Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-11-16
THE BATTLE OF DARCAI RIDGE


London. Nov. 15.-The newspapers of
this city have received graphic details
by mail Of the recapture of Dargal
ridge by the Gordon Highlanders, on
October 10th, during which that regi-
ment exhibited remarkable dash and
courage. on Wednesday, October goth,
Gen. Biggs sent the second division to
dlslodge the trlbesmen from the Dargai
ridge. The position was Il very strong
one, the enemy occupying the summit
of n precipitous hill. The top OF the
hill could not he reached except by n
single path, along which the attacking
force, first consisting of a Ghurku
regiment, the Derbyshire regiment and
the porsetshire regiment was obliged
to climb In Indian file, while three bat
tories Of artillery shelled the breast
works of the hill men.
Dargal ridge, from the direction of
the assault, presents frontage Of
about mile, the left end Of which is
sheer rock for 200 yards. In spite of
the difficulty of the ascent, the move
ments Of the British troops We're fair
~ well covered, except in the case of n
low dip. or small valley from 100 to so
yards wide about half way up the
ridge. This dip was exposed to direct
fire from the summit of the cliff.
As the Ghurka's, supported by the
/ Derbyshlros and Dorset shires, reached
this fire zone the top of the cliffs burst
out into flame, for thousand tribes
men had reserved their fire until that
moment. Though decimated the
Ghurkas struggled across the dip and
reached the shelter Of a few rocks,
where they lay down under cover for
a moment in order to recover their
breath. Then, led by their officers,
| they made rush for the cover of the
cliffslde. But the others could not fol-
low, and the enemy, with true military
| instinct, reserved their fire.
Though the remainder of the Ghur-
kas, the Derbyshires and the Dorset
| shires 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 Ia
drop before the far side had even been
reached. Then, reluctantly, the senior
officer photographed down to the main
| body of the British troops that the
! passage could not be made.
! At this juncture Gen. Kempster or
| dered the Gordon Highlanders to the
| front. The time had arrived for des-
perate action, for it was then o'clock
| in the afternoon. and the dead and
wounded We're lying thick on every
side. over one hundred men had al
ready fallen and the enemy were
shouting defiance and waving their
| battlenags and beating their drums.
| confident of the impregnability OF
their position and certain of their sue
| cess.
! But the Gordon Highlanders had yet
/ to be reekoned with. RAPIDLY form
| ing his men, and after his now his
/ toric speech:
Men Of the Gordon Highlanders:
our general says that position must
he taken at all costs. The Gordon
| IIighlanders will take it,"
! Col Matthias. the commander Of the
| Ilighlanders. dashed out at the head
| of his gallant regiment and in a mo-
ment they We're across. carrying every
/ one with them in their on-rush,
| storming the ridge with n resolution
that was resistless and beating down
all opposition.
When Col. Matthias 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, the bullets churning up the
| dust, which half hid the rushing
| bodies.
piper Findlater, blowing his loudest
| and best, was among tho first to show
tho way across that deadly strip OF
ground and when, after trnVerslng nut
| a few Yards he was laid low by shot
through both legs. he managed to prop
himself against boulder ana CON
| tinued with undated energy 10 pay
Cock Of the North" animatng ms
comrades by the familiar stirring mu-
| sic of his pipes. -.
( But the fire Of the enemy was most