New-York tribune., 1903-04-24
BRITISH ANNIHILATED.
MAD MULL4H KILLED 1874.
Ammunition Care Out, and Son1alas
OUerzreImed HolIoSc Square.

London, April 23.-The War Office to-day re-
ceived from Brigadier General Manning. In com
mand of the British forces in Somaliland, the
following dispatch, dated twenty miles west OF
Galadi, somaliland. April IS:
regret to report that flying column under
the command of Colonel Cobbe, which ie,t
Galadi April 10 to reconnoitre the road TO Wa.-
wal, had most serious check on April IL. On
the morning Of April II Colonel Cobbe was at
GuInburrn forty miles westward OF Jata1 H. dh the
serious difficulty in finding the road to WaiwaI
and to the shortness Of water. He was ABOUT
TO leave his zareba (protected camp when nrlng
was heard in the direction of small party
under the command of Captain Olfyey. wnich
had been sent in a westerly direction TO recon
noitre.
At 9:15 in the morning Colonel Cobbe dis
patched Colonel Plunkett with 100 men OF tne
I'd Battalion of the Kings African Rihes' 20
men of the I'd Skhs and two Maxim guns. for
the eXtrication of Captain Oivey, If necessary
AS matter of fact Captain Olivey had NOT
been engaged. Colonel Punkett, on joining the
detachment. continued to push on AT. lao
Colonel Cobbe heard heavy fire in the dlrec-
tion taken by Colonel Plunkett, and at about
! in the afternoon few fugitives coming IN
reported that Colonel Plunkett had been de-
feated with loss The news has been fully cor
roborated since and l have to report the total
loss of Colonel Plunkett's party, with the ex-
ception of thirty-seven Yaos who nave ar
rived here.
The latest information extracted from the fug-
tives is to the effect that Colonel Plunkett
pushed on after the enemy's force to the open
country seven miles westward or GumOurru.
where he was attacked by very strong torce OF
mounted troops and the enemy's infantry who
attacked at close quarters. he kept back the
enemy until he had more ammunition, Wheh
he formed square and charged with payonetS
in the direction Of Colonel Cobbe's Zareba he
moved some distance in this manner. but great
many men, including Colonel Plunkett himself
ware killed or wounded by the pursuing enemy.
At last the enemv's infantry overwhelmed the
square and annihilated them all with the excep-
ton of the thirty-seven fugltlves aooVe mel-
toned.
The dispatch closes with list of the Officers
and men missing, and doubt killed in ac-
ton" namely Colonel 4. W. V. Plunkett, Cap
tains Johnston. Stewart, Olivey, Morris and Nc
Kinnon and Lieutenants Gaynor and Bell, all OF
the Kings African Rifles; Captain Vizey, of the
Second Sixhs; Captain Slime, of the Indian med
icaI staff; two white piivates. forty-eight men
of the Second 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 of Colonel
PhInkett started for Gumburru with AGO men,
says that further information reached him from
Colonel Cobbe to the effect that the latter, with
800 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 assist
ance because the scrub is thick and the enemy s
forces seem likely to act on the offensive.
General Manning adds:s
at Gumburru tomorrow at noon l shall ac-
complish the extrication of Colonel Cobbe with
as much transport possible, and return 10
Galadi. can only carry sufficient wafer IoI rG
march TO Gumburru, returning Directly shdlI
therefore be unable to advance against 'he ell
emy If the latter holds back