THE SITUATION IN MATABELELAND AND MASHONALAND
_16th June to 28th August_
We open Communication with the Rebels in the Matopos regarding their
Surrender—Rhodes commences the Peace Indabas—Imperial Troops arrive
in Matabeleland—The State of Affairs in Matabeleland—I am on the
Sick–List—Stout–Heartedness of the Rebels—Opinions on the Peace
Negotiations—Our Supply Difficulties—The Origin of the Outbreak in
Mashonaland—Difficulties of Supply in that Country—Early Defence
Measures—The Relief of Salisbury by the Imperial Troops—Sir Frederick
Carrington’s Task—What kit to take: I. On yourself; II. On your horse.
I said that when I left camp to come into Buluwayo, on the 10th, it
seemed a good opportunity for accepting the surrender of the rebels,
if they liked to come in. They had suffered a succession of severe
blows, and, while still in a state of disruption consequent upon them,
would probably be only to glad to surrender. But if they were left to
themselves for a short time, they might reorganise their forces and
continue to give endless trouble in the Matopos, which might mean a
great deal more expense to us of time and men.
So, before leaving camp, I had made a few preliminary arrangements, in
order that no time should be lost in opening communication with the
rebels. We had, as a prisoner, Inyanda’s mother, and I sent her with a
few men to the site of his kraal, which was close under the mountain
where his people still hung out. There the men built a small hut for
her, gave her a supply of corn and meat, and an old half–witted woman
to grind the corn for her, and, hoisting a big white flag on the tree
above her hut, they left her to be called for. As they came away, they
shouted to the rebels up on the hill, telling them that if they wanted
peace, they might come down and talk to the old lady, as she would give
them all information about it.
It was necessary to do something of this kind to induce the natives
to believe anything we said on the subject of peace; they were too
suspicious of a trap if we went and tried to talk to them ourselves.
This plan eventually succeeded; her people came down to talk to the old
woman, took her away with them to consult with the chief, and finally
sent messengers, carrying the white flag, to our camp, to say that they
were ready to talk.
[Illustration: THE PEACE INDABA WITH THE MATOPO REBELS
Mr. Cecil Rhodes carried out the peace negotiations with the
Matabele chiefs. He was assisted by Dr. Sauer (on his left) and
Capt. Colenbrander (on his right), and accompanied by Mr. Stent (war
correspondent of the _Cape Times_). These officers went unarmed among
the rebels, in order to show their peaceful intent. After five weeks,
the negotiations resulted in the surrender of the chiefs.]
Unfortunately, I was not able to have any further say in the matter
myself, as I was now down with dysentery, and on the sick–list. But,
eventually, on the 22nd August, Cecil Rhodes, with Dr. Sauer and
Captain Colenbrander, went into the Matopos to meet the rebel leaders,
near the koppie where Kershaw was killed on the 5th.
Jan Grootboom, the native scout, was sent on into the hills to summon
the indunas, and presently they appeared, following Grootboom,
who carried the white flag at their head, with an air of immense
importance. Among the chiefs were Umlugulu, Sikombo, Somabulana, Hliso,
Manyoba, Malevu, Inyanda, Babyan, and over thirty other indunas. Rhodes
sat on an ant–heap, with Dr. Sauer on his left, Colenbrander on his
right, and Stent, of the _Cape Times_, just behind him.
Rhodes got up to salute the chiefs in their own language, and stood out
in the centre to do so; all were in silence awaiting his opening word.
He stood, and paused, and, smiling, had to turn and ask, “What _is_
that word?”
[It was “Umhlope,” which is the usual salutation of peace after war.]
Somabulana then opened the indaba (conference), and, as spokesman for
the Matabele, said that they had been driven to rebellion chiefly by
the official bullying on the part of the Native Police. When he had
done, Sikombo went on to charge five of the Native Commissioners with
abuse of their powers. The chiefs wound up by saying they merely wanted
justice, and would be glad to end the war. Rhodes promised there should
be an alteration as regards the Native Police, and said that if they
intended now to lay down their arms, their complaints would all be
taken into consideration. Sikombo laid down his gun and assegai at
Rhodes’ feet, and said that this indaba represented the nation “as its
eyes and ears,” and that all they wanted was to live at peace with the
whites. Then he was asked why it was that the Matabele, in breaking
out, had exceeded the usual rules of war, and had murdered women and
children? And he said it was because white men had been reported to
be doing the same thing. It was then pointed out to the chiefs that
nothing could be done unless they and all their people laid down their
arms; and the chiefs agreed to bring all their people out of the hills
within the next few days, and so that conference ended.
[_P.S._—It was not till 13th October, after many further conferences,
that a final settlement was come to.]
A squadron of the 7th Hussars now arrived at Buluwayo, under Major
Ridley, having completed a long patrol through the Guai district,
finally breaking up such small parties of rebels as remained there, and
bringing about their general surrender.
The situation in Matabeleland now is as follows:—
The whole of the north of the country is clear and peaceful; in the
south the rebels are treating for peace in the Matopos; but, in the
east and north–east, bodies of them are still massed in the outlying
districts. In the east, in the Belingwe district, about a hundred miles
from Buluwayo, Wedza still remains in active rebellion, supported by
various small chiefs occupying mountain strongholds. In the Selukwe
district, just south of Gwelo, two chiefs, Monogola and Indema, still
resist all efforts to reduce them. To the north–east of Gwelo, in
the Maven district, at least one strong impi is collected; and the
Somabula forest, north–west of Gwelo, and a hundred miles north–east
of Buluwayo, is reported to be full of rebels. On the borders of this
forest is the great grain district belonging to Uwini, who has several
different tribes dependent on him for their supply and direction.
Moreover, M’tini, who had been defeated in July at Taba–si–ka–Mamba,
has retreated on to the Shangani, and now has his impi in full work
there, under the orders of M’qwati, the local M’limo, and it maintains
small posts on all the chief paths to prevent well–disposed natives
from coming in to surrender or to take refuge with us.
Colonel Paget, with a column of Imperial troops (7th Hussars and
Mounted Infantry), is moving through South Matabeleland, _viâ_ Tuli and
Victoria, to Gwelo.
Such is the situation to–day (22nd August); and Ridley’s column of 7th
Hussars and Mounted Infantry, having completed their work in the Guai
district, are at Buluwayo, and will now be sent against the Somabula.
And, were I well enough, it is probable that I should be sent in
command; but here I am on my back, limp and washed–out, and really thin
this time! And only a short time ago I was thinking that I had never
been so fit in my life, and certainly never burnt so brown a colour! I
am having a poor time of it, but it is not so bad as it might be; Sir
Frederick is more than kind to me, and spends all his leisure alongside
my bed, at all times of the day and at odd hours of the night, telling
me how things are going on, and soothing my disappointment at not being
able to get out into the field. Then, I am wonderfully lucky in having
an excellent doctor, Dr. Strong, and a most excellent cook—not that I
require much, but that little has to be of the right kind. This is not
a very large world, and the lady who runs the neighbouring restaurant,
being told to supply me with invalid food, came in to see me, to
inquire into my symptoms herself, as she had formerly been a hospital
nurse, and therefore thoroughly understood what one ought to take; but
before becoming a hospital nurse, she had learned the art of cooking in
the kitchen of the Powells of Dorking, our cousins. Having made this
discovery, and having thereby gained a personal interest in me, she has
exerted herself to the utmost, and has fully succeeded in supplying me
with the most appetising food possible under the circumstances.
_26th August._—Ridley’s column started to–day for the Shangani, and
though I am now feeling quite well, the doctor would not allow me even
to think of going with it. I have seldom felt so down about my luck
before.
Meantime, in the Matopos, negotiations are still going on about the
surrender, but the rebels do not seem over anxious to give in. At an
indaba to–day, a hundred young warriors, with two chiefs, met Cecil
Rhodes and party, and talked to them pretty cheekily. They said that
unless they had their rights they had no desire to come in. All these
men carried rifles and bandoliers full of cartridges.
One of them, named Karl Kamarlo, had been captured by us in the early
days of the outbreak, had been tried and been sentenced to be shot;
he was taken outside the town by two troopers, and was there shot by
them. One shot struck him in the forehead and apparently came out at
the back of his head, and the other struck him through the shoulder
and he was left lying on the ground. When the burying party came out
for him, they could not find him. It appears that the bullet which
struck him on the head was not strong enough for his skull, and merely
glanced round under his scalp without breaking the bone, and came out
through the skin at the back, giving the appearance of a shot clean
through his head. By this wound the man was merely stunned, and when
his executioners had retired, having, as they thought, carried out the
penalty of the law, he got up and walked off in the other direction.
It is now said that he intends to sue the Company for assault and
personal injury! Another man present at the indaba asked if our doctor
could do anything for him, as in the fight of the 5th he had been
standing almost in the line of fire of the Maxim, and in one instant
had received nine wounds in his side and leg, most of them very slight;
he had been practically crimped as if with an iron rake.
There seem to be various opinions here as regards the surrender.
One says that the rebels should be made to surrender entirely
unconditionally, and should only be allowed to do so on condition of
their giving up their arms, and such of their number as are guilty of
murder. Others say that that is right enough in theory, but if the
rebels refuse, as they very probably would, it means part of the force
trying to fight them during the rainy season, while the other part will
have to be withdrawn from the country owing to inability to supply
them. Sickness and reverses will probably result, and in the end the
murderers will not have been caught; whereas, if told that they can now
surrender and reoccupy their kraals and sow their crops, the capture of
the murderers and the thorough armament can afterwards be effectually
carried out by the police. And the police, by occupying fortified posts
in all the grain–growing districts, will thus have the whip hand of the
natives, as they can prevent them from sowing or from reaping any crops
at will.
This question of supply and transport is very pressing. We are using
all the transport we can lay our hands on, and yet we can only manage
to keep our present wants fairly well supplied; while the reserve which
we want to lay down, ready for the rainy season, is only being formed
at a very slow rate. Towards the end of November the rains will set in,
the roads then become impassable, and the mules die of horse–sickness.
We therefore want to lay down a sufficient reserve of food in the
meantime to carry us through the four months at least of rains; but
we cannot get contractors to tender for the transport, and it is very
difficult to purchase even in Cape Colony. The oxen up here are all
dead, and ox waggons coming up from the Cape are not allowed to return
thither, for fear of spreading the rinderpest. The Transvaal border
touches ours near Tuli, and we might get supplies in that way but the
Boer Government will not allow the export of food stuffs from their
country, fearing famine for themselves.
[Illustration: ROUTES TO MATABELELAND AND MASHONALAND
The above sketch shows the approximate distances that supplies had
to travel from Cape Town in order to reach the respective centres at
Buluwayo and Salisbury—Cape Town to Buluwayo, 1487 miles; Cape Town to
Salisbury, 2050 miles.]
Meanwhile, great events have been going on in Mashonaland. Rebellion,
as I said before, broke out there on the 16th June. Bands of Matabele
rebels had made their way to Mashonaland after the first defeats near
Buluwayo. They spread reports among Mashonas that the whites had all
been killed in Matabeleland, and that now was the time to rise and
similarly put an end to their rule in Mashonaland; and they threatened
that, in the event of the Mashonas not rising, the whole of the
Matabele nation under Lobengula _redivivus_ would shortly be down on
them. A few Native Commissioners in touch with their people might have
counteracted these reports, but none did so, and consequently rebellion
broke out, as it had done in Matabeleland, with the sudden and brutal
murders of whites—men, women, and little children—in all parts of the
country.
Townships went into laager, local defence forces were organised to the
number of eight hundred men, Judge Vintcent being Commandant–General.
Rescue patrols went out to bring in outlying settlers and miners. But
here again arose the insurmountable difficulty of transport. There was
only one road, namely, that _viâ_ Umtali to the coast at Beira, by
which food could come. This road extended for over 200 miles across the
veldt, and then met the railway in Portuguese territory which partially
connected it with the coast; thus the whole distance for Mashonaland
supplies to come was: Cape Town to Beira, 1700 miles; by river, 50
miles; by rail, 100 miles; by road, 200 miles; total, 2050. This road
was intercepted near Umtali, and held by a powerful tribe of rebels
under Makoni.
Reserve supplies in the country did not amount to anything dependable,
and could only last the defenders for a few weeks at most.
The rebels in Mashonaland occupied chiefly the districts round
Salisbury and the Salisbury–Umtali road, and the district east and
south–east of Charter. They are by nature far less warlike than the
Matabele, and are not given to attacking in the open, but content
themselves with murdering helpless farmers, waggon and other small
parties, and then retire to their fortified kraals and cave strongholds
if attacked.
On the 18th June, Captain Turner, who was on his way through
Mashonaland with a troop of fifty Natal volunteers for Matabeleland
when the Mashonas broke out, went to the rescue of White at the
Beatrice Mine, but was attacked in some narrow gorges by masses of
rebels, and compelled to retire with a loss of three killed and three
wounded.
On the 19th June, Captain Nesbit made a very plucky dash with thirteen
men to rescue some white settlers, including two women, at Mazoe,
thirty miles north of Salisbury. He had to fight his way through the
rebels to get there, and the party had a running fight of it for
nearly the whole way back against heavy odds, the enemy rushing up
to within a few yards at the time. Gallant work was done on this
occasion by Messrs. Ogilvy and Harbord, who acted as advanced guard to
the party. The waggonette in which the women were conveyed had been
“armour–plated” with sheets of corrugated iron, but nearly all the
mules were killed or wounded. Five men were killed and five wounded,
and eight horses killed. But in the end the gallant little band got
into Salisbury.
Captain Bremner, 20th Hussars, whose services had been placed at the
General’s disposal, was, in accordance with Sir Frederick’s directions,
making his way to Salisbury to act as staff officer there. He was
caught by the rebels _en route_ and killed, together with one or two
settlers at whose house he was resting. The loss of this useful officer
was a great blow to us, especially at this juncture, when things wanted
organising in Mashonaland.
Towards the end of June the following relief parties arrived in
Mashonaland from Matabeleland:—namely, Beal with 133 men, Watts 100,
White 65 (Grey’s and Gifford’s Scouts); the latter column especially
made a wonderfully rapid march, and did some dashing work. And from the
Cape there arrived, _viâ_ Beira, 500 Imperial troops under Colonel
Alderson. These consisted of 240 mounted infantry, 100 R.E. and R.A.
and M.S.C., 150 West Riding Regiment, 50 York and Lancaster Regiment.
Their disembarkation and transport by rail was effected under great
difficulties, owing to want of proper tugs, lighters, wharves,
rolling stock, etc. One lot stuck in the mud in the Pungwe River for
twenty–four hours; a train ran off the line and killed several of the
horses, another train collided with the wreckage, and Colonel Alderson
and others on the engine had to jump for their lives. But in spite
of all obstacles the force made its way rapidly into Mashonaland. It
turned and attacked Makoni’s position, defeating him and taking his
fortified kraal; 200 of the enemy were killed, 350 head of cattle and
a number of prisoners taken, our losses being 4 killed and 5 wounded.
Among the killed was Captain Haynes, shot while escalading the wall
of Makoni’s head kraal. The force then went on attacking various
other tribes along the road, establishing frequent fortified posts as
it went, and in this way secured the safety of the supply route to
Salisbury, and brought much–needed supplies into that place.
Alderson is now in local command of all the forces in Mashonaland,
receiving his instructions from the General here by telegraph. By
means of strong columns he is now breaking up the rebels in various
directions, and forcing them out of their strongholds. But this latter
is a particularly dangerous and unpleasant work, since the strongholds
in Mashonaland consist, as a rule, of koppies undermined in all
directions with caves and crannies, in which a very few determined
men can hold their own against almost any number. But Tommy Atkins is
reported to be quite equal to the occasion, and apparently delights in
the novel form of getting killed. Alderson’s total force amounts to
2200 men and 580 horses.
Sir Frederick Carrington’s management of this extended force operating
in a country which is equal in size to Spain, France, and Italy put
together, is like a man playing on a small piano to a large room full
of people. Our room is over 600 miles in length, and the piano a very
small one, because the doorway (the transport and supply) is too small
to admit a larger one. The piano’s notes are eight small field columns,
seven laagered towns, and twenty–four fortified posts. He plays them by
telegraph from his music–stool at Buluwayo, and has to make them reach
every corner of the room. He burns to be out himself with one or other
of the columns, but it cannot be; he has to sit here to read the music
and to play the notes accordingly, to pull the ropes, to consult with
the other heads who have to be consulted, and to be at the end of the
wire for communication with the High Commissioner at the Cape.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER HOME
_“28th August._—.... Your two letters of 17th and 24th July just
received. Yes, you are quite right. We would do much better here if we
had three times the number of men. BUT—we could not by any possibility
feed them if they _were_ here. Even to feed our present force through
the approaching wet season, when roads will become impassable, requires
four million pounds of food extra to what we have got here and on the
road—_i.e._ 600 extra waggons; and we cannot get anybody to tender for
the job. There are so few oxen left in South Africa. That is why we have
to go on as best we can with this little force.
* * * * *
“You ask about our climate here. Well, what is your ideal of a perfect
climate? Because that would about express it. Bright sun always, breeze
all day, thermometer 70° in the shade at midday, cool nights. Doors
and windows _always_ open. In town the dust is the only drawback to it
all. In camp there is not a tent or any shelter, except a few branches
to keep off the wind. We all live entirely in the open, and it is
delightful.
* * * * *
“I am keeping an illustrated diary for you.”
It may be of use, in case of future expeditions of this kind, to jot
down what kit I have found best for the work.
I. _On yourself._
_Hat._—A “cowboy” broad–brimmed felt hat with ventilating holes punched
in the crown, and a brown silk puggree. The hat is better than a helmet,
because it shades the whole of the face, and so prevents the awful
infliction, veldt sores on the face, cracked lips, and burned nose; and
it protects the nape of the neck and temples from the sun; can be slept
in, and suffers no damage from rough usage, and does not interfere with
the aim when shooting; it is light, and so does not cause weariness or
headache as the helmet often does; it protects the face and ears better
than the helmet does in going through thick bush, the brim turning down
with the pressure of the branches.
_Neckerchief._—A grey–coloured handkerchief loosely tied round the neck
prevents sunburn, and can be tightened up at night as a comforter.
[Illustration: OUR WORKING KIT]
_Shirt._—Brown or light–grey flannel.
_Cummerbund._—Grey or brown flannel cummerbund saves dysentery, chills,
etc., especially at night.
_Breeches._—Kharki cord, with back pocket to hold notebook and field
bandage.
_Gaiters._—Brown soft leather (some men prefer putties, but I think
gaiters best for coolness, ease in taking on and off, and for
circulation of the blood). Instead of breeches and gaiters, many men
wear trousers of moleskin or other strong material.
_Boots._—Shooting boots, strong, well–dubbed. In wet weather indiarubber
soles are very slippery, but in dry weather, on rocks, they are perfect.
Rubber–soled shoes should be carried on the wallets.
_Spurs._—The Colonial fashion of wearing one spur only is not a bad
one where mounted infantry work is to be done. The spur should be very
short, so as not to trip you when on foot.
_Coat._—Burberry kharki gabardine, carried by day rolled up on the
pommel of the saddle. Nightcap in one of the pockets, also a warm
muffler.
_Waistcoat._—A Cardigan waistcoat or a sweater (grey or brown) is a very
great comfort—can be carried rolled inside the coat during the heat of
the day.
_Watch._—Wrist–watch, with very thick hands, and lever action, as made
by Dent (Charing Cross).
_Belt._—Brown leather, with rings or dees to hang things on. These
include—
_Revolver._—Service pattern in an open “cowboy” holster, with cord
lanyard round your neck.
_Whistle._—Secured to the belt (or round the neck) by a cord
sufficiently long to allow it to reach your mouth.
_Knife._—Comprising tin–opener, turnscrew, corkscrew, skinning blade,
borer, tweezers, etc.
_Flint and Steel._ }
_Compass._ } In a pouch on the belt.
_Revolver Cartridges._ }
_Pipe and Tobacco._—Ditto.
II. _On your horse._
_Saddle._—The Colonial military saddle.
_Wallets._—Slung across the cantle, where they are far more handy than
in front (see photo).
_In near Wallet._
Spare flannel shirt.
Socks.
Spat Gaiters.
Toothbrush } wrapped
Tooth–powder } in a
Soap } towel.
Hair–brush }
_In off Wallet._
Sketchbook.
Map.
Quinine.
Camera.
Housewife.
Tin of cocoa.
Tin of bovril or potted meat.
Bread.
Knife, fork, and spoon.
Much of the above can be carried in the pockets of the coat if more room
is wanted in the wallets for rations.
_Cooking “Billy”_ in leathern case on the cantle. The Bechuanaland
Border Police pattern of “billy” is very good, and carries its own
drinking–cup. Your ration of meat can be carried in the “billy.”
_Water–bottle_ }
_Telescope_ } On near side of saddle.
_Nosebag_ }
_Field–glasses_ }
_Axe_ } On off–side of saddle.
_Carbine Bucket_ }
_Shoes with indiarubber soles_ strapped on outside the wallets.
_Carbine._—Lee–Metford Sporting Magazine Rifle, or the cavalry L.–M.
carbine are very good, but involve carrying a bandolier. A Colt’s
repeater carries its own fourteen rounds, but if it jams or gets out of
order, is difficult to repair on the veldt. The carbine bucket is merely
a shoe in which the butt of the rifle rests, while the barrel is kept
near the side under your arm or attached to the arm by a loop of cord.
The carbine should be fitted with a brown leather sling by which it can
be carried across the back when climbing or when riding (where there is
no possibility of meeting an enemy or a buck), or it can be hung from
the point of the shoulder, ready for immediate use.
_Blanket_ is worn under the saddle, with a numnah between it and the
horse’s back to prevent its becoming wet and sour with sweat.
_Bridle._—Ordinary military head–collar with a “9th Lancer” or “Pelham”
bit, and a “reim” (thong) for tying up or knee–haltering the horse.