The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-12
AMBUSHED.
American and British Land
Forces in Samoa
Entrapped by the Warriors of
Mataafa.
FORCED TO RETREAT
Leaving Three officers and Four
Men Dead.
The Enemy 500 Strong Lost
Forty Killed.
TO RETREAT

Apia. Samoa. April 4. via Auckland
n. L. April 12.-As the result OF an am
bush of Mataafa warriors on a German
plantation today los American ana BRIT
ish sailors were forced to retreat to the
beach leaving three officers and 1opf
sailors dead upon the field
The officers killed were: Lieut. Lans-
dale and Ensign Monaghan of the United
States cruiser Philadelphia and Lieut.
Freeman Of the British cruiser Tau
CONSTANT FIGHTING.
San Francisco, April 12--The Call TINS
morning prints the following special
copyrighted cabIegram:
Auckland. y L. April 12--On April
l. 500 of Mataafa's 5 men ambuscaded lO0
Blue Jackets near Apia. The fighting
was terrific the American and British
1ars repeatedly beating back their as
sailants who sought to oVerwhelm them
by force of members
Lieut.. Lansdale and Ensign Monaghan
of the United States cruiser Philadei-
phia and Lieut.. Freeman OF the British
gunboat Taurasa, were killed
After the rebels had been driven of
the bodies of these three officers were
recovered. They had been decapitated by
the savage Samoan warriors
Four marines were killed
Mataafa'S loss was forty killed and
number wounded. these being carried
off the field by the rebels when they
retired The bodies of Lansdale. Mon
aghan and Freeman, as well as those Of
the unfortunate marines, were buried
with military hOnOrs at AIulinuu-
There is constant fighting with the
natives around Apia and the life of no
European in the islands IS safe
Lieut. Philip Lanhorn Lansdale was
born in the District of Columbia Feb
ruary Is, 1858. and entered the navy
academy June 6. 1873 He graduated in
= SIC G
and after duty at the Washington navy
yard was ordered TO the Philadelphia
in June 1890. and was made lieutenant,
junior grade. in June. 1898. He was in
charge Of the caraveIs at the Worlds
fair in Chicago and after receiving his
full lieutenanCy was a short time on the
battleship Massachusetts. In June 1895,
he was ordered to the Philadelphia.
Ensign John r. Monaghan was ap-
pointed to the naval academy as a
cadet from the state of Washington.
1891. He graduated and was made an
ensign in July. 1897 being assigned to
the Philadelphia to which vessel he
was attached uo to the time OF his
death
KAUTZ'S REPORT
Washington. April 1.-THE following
dispatch from Admiral kautz has been
received:
Auckland. y T.. April 12-secretarv
of Navy WashingtOn-While the com
bined forces of the British and United
States under Lieutenant Freeman. Brit
ish navy were reCCnnoiteriug near Apia,
they were anbushed.
Deeply regret TO announce the death
of Lieut. Philip B Lansdale. Ensign
John R Monaghan, COckswain James
Butler. ordinary seaman Norman Ed
san and five men wounded belonging to
the Philadelphia The British loss in
killed. two men and Lieut.. Freeman
THOSE KILLED AT APIA
Washington, April 12.-The navy de-
IF ~HFnGar Dc
two men killed at Apia are as follows:
James Butler, seaman. enlisted at
Boston; born in Dungarvan Ireland
next OF kin. Mrs Kate Butler. Spring
Mount. DungarVen. Ireland. Has had
no previous naval service.
Thomas EdsaIl. born at Columbus.