Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-04-24
OFFICIAL REPORT RECEIVED.
General Manning Tells Of the Repulse
of the British Force.


London, April 24.-The war Office
has ~eived 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:
Il regret to report that the flying
column under the command Of Colonel
Cobbe, which left Galadf April 10 to
reconnoitre the road to Walwal, had a
most serious check April II. 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 70 leave his zareba (pro-
tected camp wnen firing was heard in
the direction of a small party, under
the command of Captain Olivey. which
to reconnoitre.
CObbe dispatched Colonel Plunkett
with 100 men of the Second battalion
of the Kings African Rifles, As of the
Second Sikhs and two Maxim guns
for the extrication of Captain Olivey il
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 Repulse.
"At Has Colonel Cobbe heard q
heavy fire in the direction taken by
Cn1nnnI plnn and az n I in q
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-
emy until he had no more ammunition
when he formed 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.
AT last the enemy's infantry over
whelmed the square and annihilated
them all with the exception OF the
thirty-seven fugitives above men
toned"
Lono List of Casualties.
The dispatch closes with a list OF
the Officers and men missing and nc
doubt killed in action" namely, Colo
mel A. w w P.ankett, Captains John
ston. Stewart. Olivey, Norris and Nc
KinEon. and Lieutenants Gaynor and
Bell all of the Kings African Rifles
| Captain ViZey of the Second Slkhs
| Cantain Sims of the Indian medica
staff. white privates, AS men OF the
Second Sikhs and 124 men of the Afri
car Rifles. The two Maxim guns were
also lost.
Another dispatch from General Man
ming. who. Immediately on hearing o.
the defeat of Colonel Plunkett. started
for Gumburru with 400 men, says fur
ther information reached aim IRON
Colonel Cobbe to the effect that th'
latter. with 220 troops, was encampet
with plenty of food and supplies an'
four days water. He has about
thousand camels and does not thini
he can withdraw from his position
without assistance because the scru'
is thick and the enemy's forces seen
likely to act on the offensive. Genera
Manning adds
.! march again directly and expec
TO arrive at Gumburru tomorrow a
noon / shall accomplish the extrica
tion of Colonel Cobbe with as muc
transport as possible and return I
Galadi. can only carry sufiicien
water for the march to Gumburru, r'
turning directly | shall therefore b
unable to advance against the ensm
IL the latter holds back"
A mothers mind is ever on her chill
=