The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-29

SOrtie Party. AnnihiIated by the
Tuaregs of mbuctO

PARIS. Aug. 2S.-Most startling news
has reached here from Senegal. West Afri-
ca. According to a report received at ST.
Louis, the French garrison at TImbuctoU.
after three days desperate fighting with
the Tuaregs and other hostile tribes which
have been investing the territory for a
long time past, made a sortie. The be-
~leaguering forces were overwhelming in
numbers and fell upon the sortie party,
fairly annihilating it.
This news has caused CONSERVATION in
many circles, as ii is the second serious
disaster the French have met with in the
vicinity of Timbuctoo since the important
Soudanese town was occupied by the
French early in the present year. The
French column, commanded by Colonel
BANNER. arrived at Timbuctoo on Jan. 10.
and two days later a detachment of troops
with Colonel BANNER at its head. accom-
panied by Commandant Hugueny and the
entire staff. started out on a reconnoiter-
ing expedition. leaving Captain Philippe.
senior captain, in charge of the post at
Timbuctoo. This French detachment, in
some manner never fully explained to the
public, was surprised asleep i'm camp at
Dougoi, two hours march north of Goun-
dam, and three days march from Timbuc-
too. The Arabs, chiefly Tuaregs, mounted
and on foot, and armed with Iances and
knives, entered the French camp by sew
eral sides during the dark and the hours of
early morning and overturned the stacked
arms in front of the sharpshooters who,
when aroused, were unable to seize their
rifles in time to defend themselves success
fully. The Arabs massacred nearly the en-
tire detachment consisting of the fifth and
eleventh companies of Soudanese sharp
shooters \ French officer. Captain Nj
gotte, though seriously wounded in the
head. succeeded in escaping to a platoon of
soldiers left some yards behind the main
camp to guard some captured nocks. This
platoon was under the ommand of Lieut..
Sarda. 1t retreated to Timbuctoo, bringing
with i. a few wounded men who had es-
capped he massacre at Dougoi.
The Tuaregs pursued the retreating sol
diers and practically invested Timbuctoo,
which Captain Philippe made haste to de-
fend, pending the arrival Of achievements.
1t was stated at Dougoi that the French
lost nine officers, two European sergeants,
an Interpreter and one sergeant, SIX cor
poralS and siXty-one native sharpshooters.
For the defense of Tfmbuctoo, Captain
Philippe had three hundred rifles and SIX
cannon, but this vas a very small force
with which to hold "A town of about twelve
thousand population, situated amid hot,
moving sands on the verge of a morass
and having a walled Enclosure about three
miles in circumference. But a column, com
manded by Colonel Joffre, was on its way
to reinforce the French at Timbuctoo and,
having sent messages to the Colonel and
communicated with the commander OF the
French fiotilla on the Niger river. the
captain made the best disposal possible of
his small force and with the cooperation
OF The pOpulace, succeeded in holding out
unfb the Joffre column arrived. This coll
umr was composed of a company and a
half OF sharpshooters, a squadron of Spahis
Splendid African cavalry. thirty auxiliary
Spahis and two guns. Ii also included the
umn. 1t followed the land route by San
Sanding, Moninpe. Nampala. Leere, Soumpe
and Goundam, and met with serious oppo-
sition during its advance.
On Jan. 20 a company of sharpshooters
marched on Niafounke. supported by cav
airy and artillery. They were confronted by
two kilometres OF a swamp which sur
rounded the village. in front of which four
hundred warriors were drawn up in battle
array. The warriors charged the French
force. The latter, in less than fifteen min
riors. The others took flight and the viii
lage was captured without any loss on the
part of the Jofre column. Several such
engagements took place. cannon and cav
airy being repeatedly called into use. but
on Feb. : the advance flotilla arrived at
Goundam and met the advance guard of
the JCfre column. and on Feb. u the lat
ter reached Timbuctoo. lie is. in all prob
ability, part OF the force OF Captain Phil
lippe and Colonel Joffre which has. accord
ing 10 the adylces from Senegal. been cut
to pieces by the Arabs. Ii is believed that
the garrison Of Timbuctoo has, since the
Joffre column arrived there. been again
reinforced.
The Journal Des Debats has received a
dispatch similar to the one made public
here this morning. This dispatch announces
that after three days, iightLng a detsch,
sortie. This detachment was comDosed OF
two companies. Both reports agree in