Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-23
DISASTER TO BRITISH
Force in Somaliland Almost
Annihilated.
ABOUT 200 KILLED
TEN OFFICERS AMONG THE CAS-
UALTIES.
Defeat Occurred Twenty Miles to the
Westward Of Ga1adi in
-. Somaliland.
ABOUT 200 KILLED

ADEN, Arabia, April 23.-The British
transport Hardinge arrived here today
from Berea, the capital Of Somaliland, East
Africa, and confirmed the report of Brit
ish defeat in Somaliland The officers of
the Hardinge say that ten officers and $50
men, out of a total British force of 220
men, were killed recently in an engagement
with the Somalis
LONDON, April 23.-The war Office to-
day received from Brig. Gen. Manning, IN
command of the British forces in Somali-
land, a dispatch dated twenty miles west
ward of Galadi, Somaliland, April 18, as
follows:
II regret to report that flying column
under the command of Col Cobbe, which
left Galdi April 10 to reconnoiter the road
to Walwal, had a most serious check April
II. On the morning of April H. Col. Cobbe
was at Gumburru, forty miles westward
of Galadi. and had decided to return to
Galadi. owing to the serious difficulty in
finding the road to Walwal and to the
shortness of water. He was about to leave
his zareba (protected camp when firing
was heard in the direction of small party
under the command of Capt. Olivey which
had been sent in westerly direction to
reconnoiter.
Reinforcement for Olivey.
AT 9:15 o'clock in the morning Colonel
Cobbe dispatched Colonel Plunkett with 100
men of the I'd Battalion of the Kings Afri-
can Rifles forty-eight of the I'd Sikhs and
two Maxim guns for the extrication of Cap
tain Olivey If necessary. AS matter OF
fact Captain Olivey had not been engaged.
Colonel Plunkett, on joining the detach-
ment, continued to push on. At II 40 am.
Colonel Cobbe heard a heavy fire in the
direction taken by Colonel Plunkett and at
about o'clock In the afternoon few fugi-
tives coming in reported that Colonel
Plunkett had been defeated with loss.
The news has been fully corroborated
since, and l have to report the total loss of
Colonel Plunketts party, with the exception
of thirty-seven Yaos, who have arrived
here.
THE latest information extracted from
the fugitives is to the effect that Colonel
Plunkett pushed on after the enemy'S force
to the open country, seven miles westward
of Gumburru. where he was attacked by
very strong force of mounted troops and
the enemys infantry, who attacked at close
quarters. He kept back the enemy until he
had no more ammunition, when he formed
a square and charged with bayonets in the
direction of Colonel Cobbes zareba He
moved some distance In this manner but a
great many men, including Colonel Plunkett
himself, were killed or wounded by the pur-
suing enemy
Broke Through Hollow Square,
'At last the enemy's infantry over
whelmed the square and annihilated them
all, with the exception Of the thirty-seven
fugitives above mentioned"
The dispatch closes with a list Of the
Officers and men missing, and no doubt
killed in action namely Colonel AW V
Plunkett. Captains Johnston, Stewart, Oil
vey, Morris and McKinnon and Lieutenants
Gaynor and Bell, all OF the Kings African
Rifles; Captain Whey of the I'd Sikhs, Cap
tot, Ciy,,c Of fha Jr,J
white privates, forty-eight men of the I'd
Sikhs and 124 men of the African Rifles
The two Maxim guns were also lost
Another dispatch from General Manning,
who Immediately on hearing of the defeat t
of Colonel Plunkett started for Gumburru
with 4G6 men, says further information
reached him from Colonel Cobbe to the
effect that the latter with 220 troops was
encamping with plenty of food and sup
plies and four days water. He has about a
thousand camels and does not think he can
withdraw from his position without assist
ance, because the scrub is thick and the
enemy's forces seem likely to act on the
offensive.
General Manning adds: Il march again
directly and expect to arrive at Gumburru
tomorrow at noon. / shall accomplish the
extrication of Colonel Cobbe with as much
transport possible and return to Galadi
l can only carry sufficient water for the
march to Gumburru, returning directly l
shall therefore, be unable to advance
against the enemy if the latter holds back