The botched Jameson Raid on the Transvaal at the end of 1895 had severely depleted the Company 's garrison in Matabeleland .
The settlers in Bulawayo had little to defend themselves with .
The botched Jameson Raid on the Transvaal at the end of 1895 had severely depleted the Company 's garrison in Matabeleland , and the settlers in Bulawayo had little to defend themselves with .