THE RISING IN RHODESIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10596, 14 September 1896, Page 4

THE RISING IN RHODESIA.

EIGHT HOURS' FIGHTING. Natal papers to hand contain some particulars of the fighting in Rhodesia, from which we make the following extracts : — gHKLLING A MOUNTAIN. Bulawayo, August 3.—Colonel Plumsr's force left Chabez at dawn to-day. Three men are still missiDg from yesterday. Colonel Plumer shelled Inyunda's mountain yesterday and killed fire rebels. Captain Lloyd was slightly wounded in the thigh. Plumer found the caves in the stronghold full of grain. He burnt the kr&ata aud then proceeded to Manyankunbi aud Sekombi's, but found the rebels goua. He burnt numerous schavina and kraal?, and then returned via Tuli road to Dawson's store. The first detachment of Hussars have reached Mangwe. Joseph Kirk Porter was wounded in Nicholson's Inugu patrol on the 25&b, and died in the hospital to-day: Bulawayo, August 3 (Reuter). —An accident occurred to-day &t Sp&rgoe's store, in which oue man was killed and two wounded. The men were off-losding elephant guns and assegaies from a waggon, when an elephant gun went off and shoe B. Little through the naart aud wouiided Champion' and Sieberhagen. THE FIGHT AT SEKOMBI's. Dawson's Store, August 3.—The column of 800 men and 400 horses and mules, under Colonel Plumer, broke camp en I'Yiday afternoon, aud proceeded eight; miles towards the Matoppos, where bivouac was made, Powell accornp.iuying the force. The column marched at 3 o'clock yaslerdiy morning, arriviug ia the Matoppos soon alter daybreak, wheu the advanca squadron engaged the enemy,' driving them from kopje to kopje. At 9 o'clock the guns of tbe mam column came into action. Afier a difficult descent into a large fertile valley, the column bivouacked at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Small parties of rebels were visible. A foragiug party secured 20 head of cattle. Tbe number of the enemy killed is estimated at SO. VIVID DESCRIPTION OF EIGHT HOURS' FIGHTING. A correspondent of a Rhodesian paper, after describing, the general tactics employed at the storming of Thanuba Mambi, as already reported, proceeds : —A hand-to-hand struggle took place between Green of C Troop and one of the enemy. .Trooper Green fired on the Matabele at close quarters ; the Lee-Metford bullet failed to stop his rush, but the enemj's aiscgai struck his bandolier on the chest, thuß Wirc.uig off the thrust and enabling him to use his bayonet, which he did with such effect that his antagonist seized it with his hand, thus stopping its withdrawal, and at the same time closing with the intention of throwing him from the rock ; Trooper Green, however, was able to draw his revolver and thus end the struggle. Round one stronghold both Corporal Prmgl« and Trooper KeiHy fell, mortally wounded. The former lingered a few hours, but the latter never recovered consciousness, and was buried by his comrades of C Troop not far from the spot where be GALLANTLY FELL in the performauca of his duty. The firing from the next stronghold was still continued without cessation, and as it was considered that this position must also be carried, Major Robertson, with his Johannesburg contingent was ordered to attack, and great praise is due to the Major aud his followers for tbe gallant manner in which the position was carried under a heavy fire from the enemy. In taking this position, six men were killed and nine wounded, the enemy holding the position with desperate courage, and firing with cool: determination, Several narrow escapes took place, and many aits of heroism occurred in the storming of' the stronghold, aa in former positions which were found to contain large numbers of the enemy. While the dismounted men were engaging the euemy among the kopjes, the mounted eqnadrons were not inactive. Captain Bowden's squadron (A Squadron) meauwhile continued its advance round tbe south side of the kopje?, and engaged the e:iemy in force from the side of a steep kopje where A HEAVY FIXE was maintained—here Trooper Langton was killed, Trooper Hill mortally wounded, and Troopers Mcser and Dv Preez wounded slightly, and one horse killed and one wounded. The nature of the ground was found impassably for horses, and C.iptain Bowden was compelled to retire under heavy fire from the entmy, fortunately without further loss. On the north-east sidn B Squadron under Captain Drury, and the M.M.P. under Captain Southey, advanced along the sides of the kopjes, in order to cut of any natives who might attempt to escape. The enemy, however, preferred to remain in their strongholds, but these squadrons, although exposed to a dropping fire, were successful in capturing a large number of cattle, which were placed under a strong guard. The fighting ia the kopjes still continuing, the mounted men were ordered up, but, owing to the nature of the ground, their advatica was delayed,' and in finding passes several skirmisben took place, bat the casualties on our aide were small. The firing having gradually been silenced, j THE RKTREAT WAS SOUNDED about 2.30 p.m., aud the various troops assembled, tired but scill ready for tha fight. l'«rh»ps the most fatiguing part of the day's operations—certainly the most, sad—was the spectacle of the long line of stretchers conveying the wounded, who at the finish oi the day's operations numbered vory largely, and it was a very severe tax on tbe strength of the already tired-out and exhausted officers and man, all willingly taking their turn in bearing their helpless comrades for a distance of aboiit five miles, aud on arrival at the camping ground the wounded received every possible attention from the medical officers, while mounted and dismounted men Were aoon in a refreshing sleop. Tha day's operations were most conclusive, and must leave ; AN EVERLASTING IMPRESSION on the Matabele nation—proving the unconquerable nature of the white impi, and dauntless courage against disadvantages. Women, children,- and cattle were carried successfully away under a hot lire from the very muzzles of their guns. The conduct of the dismounted men, both under Major Robertson and Lieutenant Boggie, was .admirable—trained troops could not have done better service under any circumstances. Seemingly inaccessible hills with cavea were stormed, and taken with great gallantry, and many heroic deeds were done iv conveying wounded comrades down the hilla under fire of the enemy. The fight lasted about eight hours, and during that time msay narrow escapes took place. Mr Barnett, of Black and Wbite, who accompanied C. troop, took some iutereating views dariDg the progcess of the fight. MR SIEVWBIGHT AT PALMERSTON. TO TUE EDITOR. Sir,—When the Rev. Mr Clarke, at PalmerBton, proposed a vote ot thanks I believed him sincere. I regrel having been disillusioned by Mr Clarke himself.—l am, &c, Oainaru, Sept. 12. J. D. SriiVWiiiGirr.

A GtJARANTEB. We were astonished to learn from the manager of the Victory Sewing Machine Agency that each machine is Ruarauteed for "three years," provided they are fairly worked and looked after. An examin&tiou of tho machine revealed the fact that the working parts ware very durable, simple, and were so few iv number that it is almost impossible for them to get out of order. It is surprising to see the accurato apß beautiful work the " Famous Victory" is capable of producing. We learu that a considerable number have been cold during the short time the Dunedin depot, at 6 Princes street,- has been opsned. All the ladies who are fortunate enough to have a Victory are loud in its praise, and say it may well be described as " the best sewing machine in the world." It isA«ith6ut doubt the cheapest and best machine nq)w offered to the public. It will be shown and explained to anyone visiting the Depot, at 6 Princes street (near Octagon). — During the past 11 years £350,000,000 have been sent out oE Great Britain for wheat and fl"-*. .-.,., - . »iiINK SPRING BLOSSOM TEA.