The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-25
Three Officers and Ten Blue Jackets
Dead, Over Forty Injured and Part
of an Indian Regiment Missing.
SURRENDER OF TEGUCIGALPA
Capital of Honduras in the Hands
Of POlicarpO BOnilla.
Transport Sunk by One Of PeixOtO's
Forts and Many Brazilian Rebels
Drowned or Captured.

LONDON, Feb. "a. - More British blood
has been shed in Africa. A party OF Off
GERS and sailors recently surprised by
natives, and though adviceS are meager, ii
is known that a number of men were killed
and wounded A detachment from West
India regiment, that was landed along with
the marines. is missing.
Brief dispatches received to-day say that
the cruiser Raleigh, twenty-four guns, $500
tons, the flagship Of the British squadron
on the west African coast, commanded by
Rear Admiral Frederick c. ID. Bedford, and
the first-class screw gunboat Widgeon. six
guns, S05 tons, commanded by Lieutenant
Commander William j. Scullard, arrived
yesterday at Bathurst, capital of the
British African colony of Gambia, and the
rumor soon spread that the sailors had
been badly handled in encounter with
the slavers. 1t was stated that landing
parties from the ships had been sent ashore
in order to punish Chief Fodisilah, a notori-
Gus slave dealer who had been carrying off
into bondage and severely ill-treating the
helpless natives Of number of villages
along that part Of the coast which he rules
over. The British sailors were said to have
landed in force and to have marched inland.
where they met with severe reverse. los
ing three officers and ten men killed and
forty wounded.
1t appears that the force of British blue
jackets was composed of men from the flag
ship Raleigh and from the gunboat
Widgeon. The landing parties went ashore
fully equipped for march inland and for re-
naming ashore for some time. Several ma
chine guns were taken ashore in the boats.
and the landing parties carried provisions
n nd N Qrny l1xr n nm
munltion. A reserve force was left ashore
at the landing place which was thoroughly
the gunboat. After the blue jackets and
marines had landed the column began it's
march inland, but, owing TO the nature Of
the country which the naval detachments
had to pass through-swampy land, thick
bush and forest land-the advance party
and the thanking parties were soon COM
| PEELED to practically fall back upon the main
| column, which pushed forward in this man.
ner for the interior. For long time after
little or no signs of natives were
| to be seen; in fact, the coast in
Seen tae seemed Sd british I hsy
mad advanced well inland and We're sur
rounded by a thickly wooded country with
| had been hired to carry the ammunition
| provisions and water began to desert, and
peared. The British force, however seems
| TO have continued its march inland and to
have been eventually led into an ambush
| all sides and the sailors were routed before
they were able to make any effective
of the machine guns Chief Fodlsilah is a
| notorious and desperate slave owner we'll
known the west coast of Africa. His
| force was reported to have been small in
| numbers and TO have been only armed with
| primitive rifles. Consequently the British
| landing parties were thought to be amply
| able to cope with the force OF the SLAYER
| This afternoon the Admiralty CeIartmen
| aamitted Li4IC thuy' received a cable
message from Admiral Bedford practically
| confirming all stories circulated in regard
| TO the disaster. Admiral Bedford in his
| dispatch, said that the landing force was
under the command of Capt Edward II.
| Gamble, and that the carriers, by their de-
| sertion, caused the loss of all the spare am
| munition and water taken ashore for the
use of the landing parties. Continuing, Ad-
| miral Bedford reported that the sailors
| upon reaching signs of a native habitation
| pushed forward and captured two villages
| sailors occupied these two villages through
out the following night, placing the machine
| suns at points of vantage and thus making
| themselves practically secure from attack
| But the loss Of the water supply and spare
| ammunition made Captain Gamble decide to
| return to the shore, with the intention of
re-embarking his force This movement was
| commenced early the next morning and the
| column was on it's way back when the
| sailors were suddenly attacked on ell sides
| The fire which was directed upon the sailors
| was so severe and the savers were so well
concealed in the bush that the blue Jackets
| fell on all sides and began to retreat has
| tily while carrying their wounded and dead
| along with them, SO far possible Lieut.
| William II. Arnold, of the navy. and
Lieutenant Of Marines Francis W. Hervey
were the first two officers killed and Sub
! lieut.. Francis w. Meister and ten men
| soon shared their fate. Lieutenant the Hon
| Robert F. Boyle was dangerously wounded
| and Lieut. Herbert j. Saville was seriously
| wounded. Captain Gamble. Surgeon w r.
| White, Midshipman Arthur Chambers and
| during the retreat
Lord Rosebery. who left London this
| morning on a visit to the Prince and
| Princess OF Wales at Sandringham re-
| ceived a telegram at New Market reeaIljnsy
| returned TO London by special train
| A diSpat ten from Bathurst. received late
! this evening, seems TO intimate that the
| news OF a still greater disaster TO the Brit
| ish arms may shortly be expected. IT is
| stated that a detachment Of a West India
| regiment we'll as the detachment of
| marines landed from the British shipr are
| still away inland, and grave fears are en-
| tertained for their safety. The West India
| regiment detachment is commanded by
| Colonel Corbett, and Captain Westmoreland
is 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 two hundred men
| Other reports place the number of men at q
| much higher figure. Admiral Bedford is
| said TO believe that the soldiers and marines
| are In strong enough force TO take the often
| sive against the slavers, and that Colonel
! Colbert has probably engaged the forces of
} Chief Fodisilah and is pursuing them The
| British admiral. however. Is said to be TAX
| ing steps 10 send reinforcementS in the di-
| rection followed by the British column.
French Administrator Killed.
| PARIS. Feb 24.-Advices received here