The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-02-06

sale of his land to the firm, thereby
sacrificing his entire estate for perhaps
not q tenth-oftentimes not twenti-
eth part of its value.
Finally (early in 1881 the poor ma
tives realized the infamous methods by
which they had lost their lands, and
saw that the future held no promise of
better times. Then they refused to :
pay any more taxes, and rallied around
their old King, Malietoa, begging him
to lead them against their oppressors
in battle. After some hesitation he as
sented, and then set about raising an
army. AS soon, however, as his pur-
pose became known he was forcibly
seized and deported to Germany. His
followers Immediately elected another
King, comforting upon him the name
and title of the deported ruler.
Frequent skirmishes and some real
battles had occurred before the Nipsic
arrived in Samoa, nearly all resulting
favorably to the new Malietoa, whose
army now numbers six thousand; his
enemy, Tamasese, has an equal num-
ber of soldiers, and possesses q great
advantage in point of arms and equiv
ment, besides being ably supported by
the wealthy German firm.
On the Goth of November the battle
of Laulii occurred, and, as I was pass
ing that point at the time, on my way
from Apia to Saluafaata where the
Nipsic was looking after American in
terests, had an opportunity of wit
Messing the engagement. Tamasese
was in possession Of a fort upon bluff
promontory, whichwas accessible on
ly from the rear and by steep pass
leading up from the waters edge. The
rear was covered by Gatling guns, SO
that Ma!ietoals only chance was to try
the exposed pass from the water. I'm
der cover of night bis men crept along
the beach, and at daybreak made q
FuSu lOl Guc lOll' IL hIau ~ was IVA
; tain death, for all growth of bush and
trees had been cleared away by Tama-'
sese in order to render the pass perfect
ly bare. Undaunted by the deadly fire
poured upon them, Malietoa's soldiers
struggled up the steep hillside, return
ing the fire as best they could, climb.
ing all the while. Suddenly there,
rained upon them from the fort per
feet leaden storm, sweeping the mar
row pass with instant death: this was
the work of the Gatling gun, an in
strument capable of firing a thousand
shots per minute when worked at the
maximum speed, and which may be
relied upon for half that number un-
der only ordinary handling. For an
instant the hosts of Malietoa seemed
decentralization forward they rush
ed again to face the deadly storm.
Now they had the bodies of their fall
en- comrades as breastworks from
which to fire as they upward climbed.
At this terrible juncture the war ca
noes (fifty-two according to my count)
of Malietoa swept around Laulii Point
and opened fire on the fort; this some
what diverted the attention of Tama-
sese from the land forces Of his enemy,
and caused him to direct his Gatling
upon the fleet. Malietoa was not slow
in taking the advantage offered, and
succeeded in getting 50 close upon the
fort that the fighting soon became
hand-to-hand. Every second the fir
ing grew more rapid, and quickly the
roar of musketry and the whistle Of
bullets was all unbroken sound of the
herald of death. 1t was an awful, yet
: grand sight, one never to be forgot
ten by him who witnessed it; war
riors falling upon land and sea, some
wounded, some dead.
After a stubborn resistance lasting
, more than three hours, Tamasese evac-
uated the fort and effected his retreat
to a position further inland, which
!, was, indeed, easy of accomplishment
inasmuch as Malietoa had been unable
to reach the rear of the fort and attack
the troops at that point.
1t was a savage, bloody battle; the
narrow pass leading to the fort was, as
. afterwards learned, red and slippery
, with the blood of the slain. The fight
was stubborn, but Malietoa's soldiers
went into it promising to take the fort
or die to q man, and it was largely due
to this dogged determination that they
finally achieved the victory. More
than two hundred heads were taken
and many more were killed and
wounded. These may seem but tri-
fling figures until it is called to mind
the comparatively small forces en-
gagged in the conflict.
Something I have not mentioned,
and which adds 10 the horror of the
war, is that many women are to be
found in the ranks of both armies.
They fight as bravely as the men, and
several fell in the battle of Laulii.
The only distinction made in favor q
of the women is that when one is
slain, her head is not taken.
[ have not tried to describe this bat