Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-07-11
AUSTIN, MOWER COUNTY, MINNESOTA THURSDAY H. 1872
DIR. LIVINGSTONE.

NTY, MINNESOTA, II
DIR. LIVINGSTONE.
Findins the Great Exploror-Exctttnx
History Of the Successful Herald Ell.
cslitiOn-Thc Great Doctor to Re nm \ in
Two Years Longer.
Telegram to tho New York Herald.
The following special despatch has
been received from the Herald CORE
spondent in London:
LONDON, Eng, July lit is with
the deepest emotions of pride and
pleasure that l announce the arrival
this day of letters from MI. Stanley,
chief of the Herald exploring expedi-
tion to central Africa. ihaye forward
ed the letters by mail. Knowing. how
ever, the importance of the subject
and the impatience, with which reliable
news Is awaited, I hasten to telegraph
a summary of the Herald explorers
letters, which are full of the most ro
mantle interest, while affirming. en-
phatically the safety of DR.. Living
stone, and confirming the meager re-
ports already sent on here by telegraph
from Bombay, and duly forwarded to
tho Herald. To bring up the thread
of the thrilling narrative to where
the last communication from him
ended, he at once proceeds with
his account of the journey. It
will be recalled that when last heard
from he had arrived in the country of
Unyanyembe, after perilous march of
eighty-two days from Bagamoyo, on
the coast, opposite the island of Zanzi.
bar. The road up to this point had
been in the regular caravan track, and
the Journey was performed in q much
shorter time than the same distance
had been traversed by previous ex-
plorers. The expedition arrived at
Unyanyembe on the 23d of June, 1871,
where he sent forward his communica-
tion. The caravan had need of rest,
and it was necessary to refit while an
opportunity was at hand through the
medium OF the Arab caravan then on
their way to various points on the coast
with ivory and slaves. The expedition
had suffered terribly, but the heart of
the Herald explorer never gave out.
The terrible climate of the countries
through which it had passed told on 1t
even more than the difficulties of the
tribes at war among themselves and
upon everything that came in their
way, and which they were in sufficient
force to attack. The caravans met at
the various halting places and threw
every encouragement in the way which
tended to destroy the morale of the
expedition. Seedy Bombay, however,
the captain of the expedition, proved
invaluable in controlling the disaffected,
whether with fact or wholesome dis
play Of force when necessary.
The incessant rains, alternated with
a fierce African sun, made the atmo-
sphere heavy, charged with moisture,
and produced q rank, rotten vegeta.
tion. In the mountainous regions
which We traversed, the climate was,
of course, much better, and the result
was that the expedition much improv-
ed in health. The miasmatic vapors
and other hardships of the journey had
played sad havoc with its number and
force.
The total loss up to this point by
sickness had been one white man. two
Of the armed escort, eight of the paga-
zis, or native porters. The two horses
had also suocumbed, and twenty seven
of the asses had either fallen by the
wayside, and had to be abandoned.
or else the rascally native donkey lead.
ers had allowed them to stray from the
kraal at night. As consequence. a
considerable quantity of the stores
were either lost or wasted, but the rolls
of Merikani (American cloth)-tor
shukkah and doti-the beads and wire
had been as far as possible pre-
served, they being the only money in
Central Africa. In July all was pre-
pared to move through Unyanyem;,e
but before long it was found that insu
perable difficulties were interposed.
The country there is composed of
thick jungle, with clearings for the cul-
tivation of holcus. The utmost alarm
and excitement were spread through
the native villages at the expectation
OF a war. The inhabitants were shy of
intercourse, and it was with great diff
Guilty that supplies could be obtained.
A little further on the villages on Ell
ther side of the track were found to be
filled with Arab caravans afraid to ad-
vance, and gathering together for Sc
curity. The cause of all this alarm
was soon discovered. The ku honga or
blackrnail levied by the head men of
the tribes as sort of toll for passage
through their territories, had been in
ordinately raised in the Ujowa country
by Mirambo, king of the Wagowa.
Obstinate fights had already occurred,
in which small bands of bis soldiers
had been beaten, several being killed.
He had, therefore, declared to the
traders that no caravan should pass to
Ujiji except over his body. The Arabs
hereupon held council, and, finding
then selves strong in fighting
men, declared war on Mirambo.
The Herald commander took part in
this. The Arabs appeared to antici.
pate speedy victory, and preparations
for jungle fight were accordingly
made. The ammunition was slooked to,
muskets inspected and matchlocks
cleaned. The superior armament of
the Herald expedition made their as
sistance matter of great importance
to the Arabs.
An address was delivered to the
members of the expedition through
Selim, the interpreter, and the forces,
will. the American flag flying, were
marshaled by Capt. Seedy Bombay.
At daybreak on the day following,
according to previous arrangement, the
armed men were divided into three
parties. The vanguard for attack, the
rear guard as immediate reserve, and
the remainder, consisting of the less
active, were stationed with the ine22ctli-
maent0 and slaves in the kraals. The
advance was ordered and responded to
with alacrity, and the first village where
the soldiers of Mirambo we're living
was at once attacked and speedily
captured. The inhabitants were either
killed or driven away. Another vii
lage followed the fate of the first, and
both were left in ashes before nightfall.
The trotps were wearied with the hot
days work, but oil were elate at their
success thus far. The commander of
the Herald expedition, on his return to
camp, passed a sleepless night, and
morning found him in high fever.
He was therefore obliged to remain in
camp, and his forces refused to fight
except under his lead. This weakened
the Arab force considerably, and, nl-
though the dreaded Mirambo and his
followers, thirsting for vengeance, were
known to be in the vicinity, the day
was passed IN fatal inactivity.
1o1