St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-10
WAS A BLOODY MASSACRE.
VINE FRENCH OFFICERS AND MANY
SOLDIERS KILLED
ATTHE BATTLE OF TIMBUCToO

The Tuareges Were Armed With
Lances and Knives, Which
They Used With Deadly Effect
Against the French-Loss of
Killed and Captured Reported
toBe 500.
PARIS, Feb. 9.-In an interview with
Premier Casimir-Perier, the latter ad-
mitted that it was true that the French
column had been attacked and destroyed
by the natives near Timbuctoo. The
premier added that it was also true that
several officers had been killed; but, he
declared, the French would not evacuate
Timbuctoo and reiuforcements had
already been forwarded to the French
commander at that place.
The governor Of the Soudan has tele-
graphed that Col. Bonnier's column left
on Dee. l, from TimbuctoO, on recon-
noissance, and that the column was sur
prised while asleep, when about
three days march from Timbuctoo. The
success of the IuaregeS is said to have
greatly encouraged the other native
tribes, and the rout of the French was
mostly difficult, as they were cOntinu-
ally harassed in their retreat. On
reaching Timbuctoo the commander OF
the French forces there decided that it
was advisable to prepare for the worst.
and steps were immediately taken to
throw up entertainments in anticipation
of an attack in force upon the part of
La said hn
mastering their forces and to he pre-
pairing for combined onslaught upon
the French.
The following details of the disaster
are given out by the French govern
ment: The TuaregeS. Capt. Philippe
reports, were armed with lanceS and
knives, which they used with terrible
effect against the
FRENCH NATIVE TROOPS.
The Tuarages made leir first attack
upon the leaqing portion of the French
column, which seems to have been di-
vided into two divisions. The attack
Of the Tuarages was so desperate and
We'll sustained that the first division
was apparently cut to pieces.
The news of the disaster was brought
to the second portion Of the column, or
rear guard, by Capt. Nugette. French
officer, who, badly wounded IN the
head, managed to escape from the
crowds of natives which assalled the
advance guard.
The second division was encamped
few miles to the rear OF the advance
guard, which was surprised during the
darkness of the early morning. The
officer in command of the rear guard
immediately ordered his force under
arms, abandoned his encampment and
commenced to retreat upon Timbuctoo,
leaving the unfortunate vanguard, COM
manded by Col BONNER, to its fate.
Reports are conflicting as to the num-
Der killed. but official statement admits
that at least nine French officers, in
cluding Col. BONNER two European non
commissioned officers and sixty-eight
native soldiers were masSacred.
The unofficial reports emanating from
the war department and colonial office
say that the loss III killed and captured
is at least 800.
THE REAR GUARD,
after enduring considerable hardships
and being pressed by the enemy, suc-
ceeded in regaining Timbuctoo on Dec.
II, carrying with them a number of
wounded. Several of the men in addition
to those admitted to have been killed
when the vanguard was cut to pieces,
are said to have been either killed OF
left dying along the route during the
retreat to Timbuctoo.
The French officers fought most
bravely. Capt. Philippe gathered his
whole force together and began the
work of throwing up entrenchments, in
order to secure his position at TimGuc-
too, which shortly afterwards was seri-
ously threatened by the Tuareges. The
Tuareges became so aggressive and con-
tdent In their strength that they pushed
up close to the French soldiers at work
in the entertainments and killed and
wounded several of them. Capt. Phil
lippe organized two small parties of
soldiers, who made several spirited SAL
lies pom thue Tuareges, driving them
backward and killing a number of
them. At least once or twice eyery
night they would make an attack of
some description upon the French lines.
killing and wounding several of the
small garrison.
Opposed to an enemy estimated to
number from 1000 to 10000. the French
had only 800 men in the entrenchments
AT TIMBUCToo,
ana this force was only supported by
six small field pieces. When Capt.
Philippe was informed by native mes
sengers that the Joffere colnmn was on
its way to relieve him, he sent a mes
senger to Col. Joffere, i'll order to warn
him that his forces were in danger of
attack by the Arabs. Capt, Philippe
also sent request 10 the governor of
Soudan that the French fotilla on the
Niger should not leave that district un-
til the JOffere column had reached Tim
buctoo. The news of the disaster
caused a decided sensation in Paris.
and 1t is already announced that sew
eral questions on the subject will be
asked as soon as possible in the cham.
Der of deputies. The Associated Press
is informed that the French government
Will say in reply to the questions re-
ferred to above that Col Bonnier's ex-
peditlon was undertaken not oniy
upon his own initiative, but against the
orders of the government. 1t is semi
officially stated that the governor of
the Soudan, who is reported to be at
Raves, has taken extraordinary meas
ureS to relieve the French forces at
Timbuctoo, and that in addition, all the
French outpostS have been doubled,
COUGRLIN'S BROTHER