The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-06
THE DISASTROUS BATTLE.

Government Admits one Hundred and
Fifty Officers Were Killed.
Rome, March 5.-Later adviccs received
here from Massowah show that although
ths rout of the Italians was complete
'ea extent Of the disaster is somewhat
less than rumor has made it, This is
said 20 be owing 10 the fact that the
Shoans did not pursue the Italians to
Asmard. as was first reported, and Tar-
ties OF stragglers who were believed to
have persisted are now arriving there.
ihis caused renewal of tn" complaints
against the government for not giving
the official estimate OF the number Killed
arl wounded, which is sJll believed to
be over 5000.
n appears that a majority OF the gen
erals approved of General Bardttari.s at
tuck ana all accounts agree that General
-inertine pushed too far ahead and IN
Fated in regular battle. his artillery.
consisting of fourteen guns. delivering
10 crushing fro upon the IN my until the
Whol. Shoans army dashed against Cen
tral Albertint'S forces and i'm spite Of their
bravery and tenaciry they were compelled
to recede, on the arrival OF reirforce-
menus II appears General Albertme made
a second attack under the cover of the
artiliery, which Is scrihad IS being
Splendidly handled and he kept the Shoans
at bay long after the final retreat had been
sounded But soon the rout began and
pursucr and pursued mingled log ther.
| lighting mile after mile Generals Para
, TERI, Almonds and Cara with their re-
EolFcFs in their hands did everything
possible to stay the flight of th ir T. oops
/ nut the efforts of the officers wore futile
and The rout and slaughter continued.
Numerous instances OF personal Yalor dis
piayrI by the Italian officers and men
Tn Italians had been short of surplIes
for eiS9t lays. A large number Vf Of
hcrrs' desperate at the defeat, rushed
/ q the en- my and died lighting hcrocaily.
! me AhYssiuiaus, taking advantage az
! th.lr opponents, massacred entire lat
,alions' making use especially of their
/ The minister OF war Ia overwhelmed
/ with Inquiries from the relatives of those
I at the front. The list of casualties viii
| nor he made known for several days.
| The survivors of the battle are. wan
| dering IN the mountains pursued Ivy the
! AhyssinianS.
General Baratiers action is inexpllca-
! HE. on February % he teepra phed that
/ the Abyssinlans occupied an impregnahl,
/ position. NEVERTHELESS two days later he
advanced with eighteen thousand men
I ana h1ty-two guns to the attack If 100 OK
troops Who were strongly entrenched. The
italian commander was evidently misled
/ by, the information Of his spies
report from General Baratieri proves
/ that the Italians gave way at the first at
/ tack In fact the native contingent be.
naNed peter Than the. regular troops. In
4 ~ :NiN',t WI " column the bldCk hat
F. talions fought braveiy. while the win.
rosiments broke and ran Their Officers
who made vain efforts TO rally the men
/ wero nearly all killed. The ar.illcry
/ mad not the time to come properly int
action. before the rush Of Abyssihian.
overwhelmed them.
The mniu body Of tho LILLIAN army 4.
concentrated AT ASmara The rear guard
consisting of 5000 mon, IS ut Adiicayo
70 cover the line of retreat. The VA
33thce TO-DAY admitted that "at least Isl
Italian nFnGarg NO. Nm
Gals still refuse to admit that over KAN
mon We're Killed. They say. hnyyover
they helieve 95oo italian troops and sou
engaged G75n0 in Nln and that .reori'
ar artillery ammunition and supple,
fell into the hands OF the enemy