Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-11-16

papers OIL CnlS CITY nave received
graphic details by mail of the recap
ture of Dargai Ridge by the Gordon
Highlanders on October 20, during
which that regiment exhibited remark
able dash and courage.
On Wednesday, October 20, General
Biggs sent the second division to dis
lodge the tribesmen from Dargai
Ridge. The position was very
strong one, the enemy occupying the
summit of precipitous hill. The top
of this hill could be reached only by
a single path, along which the attack
ing force, at first consisting of a
Ghurka regiment, the Derbyshire reg
iment and the Dorsetshire regiment,
was obliged to climb in Indian file,
while three batteries Of artillery
shelled the breastworks. In spite OF
the difficulty of the ascent the move
ments of the British troops were fair
ly well covered, except in the case of
a low dip, or small valley, from 100 to
$50 yards wide, about half way up the
ridge This dip was exposed to di-
rect fire from the summit Of the cliffs.
AS the Ghurkas, supported by the
Derbyshires and Dorsetshires, reached
this fire zone the top of the cliffs burst
out into flame, for a thousand tribes
men had reserved their fire until that
moment. Though decimated, the
Ghurkas struggled across the dip and
reached the shelter of few rocks'
where they lay down under cover Tor q
few moments in order to recover Ineir
breath. Then, led by their officers,
they made a rush for the cover of the
cliffside But the others could not fol-
low, and the enemy, with true mill
tary instinct, reserved their fire.
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 General Kempster or
dered the Gordon Highlanders to the
front.
The time had arrived for desperate
action. for it was then o'clock in the
afternoon and the dead and wounded
were lying thick on every side. Over
100 men had already fallen, and the
enemy were shouting their ! 2fiance and
waving their battle flags and beating
their drums. confident of the impregna-
bility of their position and condition Of
their success.
But the Gordon Highlanders had yet
to be reckoned with. Rapidly forming
his men, and after his now historic
speech: Men of the Gordon Highland
ers: Our general says that position must
be taken at all costs. The Gordon High
landers will take it." Col. Matthias, the
commander Of the Highlanders, dashed
out at the head Of mis- gallant regiment,
rying every one with them in their on
rush, storming the ridge with resolu-
ton that was resistle5s and beating
down all opposition.
When Col. Matthias gave the order to
advance he and his officers leaped into
the open and the pipers of the High
landers followed, striking up Cock of
the North" and with a shout the lead
ing company of killed men was into
the fire zone. A stream of lead swept
over. through and past them, bullets
churning up the dust which half hid
the rushing bodies. Piper Foundlater
blowing his loudest and best, was
among the first to show the way across
that deadly strip of ground, and when,
after traversing but few yards, he
was laid low by a shot through both
legs, he managed to prop himself up
against a boulder and continued with
undated energy ii play Cock of the
North" animating his comrades by
the familiar, stirring music Of his
piece.
But the fire of the enemy was most
deadly the leading line melted away and
it seemed that the Gordon Highlanders
would be annihiIated. More men. how
ever, sprang into the passage and the
leaders struggled across the cover There
then was luIl and as one paper remarks
"one had time to see how cruel had been
the slaughter"
Then. with a second cheer. the mixed
troops. seeing the barrier had been swept
away left their loopholes and rock barri-
cade an. fed nrecip ia ely down the re-
verse slopes without waiting for the line
of cold steel which was then nearly on the
crest of the ridge.
Piper Findlater has been recommended
for the Victori. erc,s.
Captain Ribinson, of the Ghnrkas, also
acted with the greatest gallaAtry. After
leading his men across the fire zone to the
cover and finding the force there insult
fieie {. Re ret, rne over the feath trap
alone and was mortaliy wou ed while
leading the serrd rI-n # arkas TO
support the FIRST body Of that tment