By sending his own men into the abandoned German garrison with orders to fire off their guns periodically and give the impression that it was still manned by regular forces, Marealle prevented the destruction of his capital.

Doctor Becker, the expedition's medical officer, reported that some soldiers carried incendiary grenades that they used to light some neighboring cottages on fire in order to betray the location of the fort.

[8] Lieutenant Ax led his mixed company in a bayonet attack on a position that had been identified by the Moshi riflemen's muzzle flashes, but the askaris were unable to bridge a 15-foot (4.6 m) ditch that covered their fire trench.

'An enemy bullet destroyed the flagstaff in Weinberger's hand, the flag was torn with holes, but the standard-bearer himself was fortunate to escape unharmed, despite many of our colored soldiers fell,' claims Becker.

Johannes suggested to von Schele via runner that the entire force follow him through this opening before redeploying for a concluding assault on the boma.

[12] The German troops were now positioned on a ridge overlooking the river and opened firing on them from this commanding height an hour and a half later, at around 2:00 p.m., when they reappeared and prepared for a mass onslaught.

Now Meli requested peace terms, freely acknowledging, in Becker's words, that he had been a "sheep's head" for believing he was more powerful than the Germans.

[14] According to German records, Moshi suffered 135 fatalities and more than 100 injuries, while four Askaris and one non-commissioned officer from Germany were all killed in action.

The following day, on August 13, Col. von Schele gave the instructions for the 800 Kibosho warriors to enter the abandoned homes, set them on fire, and drive away any remaining cattle.