The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-16
BRAVE CHARGE BY BRITISH.
GORDON HIGHLANDERS COVER
THEMSELVES WITH GLORY.

Dnrgai Ridge Recaptured in the
Face of "a Withering Fire From
Native Tribesmen on a Hill Above
Them-The Attacking Party
Forced to Cross an Open Valley
Half Way Up the Ridge Before
They Could Get at Their Foes.
London, Nov. 16-The newspapers of
this city have received graphic details by
mail Of the recapture of Dargai Ridge by
the Gordon Highlanders on Oct. 90 during
which that regiment exhibited remarkable
dash and courage. In order that the mar
rative may be complete it Is necessary to
make a brief review of details already
cabled.
After the fighting on Monday, Oct. IS,
between the column of British troops. COM
manded by Gen. Sir Yeatman Biggs, and
the tribesmen from Chagru, on the Sa-
mana range, the British retired upon
Shinware and the enemy, greatly REIN
forced, re-occupied Dargai Ridge, which
commands Chagru.
On Wednesday Oct. 2O Gen. Biggs sent
the second division to dislodge the tribes
was a very strong one, the enemy occu-
pying the summit of preclpitous hill.
The top of this hill could be reached only
by single path along which the attack
ing force, at first consisting of Ghurka
regiment, the Derbyshire regiment anu
the Dorsetshire regiment, was Obliged to
climb In Indian file, while three batteries
of artillery shelled the Sangars of breast
work entertainments of the hillmen.
Dargai Ridge, from the direction of the
assault it is now more fully explained,
presents a frontage of about mile, the
left end of which is sheer rock Tor ~
yards In spite of the difficulty of the as
cent, the movements of the British troops
were fairly we'll covered, except in case OF
a low dip or small valley, from 100 to 500
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 Derbyshires and Dorset
shires, reached this fire zone the top OF the
cliffs burst out into flame, for 1000 tribes
men had reserved the fire of their rifles
until that moment. Though decimated,
the little nnountaineers (Ghurkas), strug-
gled across the dip and reached the shell
ter of a few rocks where they lay down
under cover for moment or so in order
to recover their breath. Then, led by
their officers, they made rush for the
cover of the cliff side Though the re-
and the rsetshires-appeared on the
frings of the dip, yet to step into the fire
was to court death. But the Dorsetshires
again tried to advance to the support of
the Ghurks and thirteen men struggled
into the open space, only to drop before
the far side haven was reached. At this
juncture, Gen. Kempster ordered the Cor
don Highlanders to the front. Rapidly
forming his men, and after this now his
toric speech, Men of the Gordon High
landers: Our general says that position
must be taken at all costs, the Gordon
Highlanders will take it," Col. Matthias
the commander of the Highlanders dash
ed out at the head of his gallant regiment,
and in a moment they were across, carry
ing everyone with them in their onrush,
storming the ridge with a resolution that
was resistless and beating down all oppo-
sition.
Piper Findlater, blowing his loudest 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 low by shot through
both legs he managed to prop himself
up against boulder and continued with
unabated energy to play Cock of the
North" aninating 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 fled precipitately down the
rivers slopes, without waiting for the
line of cold steel which was too nearly
on the crest of the ridge.
Piper Findlater has been recommended
for the Victoria Cross.
Capt Robinson of the Ghurkas also act
ed 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 mortaly wounded while
leading the second rush of Ghurkas to
support the first body of that regiment.