The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-16
REPORT OF ADMIRAL KAUTz.
FATAL EXPEDITION WAS PLANNED
by CAPT. STURDEE.

The deutenants, However, Did what
They Deemed Best Under the Cir
cumstances-Lansda Relied on
the Colt Gun-when He Was
Wounded Monaghan stood by Him
Until the End-The blue Jackets
Fired Thirty Cartridges Each.
Washington, May 15.-SecretaFy Long
to-day made public so much of recent
report of Admiral Kautz on Samoan af-
fairs as touches the killing of a number
of American sailors by the Mataafa ad-
herents near Apia on the first of April
The report is an elaboration of the de-
scription OF the affair which was cabled
at the time by the Associated Press from
Auckland No mention is made at any
point of the reported participation in the
affray of the German, Hufnagle, the
manager of the plantation where the fight
occurred 1t is shown that the failure of
the Colt gun TO work properly was in a
large measure the cause of the American
and British defeat.
Admiral Kautz says the expedition was
projected by Capt. Sturdee of the Por-
poise. For several nights preceding the
sentries had been fred upon by the ma
tives. and it became necessary to drive the
aggressors away.
Thought 1t Was Safe.
Admiral Kautz says it was the opinion
of all the officers who had the matter in
charge that the force was ample to do the
work without risk. especially as It was to
move out along the beach and return the
same way, under the protection of the
guns of H. NJ. S. Royalist.
It is safe to say, says the admiral, that
after Lieuts. Freeman and Lansdale had
conferred together, they did what they
deemed best under the circumstances, and
the disaster that followed could not be
foreseen.
Admiral Kautz appends the reports of
the surviving officers of the expedition. |
which were transmitted by Capt. White |
of the Philadelphia. In his letter of trans |
initial the captain commends in the |
strongest terms the work or Past Assist |
ant Surgeon G. A. Lung. He says:
'At times when the fire from the con-
cealed natives was thickest and at all |
times, by his example, he encouraged the |
young and Inexperienced men TO the |
proper performance Oh Nuly. Nn the COM /
pletion of the work of his profession, he |
assumed command of our blue Jackets |
and marched them to the United States |
consulate"
Relied on the Colt Gun.
Capt White describes at some length the
happenings Of April l as gathered from a
close examination of the petty officers and
men engaged in the fight He saws that
several excursions had been made into
the beach back of Apia during the last ten
days of March Very few natives had been
observed, and when seen they always fed
when fired upon by the Cot automatic
gun. Lieut.. Lansdale set great store by
the gun and frequently operated it him
self. Says Capt. White:
"He appears 10 have depended greatly
upon the gun when the party was am
bushed on April l. Twice ii did not act,
and time was lost in overhauing it, and
great delay was consumed in trying to
get it through the wire fence. Lieut.
Lansdale was 10th TO abandon 1t, but the
fire was SO Calling that before he was
wounded he was compelled to scatter the
important parts and leave it behind. Prud-
ence led him to dcploy his men in open
order The thicket was so dense that af-
ter the order for retreat was sounded, ii
was not possible for the groups to render
each other mutual support
Monaghan stood by Him.
Lieut.. Lansdale was wounded below the
knee soon after the Cot was abandoned,
and rendered incapable OF marching He
was assisted by his men, one of them, N
e. Edsal, ordinary seaman, was NOR
tally wounded While doing so. 1t is not
clear when Lieut.. LansdaIe received the
wound in his chest. II is in evidence most
clear that when Ensign Monaghan dis
covered that Lieut. Lansdale was wound
ed he used his best endeavors to convey
him to the rear, and seizing rife from
a disabled man. made brave defense. but
he fell very shortly after join
ing him. and the hostiles flushed with
success, bore down on our men in this
The men were not sufficient
numbers to hold out any longer. and they
were forced along by fire which il was
impossible TO withstand Ensign Mon
lghan did stand. He stood steadfast bv
his wounded superior and friend; one rifle
against many-one brave man against
score of savages. lie knew he was DOOM
I'd. He could not yield. He died in he
'oic performance of duty
Forty Rebels Killed.
1.-THE number of cartridges fired by each
Of the blue jackets averaged thirty.
From what appears 10 be reliable author
ty, forty Of the assailants were killed and
fifty wounded. This information was OBJ
-ained several days after the engagement.
Whenever our men could get cover they
turned and fred.
The British story of the affair is told
briefly by Lieut.. G. E. Cave in an enclosed
-eport made to Capt Stuart of II. NJ. S.
rauranga, and contains no information
beyond that set out in the report of the
American officers.
NAV M. No EYrp. strscrony