The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-02-10
ARMED WITH LANCES
Nl.!Vli Hlk, q Fuii1Ii Attack on the
Pi:1Ci H3dr Tlmb1cOl.
THEY WERE CUT TO PIECES
4 Fronch Division Practically An
initiated by tho Fierce Tuarses
-Colone. BONNER and hIne
Officers Killed.

PARIS, Feb. A.--The secretary os the
colonial department this afternoon re-
ceivel telegram from 81. Louis, Sene-
g,l, stating that Colonel BONNER, II other
officers aud - pFivaies had been massa-
cred 10y Tulrges, Another account puts
the loss at ~.
Tie following details OF the disaster
were given ont b. tho FrcEch government
upon iufoFmliion received from Captain
ralIlippc. the French commandant at
Tmbucioo: The Tuargcs, armed with
lauccs and knives, made first attack
upon the leading division Of tho French
column. The attack was so desperate
aud well sustained that the first division
was apparently cut TO pieces. The news
-, the disaster was brought to the second
column hy Captain Nuretic, who was
badly wounded, but managed 10 escape.
The second division was encAmped few
miles IN tho rear of tbs advance guard,
which was surprised during the
darkness Of early morning. Toe
officer in command OF the rear guard
Immediately commenced to retreat
upon Tmbuctoo, leaving the van guard
commanded 10y BONNER. to it's fate. The
Official statement admits that at least
ninc French oilisers. inciuling Colonel
BONNER, two European non-commissIouei
officers and Is native soldiers were massa-
cred. Unofficial reports emanating from
the war department and the colonial office
Say the loss in killed and captured u 1t
least 100.
The rear guard reached Timbuctoo, be-
cember Il, carrying number OF wounded.
Several men in addition to those admitted
TO he killed when the van guard was cut
To pieces. arc said to have been either
killed or left dying along the route during
the retreat to Tlmbucioo. Captain Phil-
lippc gathered the whole force together
and began throwing up enirenchmenis to
secure his position, as Tlmbuc;oo was se-
riuusly threatened by tho Tuarses. The
| 1uargrs became 50 aggressive that they
| pushed up close to the Frenrh soldiers at
worl. IN tho entertainments and killed aad
wounded several. Captain Philippe or
| gan1cd small parties who made sallles
| upon the Tnargcs, driving them backward
and killing number. Once or twice every
night tho natives made an attack upon
the French lines, killing and woubding
several OF the garrison. The French only
/
this force was only supported by six small
field pieces.
When Captain Philippe was informed
by native messengers that the Joiicre coi-
umn was on the way to relieve him, hc
sont messenger TO Colonel Joifere TO
warn him that his forces were IN danger
Of an attack by Arabs. Captain Philippe
ais, sent request to the governor OF the
.'oudan French ilotilla on tho Niger that
| he should not cave that district until the
Jollcre column reached nmbuetoo.
| The news OF the disaster has caused a
sensation in Paris aul it is already an
nouuced that several questions on tho
subject will be asked as soon as possible
in tho chamber of deputies. Ii Is under
stood the government viii say that Bon
nlcr's expedition was undertaken upon
Ills own lniaIiye and against the orders OF
the government.
1t is scmi-oilicially stated the governor
of tho Soudan has taken extraordinary
measures 10 relieve the French forces at
Iimhuctoo and all the French outposts
have been doubled.