The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-24
|ENGL|SHMEN WHIPPED.
big Naval Force Landed on
West Coast of Africa
TO PUNISH NOTED SLAVE DEALER.
They Walked into an Ambush and
Terrible Slaughter Ensued-List Of
Killed and Wounded Crews OF Two
Gunboats Defeated.

LONDON, Feb. "a. Dispatches OF this
|morning TO the Admiralty said that the
cruiser Raleigh, "a guns, 500 tons,
the flagship OF the British
Squadron on the coast, commanded
by Rear Admiral Frederick G. ID. Bedford,
hnd the first class screw gunboat Widgeon,
B guns, 500 tons, commanded by Lieuten-
hnt Commander William Sculiard,
|hrrived yesterday at Bathurst,
Capital of the British West African
Colony OF Gambia, and the rumor soon
spread that the sailors had been badly
handled in the encounter with the slavers.
Dc is denied at the Admiralty that the
British sailors had been defeated ashore.
Later-It was stated that landing par
les from the ships bad been sent ashore
i'm order to punish Chief Fod-
silah, notorious slave dealer, who
had been carrying into bondage
md severely i'll treating the helpless ma
ives of number of the villages along that
part of the coast over which ne rules. The
British sailors are said TO have landed in
force and 10 have marched inland where
hey met severe reverse, losing three Off
ters and 10 men killed and 40 wounded.
The Details.
Further details leaked out this after
boon. 1t appears that the force of British
Bathurst was composed OF men
rom the flagship Raleigh and from the
sunboat Widgeon. They went ashore
July equipped for fresh march. A re-
erve force was left al the landing place
which was thoroughly protected by
he guns of the cruiser and gunboat.
After the blue jackets and marines had
anded and arranged for the transport of
he ammunition and provisions, column
vas formed, an advance party was sent
Put, fianking parties were placed, and the
column began its march.
For some time little or no signs of
batives were visible, but when the British
lad advanced well inland and were
urrounded by a thickly wooded country,
With rising land on both sides,
he natives who had been hired TO carry
he ammunition and provisions began TO
esert and eventually the whole lot OF
hem disappeared.
Marched Into Ambush.
The British force, however seems to
lave continued its march and TO have be- n
ventually led into an ambush, for fire
fas suddenly opened upon 1t from all
ides and the sailors were routed before
hey were able TO make any effective use
( The machine guns.
Admiral Bedford said that the landing
prce was under the command Of Captain
.dward II. Gamble, aud that the carriers
Y their desertion osus d the loss OF all
he spare ammunition and water supply.
The loss OF the water supply and spare
mmunition, made Captain Gamble decide
return to the shore with the
htention OF re-embarking his force.
bis movement was commenced carly
ext morning, and the column was on
s way back when the sailors wero
nddenly attacked on all sides. The
re was so severe and the slayers were SO
tell concealed in the bush that
he blue jackets fell on all sides and be-
an to retreat hastily, while carrying their
ounded and dead along with them as far
possible.
The Killed and Wounded.
Lieutenant William III. Arnold OF the
avy and Lieutenant OF Marines Francis
Y. Hovey were he first two officers killed
nd Sub-Lieutenant Francis w. Meiston
nd 10 men soon shared their fate.
Lieutenant the Hon. Robert f. Boyle was
dangerously wounded and Lieut.. Herbert
Savill was seriously wounded. Captain
amble, Surgeon w. X. White, Midship-
IAN Arthur Chambers and 80 blue jackets
ere slightly wounded during the retreat.