Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-25
FIGHTING ON THE GUINEA COAST.
The Natives Overcome by the Forces
of the British.

The Natives overcome by the Forces
of the British.
LONDON, February 25.-Advices received
here from Rear Admiral Frederick George
d. Bedford. in command of the Cape Of
Good Hope and West Africa station, who
has been cooperating with the Land forces
of the British expedition on the Brass
river. Guinea coast, confirm the report OF
severe fighting in that locality. The ad-
miral adds that Lieut.. Taylor of the royal
navy and two men were killed and five
men were wounded during the engage
ment.
The first advices from the Brass river
were received yesterday at Plymouth by
the wife of an officer who Is member or
the British force. Her husband telegraph
ed that big fight with the natives had
occurred.
"A later dispatch stated that Maj. Sir
Claude NJ. Macdonald, the British com
missioner at Brass river, and the officer
commanding the expedition were severely
wounded. The natives, who were said to
be armed with Maxim and Calling rapid
fire guns, were repulSed.
According to details of the engagement
received here today the British advanced
up the Brass river on February % in
steam launches. and the same day they
captered several rebel strongholds and de-
stroyed a number of war canoes.
Many of the natives were killed, and the
main body of the rebels retreated into the
interior. On the following day the British
advanced further inland, and after some
sharp fighting captured and burned the
native town of Nimbi. The natives, who
lost heavily. fed from Nimbi to the
town of Basseuya. They were fol-
lowed by the British. who sheIled the last
mentioned town, but did not proceed any
further inland.
Sir Claude NJ. Macdonald. who personally
directed the operations, then sent an ulti-
matum to the rebels notifying them that
unless they surrendered and gave up the
prisoners which they had captured at
which they obtained at that place a further
attack would be made upon them.
The operations were carried out in bril-
liant manner. Several of the Niger protec-
torate hussars were wounded.
The expedition consisted of the gunbcats
Widgeon (six guns, Lieut.. Commander
William j. Scullard, and Thrush tsix Suns,,
Lieut.. Commander Henry l.. Tottenham
and two steamers belonging to the Niger
protectorate, well as the boats OF the
fla Sship ST. George twelve gUnS), twin
screw cruiser of the first class, containing
a detachment of marines.
on February II the rebels. in twenty-five
war canoes. made an attack upon the
British force at Sacrifice Island. but the
fire CT the natives was Intellectual and
three war canoes were sunk, after WHICH
the rest of the canoes retired
On the following day the intricate cnah-
nels of the Brass river were buoyed and the
creek was reconnoitered.
AZ daybreak on February D., continues
Admiral Bedford's dispatch. I'VE com
menced the attack and after an obstinate
defense of a position which was naturally
difficult, a landing was galiantiy enecIeu
and Nmbi completely burned Inc
force was withdrawn on the evening FOL
lowing. after the residence of King Koko
and the houses of the other chiefs mad
been destroyed.