The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-12-24
HEROIsM OF sAVAGES.
Remarkable Deeds Of Native War
riors In Africa.
The French In tho Dark Continent Meet
m Enemy Worth Fighting : Rather
Than Surrender the Chief of Tribe
Blows His Men to Atoms.


mander in the Soudan, publishes In the
Paris papers an extraordinary story OF
the heroism of one of tho tribes which
he was Obliged to fight,
Onosebougou is citadel situated in
the Saarta. 1t is the place which en-
ablpd King Amadon to keep up his com
muaications between Moro and the
Kil gdom OF Segon. In fact it was the
Ike, o the latter Kingdom, and, falling
into the hands of the French, it secured
for them the possession Of that territory
and won over to them the Bambaras
tribes who were oppressed by Amadon.
With twenty-seven Europeans, includ-
ing officers, 265 Turcos, two mountain
guns Of eighty, and number OF Bam-
baras, Colonel Archinard marched upon
Ouosebougou. This queer-named place
ls an immense village in the center OF
sandy country. Its walls are well forti'
fed with battlements and numerous
bastions, and outside the gates there
are two redoubts. When the column
arrived in front Of 1t the black heads
OF the defenders appeared upon the
walls, while the tabala or war call
sounded continuously. Fire was opened
by the Two guns, and in about four
hours q breach was made; but the
defenders seemed to caro- very little
about that breach, and many OF them
came coolly to examine 1t, after which
they shouted defiantly at the invaders.
At last the Bambaras made dash upon
the wells, which were situated at about
200 meters from the village. IL was alb
solutely necessary to get water, for the
troops we're suffering greatly from
thirst. The defenders seemed to re-
serve their cartridges for this good op-
portunity, when they opened fierce
and rapid fire. Several OF the Bambaras
were shot down, but the others con-
tinued to drink at the wells while the
bullets whistled all around them. At
four o'clock the defenders were massed
near the breach, and notwithstanding
continuous fire OF musketry and artil-
lery, which thinned their ranks percepti-
bly,, they seemed fully determined to
continue the struggle. The Colonel
gave the order to charge upon tho
breach. The two guns were worked
with incr aed activity, and ceased fir
ing only when the column was within
100 meters OF the trench. Lieutenant
Levasseur, with his Turcos, was the
first to enter the breach. Then the
fusillade became. intense, The Turcos
rushed into the village, but soon their
advance was checked. Leyasseur was
wounded. Four Turcos took him 10 the
rear, and in doing so two Of them were
killed. Two others Immediately took
their places and carried the Lieutenant
to the ambulance. Captain Mangin
took Levasseur's place, and he, too, fell
mortally wounded The attacking
party remained at a standstill. Not
another inch could they gain upon
the defenders. This condition OF affairs
became embarrassing; 30 the Colonel
threw all his reserves into the attack.
The allies then became discouraged and
ran. The Turcos maintained their posi-
tion, but were unable TO advance. Some
OF the fugltives were induced to return,
and the Colonel gave orders to the regu-
lars to hold at all hazards the carried
positions. Captain Bardot received an
order TO take up position near the
breach, and TO Ere shells into the vii
lago and the rcdoubt all through the
night. In order 10 prepare the road for
the movement in the morning. NJ. Mad
omba, political ggcnt OF the Freuch
and onc of tie most useful, was shot
dead. The fire Of the inhabitants con-
tinued with violence, while that OF tho
invaders was tlackcn,d in order TO spare
the ammunition. AZ $50 in the morn
ing terrific wac cry was heard, and
the fire OF the defenders became more
furious. They were advancing, and at
short range they made desperate
charge upon the captured positions. 1t
was gallant sortio, but IL was
repulsed. At three o'clock or n
little after another similar charge was
made with the same result. At last the
day broke. The situation was critical.
The troops were exhausted, and many
OF the officers were wounded. However,
the advance was made The defenders
OF the redoubt we're surrounded, but
they fought on desperately, while they
shouted insults at tho invaders. Their
resistance was hopeless, but they still
kept 1t up.
And here comes tho most extraordi-
nary portion Of the story. The chief Of
the Ouosebougous, Bandiougou Diara,
realizing his position, gathered his re-
naming troops over the magazine, and
rather than surrender blew himself and
them 10 atoms. 1t was then only tha,
the tabala ceased. But the resistance
was still kept up In the village by the
stragglers. Even tho women took part
In 1t, and some Of the brave barbarians
when about 10 be made prisoners, sho
themselves rather than be taken alive
They fought TO the last man.
II among the African tribes there arr
many more warriors like tho ouosebou
gous there will be some tough Gghtin(
In the Dark Continent before long
Any way, Bandiougou Diara was n hero