SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 108, 3 November 1893, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

i DECISIVE VICTORY FOR THE 1 BRITISH. } THE ENEMY TOTALLY DEFEATED i 8000 NATIVES LEFT DEAD ON j THE FIELD. FLIGHT OF LOBENGULA, THE i native king. i (PKR PBKBS ASSOCIATION). i Capetown-, November 1. j The Chartered Company's Victoria I columns have been silent for ten days, ,md the officials are becoming anxious. Tho Matabeles are harassing the men sent out to repair the telegraph wires which were cut some time ago. November 2. King Lobengula is reported to bo flee ing in a north-west direction. Half of Khama's regiment have been killed and hi* power is broken. News has just been received of a crushing and decisive defeat of tho Mat;»beles. The enemy for many days pivssrved a wary attitude and though in touch with the scouts of the company's forces they could not be brought to book. ();i Friday, however, an Itnpi made a vigorous attack on Forbes' laager, aud they were mowed down in large numbers by an unceasing fire of breechloaders but, nothing daunted, they renewed the attack on Saturday when the column had reached within 10 miles of Bnlawayo. The Maxim guns made terrible havoc in the crowded masses of men, and after a severe struggle the Matabeles showed signs of giving way under the continued shower of bullets. Seizing tho opportunity Forbes' ordered a general charge and the dispirited natives gave way be fore the shock and were completely' routed. The lmbezo regiment commanded by Lobengula in person, alone stood firm. The enemy retreated to Bulawajo but, without giving them time to rally the combined columns attacked and captured the King's Kraal. Forbes' loss was only slight, but no less than three thousand Matabeles were left dead on the field- Major Adam's column came up jußt after the capture of the strong hold. It is expected Bulawayo will be turned into a Company's fort. Dr Jamieson is remaining as administrator. The Cape Government has denied that Mr Cecil Rhodes will be permitted to settle the Matabele question subject to the approval of the Imperial Government, and emphatically protests against Lord Ripon interfering in the meantime. The scouts state Lobengula has fled into the North Maloppo hill», about 140 miles west of the position now held by the Chartered Company's column, and it is believed his ultimate escape is impos* sible.