The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-10
Tuareg Warriors Surprise the
French Troops in the Dark.
AND WIN a BLOODY VICTORY.
Remnant Of the French Retreat to
Timhuctoo and Are Besieged.
Thousands Of BLACKS surreaad the An
eieas city. which IL Dsfssded ny Only
aFew Hundred soidfers-csnsess for
Control Of the Niger Basin.

Pssas, Feb. s-The governor Of the
Soudan trlegraphs that Col. Bonnier's
column left Tlmhuctoo December on \
reconnaissance, and was surprised while
ssleep when about three days march from
Timhactoo. The success of the Taaregs
emboldened other tribes and the retreat of
ths French was continually harrsssed.
The following details Of the disaster are
given out by the French government upon
information received from Capt. Philippe,
French commandant at Timhuctoo: The
Tuaregs, armed with iances and knives,
made q iierce attack upon the leading di-
vision OF the French column. The attack
was 50 desperate and well sustained thst
the first division was apparently cut to
pieces. News Of the disaster was brought
to the second portion Of the column by
Capt Nugete, who, badly wounded. man
aged to escape. The second division Was
encamped q few miles in the rear OF the
advance guard, which was surprised dur
ing the darkness OF the early morning
The officer In command Of the rear guard
Immediately commenced q retreat upon
Timbuctoo, leaving the vanguard. COM
manded by BONNER. to its fate. The off,
eial statement admits that at least nine
French officers, including Col. BONNER.
two European non-commissioned officers
and sixty-eight native soldiers we're mas.
sacred.
unof6cial reports emanatine from the
war department and colonial Office say the
loss in killed and captured Was. at least
500. The rear guard reached Timbuctoo
December L.. carrying . number OF
wounded. Several men in addition TO
those admitted to have been killed when
the vanguard WAS cut TO pieces are said to
have been either killed or Jeff dying along
the route during the retreat to Timbuctoo.
Capt. Philippe gathered his whole force
together and began throwing up intrench-
ments to secure his position. ~ Timbuc-
too Was seriously threatened by the Tuar-
egs. The Tuaregs became 30 aggressive
that they pushed up close to the French
soldiers at work on the intrsnchments
and killed and wounded several. Capt.
Philippe organised small parties, who
made sailies upon the Tuarrgs, driving
them backward and killing . number.
Once or twice every night the natives have
made an attack upon the French lines.
killing and wonndiug several Of the garri-
son. The strength Of the enemy u sstf-
mated at 1900 to 10000 The French had
only 800 men in the intrenchments,
and this force was supported by only six
small field pieces. When Capt Philippe
was informed by native messengers that
Jofiere's column was on the way to relieve
him he. sent . messenger to Col. Joffsre to
warn him that his forces were in danger Of
attack by the Arabs Capt. Philiippe also
sent a request to the governor Of the Sou
dan that the French fotilla on the Niger
should NOT leave that district until the
Joffere column reached Timbuctoo.
News Of the disaster has caused ssnsa-
tion in Faris. and IL 10 already announced
that several questions on the subject will
be asked as soon ~ possible in the chamber
OF deputies. II 10 understood the govern
ment will say Bonnier's expedition was
undertaken upon his own initiative and
against the orders Of the government. 1t
II ssmi-ofiically stated that the governor
of the Soudan has taken extraordinary
measures to relieve the French forces at
Timbuctoo. and all the French outposts
have been doubled.
Timbuctoo IL the most ancient and most
famous city in Central Africa, and, like
Hoks Smith, gained much of its celebrity
from its odd name. Every one remembers
the verses written By Thackeray and sgd
ncy Smith about IL. Timbuctoo 10 situ-
ated In the Soudan, near the border OF the
desert OF Sahara. eight miles north of the
Niger. Its D.000 Inhabitants are princi-
rally Arabs, Tuaregs and Songhais. II Is
poor, decayed town, in wretched coun-
try, situated amid burning and moving
sands, on the verge OF morass. Once IL
was connected with the Niger by water
way. hut this - now filed. The walled
inclosure. three miles in circumference.
contains some brick houses, but most OF
the dwellings are mere circular huis or
wigwains Of straw and earth. Provisions
have TO be brought 300 miles. and the i'm
portance of Timbuctoo Is due to its being
an entrepot for the trade between Guinea,
Senegambia and North Africa Cara
vans from, Morocco and the other
Barbary states here exchange dates,
European manufactures. firearms. gun
powder, coral, tobacco and paper for
slaves, gold dust. salt, ostrich feathers.
gums and palm oil. II was formerly gov
erned by Tuareg ehreftain, but lately the
French, who are waging q war of conquest
in several parts Of Africa. have taken
possession of the city. Who holds Tim
buctoo controls the Middle Niger The
Tuaregs are q nomadic race of Mohsm-
medans Of mixed Arabian and negro
blood. As French gunboafs can ascend
the Niger river TO the heart OF the Tuareg
country il can be seen that the Arab tri-
umph will be brief.