Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-11-20
THEY WON DEATHLESS GLORY
sToRMe0 THE DAReAl RIDGE
Striking Up the Cock of the Nor,. -,
and With "A shout the Gordon
Highlanders Rushed Into a.,
Zone.

Loiluoil' NOV I0.-lhe newspapers of
this city have received graphic details
by mail of the recapture of Dargai RIDGE
by the Gordon Highlanders on October
20, during which the regiment exhibited
remarkable dash and courage.
On Wednesday, October 20. Gen Biccs
sent the second division to dislodee the
tr1besmen from the Dargai ridge. The
position was strong one. the enemy no.
cupying he summit of a precipitous hin
III top of the hill could not be reached
except by single path, along which the
attacking force, consisting of Ghurka
regiment, the Derbyshire regiment and
the Dorsetshire regiment was OBLIGED to
climb in Indian file while three batteries
of artillery shelled the breastworks of the
hill men.
The Deadly Ridge
Dargai ridge, from the direction of the
assault, presents a frontage OF about a
mile, the left end of which is sheer rock
for 200 yards In spite of the difficulty
of the ascent the movements of the Brit
ish troops were fairly we'll covered ex-
eept in the case of low dip or small
valley from 100 to $50 yards wide, about
half way from the summit of the cliff.
As the khurkas, supported by the Derby
shires and DorsetshiTes. reached this fire
zone, the top of the cliffs burst out into
flame. for a thousand tribesmen had re-
served their fire until that moment.
FThonnb 1ooiY,ntoI +ho Chu,l-,- r4,.,,.
oled across the dip and reached the shell
ter of few rocks, where they lay down
under cover for a moment in order to re-
cover their breath. Then, led by their
officers, they made rush for the cover
of the cliffs. But the others could not
follow, and the enemy, with true military
instinct reserved their fire. Though the
remainder of the Ghurkas. the Derby
shires and the Dorsetshires appeared on
the end 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 l3 strug
gled into the open space only to drop be-
fore the far side had even been reached
Then, reluctantly, the senior officer sig
nailed to the main body of the Brit
ish troops that the passage could not be
made.
HighIanders TO the Front.
At this juncture General Kempster or
dered the Gordon Highanders to the
front. The time had arrived for desper-
at action. for it was then o'clock i'll the
afternoon. and dead and wounded were
lying thick on every side. But the Cor
don Highlanders had yet to be reckoned
with. Rapidly forming his men, and aft
er his now historic speech Men OF the
Gordon Highlanders, our general says That
position must be taken at all costs. The
Gordon Highanders will take it," Col
onel Matthias, the commander OF the
Hiphlanders, dashed out at the head OF his
gallant regiment and i'll moment they
were across, carrying every one with them
on their onward rush, storming the ridge
with resolution that was resistess
Cock of the North"
When Colonel Matthias gave the order
to advance, he and his officers leaped INTO
the open, the pipers following, striking up
Cock of the North" and with a shout
the leading company was into the lire
zone.
A stream of lead swept over, through
and past. the bullets churnlng up the
dust, which half hid the rushing bodies.
Piper Findlates, blowing his loudest ana
best. was among the first to show the
way across that deadly strip OF ground
and when, after traversing but lew
wards. he was laid low by shot through
both legs. he managed to prop hlmsel
and continued with undated energy 10
plav Cock of the North" anlmatlng MS
comrades by the familiar, stirring music
of his pipes. u,os+
Rut the fire of the enemy was most
deadly. the leading line melting away
and if seemed that the Gordon hlghlaiu-
ers would be annihilated. More men, now
ever sprang into the passage ana the
leaders struggled across the center lnci,
with a second cheer, the troops streailieu
across and the enemy, seeing lna' 'ne
barrier had been swept away, lett theii
loopholes and fled precipltately' !,
P;ner Findlates has been recommended
Gov tho Victoria cross. Captain Robinson
of the Gburkas also acted with the
oreat test gallantry. After leading his men
ocross the fire zone to the cover anu
finding the force there insufficient, m ne We re-
turned over the death trap alone ana was
mortally wounded while leading the Se'
ond rush of Ghurkas'
Martial Law Declared in Brazil
o0dop Nov. ia dispaVcn 10 inc