The St. Louis Republic., 1903-04-24

Alden, Arabia, April 25.-The British trans
port Hardinge arrived here to-day from
Berbera. the capital of SomalTland. 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 ID men. were killed recently in
an engagement with the Somalis.
London. April 23.-The War Office to-day
received from Brigadier General Manning.
in command Of the British forces in So
maitland, a dispatch dated twenty miles
westward of Suladi, Somaliland. April IS.
as follows:
II regret to report that a flying column
under the command of Colonel Cobbe,
which left Galaoi April 10. to reconnoiter
the road to Walwal, had a most serious
check, April II.
ION the morning OF April Il Colonel
Cobbe was at Gumburru, forty miles west
ward of GaIadi. 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 Cpro-
| tected camp when firing was heard in the
direction of a small party under the COM
mand of Captain Olivey, which had been
sent IN a westerly OirecIlOn 10
SENT TO RESCUE.
"At 9:I6 in the morning Colonel Cobbe dis
patched Colonel PIunkett with 1s3 men of
| the Second Battalion Of the Kings African
Rifles. forty-eight of the Second Sikhs and
| two Maxim guns for the extrication of Cap
| tain Olivey If necessary.
LAS matter of fact, Captain Olivey had
not been engaged. Colonel Plunkett. on
joining the detachment. continued to push
| on. At Has Colonel Cobbe heard heavy
fire in the direction taken by Colonel
Plunkett. and at about l o'clock in the
afternoon a few fugitives coming in
| ported that Colonel Plunkett had been de-
! feated with loss.
THE news has been fully corroborated
since. and 1 have to report the total loss
of Colonel Plunketts party, with the ex-
I-ception of thirty-seven Yaos, who have ar
| rived 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
a very strong force of mounted troops and
| the enemy's 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 bayo-
nets in the direction of Colonel Cobbe's
| zareba.
He moved some distance in this man.
ner. but a great many men. including
Colonel Plunkett himself. were killed or
wounded by the pursuing enemy.
SQUARE Is BROKEN.
| "At last the enemy's infantry over
whelmed the square and annihilated them
all. with the exception of the thirty-seven
I fugitives above mentioned
| The dispatch closes with list Of the
Officers and men missing and no doubt
| killed in action" namely. Colonel 4. W. V.
Plunkett, Captains Johnston. Stewart.
| olivey. Norris and McKinnon. and Lieu
tenants Gaynor and Bell. all OF the Kings
/ African Rifles. Captain Whey OF the Sec
ond Sikhs, Captain Sims of the medical
| staff. two white privates. forty-eight men OF
the Second Sikhs and 124 men OF the Afri-
can Rifles. The two Maxim guns were also
! lost
Another dispatch from General Manning.
| who Immediately on hearing Of the defeat
: OF Colonel Plunkett. started for Gumburro,
with 40 men, says further information
| reached him from Colonel Cobbe to the ef-
| feet that the latter. with 20 troops, was
! encamping with plenty of food ard supplies
| ani four days water.
He has about thousand camels and does
| not think he can withdraw from his posi-
| tion without assistance, because the scrub
/ is thick and the enemy's forces seem likely
10 act on the offensive
| General Manning adds:
II march again directly. and expect to
1 arrive at Gumburru tomorrow at noon. I
shall accomplish the extricstion Of Colonel