The morning call., 1894-02-25
SURPRISED BY THE BLACKS.
Marines and Soldiers Perish on
the West Coast of Africa.
HUNDREDS ARE STILL IN PERIL.
Forces From the West India Regi-
ment and Bluejackets March to
Death in the Bush.

LONDON, Feb. 24.-The report was cir
culated last night that 1t was feared dis-
aster of some sort had occurred TO the
crew of the gunDoat Widgeon on the west
coast of Africa. The story is confirmed
this morning by dispatches to the Ad-
miralty. The dispatches come from Bath
urst, capital of British West Coast Afri-
can colony of Gambia, at which point the
cruiser Raleigh, flagship Of the British
sQudron on that coast, and the gunboat
Widgeon have arrived.
The story is 10 the effect that parties of
British marines landed from these vessels
near Bathurst TO punish sChief Fodisilab.
the notorious slave-trader, who has been
carrying off into bondage and cruelty i'll
treating the helpless natives Of villages
along that part of the coast The parties
went ashore with provisions for four
days and plentiful supply of ammu-
milton. A reserve force was left ashore at
the landing place under the protection of
the vessels guns. The remainder of the
column began its march inland through
diff cult country. the land being swampy
and covered with thick brushwood and
forest. They were accompanied by na-
tlyes carrying spare ammunition, proyis-
Ions and water.
The march continued long distance
without any signs of the slave-trader's
bands. The country. apparently, was de-
serted. Then the native carriers began to
desert with the extra ammunition and
provisions, and the column was finally left
alone. The country through which they
were travelling was so bad that fanking
parties were finally forced back on the
main column, which, however. continued
to advance until it came upon two villages.
which the British attacked and captured.
These villages we're surrounded by stock
AIDES and served we'll as defenses. the Brit
ish planting machine guns at points of
vantage. The force remained there the
following night, but the loss of ammunition
and water made Captain Gamble. in CON-
mand of the force, decide 10 return to the
shore. This movement was commenced
early the next morning.
( After proceeding a short distance, and
when surrounded by rising ground, the
party was attacked from an ambush on
all sides. The attack was very severe and
the bluejackets fell on all sides. The
column 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 forty wounded.
Lieutenant W. ii. Arnold of the navy.
Lieutenant of Marines f. w. Hervey and
Sub-lieutenant T. w. Meister are amoi q
the killed. Hon. Lieutenant Boyle was
dangerously wounded. Lieutenant b. j.
SaVili seriously and Captain Gamble.
Surgeon W. r. Hite, Midshipman Arthur
Chambers and forty bluejackeis slightly
wounded. Ten bluejackets were killed.
This news was contained in official dis
patches from ReaT-Admlral Frederick o.
Bedford. in command of the squadron.
One dispatch from Bathurst says the
marines landed from the warships and
detachment from the West India Regi-
msnt are still missing, and fears are enter
tained for their safety.
The latest dispatch from Bathurst, re-
ceived late this evening. seems to intimate
that news of a still greater disaster to the
British arms may shortly be expected. 1t
is stated detachment of the West India
Regiment, as well as marines landed from
the British ships, are still away inland,
and grave fears are entertained for their
safety. The West India Regiment de-
tachment is commanded by Colonel Cur
Dett, and Captain Westloreland is in COM
mand 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
100; other reports place the number at a
much higher figure. Admiral Bedford is
said to believe the soldiers and marines
are in strong enough force to take the
offensive against the slayers and Colonal
C0rbett has probably engaged the forces
of Chief Ftdisilah aud is pursuing them.
The British admiral is said to be taking
steps to send re-enforcements in the direc-
ton followed by the British column.