Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-02-12
ODDSWEREHEAy
Against John Bull in That Battle
with Fulah. Forces.
TO ONE TELLS THE TALE.

Battle Scene That Recalls seoss's Stories q
the Crusaders - Twenty Thousand ON
One Side In Rarbarlc war-Dress and
B3rely 1000 Fighting Men on the Other
Capture of Bida Described SIC us tuou
In Crete stiii Beliigerent.
London. Feb. ia dispatch from
Bida. dated Jan. "a. gives additional
details concerning the advance OF the
columns Of the royal Niger company's
expedition against the emir of Nupe.
The fighting in the vicinity of Bida
the Fulah capital. which was stopped
by darkness on the evening of Jan. &c
was resumed at daylight on the MORN
ing of Jan. q. Half Of the British
forces. which consisted Of 800 troops.
six Maxims. twenty-six mounted officers
and 800 carriers. were ordered to cross
a ravine near the ridge on which the
troops OF the royal Niger company's
expedition had been stationed during
the night. As they crossed the ravine
1t was noticed that the Fulah scouts
were watching. The troops accordingly
formed in a half square. the guns follow
on the front half. forming a complete
square. The British forces advanced
steadily. halting every 200 yards for the
purpose nf allowing the guns to Keep
pace.
Forces nj the Enemy Appear.
The massed forces OF the enemy soon
appeared. covering the surrounding
slopes and constituting a splendid
panorama. their eastern or semi barbar-
Gus costumes in the sunlight recalling
SCOTS tales of the crusaders. The
square Of the royal Niger company's
forces was soon completely surrounded
by 10000 cavalry and footmen. The re-
duction from the estimate of 10000 made
on Jan. 2G was due to the death of two
Of the important princes. rulers of the
Moslem states. allies of the Moham-
meGan enir of Nupe and vassals like
the emir of NuDe dependent on the
great Mohamme,lan empire of Sokoto.
When these two princes and rulers were
killed by the shells Of the British their
forces withdrew from the army of the
cinir Of Nupe.
Fulnl, SIsarpshooters Were Daring.
The royal Niger troops continued to
advance slowly until they reached n
ridge town commanding B;da. They
then took up a strong position on the
reverse Of the slope and continued 10
reconnoiter throughout the day Their
forces were constantly harrassed ny the
F'uiah sharpshooters. who daringly ad-
vanced to within a hundred yards OF
the square. Swarms of the cnemy's
cavalry charged on the royal Niger
forces. hut they were badly shattered.
owing to the effective use Of the Maxim
guns. At 1880 the artillery began
bomharding the town. six Maxim guns
playing on the gradually retiring mass
rs of the enemy.
Came Near killing the Emir.
At noon the advance company OF the
troops entered Bida. which is a town
three miles square. Isombarding of :,
portion of the town was resumed. how
ever. lasting until 4 o'clock in the after.
noon. when one half Of the Hausa troops
took possession Of the town. Only III
teen of the Hausa troops were wounded
The losses of the Fulah forces were
enormous. The brother of the cmir oi
Nupe and many of the princes Were
severely wounded by n shell which OK.
ploded among the members of the stan
OF the emir. killing two men who were
standing within a foot of them at tho
time. All OF the Tulah princes fled In
/ the direct inn of Snkoto