The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-29
HEROISM OF SAVAGES.
Remarkable Deeds of Native War
riOrs in Africa.
Tho French In the Dark Continent Meet
an Enomy Worth Fighting = Rather
Than Surrender tho Chief of n Tribe
Blows His Men to Atoms.


mander in the Soudan. publishes in tho
Paris papers an extraordinary story of
the heroism of ono OF tho tribes which
he was Obliged to aght.
, Ouosebougou is citadel situated in
the Kaarta. 1t is the place which en-
abled King Amadon to koop up his oom-
munications between Moro and tho
Kingdom Of Segon. In fact it was the
key to the latter Kingdom, and, falling
into the hands of the Fronch, it secured
for them the possession of that territory
and won over to them tho Bambaras
tribes who were oppressed by Amadon.
With twenty-seven Europeans, includ-
ing officers, 265 Turcos, two mountain
guns OF eighty, and a number of Bam-
baras, Colonel Archinard marched upon
Ouosebougou. This Queernamed place
is an immense village in the center of a
sandy country. Its walls are we'll forti-
fed with battlements and numerous
bastions, and outside the gates there
are two redoubts. Whom the column
arrived in front Of it the black heads
of tho 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 u breach was mado; but tho
defenders seemed to caro- very little
about that breach, and many of them
calno coolly to examine it. 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. 1t was alb
solntoly necessary to get water, for tho
troops were suffering greatly from
thirst. The defenders seemed to re-
servo their cartridges for this good OPP
portnnity, when they opened fierce
and rapid fire. Several OF tho Bambaras
woro shot down, but the others con-
tlnucd to drink at the wells while the
bullets whistled all around them. At
four o'clock the defenders wore massed
near tho 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
gavo the order to charge upon the
breach. The two guns were worked
with increased 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. Tho Turcos
rushed into the village, but soon their
advance was checked. Levasseur was
wounded. Four Turcos took him to tho
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 Levasscur's place, and he, too, fell
MORALLY wounded. The attacking
party remained at standstill. Not
another inch could they gain upon
the defenders. This. condition of affairs
became embarrassing; SO tho Colonel
threw all his reserves into the attack.
INC allies then became discouraged and
ran. The Turcos maintained their posi-
ton, but were unable to advance. Some
Oh The fuSitivcs were induced to return.
and the Colonel gave orders to the regu-
lars to hold at all hazards tho carried
positions. Captain Bardot received an
ORDER to take up position near tho
breach, and to fire shells into tho viii
Iagc and the redoubt all through tho
nlght' IN order to prepare the road for
inc movement In the morning. M. Mad
emba, political agent of the Freuch
ana one of the most useful, was shot
dead. The fire of the inhabitants con-
Nnued with violence, while that of the
invaders was slackencd in order to snare
tho ammunition. AT $50 in tho morn
ing terrific war cry was heard. and
the fire CT the defenders became mora
furious. They were advancing, and at
short range they made desperate
charge upon tho captured positions. 1t
was gallant sortic, but it was
repnlsod. At three o'clock or
little after another similar charge was
made with tho same result At last tho
uay broke. Tho situation was critical.
The troops were exhausted, and MANY
OF the officers were wounded. However.
the advance was made The defenders
OF the redoubt were surrounded, but
they fought on desperately, while thcy
shouted insults at the invaders. Their
resistance was hopeless, but they still
kept it up.
Anu here comes the most cxtraordi-
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 TO atoms. 1t was then only that
the tabala ceased. But the resistance
was still kept up in the village by the
stragglers. Even the women took part
In 1T, and some of the brave barbarians.
when about to be made prisoners, shot
themselves rather than be taken alive.
They fought to the last man.
If among the African Tribes there are
many more warriors like the Ouosebou-
gous there will be some tough fighting
in the Dark Continent before long.