The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1889-01-12

ally take charge OF q portion OF the
rebels, who were in waiting at Lee
lepa. The sailors rowed quietly
on, not suspecting the least danger,
and as they kept close inshore, the
natives followed them along the
beach, calling out to the sailors, who
took no notice. About half mile
further on the natives held a hurried
council of war under the control of
Klein. The natives drew the atten-
tion of Klein to the risk they ran if
they fired on the man-of.wars' men.
The persuasive powers of the jour
nalist, however, were too strong for
the Samoans, and he induced the
people of the island Manono to man
their big war canoes and to attack
and fire upon the German sailors at
sea. In the meantime the sailors
were followed by u large body of
natives. Klein then took charge of
them and ordered them TO fire on
the boats. AS the man-of-wars men
approached Fagalii, about a mile
from their destination, it was DEEM
ed prudent to land half of them, the
other half proceeding on their jour
ney by water outside the reef. AS
the boats neared the shore, Klein
gave orders to the natives to fire.
The Samoans still were afraid to fol-
low his instructions and Klein there
fore set them the example by firing
himself, this being signal for
general attack. The natives follow
ed suit and the sailors joined in at
the same time, making inshore as
rapidly as possible, effecting land
ing on German land amidst per-
feet shower of bullets. Lieutenant
Spengler, who had charge of the de-
tachment gave instructions for the
men to fix bayonets and under the
guidance of Mr.. Surveyor Haidlen,
the sailors commenced their peril
Gus march through the bush. The
firing on both sides was of desper-
ate character. The dusky skin of
the Samoans assisted them greatly,
the white jackets of the sailors on
the other hand made excellent tar
gets for their numerous opponents.
Fighting desperately the sailors
charged the natives, forcing them to
give way, the Samoans firing on the
man-of-warsmen from three sides.
Whilst the small landing party were
making their way to Vailelc, the
boats containing the sailors outside
the reef, under the command of
Captain-Lieutenant Jaeckel. were
by orders of Klein fred upon from
the war canoes, and the natives on
shore. They Immediately returned
the fire, whilst proceeding on their
way, arriving at Tailele short
time before their comrades. The
landing party were roughly handled
by the natives, but when they reach
ed their destination they were
quickly reinforced by their com.
rades. At the homestead of the
plantation, the house of Captain
Hufnagel the manager, they took {
covered position, and surrounded
by about 1900 rebels, many of then
firing from the top,of cocoanut trees
they had to stand n murderous fire TO-
nearly two hours. Here this small
party of sailors behaved like heroe
and fought desperately against thu
superior numbers, both sides suffer
ing severely. Lieutenant Seige
was shot dead, Lieutenants SpengIe
and Burchard being wounded, onl,
one officer was left TO command
The losses on the German side con
sisted of ID killed, 30 severely an,
. slightly wounded. The German
gunboat Eber then hove in sight ant
at s o'clock landed detachment
The cruiser "Adler" also comm.
into view, the natives slowly retired
A further reinforcement, was lande
from the Adler, when the sailor
formed into line, and with lou
hurrahs drove the Samoans off tin
plantation. The latter retreated il
] great disorder, numbers of ther
Z making for Apia. 1t is sad TO hav
; to relate, that during the engage
, ment the Samoans hacked off tn
heads of three of the unfortu
: nate men-of-wars men, one of thel
: only having been slightly wounde
! in the leg. This barbarous custol
1 is usual with the natives when ,
, war. The actual number of S,
: means killed Is not known, but it
stated that % lost their lives,
: great number being wounded.
: Heretofore it has not been know
| in the history OF Samoa that the n;
tiyes ever ventured to fight again
a European powers, and also the NAL
| cious and cunning nature of the a
r tack Is not at all In accordance wit
T. the Samoan character. 1t was onl
n through the influence of man
Y KIein's position, who, no doub
V will he dealt with severely by h
= Government, that the natives d
d act in such manner, for whit
& they will have to put up with Il
consequences,
II The rebels having left their hea
O quarters, orders were given TO she