The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-22
Fatal Occurrence Oh the West COas, of
Africa.

The London Times has received the follow
ing authentic, particulars of an attack made
by the British troops on the King, chiefs, and
town OF Malageak, Mallicouri river, and of the
severe loss sustained
On the Dist of May, 3 Z. NJ. Capt. Fetch
or, lst West India Regiment, commanding the
troops at Sierra Leone, received an order from
Acting Governor Douglas to embark 80 men
of all ranks on board the screw steam gun YES
sci Teazer j. At 6 o'clock all were on board
consisting of the lst and Sd West India Reg
iment; commanded by Capt. Fletcher, Lieu.
tenants Strachan and Wylie, of the LIST, Lieut.
Vincent Of the I'd, and Lieuts. Kerr and Beaz-
ley of the Sd West India Regiment; Deputy
Assistant ommissary-Gen Firth. Commits
sariat Staff: Staff Surgeon Merchant and As
sistant- Surgeon Bradshaw.
| The TeaZer anchored at Q A. NJ on the 22d
off the town of Malageak, and af
ter firing 81 pound shot and a l6 pound
she'll over the town, flag of truce was hOisted
at the Kings house, upon which Capt Fetch
er landed the troops under cover of the steam
er's guns, consulted with the Joint commission
ers, Lieut. Commander Nicholas and Mr.. Dill
let, private Secretary to Acting Governor
DOugan, and granted one hour to the X ing to
hold his 'palaver" At the expiration of one
hour and a half the troops advanced to the
center of the town without opposition, and set
fire to the mosque, the Kings house, and sew
eral other buildings. The intense heat of the
flames compelled the troops to retire to the
boats, on reaching which smart fire was OPEN
ed upon them by the enemy in ambush at each
side of the landing place, and five soldiers were
wounded. The Teazer was reached without
further opposition, when it was discovered that
a portion of the town remained urburned: an
other consultation was held, anG il was resolv-
ed to drop down TO Binty Point, at the mouth
OF the Malicouri. and reduce Malageak to ash
c5, according to the Instructions of Acting
Governor Dougan.
On the morning OF the Odd, at an early hour.
Commander Nicholas poured into the town
(Which was still in fames) and the adjacent
bushes. grape, canister and shell. In half an
hour the troops again landed without opposi-
ton and advanced. Commander Nicholas
and MIR. Dillet headed the leading division to
point ont the houses to be burned. Captain
Fletcher and Lieut. Wylie following with the
main division to support. In moment the
small advanced division appeared to be at
tackled by an overwhelming force. MIR. billet
fell to the rear, wounded in the head and left
leg: Commander Nicholas was shot through
both thighs; and Sergeant major Scanlon, of
the 3d, and several men were killed.
Capt. Fletcher was driven back to a small
bank ofmud and sand near the entrance of the
Malagea; Lieut.. Wylie was wounded and sub
sequently killed. Lieut.. Vincent shot through
the body; paymaster Edwards, of the Teazer,
shot in the head and heart: Deputy Assistant
CommisSary-General Firth taken prisoner;
and the men fell rapidly, killed by the enemy's
fire
One boat succ, eded in reaching the reazer;
but the pinnace, with 30 to 40 men, in pushing
off, filled and capsized, riddled with bullets
The soldiers were either drowned, shot by the
enemy. or butchered when they gained the
banks of the river.
OF the 80 men of all ranks embarked -
were killed. twelve wounded or missing, and
nine taken prisoners, but have since been re-
leased.
On the 9th May the I'eazer returned to
Sierra Leone with the survivors Of the troops.