The herald., 1894-02-10
SURPRISED AND SLAIN
French Troops Slaughtered
in Africa.
Several Hundred Massacred by
Tuaregs.
The Remnant Besieged by Natives
in Timbucto0.
Reinforcements Sent TO the ksscue-ES.
citement in Paris Over the Disss.
tcr-The Government to
Be Interpellated.


By the Associated Press.
PARIS, Feb. 9.-Casimir-Perier ad-
mits that French column was attacked
and destroyed by natives near Timbuc-
too, and that several officers were killed,
but he declares the French will not
evacuate Timbuctoo, and reinforcements
have already been forwarded.
The governor of the Soudan telegraphs
that Colonel Bonnier's column left Tim-
buctoo on December 1st on q reconnois-
ance. and was surprised while asleep
when about three days. march from
Timbuctoo. The success OF the Tuaregs
emboldened other tribes, and the retreat
Of the French was. continually harrassed.
On arriving at Timbuctoo the COM
mander at once began throwing up en-
trenchments in expectation Of q COM
bined attack of the natives. The latter
are said to be mastering forces for that
purpose.
The secretary of the colonial depart
ment this afternoon received telegram
from Senegal stating that Colonel Bon
nier, IL other officers and 250 privatea
were massacred by Tuaregs. Another
account puts the loss at 81.
The following details of the disaster
are given out by the French government
upon information received from Captain
Philippe, French commandant at Tim
buctoo: Tuaregs, armed with lances and
knivee, made the first attack
upon the leading division OF the
French column. The attack was so
desperate and well sustained that the
first division was apparently cut to
pieces. News OF the disaster was
brought to the second portion OF the
column by Captain Nugette, who was
badly wounded, but managed to escape.
| The second division was encamped Q
| few miles in the rear of the advance
guard, which was surprised during the
darkness early in the morning. The
i officer in command OF the rear guard
Immediately commenced to retreat upon
Timbuctoo, leaving the vanguard. COM
manded by Bonnier, to its fate.
The official statement admits that at
least nine French officers, including
Colonel BONNER. two European nom
commissioned officers and 68 native Bol-
diers, were massacred. Unofficial re-
ports. emanating from the war depart
ment and colonial office, say the loss in
killed and captured WAS al least 300.
The rear guard reached Timbuctoo De-
cember 18th, carrying number of
wounded. Several men in addition to
those admitted to have been killed when
the vanguard was cut to pieces are said
to have been either killed or left dying
along the route during the retreat to
Tim bucto0.
Captain PHILIPPE gathered his whole
force together and began throwing up
entrenchments 10 secure his position,
as Timbuctoo was seriously threatened
by Tuaregs. The Tuaregs became 90
aggressive that they pushed up close to
the French soldiers at work in the en-
trenchment and killed and wounded
several. Captain PHILIPPE organized
small parties, who made sallies upon
the Tuaregs, driving them backward
and killing number. Once or twice
every night the natives made an attack
upon the French lines, killing and
wounding several of the garrison.
Opposed to the enemy, estimated st
1000 TO 10000, the French only had 300
men in the en.renchments, and this
force was only supported by ak small
field pieces.
When Captain PHILIPPE was informed
: by messengers that Joffsre's column wac
on the way to relieve him, he sent &
! messenger to Colonel Joffere to warn
I him his forces were in danger OF attack
by Arabs. Captain PHILIPPE also sent q
request to the governor oi Soudan thai
the French hotilla on the Niger should
not leave that district until Joffere'i
column reached Timbuctoo.
The news of the disaster has caused .
sensation in Paris and it ia already an
nounced that several questions on the
subject will be asked as soon as possibli
in the chamber of deputies. 1t is under
, stood the government will say BONNER
i expedition was undertaken upon hi
, own initiative and against the orders o
the government. 1t ia semi-officiall,
stated that the governor OF the SoudaI
has taken extraordinary measures to re-
lieve the French forces at Timbuctoo
and all the French outposts have beei
doubled.