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http:/www.rhodesia.nl HISTORY OF RHODESIA CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY OF RHODESIA. Introductory—Traces of an ancient civilisation—The Zimbabwe ruins—Their probable object and extent—Peculiarities of construction—Who were the builders?—Identity with the Phoenicians urged —Was Mashonaland the Ophir of old?— Ruins in Matabeleland—Rhodesia in the seventeenth century —Portuguese invasion—Invasion of the Zulus—The Matabele tribe—Early European explorers ..... 1 CHAPTER II. MATABELELAND UNDER LOBENGULA. Death of Umsiligaas—Election of Lobengula as king—His coronation—His appearance and characteristics—A disgusting orgie—Lobengula's task—His attitude towards Europeans— The Tati concessions—The kraal of Gu-Buluwayo— Lobengula's love of moving about—The king as rain- maker—The ceremony of the war-dance—Attendant rites .....18 CHAPTER III. THE CONCESSION GAINED. The emissaries of the British South Africa Company—Opposition to them in Gu-Buluwayo— Unfortunate interference of the Aborigines' Protection Society—Its result—Timely arrival of Dr Jameson—Mr Rhodes's far- sighted policy—The concession granted—The charter signed—Its principal features—The raising of a Pioneer corps to proceed to Mashonaland—Reaction against the white men in Matabeleland—Arrival of the Queen's envoys at Gu-Buluwayo—The first races in Matabeleland—South African interest in the new country— The Pioneer column moves forward— Its organisation and equipment—Arrival at the Limpopo—Reviewed by General Methuen — Precautions against attack — The Tuli river reached—Cutting the road—Message from Lobengula— The column ordered to return— Colonel Pennefather's reply .....33 CHAPTER IV. FOUNDING A COLONY. The advance of the Pioneers—Threatening attitude of the Matabele—Fort Victoria built—The British flag hoisted in Mashonaland—Disbandment of the Pioneer column—Issue of mining licences —The reaction against the country—The hardships of the settlers—Development of Salisbury—The grant of farms—Acquisition of Manicaland—Dispute with the Portuguese—Arrest of the Portuguese officers by Major Forbes—Exploits of Major Forbes's "army"—The dispute patched up —More trouble with the Portuguese—Despatch of a force under Captain Heyman—Defeat of the Portuguese troops—Attack on Sir John Willoughby's boats—Intervention of Lord Salisbury—The trouble over—Difficulty with the Boers—President Kruger surprised ..... 52 CHAPTER V. WAR WITH THE MATABELE. The turn of the tide—Grievances against the Chartered Company—Development of Mashonaland— Disbandment of the police—Formation of a volunteer force—Misbehaviour of the Matabele " boys "—Defiance of the Matabele by the Mashonas —Lobengula's vengeance—Intervention of Dr Jameson—The settlers defied by the Matabele—The Matabele attacked by the police— Misrepresentation of the facts in England— " Read Luke xiv. 31 "—Dr Jameson prepares to advance into Matabeleland—Vacillating conduct of Lord Ripon—The financial side of the question —"Mr Rhodes's war"—Formation of an invading force—March towards the Matabeleland frontier— The first casualty to the whites—Bad generalship of the Matabele ..... 70 CHAPTER VI. WAR WITH THE MATABELE—Continued. Crossing the Shangani—Attack on the laager—Severe fighting—Repulse of the cavalry of the whites —Defeat of the Matabele—The column moves forward towards Bulawayo— The death of Captain Williams—Attack on the column near the Bembesi river—Attempt to "rush" the laager—The horses stampeded—Gallantry of Sir John Willoughby and Captain Borrow—Desperate fighting—Retreat of the natives with severe loss—Bulawayo blown up by the Matabele— Bulawayo occupied by the whites—News of the Tuli column —An unfortunate incident—Attack on the Tuli column— Arrival of the Tuli column at Bulawayo—Lobengula's flight towards the Bubi river—Jameson's message to the king— Treachery of the two troopers—Major Forbes sent in pursuit of the king—Hot chase after Lobengula—Despatch of a patrol under Major Wilson—The column attacked—Desperate position of Major Wilson's band—Gallantry of the American scouts .....88 CHAPTER VII. CONCLUSION OF THE WAR. The massacre of Major Wilson and his men—A band of heroes—The conclusion of the campaign— Retreat of Major Wilson's column along the Shangani river—Hardships on the way— The column attacked—Narrow escape of the horses—Continued fighting—The troubles of the column at an end — Junction with the relief force—Death of Lobengula—Terms of peace arranged—Disbandment of the British force—The cost of the war—Matabeleland thrown open to settlers— Hostility of the Radical members of the House of Commons to the Chartered Company—The settlement of the country —Building a railway towards Salisbury—Moving a town— Mr Rhodes and the Colonial Office—Visit of Mr Rhodes and Dr Jameson to England—Transference of territory to the Chartered Company—The trans-continental telegraph—A sudden check to the colony's progress ..... 107 CHAPTER VIII. THE JAMESON RAID. The discontent in the Transvaal—Mr Rhodes and the Uitlanders—Mr J. H. Hammond's views—Mr Rhodes's plans—Formation of the Rhodesia Horse Volunteers—The Rhodesian police moved to the Transvaal border—The real intention of this movement—Mr Rhodes and the " Reform Committee "—The " women and children " letter—The position in Johannesburg—The dispute about the flag— Dr Jameson impatient—His start for the Transvaal—Mr Rhodes's attempt to prevent the Raid—The High Commissioner's proclamation—Why the telegraph line to Pretoria was not cut—How the news of Dr Jameson's incursion affected Mr Rhodes—The events of the Raid—The defeat and surrender of Dr Jameson—The reception of the news of the Raid in London—The German Emperor's telegram —Johannesburg disarmed—The Raiders handed over to the British Government—President Kruger and Johannesburg—His threat to shell the town—Arrival of the Raiders in London — Their trial and sentences—The leaders of the "Reform Committee" sentenced to death— The sentence commuted .....124 CHAPTER IX. THE JAMESON RAID COMMITTEE. The Raid in Parliament—-Alleged complicity of the Colonial Office—Mr Labouchere's attacks— Mr Rhodes prepared to ' face the music "—His triumphal progress through Cape Colony—His arrival in London and his interview with Mr Chamberlain—The inquiry into the Raid by the Cape Parliament—A Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to go into the affair—Mr Rhodes before the committee—His cross-examination by Sir William Harcourt— Evidence as to the future government of Rhodesia—Sir Graham Bowyer's evidence—Evidence of Mr W. Schreiner, Dr Jameson, the Directors of the Chartered Company, and Sir John Willoughby — Dr Harris and Mr Labouchere— A stormy scene — Mr Labouchere compelled to apologise—Mr Hawksley's defiance of the Committee—The Committee's report—Condemnation of the Raid—Mr Labouchere unrepentant — Debate in the House of Commons — Mr Chamberlain's eulogy on Mr Rhodes— Rout of the " Little Englanders" . .143 CHAPTER X. OUTBREAK OF THE MATABELE REBELLION. The rinderpest in Rhodesia—Rumours of discontent among the natives—The causes of the rebellion —The first act of the rising—Murder of settlers—Alarm in Bulawayo—Patrols despatched to the outlying districts—A general insurrection in progress—Atrocities by the natives—Panic in Bulawayo—A terrible night—Construction of a laager at Bulawayo— A night alarm—A gang of cowards—The sufferings of the women—Formation of the Bulawayo Field Force—Other laagers formed in the country . 162 CHAPTER XI. THE MATABELE REBELLION—Continued. Patrol under the Hon. Maurice Gifford leaves Bulawayo—" Fireside philanthropists"—The defence of Cumming's store— Repulse of the rebels—Relief of Stewart's store—Departure of a patrol for the Insiza district—Fight in the Elibani hills —Fate of the party at Inyati—Fortification of Campbell's store — Arrival of the relief force — Adventures of two troopers—The devotion of Trooper Henderson—The Gwanda patrol - Another force sets out for the Gwands—Native fear of the telegraph wire—Return march of the Gwanda column—Severe fighting—The column in a tight place—A running fight—Heavy losses of the whites—The rebels at last beaten off—The Shiloh patrol—A skirmish—Arrival of the patrol at Fonseca's farm—Lieutenant Rorke's escape—Heavy fighting—Colonel Gifford wounded—More fighting—Relief of the patrol—Death of Captain Lumsden ..... 180 CHAPTER XII. THE MATABELE REBELLION—continued. Rebels massing around Bulawayo—Action near the Umgusa river—Three members of the Afrikander corps murdered— Rebel attack on Napier's farm—Another skirmish at the Umgusa river —Determined efforts to break up the rebel impis—Third fight at the Umgusa—Mr Selous's narrow escape—Bravery of Trooper Baxter—Gallantry of Grey's scouts—Fourth action at the Umgusa—A hot fight—Dashing charge by the Afrikander corps—The impis forced to retreat—Advance of a relief force from Salisbury"—Departure of a large force for the Shangani—Grey's scouts attacked— A splendid charge—The whites' revenge—The Salisbury relief column—Meeting of the two forces —Colonel Spreckley leaves for the Insiza district—Several skirmishes—Bodies of murdered settlers found—Patrol through the Filabusi district—Arrival of Colonel Plumer's relief force at Bulawayo — A night march—Colonel Plumer's first patrol—The Imperial Government takes command—Arrival of Sir Frederick Carrington and other Imperial officers at Bulawayo .....198 CHAPTER XIII. END OF THE MATABELE REBELLION. Preparations for crushing the rebels—Three patrols sent out—An impi approaching the town— Another fight at the Umgusa—Repulse of the Matabele—The promise
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