Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-26
A DEADLY AMBUSH.



Rav to the admiralty said that the cruiser
Raleigh. "a guns, 500 tons. the flagship OF
the British squadron on the coast com
manded by Rear Admiral Frederick =. H.
Bedford. and the first-class screw gun
boat Widgeon, six guns, $50 tons, com
manded by Lieutenant Commander VIII
lam Scullard, arrived, Friday, at bat
hur at, capital of the British West African
colony of Gambia. And the rumor soon
spread that the sailors had been Da'iy
handled in al eacour .er with the siaVers'
1t was at first denied at the admiralty
that the British sailors had been defeated
ashore.
I.ates it ,vas stated chat landing parties
from the ships had been sent ashore IN
order TO punish Chief Fedisilah. notori-
ops slave dealer who had been carrying
off into bondage and severely ill treating
the helpless natives of a mum Der OF vii
lagos along that part of the coast which
he rules over. The British sailors are
said to have landed in force and to have
marched inland, where they met severe
reverses, losing three officers and ~ men
killed and ~ wounded. Further details
leaked out in the afternoon.
1t appears TINT the force of British blue
Jackets which landed near Bathurst was
composed of men from the flagship Ia
leigh and from the gunboat Widgeon.
They went ashore fully equipped for II
fresh march. A reserve force was left at
the landing place which was thoroughly
protected by the guns of
The Cruiser and GunbOat.
After the blue jackets and marines had
landed and arranged for transportion of
the ammunition and provisions. column
was formed, an advance party was sent
out, fanking parties were placed and the
column began its march. But. owing to
the swampy land, thick brushwood ami
forest land. the advance and thanking
parties were soon compelled to practically
fall back npon the main column, which
pushed forward in this manner for the
interior.
For some time little or no signs of ma
tives were visible, but when the British
had advanced well inland and We're si'r.
rounded by thickly wooded country,
with rising land on both sides, the M
tives who had been hired to carry the
ammunition and provisions began to de
sert and eventually the whole lot of them
disappeared The British force. however,
seems to have continued its march, and
to have been eventually led into an am
bush for fire was suddenly opened upon
it from all sides, and the sailors We're
routed before they were able to make any
effective use of the machine guns.
Chief Fodisilah's force had been reported
to be small and to have been only armed
T. ,,,;,,, ,.itloc This af Tn a
admiralty department admitted that they
ford practically
Confirming All the Report.
Admiral Bedford said that the landing
force was under the command of Captain
Edward IL. Gamble, and that the carriers,
by their desertion caused the loss of all
the spare ammunition and water supply.
Continuing, Admiral Bedford reported
that the sailors. upon reaching signs of n
native habitation, pushed forward. The
sailors captured two villages, which were
defended by stockades, and occupied them
the following night, placing the machine
guns at points of vantage and thus max
ing themselves practically secure from at
tack
But the loss of the water supply and
spare ammunition made Captain Gamble
decide to return to the shore with the in
tention of re-embarking his force This
movement was commenced early next
morning, and the column was on its way
back when the sailors were suddenly at
tackled on ali sides. The fire was so severe
and the slavers were so well concealed in
:he lush thal the blue jackets fell on all
sides and began to retreat hastily, while
carrying their wounded and dead along
with them Sc far rs possible.
Lieutenant William IL. Arnold of the
navy and Lieutenant of Marines FRANCES
w. Uovey, were the first two Of
ficers killed and Sub Lieutenant Frances
fate Lieutenant. Hon Robert +. Boyle
was dangerously wounded and Lieutenant
Herbert J. Savill was seriously wounded.
Captain Gamble, Surgeon W. II. White
Midshipman Arthur Chambers and 40
blue jackets were slightly wounded dur
ing the retreat.
a later dispatch from Bathurst states
that detachment of West India regi-
ment. as well rs II detachmentof marines,
numbering POO Altogether landed from the
British ships and are still away in land
and that grave fears are entertained fol
their safety.
The West India regiment detachment
is commanded by Colonel Corbett and
Captain Westmorland is in command OF
the marines. The natives about Bathurst
express the opinion that the entire miss
ing force has been DESTROYED.