Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-09
NrAJuBA HILL.
Story of the Stampede of February
9th, 1851.
Golfers Weekly:)

Golfers Weekly:)
England In the course of her history
@uifercd-;s dose every fighting nation
many defeats but never one so humil-
iating TO her national pride as her de-
Feat ut Mnjuba Hill on February 81,
1881. by the rude Beers of the Trans
Naal. That she then accepted that de
feat was due TO the existence of a
Gladstoninn cabinet In England and
the evcr-prcsent desire OF that party
for peace at any price.
Ii Is to avenge that defcat-Outland-
crs' grievances and suzerainty compl-
cations withstandiug-that Great
Britain Is now in the field in South
Africa with the pick of her army and
her most trusted generals
February q, 1881
IT was on the day that General Sir
George Cooley, an officer of experience
and undoubted persont bravery after
IL forced hight march took up Il posi-
ton on the summit OF Majuba with his
force cf six hundred British soldiers
Since his defeat by the Beers at Iaing's
Mex on"Januury 81 his communications
had been constantly attacked by the
burGhers, and on taking mp the highly
important strategic position on Majuba
nc determined To once more assume the
offensive. The Bocr forces filled the
valley commanded by the hill and
when they discovered the position
taken by the British forces they mani
Tested every symptom OF panic and
made what at first seemed n general
movement to retreat. They. however,
did not do so. The counsels OF Cen
erals Joubert and Smidt prevailed, and
the Beers settled down to preparations
for an attack.
On the English side overconfidence
and the inevitable panicky feeling that
always seizes Il soldier when surprised
,n1, tt,ot
made by the Beers contributed to the
days defeat. To General Colley and
his officers the position on the summit
of the hill seemed impregnable. It's fiat
saucer-like top commanded the plain
on every side, and no thought seems to
have been given to artificial fortiiica-
ton.
The Beers however. knew that the
sides of the hill which roge Drrciir1ii-
lately from the plain was SCARED by
deep cliffs and gullies. Up these Jou-
bert determined to send band of his
picked men, and to cover their opera
tons the men in the valley opened n
brisk fire on the soldiers on the hill. SO
accurate was the shooting OF the Beers;
8 that the English soldiers kept under
cover as much IS possible, only rising
now and then to return a volley. Lit
tie harm was done by this long range
firing on either side, and so confident
iers that with every volley they hurled
tauntS at the enemy in the distance
For six hours this firing continued
that was the length OF time It took
the two hundred and fifty Beers who
attempted the ascent to climb the hill.
Once there, one party of sixty burghers
occupied small peak standing on the
skirt of the summit; killing by Il sin
gle volley the small British picket that
held 1t. The rest Of the Beers poured
themselves over the saucer-like edges
of the fiat topped mountain and took
the british completely by surprise.
The movement was so sudden, so totally
unexpected, that the English force
could not awake to a realization OF
what had happened. They fancied
themselves opened in to slaughter and
all the efferts of their general and
his officers could not recall them to
discipline They preciptated them,
very hands of the Beers who advanced
TO meet them.
a handful OF them remained to fight
and be killed, among them General Col
ley, VINO, when he saw ali hope lost,
took his life with his own hand
Cameron, the war CORRESPONDENT, who
was taken prisoner by the Beers ann
Immediately released, described the
scene as one OF the Widest confusion.
The defeat at J.aing's Mex had already
deworalized the handful OF British
soldiers. who felt isolated in strange
country, and this new and startling
attack was too much for them Had
The men yielded to the rallying Of theip.
officers they could undoubtedly have
withstood .he attack of the Beers and
Majuba would mark different page
in English military history.
OF the six hundred British. troops
who occupied the summit OF Majuba
Hill over three hundred We're killed
in rstreat. The Boer loss, according
to l5oer accounts, was only one killed
and five wounded.
Majuba ended the nr.cf war of 1851.
In less than month afterward Mr..