Page 54 - SoMJ Vol 74 - No 1, 2021

44 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

were fired at the extended Atonga by men concealed among the rocks on Mount
Kazungu [Kasungu]. I therefore sent Saidi Mwuzungu under an escort to the rear
and despatched a body of Sikhs and Atonga to clear the hill. The hill was carried,
with one of the enemy being killed and one wounded.
On coming over the brow of the sloping ground to the left of Mount
Kazungu, we came in full sight of Chibisa’s fort and of Mwasi’s large town, both
of which were seen to be surrounded by high walls, the latter being well hidden
by trees. The enemy had assembled in hundreds in front of the bomas and as we
made our appearance, they made a great fusillade upon us.
The column however was halted behind the crest to enable the 7-pounder
gun to be run up. Sergt. Major Devoy fired two shots at the enemy assembled in
front of Mwasi’s and under cover of the mountain I despatched the first portion of
the troops, constituted as above, under Havildar Major Hakim Singh, and Mr. A.
J. Swann round to the far right, skirting Chibisa’s fort with orders to so place
themselves so that when the firing at Mwasi’s stronghold began, we could obtain
enfilade fire, but that they were not to fire until the second party had taken
possession of Chibisa’s fort. The latter was situated half-a-mile to the right front
of Mwasi’s boma which was immediately in front. I halted the baggage train and
the Kota Kota irregulars under Ali Kiongwe under the cover of Mount Kazungu,
with orders that when the charge was sounded that they should spread out in all
directions, pursue the enemy and take as many prisoners as possible, and as far as
they could, take, destroy and burn all the different bomas to the right and left of
Mwasi’s.
The second party then doubled over the crest of the hill and formed into
extended order at 6 paces interval. We fired four volleys and we advanced at the
men in Chibisa’s fort and then charged and entered the fort. There were three of
the enemy killed and two wounded, the others getting away into Mwasi’s town.
After the taking of Chibisa’s, the two parties were so placed that we could
enfilade Mwasi’s. During all this time Sergt. Major Devoy had been firing
incendiary shells into the big boma but owing to the rain of the last four days and
the great downpour at the time, they were very slow to take effect, and the enemy
did not seem to be greatly disconcerted by them, shouting at us and telling us to
come on.
We fired eight volleys at the boma and, advancing closer, independent
firing was commenced. The charge was then sounded and the whole of both
parties rushed over the walls into the boma. There was then a hand-to-hand
conflict for about half-an-hour though a great many bolted to the west and got
away under cover of the trees and the fog-like downpour of rain.
We were however masters of Mwasi’s stronghold, which like Chibisa’s
fort, consisted of four bomas inside a large outer wall.
The assault had taken several of the enemy who were in the inner boma,
completely by surprise; these men were all taken prisoners and as Mwasi’s house