Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-04-24

London April 23-The war office
today received from BTigadier General
Manning, in command of the British
forces in Somaliland, a dispatch dat
ed 20 miles westward of GAladi, Soma
liland, and redated April IS, as fol
lows
4 regret to report that a flying
column under the command of Colo
mel Cobbe, which left Galadi, April 10,
to cover the road to WaIwal, had
most disastrous attack April II. On
the morning of April II Colonel Cobbe
was at Gumberu, so miles west of Ca
ladi, 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 seareba (protected camp
when firing was heard in the direction
of small party, under the command
of Captain Olivey, which had been
sent in a westerly direction to re-
connoiter. At 9.15 in the morning
Colonel Cobbe dispatched Colonel
Plunkett, with 100 men Of the Second
battalion, kings African rifles, 4S of
the Second Sikhs and two Maxim guns
for the eXtrication of Captain Olivey,
if necessary. AS a matter Of fact,
Captain Olivey had not been engaged.
Colonel PIunket on joining the detach-
ment, continued to push on At HAS
Colonel Cobbe heard a heavy fire in
the direction taken by Colonel Plum
ket and at about / o'clock in the af
ternoon a few fugitives coming in re.
ported that Colonel Plunket had been
defeated with loss.
The news has been fully corroborat.
ed since and l have to report the to.
tai loss Of Colonel Plunket's party,
with the exception of 81 Yaos, who
ave arrived here"
The story of the fugitives is to the
effect that Colonel PIunket pushed on
after the enemy's forces to the open
country miles westward of Gumbur-
ru, where he was attacked by strong
force of mounted troops and the enc.
my's 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 Colo.
mel CObbe's seareba. He moved
some distance in this manner. but
great many men, including Colonel
Plunlet himself, were killed or wound
ed. At last the enemy's infantry over.
whelmed the square and annihi1ated
them all with the exception of the 81
fugitives above mentioned The dis.
patch closes with a list of the off.
GERS and men missing, and no doubt
killed in action namely Colonel A. w
V. Plunket, Captains Johnston, Stew
art, Olivey. Norris and McKinnon. and
Lieutenants Gaynor and Bell, all of
the kings African rifles; Captain vi
zey, of the Second Sikhs, Captain Sims
Of the India medical staff, two white
privates, 48 men of the Second Sikhs
and 124 men of the African rifles.
The two Maxim guns we're also lost.
Another dispatch from General Man.
ming, who Immediately on hearing of
the defeat Of Colonel PIunket, started
for Gumburru with $50 men. saws fur.
ther information, reached him from
Colonel Cobbe to the effect that the
latter, with 220 troops, was encamping
with plenty of food and supplies and
four days water He has about
thousand camels and does not think he
can withdraw from his position without
assistance because the south is thick
with the enemy's forces, who are like.
ly to act on the offensive. General
Manning adds:
Il march again directly and expect
to arrive at Gumburru tomorrow at
noon. I shall accomplish the relief
of Colonel Cobbe with as much speed
as possible and return to Galadi. 1
can only carry sufficient water for the
march to Gumburru, returning direct.
ly. l shall, therefore, be unable to
advance against the enemy if the latter
holds back"