'clock when the enemy began a long
range fpht. The three mountain bat
teres. massed on Chagru kotal. re-
plied. while the Gordon ilighlanders
pushed through TO support the first
line. firing yollcys at long range. The
trIbcsmen reserved their fire until the
Gurlthas reached the zigzng path under
the perpendlcular cliff where Mai. Jen
ninps BROMLEY was killed on Monday
in the fighting between the Rrlgg'
brigade aud the insurgent tribesmeI
from Chagru on the SANTANA range
Three British companies crossed TIT
zone Of fire here az a rush, sustaining
heavy losses, while the remainder de
Moved TO the left TO intercept flank at
tack threatened by some 1000 OF tn
enemy from that direction. The Dor
setshire regiment attempted 10 sup
port three companies of Gurkhas' bu
were kept back by the enemy, VIII
remained cool and reserved their fir
until the British were well exposed.
At 1880 o'clocl; matters looked 50
rious. as the British gun fire, thong
aided By a mountain battery from For
Gulistan, had failed TO dislodge tn
g enemy Gen. Kcmpster thereupon wen
r forward In person, moving mp the Coz
= don HHghlanders and the Third six
. regiment into the fighting line. \ sy'
8 tematic assault was then organized, an
o 1900 men. with fixed bayonets, stoo
{ Whiting for the order TO advance. ThrC
= minutes before the word OF comman
x was given Gen. Kempster telegraphe
y, back instructions TO the company
h concentrate their fire. The Is pieces
Be artillery responded, and. under cover
this fire. the leading company Of u
- Hiphlanders. amid perfect silenc
IN rushed into the fire zone. Half the mt
" dropped but the remainder pushed ga
lantly on till they reached the COW
Ia where the Gurkhas lay The rest OF q
2, force strcamcd after them, and Il
Pc ribesmen, seeing that most of q
H. troops had passed the fire zone, fed I
IA the hill and collected under cover
Of the cliffs. The Highlanders and mix
~ regiments, after pausing moment
he take breath, again advanced TO the Q
ld sault, and 20 minutes later the positi
ne was won.