Terrible Effects of Lightning.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 349, 20 May 1881, Page 2

Terrible Effects of Lightning.

A terrible experience, almost unique in military annals, comes to hand from the Cape of Good Hope, in connection with the march of the Diamond Field Horse to the scene of operations in Basuto Land towards the end of last year. The men had “ ontspanned ” for breakfast, when a heavy thunderstorm suddenly burst over them, so severe in its effects that they were forced to abandon their attempts to procure a meal, and remounted in the hope of riding out of the storm. Towards the afternoon, however, it broke upon them with increased violence, the rain falling apparently in sheets, and the flashes of lightning continuous. 'At last, a flash struck the troop, flinging seventeen horses and their riders to the ground, and killing ten men and five horses on the spot. Those who were not killed were all seriously injured, and it was long before; animation could be restored in the case of seven of the men. The bits and stirrup irons of the whole number were blackened, and many of the men, though personally uninjured, had their clothing rent by the force of the electric discharge. The greatest difficulty was naturally experienced in preventing a general stampede among the frightened horses.