The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-23
ANNIHILATED
British Force Overwhelmed in
SOmaliIand.
Col. PIunkett and Nearly 200
Men Killed.
COBBE'S COMMAND
Is Intrenched in the Front of
the Enemy
And Can't Move Until Assist
ance Comes to Him.

London, April 2s.-The war Office to-
day received from Brigadier General
Manning, in command of the British
forces in Somaliland. a dispatch dated
20 miles westward Of Ga1adi. Somaliland.
April Is. as follows.
I regret to report that a flying col
urnn under the command of Colonel
Cobbe which left Gsladi April 10 to re-
connoiter the road 10 Walwal. had
most serious check April II. On the
morning Of April II Colonel cobbe was
at Gumburru. 40 miles westward Of
Galadi. and had decided to return to
Galadi, owing to the serious diffculty
in finding the road to Walwal and to
the shortness of water. He was about
to leave his zareba protected camp
when firing was heard in the direction
of a small party under the command OF
Captain Olvy. which had been sent in a
westerly direction to reconnoiter
AT 9:15 in the morning Colonel Cobbe
dispatched Colonel Punkett with 169
men Of the second battalion of the
Kings African rifles. 4s of the Second
Sikhs and two Maxim guns for the ex-
trication of Captain Olvy if necessary.
As a matter Of fact. Captain Olvy had
not been engaged. Colonel Plunkett, on
push on. At Has o'clock Colonel Cobbe
heard a heavy fire in the direction ta-
ken by Colonel PIunkett. and at about
in the afternoon a few fugitives com
ing in reported that Colonel PIunkett
had been defeated With loss.
The news has been fully zorro obo-
rated since. and ! have to report the
total loss Of colonel + flenkett party.
with the exception Of 81 Yaos, who have
arrived here.
The latest information extracted
from the fugitiVes rs to the effect that
Colonel Plunkett pushed on after the
enemy's force to the open country seven
miles westward of Gunburru. where he
was attacked by very strong force OF
mounted troops and the enemy's in
fantrys who attaclze@ at close quarters.
He kept back the ers4ly until he had no
more ammunition, Wneos be formed q
square and charged Nth bayODets in
the direction OF Colonel =Cobbes zareba-
He moved some distance in this man
ner, but q great many men. including
Colonel Plunkett himself. were killed or
wounded by the pursuing enemy.
At last the enemy's infantry over
wlleimed the square and annihilated
them all with the exception of the 81
fugitives above mentioned.
The dispatch closes with a list of the
officers and men missing and no doubt
killed in action" namely Colonel A W
v Plunkett. Captains Johnston. Stew
art, Olvy Norris and McKinnon and
Iieutenants Gaynor and Bell, all of the
Kings Africans rifles: Captain Vizey.
of the Second Sikhs; Captain Sims, OF
the India medical staff. two white pri-
Yates. As men of the Second Sil<hs and
124 men of the African rifles. The two
Maxim guns were also lost.
Another dispatch from General Man
ming who immedia tely on hearing of
the defeat of Colonel PIunkett started
for Gumburru with 460 men, says fur
ther information reached him from Col.
/ Cobbe to the effect that the latter, with
220 troops, was encamping with plenty
of food and supplies and four days wa
ter.
He has about a thousand camels and
does not think he can withdraw from
/ his position without assistance, because
the scrub is thick and the enemy's
! forces seem likely to act on the Often
sive
\ General Manning adds
Il march again directly and expect
to arrive at Gumburru tomorrow at
noon. [ shall accomplish the extrica-
ton of Colonel Cobbe with as much
transport as possible and return 20
Galadi. I can only carry sufficient wa
ter for the march to Gurnburru, return
ing directly I shall therefore be unable
! to advance against the enemy if the lat
( ter holds back. -.