Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-06
The Defeat OF the British ON the West Coast
Of Africa.

Of Africa.
The London Times has received the following
authentic particulars of the attack made by tho
British troops on the king, chiefs, and town Of
Malageak, Malicouri river, and Of the severe loss
sustained
On the 2lst of May, at p. NJ, Captain Fletcher,
LIST West India regiment, commanding the troops
at Sierra Leone, received an order from Acting
Governor Dougsn to embark $50 men Of all ranks
on board the screw steam gun-vessel Tcazer, ..
At 6 o'clock all were on board.
The Teazer anchored at . A. NJ, on the AID off
the town of Malageak, and, after firing a 32pound
shot and l6-pound shell over the town, flag Of
truce was hoisted at the kings house, upon which
Captain Fletcher landed the troops under cover Of
the steamers guns, consulted with the joint COM
mssioners Lieutenant Commander Nicholas and
Mr.. Dillet, private secretary 10 acting Governor
Dougan and granted one hour 20 the King to hold
his "palavarn At the expiration of one hour and
half the troops advanced to the centre of the
town, without opposition, and set fire TO the
mosque, the Kings house and several other bui d.
ings. The intense heat Of the flames compelled
the troops to retire TO the boats, on reaching
which smart FIRE was opened upon them by the
enemy IN ambush at each side fthe landingplace,
and FIVE soldiers we're wounded. The Teazer was
reached without further opposition, when it was
discovered that a portion If the town remained
unburned; another consultation was held aud IL
was determined to drop down TO Binty Point, at
the mouth of the Mallicour, AMI reduce Malageak
TO ashes, according 10 the instructions Of acting
Governor Dougan.
On the morning Of the 23d, at an early hour,
Commander Nicolas poured into the town (which
was still In faues) and the adjacent bushes, grape,
canister, and shell In half an hour the troops
again landed without opposition and advanced.
Commander Nicolas and Mr.. Dlet headed the
leading division 10 point out the houses to be
burned; Captain Fletcher and Lieutenant Wylie
followed with the main division to support. In a
moment the small advanced division appeared TO
be attacked by an overwhelming force Mr.. Dillet
fell 10 the rear wounded in the head and left leg
Commander Nicolas shot through both thighs; and
Sergeant Major Scanlon, Of the Sd, and several
men were killed
Captain Fletcher was driven back TO small
bank of mud and sand near the entrance Of the
Maageak; Lieutenant Wylie was wounded and
subsequently killed; Lieut. Vincent shot through
the body Paymaster Edwards, Of the Teazer, shot
In the head and taken prisoner; and the men fell
rapidly, killed by the enemy's FIRE. One boat sue
ceeded in reaching the Teazer; but the pinnace,
with 80 to 40 men, in pushing of, filed and cap
Sized riddled with bullets. The soldiers were
either drowned, shot by the enemy, or butcbered
when they gained the banks of the river. VI the
$50 men of all ranks embarked, ~ were killed, IL
wounded or missing, and nine taken prisoners,
(since relsased) On the cath of May the Tcazer
returned to Sierra Leone with the survivors OF the
troops.