Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-11-18
FOUGHT LIKE HEROES.
Gordon Highlanders Great Charge at
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
20, during which the regiment exhibit
ed remarkable dash and courage. On
Wednesday, October 90, General Biggs
sent the second division to dlslodge the
tribesmen from the Dargai ridge. The
position was very strong one, the
enemy occupying the summit OF pre-
cipitous hill The top of the hill could
not be reached except by single path
along which the attacking force, nrst
consisting Of Ghoorka regiment, the
Derby regiment, and the Dorset
shire regiment. were obliged to climb
in Indian file, while three batteries
shelled the breastworks of the hlllmen.
Dargai ridge, from the direction OF
the assault, presents 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 British troops were fairly well
covered, except in the case OF low
dip, or small valley, from 100 to 100
yards wide about half way from the
summit of the cliff.
As the Ghoorkas, supported by the
Derbyshires and Dorsetshires reached
this fire zone, the tops OF the cliffs
burst out into flame, for 1000 tribes
men had reserved their fire until that
moment. Though decimated, the
Ghoorkas struggled across the dip and
reached the shelter OF a few rocks,
where they lay down under cover of
the cliffs. But the others could not
follow, and the enemy, with true mill
tary instinct, reserved their fire.
Though the remainder of the Ghoorkas,
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
Ghoorkas, and 10 men struggled into
the open space, only to drop before the
far side had even been reached. Then,
reluctantly, the senior officer signaled
down to the main body OF the British
that the passage could not be made.
At this juncture General Kempster
ordered the Gordon Highlanders to the
front. The time Lad arrived for des-
perate action, for it was then 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, and the dead and
wounded were lying thick on every side.
But the Gordon Highlanders had yet to
be reckoned with. Rapidly forming
his men and after his now historic
speech-"M OF the Gordon High
landcrs, our general says that that posi-
ion must be taken at all costs. The
Gordon IIighlanders will take it,
Colonel Matthias, commander of the
Ilighlanders, dashed out at the head of
his gallant regiment, and in moment
they were across, carrying everyone
with them in their onward rush, storm
ing the ridge with Il resolution that was
resistless. When Colonel Matthias
gave the order to advance, he and his
officers led into the open, the piper fol-
lowing, striking up Cock of the
North" and with shout the leading
company 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 Findlates. blowing his loudest
and best, was among the first to show
the way across that deadly stretch OF
ground, and when, after traversing but
few yards he was laid low by shot
through both legs, he managed to prop
himself and continued, with undated
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 men melting away, and it
seemed that the Gordon Highlanders
would be annihilated. More men,
however, sprang into the passage and
the leaders struggled across the center.
Then, with second cheer, the troops
streamed across and the enemy, seeing
that the barrier had been swept away,
LETT their loopholes and fed precipi-
lately.
Piper Findlates has been recommend
ed for the Victoria cross. Captain
Robinson, of the Ghoorkas, also acted
with the greatest gallantry. After
leading his men across the fire zone to
cover, and finding it insufficient, he re-
turned over the death trap alone, and
was mortally wounded while leading
the second rash of Ghoorkas.