The herald., 1894-02-25
BRITISH MARINES MASSACRED,
Another Disaster on the West
Coast of Africa.
An English Expedition Ambushed by
Slave-Traders.
Three Ohioers and Ten Blus-Jaekets
Killed and Forty Wounded A
Large Detachment Still
Missing.


By the Associated Press
LONDON, Feb. 24.-The report was
circulated last night that it was feared a
disaster of some sort had occurred to the
crew of the gunboat Widgeon, on the
west coast of Africa. The story was
confirmed this morning by dispatches to
the admiralty. The dispatches came
from Bathurst, the capital of the British
west coast OF Africa, in the colony of
Gambia, at which point the cruiser
Raleigh, flagship of the British squad
ron on that coast, and the gunboat
Widgeon have arrived.
The story is to the effect that parties
of British marines landed from these
vessels near Bathurst to punish Fodisi-
lab, notorious slave trader, who has
been carrying off into bondage and cru
ely treating helpless natives of the vii
lagos along that part of the coast. The
parties went ashore with provisions for
four days and plentiful supply of am
munition. A reserve force was left on
the shore at the landing place under the
protection OF the vessels guns. The re-
mainder of the column began march
inland through difficult country, the
land being swamp, covered with thick
brushwood and forest. They were &C
companied by natives carrying spare
ammunition, provisions and water.
The march continued long distance
without any signs of slave-traders'
bands. The country apparently was de-
serted. When the native carriers began
| to desert with extra ammunition and pro-
visions and the column was finally alone.
The going was 30 bad that the hanking
parties we're finally forced back on the
main column, which, however. contin-
ued to advance till it came upon two
villages, which the British attacked and
captured. These villages were sur
rounded by stockades and served well
as defenses, the British planting ma
chine guns at points of vantage.
The force remained there the follow
ing night, but the loss OF ammunition
and water made Captain Gamble, in
command of the force, decide to return
to the shore. This movement was COM
menced early next morning. After pro
ceeding a short distance, and when
surrounded by rising ground, the
party was attacked from ambush on all
sides. The attack was very severe and
blue jackets fell on all sides. The col
umn retreated as hastily as possible,
carrying their wounded along as far as
possible, but the shore was not reached
till three officers and ten men were
killed and 40 wounded.
Lieut.. W. III. Arnold of the navy,
Lieutenant OF Marines F. w. Hervey,
and Sub Lieutenant f. w. Meister were
among the killed. Lieut.. Hon. R. F.,
Boyle was dangerously wounded; Lieut..
H. j. Savill, seriously Captain Gamble,
Surgeon w. R. Hita~ Midshipman Or;
slightly wounded. Ten blue jackets
were killed.
This news is contained in official
dispatches from Rear-Admiral Frederick
o. Bedford, in command of the
squadron.
A dispatch from Bathurst received
late this evening, seems to intimate
that news of still greater disaster to
British armies may shortly be expected.
1t iH stated that detachment of West
landed from the British ships, sre
still away inland and grave fears
are entertained for their safety. The
West India regiment detachment was
commanded by Colonel Corbett, and
Captain Westmorelsnd was in command
of the marines. The natives about
Bathurst express the opinion that the
entire missing force has been destroyed.
The soldiers and marines still in the
bush are said to number about 200.
Other reports place the number at q
much higher figure. Admiral Bedford
is said to believe that the soldiers and
marines are in strong enough force to
take the offensive against the slave
traders. and Colonel Corbett has prob
ably engaged the forces OF Chief Fodi-
silah and ia pursuing them. The Brit
ish admiral is said to be taking steps to
send reinforcements in the direction fol-
lowed by the British column.
Lord Rosebery, who left London this
morning, on visit to the prince and
princess of Wales, received q telegram
at Newmarket, recalling him to the for
eign Office. Lord Rosebery returned to.
London by special train.