Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-04-25
the Party Among Those Slain.
OFFICIAL REPORT RECEIVED.
General Manning Tells of the RepuIse
of the British Force.

| General Manning Tells OF the RepulSe
of the British Force.
London, April 24.-The war Office
has received from Brigadier General
Manning, in command of the British
forces in Somaliland, dispatch dated
twenty miles westward of Galadi, So
maitland, April IS, as follows:
81 regret to report that the flying
column under the command of Colonel
Cobbe, which left Galadi April 10 to
reconnoitre the road to Walwal, had a
most serious check April IL On the
morning of April II Colonel Cobbe
was at Gumburru, forty miles west
ward of Galadi, and had decided to re-
turn to Galadi owing to the serious
difficulty in finding the road to Wal
wal, and to the shortness of water. He
was about to leave his zareba (pro-
tected camp) when firing was heard in
the direction of a small party, under
the command of Captain Olivey, which
had been sent in westerly direction
to reconnoitre.
CAT 9:15 in the morning Colonel
Cobbe dispatched Colonel Plunkett
with 100 men of the Second battalion
of the Kings African Rifles, 48 of the
Second Sikhs and two Maxim guns
for the extrication of Captain Olivey if
necessary. AS a matter of fact Cap
tain Olivey had not been engaged.
Colonel Plunkett, on joining the de-
tachment, continued to push on.
straggIers Report the Repuse.
cat 11:45 Colonel Cobbe heard a
heavy fire in the direction taken by
Colonel Plunkett and at about 1 in the
afternoon a few stragglers coming in
reported that Colonel Plunkett had
been fully defeated with loss.
"The news has been fully corrob-
Grated since and have to report the
total loss of Colonel Plunkett's 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 enemy's infantry, who attacked at
close quarters. He kept back the en-
envy until he had no more ammunition,
when he formed a square and charged
with bayonets in the direction of Colo
mel Cobbe's zareba. He moved some
distance in this manner, but great
many men, including Colonel Plunkett
himself, were killed or wounded by
the pursuing enemy.
cat last the enemy's infantry over
whelmed the square and annihilated
them all with the exception of the
thirty-seven fugitives above men,
toned"
Long List of Casualties.
The dispatch closes with a list of
the Officers and men missing and no
doubt killed in action" namely, Colo
mel A. w. W. Plunkett, Captains John
ston, Stewart, Olivey, Norris and Nc
Kinnon, and Lieutenants Gaynor and
Bell, all of the Kings African Rifles;
Captain Whey of the Second Sikhs,
Captain Sims of the Indian medical
staff, 2 white privates, 48 men of the
Second Sikhs and 124 men of the Afri,
can Rifles. The two Maxim guns were
also lost.
Another dispatch from General Man
ming, who, Immediately on hearing of
the defeat of Colonel Plunkett, started
for Gumburru with 460 men, says fur
Their information reached him from
Colonel Cobbe to the effect that the
latter, with 220 troops, was encamped
with plenty of food and supplies and
four days water. He has about a
thousand camels and does not think
he can withdraw from his position
without assistance because the scrub
is thick and the enemy's forces seem
likely to act on the offensive. General
Manning adds:
81 march again directly and expect
to arrive at Gumburru tomorrow at
noon | shall accomplish the eXtrica-
ton of Colonel Cobbe with as much
transport as possible and return to
Galadi |. can only carry sufficient
water for the march to Gumburru, re-
turning directly | shall therefore be
unable to advance against the enemy
If the latter holds back"
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES KILLED.
Believed to Have Fallen From Window
of His Home.