Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-24
WIPES OUT BRITISH FORCE
Mad Mullah Practically E1tsrninatss
Flying Column in somaliland
COLONEL PUSHES TOO FAR FROM BASE
Commander and Nine Omcers Killed
Only Forty Natives Out of Two
Hundred and Twenty
Escape Alive.

ADEN, Arabia, April 23.--The British
transport Hardinge arrived here teday from
Berbera, the capital of Somaliland, East
Africa, and confirmed the report Of a
British defeat in Somaliland. The
officers of Hardinge say that ten officers
and 1s0 men out OF a total British force Of
220 men we're killed recently in an en-
gagement with the somalilese.
LONDON, April 2S.-The War once to-
day received from Brigsdier General Man
ming, in command Of the British forces in
somallland, dispatch, dated twenty miles
westward of Galadi, somaliland, April 49,
as follows:
Reports n Disaster.
regret to report that a flying column
under the command of Colonel Cobbe,
which left Galadi April 10 to reconnoiter the
road to Walwal, had a most serious check
April H. On the morning of April Il Colonel
ward ward Of g GaiadI, and had decided i 'to' TO return
to Galadl, owing to the serious difficulty in
finding the road to Walwal and to the
shortness OF water. He was about to leave
his zabra protected camp when firing was
heard In the direction of a small party
under the command of Captain Olivey,
to reconnoiter.
At s:l5 o'clock in the morning Colonel
Cobbe dispatched Captain Plankett with 16O
men Of the Second battalion Of the King 5
African Rifles, forty-eight of the Second
Sikhs and two Maxim guns for the extrica-
tion of Captain Olivey, II necessary. As a
matter of fact Captain Olivey had not been
engaged. Colonel Plunkett on joining the
detachment, continued to push on.
Fugitives Bring the News.
At 11:l5 Colonel Cobbe heard a heavy fire
In the direction taken by Colonel Plunkett
and at about 1 o'clock in the afternoon a
few fugitives coming in reported that
Colonel Pi""kett had been defeated with
The news has been fully corroborated
since and have to report the total loss OF
Colonel Plunketts party, with the excep-
tion OF thirty-seven Yaos, who have arrived
The latest information extracted from the
fugitives is to the effect that Colonel Plum
kett pushed on after the enemy's force to
the open country, seven miles westward of
qumburru, where he was attacked by q
very strong force of mounted troops and
quarters. He kept back the enemy until he
had no more ammunition, when he formed
square and charged with bayonets In the
direction of Colonel Cobbe's zabra He
moved some distance In this manner, but a
great many men, including Colonel Plunketl
himself. were killed or wounded by the pur-
suing enemy.
At last the enemy's infantry overwhelmed
the square and annihllated them all, with
the exception of the thirty-seven fugitves
above mentioned.
Omcers and Men Missing.
The dispatch closes with list of the "of-
HCeFS anu men missing anu on uouDt kllled in
action" namely: Colonel A. w. v. Plupkett,
Captains Johnston. Stewart, olivey, Norris
and McKinnon and Lieutenants Gaynor and
Bell, all Of the Kings African rifles; Cap
tain Whey Of the Second Slkhs; Captain
Sims OF the India Medical staff, two white
privates, forty-eight men of the Second
Sikhs, and 124 men Of the African rifles.
The two Maxim guns we're also lost.
Another dispatch from General Manning
who Immediately on hearing Of the defeat
of Colonel Plunkett started for Gumburru
with 4sO men. says further information
reached him from Colonel Cobbe to the
effect that the latter, with 22O troops, was
encamped with plenty of food and supplies
and four days water. He has about a thou
sand camels and does not think he can
withdraw from his position without as
sistance, because the scrub is thick and the
enemys forces seem likely to act on the
offensive.
General Manning adds:
I march again directly, and expect tc
arrive at Gumburru tomorrow at noon
| / shall accomplish the extrication OF
| Colonel Cobbe soon as possible and return
| TO, Galadi. l can only carry sufficient
/ water for the march TO Gumburru, return.
! ing directly. l shall, therefore, be unable
| to advance against the enemy II the lat
| fer holds hack