Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-02-25
INFO A TRAP
BRITISH MARINES IN WEST
AFRICA SLAUGHTERED.


BY Associated Press.
London, Feb. 9l-Dspatchcs receive
here from Buth Hurst, west coast OF
Africa, announced that there was ri.
NOR IN circulation to the effect TINT
number of British officers aud sailors
had been killed in an encounter with
slave dealers, The marines landed from
the wonships, and with detachment
from the West Indian regiment The
marines and sailors were from the nag-
ship Raleigh and the ginboat Wiiger
aud went ashore fully equipped Tor
marching inland and for romaming
ashore for soue time. Several mnchiue
guns wore taken ashore In boats, and
handing parties carried provisions for four
days anil an ample supply OF ammunI-
ton, The reserve force was left ashore
at rhc landing place, which was thor
oughly protected 10y the guns OF the
cruiser and the gunboat.
For n long lime after landing and
commencing the march inland little or
no signs Of the natives were tn be soon;
1 fuct. the coast Ia the uaighhorhool
seemed 70 have been dsprted Hut when
the British force had advanced VOL I'M
land and were surrounded hv thickly
wooded country with rising land on
both Sides. the natives who had been
hired 90 carry ammunition. provisions
nnd water bogan to desert and cventn.
ally the whole lot of them disappeared.
The British force, however. seems to
have continued lis march inland anu To-
have hecn eventually led into ambush.
for the fire was suddenly onncd nnpn II
from all sides and the snHors were routed
before they wor abb to mako amy effoc-
tive use Of the machine guns.
Admiral Bedford In his dispatch said
that The landing force wns undtr the com.
mapd Of Capt Edward III. Gamble, aud
that the carriers by this dcsertion caused
the loss OF all spare ammunition taken
ashore for use " the landing parties.
and that In addition the carrloss caitsel
loss Of all the water sunnlv which
has been taken inland
Continuing Admiral Bedford reported
that tho snilors hpon reaching sight of tho
native hahiiaton, pushed forward and
captnred two vilauN, which were de.
tendcd hy stnckidcs, The sailors
occupied the native VILLAGES throughout
the following night placing the maehine
guns NJ pnlnts Of vantage and thus iuah.
ing themselves practically secure from at-
sack. But the loss OF the water supnlv
and the spare ammunition made CAM.
Hamble dev9de 10 rcmrn to shore with
fhe Intention Of Nmharklng his force.
Ihis movement WAS commenced early
next norning and the column was an M
way back when The sailors were attacked
On all sides The FIRE, which was direct
| tpon the sailors, was 90 severe thnt The
sayera woro SO well concealed IA M
bushes that blue jackets zen on mi side.
and began to retreat hastily while ear.
/ ying thclr wounded and dead alouu
with thcu, 70 fer as possible.
lieut. william i Arnold Of The navy
and Lieut.. Of Marines Franris w. Her
/ yey were the first Two officers Killed. AM
/ Snb-liem. Francis w. Mclstcr and ten
men soon shared thcir fata. Liont
Hon. Robert II Boyle was dangerousl,
wounded, and Lieut., Herbert j Sayli,
was seriously wonndel. Can't. Gamble
Surgeon W r. White. MiiAinntan Az
thur Chambers aud forty bluo iackeis
were slightly wounded dnring The con