Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-16
THE FIGHT OF APRIL 1,
NalOr of American Marines and
BIuejaekets.

b1ue1ueketS.
The Navy Department has made public
50 much of a recent, report from Admiral
kautz upon Samoan affairs as touches the
killing of a number of American sailors by
Mataafa adherents near Apia on the LIST of
April. No mention is made at any point of
the reported participation in the ARRAY of
the German, Hufnagel, 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 Porpoise.
For several nights preceding the sentries
had been fired upon by the natives and it
became necessary to drive the aggressorS
away.
Tried to Save the Gun.
Capt. White of the Philadelphia describes
at some length the happenings of April l.
as gathered from close examination of
the petty officers and men engaged in the
fight. Lieut.. Lansdale set great store by
the Colt automatic gun and frequently OPP
Grated it himself Says Capt White:
He appears to have depended greatly
upon the gun when the party ambush
ed on April 1. Twice it did not function
ana time was lost in overhauling 1t, and
great delay was consumed in trying to get
1t through the wire fence. Lieut.. Lansdale
was loath to abandon it, but the fire was so
CALLING that before he was wounded he was
compelled to scatter the important parts
and leave 1t behind. Prudence led him to
deploy his men in open order. The thicket
was so dense that after the order for re-
treat was sounded it was not possible for
the groups to render each other mutual
support.
Lieut.. Lansdale was wounded below the
Knee soon after the Colt was abandoned
ana rendered incapable of marching. He
fpH hIr Of no.,
~ Edsall Ordinary seaman). was MORALLY
wounded while doing so. 1t is not clear
when Lieut. Lansdae received the wound
In his chest"
Ensign MOnaghan's Bravery.
1T Is In evidence most clear that when
Ensign Monaghan discovered that Lieut.
Lansdale was wounded he used his best
endeavors to convey him to the rear, and
Selling rifle from a disabled man made
brave defense, but undoubtedly he fell very
shortly after joining him, and the hostiles,
Hushed with success bore down on our
men in this vicinity The men were not in
su11clem numbers to hold out any longer
and they were forced along by fire which
II was impossible to withstand Ensign
monaghan did stand. He stood steadfaSt
by his wounded superior and friend; one
rifle against many-one brave man against
score OF savages. He knew he was DOOM
ed. He could not yield. He died In heroic
Private Henry L.ITulbert. U. 8. M. c.,
informs me that he saw both Lieut.. Lans-
dale and Ensign Monaghan after they were
Killed; that he had been near them few
minutes before, and that he had assisted in
covering their retreat. He Is mentioned by
Lieut. Perkins for bravery and good con-
duct" n. -
Capt. White comnfends in the strongest
terms the work of Passed Assistant
surgeon q. A. Lung. Heosays: "At times
When the fire from sthe concealed natives
was thickest and atyall times, by his ex-
ample. he encouraged thesyoung and mex
perlenced men to thelproper performances of
duty. On the completiouy of the work of
his profession he assumed command of our
blueJackets and marched them to the
United States consulate.
nave TO commend theysteadiness of F.
IL. F1shef, In charge of the Colt automatic
gun, for GOODNESS and steadiness in twice
dlsm0unting and overhauling the gun I'M
der lire. ]. s. Ranlet Ordinary seaman)
assisted Ensign Monaghan in binding up
Lieut.. Lansdale's leg with a handkerchief
belonging to b. Callaghan, blacksmith, and
assisted In carrying him when first
wounded"
The Marines Praised.
First Lieut.. Perkins, United States Ma
rine Corps. in describing the fight, says
that the enemy approached within fifty
yards, left and rear, when the retreat was
ordered, firing boldly. The marines were
compelled to pass into a deep ravine COM
manded by bluff, from which the enemy
hred continuously upon them. Says he:
Had We been q few minutes later in cross
ing TINS raVine 1t Is my opinion that We