The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-25
British Troops in Gambia Led
Into q Trap.
MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED.
Emperor William of Germany Be-
coming Sociabie and Popular.
Better keiatiens Between Rnssis and
Gsrmany-GrcwfsgB BIm.talifc senti-
ment In -FIattering Debut OF
Paris Coartes.n ~ m Actress.

Lospos. Feb. a4-Nevs Of a fearful
disaster on the west coast of Africa was
received this morning in dispatches 10 the
admiralty from Bathurst, capital Of the
British colony Of Gamb a. at which point
the cruiser Raleigh, the flagship Of the
British squadron on that coast, and the
gunbost wldgeon have arrived. Parties
OF British marines were Ian ded from these
vessels near Bathurst to punish Chief
Fo6isilah. notorious slave trader. who
bad been carrying of into bondage and iil-
treating helpless natives of the villages
along that part of the cosst The parties
went ashore with provisions for four DAYS
and n Plentiful supply of ammunition. A
reserve force was left oa shore at the land
ing place under protection of the vessels
guns. The remain Ter of the colony began
marching inland through difficult coun-
try. the land being swampy and covered
with thick brush of wood and forest.
They were accompanied By natives carry
ing spare ammunition. provisions and wa
ter. The march continued long distance
without any signs Of slave traders bands.
the country beisg apparently deserted.
Then the native carriers began 10 desert
with the extra ammunition and provis-
ions, and the column was finally alone.
The going was so bad that the fianking
parties were finally forced back on the
main column, which, however, continued
to advance I'LL IL came upon two villages,
which the British attacked. They cap-
tured these villages, surrounded by stock
ades, which served veil a. defsnses The
British, planting nRchine guns at points
OF vantage. remained there the following
night, but the loss of ammunition and
water made Capt. Gamble, in com mand of
the force. decide 10 return TO the shore.
This movement Was commenced early the
next morning. After proceeding q short
distance. and when surrounded by rising
ground, the party was attacked from am
bush on all sides The attack was very se-
we're and blue jackets fell on all sides. The
column returned hastily. carrying the
wounded along as far a. possible, but the
shore was not reached till three officers
and ten men were killed and forty
wounded. Lieut.. w. II. Arnold, of the
navy; Lieut.. of Marines r. w. Hervey and
Sub Lieut.. 4. W. Meister are among the
killed. Lieut.. Hon. r. r. Boyle was dan
Rerously wounded. Lieut. III. J. Saviil seri-
oasly and Capt. Gamble. Surgeon w. r.
Hitc. Midshipman Arthur Chambers and
forty blue jackets wess ssightly wounded
Ten blue jackets were killed. This news
was contained in the official dispatches.
Rear Admiral Frederick c. Bedford is in
command of the squadron.
A dispatch from Bathurst received late
this evening seems to intimate that still
greater disaster TO British arms may
shortly be expected. 1t is stated that a
detachment of West India regiment, as
we'll as marines landed from the British
ships, are still away inland, and grave
fears are entertained for their safety. The
West India regiment detachment was
commanded by Col. Corbett, and Capt.
Westmoreland was in command of the
marines. The natives about Bathurst
express the opinion that the en-
tire missing force has been destroyed.
The soldiers and marines still
in the bush are said 10 number about 2oo
Other reports place the number at much
higher figure. Admir-l Bedford is said to
telieve the soldiers and marines are in
strong enough force TO take the offensive
against the slavers. and that Col. Corbett
has probably engaged the forces of Chief
Fodisilah and is pursuing them. The
British admiral is said TO be taking steps
TO send reinforcements In the direction
followed by the British column.
Lord Rosebery. who left London this
morning on a visit TO the Prince and
Princess OF Wales, received . telegram at
Newmarket recalling him to the foreign
Office. Lord Rosebery returned to Lon
don by special train.