The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-26
MOVEMENTS IN AFRICA.
An Extraordinary Movement Among the
Mohammedans of the Nigritian Regions
From Timbuctoo to the West Coast.

WASHINGTON, August 24.-Secretary of
State Bayard is in receipt of a dispatch from
Sierra Leone, giving accounts of the move
ments of an army of 100000 men in the in
terror of Africa The despatch is dated July
10 last and was sent by United States Consul
Lewis. Mr. Lewis says:
have the honor to bring to the notice of the
Department of state the fact of extraordinary
movement among the MOhammedans of the Nigri-
tlan regions extending from TimbuctOO TO the
West Coast. 1t appears that in 1850 Mandingo
named samudu, OF extraordinary intelligence and
energy, conceived the idea that he was called of
God 10 wage war for rthe suppression of paganism,
and that the opening of the roads to the coast,
tions subjected TO excessive blackmail, and
10 the plundering of vagabond tribes dur
my .Le dst nNe years, ne mas cOllecIeu an army
consisting of foot and horse, of about 100000 men.
Mohammedan youth, wherever he goes, flock to
his standard, anxious not only TO secure the re-
Maru III tne hereafter, promised 10 those who
fight for their religion, but TO carry off the rich
spoils OF time which these expeditions that battle
for the faith are sure TO win. 1t is said that
Samulu's army is divided into three portions
One Is operating near the headwaters of the Niger
This portion recently drove certain French troops
taken possession of, and are now beSieging BaIn-
maks, large town on the Niger, occupied about
three years ago by the French, who have erected
Notifications there Another portion of the army
IS operating in the regions east of
siberia, and by suppressing the dis,
turbing elements. unfettering trade and
introducing knowledge of religion and letters is
in one sense opening the way for negro emigrants
OF intelligence and energy from America to push
out from the African-America Republic to the
healthy and fertile regions of the interior. In
another sense il is fOrestallng the whole region
for MOhammedism and making il difficult, il not
impossible If, .indecd it is desirable, TO convert
that country to the faith imported from America
by the immigrants. The third portion OF the
army is approaching the coast few miles north
west of Sierre Leone. 1t has secured the submis-
sion by force or voluntary surrender, OF all the
tribes on the way for 500 miles back. The largest
and most important Pagan Kingdom on the site of
the Niger was Coolima, of which Talaba, a
For the last sixty years the fulah
Mohammedans have been trying by diplomacy
and by arms to subdue this city to the faith, but
IL has always successfully resisted both diplomat
whelming numbers surrounded IL, and called
upon the King TO surrender and profess Islamlssn.
This he refused to do. The town was then in
vested, and after terrible siege of five months,
the King assembled the royal family and prin-
cipal chiefs in his powder house. and informed
them that he could hold out no longer, as his re-
sources were exhausted but having for more than
200 years belonged 10 the ruling element he was
determined for himself and family to die rather
than come under MOhammedan rule. He gave
the chiefs their choice either to die with him or
enemy. They decided 10 die with him. They then
set hre to the powder and they were all blown
up. Thus ended the SoOlima power, which for
more than seven generations had influenced the
trade and politics of extensive districts, and had
commanded the principal highways OF the coast.
Another very important achievement of this
army is the destruction of the Hooboo powers, an
has been source of annoyance and loss TO cara
vans passing from the interior 10 the coast.
samudu gave orders TO attack them in their
ro,,nd ounsain slronghoias Mnen IntiI tnen nad
They were surprised. Their chief, Abal, was cap /
tured and decapitated, and his arms and legs
severed from the trunk, were sent TO the various