The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-07-22
THE BATTLE OF MAJuBA HILL.

ton with the impending war in the
Transvaal between the British and the
Beers, the following sketch OF it by a
writer in the ST. Louis Globe-Democrat
makes interesting reading at this time:
The English army, advancing to the
invasion Of the Transvaal, had cleared
the country before it OF the Beers as
quickly as the Americans stormed the
Filipino trenches. The ease with which
the English troops drove the enemy
from one position after another inspir
cd them with over-confdence in them
selves and contempt for the Beers.
While Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood, the
British communicative chief, was ad
vancing with the main body, encum-
bered by pack train and host OF
camp followers, he dispatched before
him Gen. Colley with a strong force to
occupy and hold advantageous posi-
tons. Colley moved forward about two
days march, and on the night OF Feb
ruary 26, 1881, encamped on an emf
nence known as Mount Prospect, we'll
within the Boer territory, and only a
few miles from where the Boer army,
under Gen. Joubert, was awaiting the
coming of the invaders. Between Col
ley and the Boer camp there arose the
rocky plateau of Majuba Hill, and Col
ley conceived the idea of occupying this
during the night, and thus taking the
Beers at disadvantage. A strong de-
tachment was accordingly moved for
ward on the night of the Goth to ascend
Majuba, and thus take by surprise the
Boer camp on the other side. The as
cent of the rocky slopes was made with
extreme difficulty, the men being forced
to climb on their hands and knees, and
often to help each other up the rug
ged sides OF the craig; but they perse-
vered, and not only succeeded in as
cending, but even in drawing up a Cat
ling gun, with its caisson and ammuni-
ton
On the way they encountered the
Boer pickets, who retired and gave no.
tice to Joubert of the movement under
way The whole Boer army, variously
estimated from $4,000 to 10000, was at
once put under arms, and learning Of
the nature of the demonstration against
his camp, Joubert determined to attack
Colley and the force on Majuba. AS
soon as there was light enough to take
aim the Beers advanced to the attack
fighting in Indian fashion, every man
for himself. Almost before they were
aware OF the proximity of the enemy
the Highlanders who formed the bulk
of the detachment on Majuba, found
themselves under the deadly fire of an
unseen enemy.
One of the survivors declared that al
though bullets were falling like hail and
men were dropping on every side, not a
Beers head was to be seen. Concealed
by rocks, bushes and trees, they kept
up whitening fire on the British forces
To endure it was impossible, so the Of
hcers ordered the men to conceal them
selves as we'll as possible and return the
fire as. effectively as they could. These
tactics were partially successful, and the
Boer attack was momentarily checked.
Only, however, for moment; the dead
ly semi-circle of unerring marksmen
crept closer and closer up the hill. An
attempt was made to use the Calling,
but the rocks and crags which con-
cealed the Beers from the sight OF their
enemies also protected them from the
missiles. of the terrible engine which
would have annihilated an enemy in the
open, @'E'
Outnumbered ten to one by force Of
sharpshooters;; who at little peril to
themselves, advanced upon small body
of troops unaccustomed to this style of
fighting the British line still held firm.
By and by, however, when the semi
circle of fire began to extend beyond the
TANKS and it became apparent that the
British forces would be surrounded,
the retreat was sounded, and the heroic
band, carrying their wounded comrades
on their shoulders, began to descend the
slopes theM had toilsomely climbed the
night before. The retreat was worse
than the stand, for close upon the heels
OF the ill-fated' detachment came the
Boer sharpsllooters, still concealed and
thinning the ranks at every step. In
spite of the leaden hail which fell on
every side the remnant OF the English
force fought its way through the
swarming Beers back to the camp on
Mount Prospect Why the isolated
detachment was not properly supported
has ever been mystery.
For the number engaged the slaughter
was frightful. On the night before the
battle IS officers and 6o3 men climbed
the fatal hill, and of these 20 officers and
ESQ men were killed and wounded, in
GLIDING the commander, Maj Col
ley, who was killed, and over 100 more
were missing, some OF whom were made
prisoners by the Beers, while others
were never accounted for
AMERICANS IN THE TRANSvAAL.
The fact that Rear Admiral Howison
ic vicitinu prator;, tho c,o;+,1 of Tho