The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-01-25
MAJUBA HILL.
n 1881 the Probable Cause o1
Present war.

The r xht That Ended the Brief Was
II 1881 the Probable Causs o1
Present war.
England in the course Of her history
suffered las does every fighting nation
many defeats, but never one SO hui
initiating to her national pride an her
defeat at Majuba Hill on February 81,
1881, by the rude Beers Of the Transvaal.
That she then accepted that defeat was
due to the existence of a Gladstonian
cabinet in England and the ever-pres'
ent desire OF that party for peace at any
price.
It is to avenge that defeat-outland.
ers' grievances and suzerainty com.
plications notwithstanding that
Great Britain is now in the field In
South Africa with the pick of her army
and her most trusted generals.
February ~, 1881.
It was on that day that Gen. Sir
George Colley, an officer Of experience
and undoubted personal bravery, after
forced night march took up posi-
tion on the summit of Majuba with his
force of 600 British soldiers. Since his
defeat by the Beers at Laing's Mex on
January 81 his communications had
been constantly attacked by the burgh-
ers, and on taking up the highly impor-
tant strategic position on Majuba he
determined to once more assume the
offensive. The Boer forces filed 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 q general
movement to retreat. They, however,
did not do SO. The counsels OF Gems.
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 a soldier when surprised
by a daring movement such az that
! made by the Beers contributed to the
days defeat. To Gen. Colley and his
officers the position on the summit Of
the hill appeared impregnable. Its flat
saucer-like top commanded the plain
on every side, and no thought seems to
have been given to artificial fortifica'
ton.
I The Beers, however,, knew that the
sides Of the hill which rose precipitate
" from the plain were Scared by deeI
cliffs and gullies. Up these Joubert de
termined to send band Of his picked
men, and to cover their operations ths
men in the valley opened brisk fire or
the soldiers on the hill. So accurate wal
the shooting of the Beers that the Eng
| lish soldiers kept under cover as muct
as possible, only rising now and ther
| to return volley. Little harm wa.
done by this long-range firing on eithe1
side, and so confident of their securit,
were the British soldiers that will
every volley they hurled taunts at th'
enemy in the distance. For six hours
this firing continued-that was ths
length of time it took the $50 Beers whit
attempted the ascent to climb the hill
Once there, one party Of so burgher'
occupied small peak standing on th,
skirt of the summit, killing by singh
volley the small British picket tina
held it. The rest of the Beers pouret
themselves over the saucer-like edge
of the fat-topped mountain and tool
the British soldiers completely by sur
prise. The movement was so sudden
so totally unexpected, that the Englisl
force could not awake to a realization
Of what had happened. They fancie'
themselves penned in to slaughter, an,
all the efforts Of their general and hi
officers could not recall them to discip
line. They precipitated themselve
J down the side Of the hill into the YER
hands OF the Beers, who advanced I
meet them.
A handful Of them remained to figh
and be killed, among them Gen. ColleJ
who, when he saw all hope lost, took hi
. life with his own hand. Cameron, til
: war correspondent, who was take
Iprisoner by the Beers and immediatel
released, described the scene as one Z
: 1.-THE widest confusion. The defeat q
Laing's Mex had already demoralizc
} the handful OF British soldiers, who tel
isolated in strange country, and thi
!, new and startling attack was too muc
J for them. Had the men yielded TO Ii
I lrallying OF their officers they could VI
: doubtedly have withstood the attac
: of the Beers and Majuba would mar
a different page in English military hi
tory.
+ OF the 600 British troops who occ1
1 pied the summit Of Majuba Hill over 81
/ were killed in retreat The Boer los
/. according to Boer accounts, was onl
i one killed and five wounded.
) Majuba Hill ended the brief war
j. 1851 Golfers Weekly.
Venerable Prelate.
: Pope Sophronius, patriarch Of Il
!. . Orthodox Greek church of Alexandri