Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-24


day, from Berbera, the capital of So
maitland. East Africa, and confirmed
the report of a British defeat in So
maitland. The officers of the Hardinge
say that 10 officers, including Col. Plum
kett, and 1870 men, out of total Brit
ish force of 220 men, were recently
killed in an engagement with the So
malls.
London, April 23.-The war office,
today. received from Brig. Gen. Man.
ming, in command of the British forces
in Somaliland. dispatch, dated 20
miles westward of Galadi, Somaliland,
April IS, as follows:
Il regret to report that a flying col
umn under the command of Colonel
Cobbe, which left Galadi, April 10, to
reconnoitre the road to Walwal, had a
most serious check, April II. On the
morning of April II, Col. Cobbe was
at Gumburru, 40 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 Captain Olivery, which had been
sent in a westerly direction to re-
connitre.
AT 9.15 in the morning, Colonel
Cobbe dispatched Col. Plunkett with
100 men of the I'd battalion of the
Kings African Rifles, As men of the I'd
Sikahs and two Maxim guns for the
eXtrication of Captain Olivery, if nee
essary. AS a matter of fact Captain
Olivery had not been engaged. Colonel
Plunkett. on joining the detachment,
continued to push on. At 11.45, Colonel
Cobbe heard a heavy fire in the direc-
ton taken by Col. Plunkett and at
about 1 o'clock in the afternoon a few
fugitives coming in reported that Col
Plunkett had been defeated with loss.
THE news has been fully corrobo-
rated since and have to report the
total loss of Col. Plunkett's party with
the exception of 81 Yacs who have ar
rived here.
THE latest information extracted
from the fugitives is to the effect that
Col. Plunkett pushed on after the
enemy's force to the open counery,
seven miles westward of Gumburru,
where was attacked by a very strong
force of mounted troops and the enc
mys infantry, which 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
Cobbe's zeraba. He moved some dis
tance in this manner, but great many
men, including Col. Plunkett himself,
were killed or wounded by the pursu-
ing enemy.
'At last the enemy's infantry over
whelmed the square and annihilated
them with the exception of the 81 fugi-
tives above mentioned"
The dispatch closes with the list of
Officers and men missing and no doubt
killed in action:' Colonel A. w. V.
Plunkett, Captains Johnston, Stewart,
Olivery, Morris and McKinnon and
Lieutenants Gaynor and Bell, all of
the Kings African Rifles; Captain
Whey of the I'd Sikahs; Capt. Sims of
the Indian medical staff, two white
privates, As men of the I'd Sikahs and
124 rlen of the African Rifles. The
two MAJ kim guns were also lost.
who Immediately on hearing of the de-
feat of Col. Plunkett, started for Gum
burru with 400 men, says further in
formation reached him from Col Cobbe
to the effect that the later has plenty
of food and supplies and four days
water. He has about 1000 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 often
Sive.
Gen. Manning adds: 81 march again
directly and expect to arrive at Gum
burru. tomorrow at noon. l shall ac-
complish the eNtrication of Colonel
Cobbe with as much transport as pos
sible and return to Galadi. / can on
ly carry sufficient water for the march
to Gumburru, returning directly. I
shall therefore be unable to advance
against the enemy if the latter holds
back"