Glasgow Courier. — 1855-08-11 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

REPULSE ON TIIE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.  The United Service Gazette has published the following extract of a private letter from an officer present in the disastrous affair at Mallageah 1 was one who formed a body of 163 men sent up on the 22d of May to destroy the native town of Idallageah. The first day we fought and conquered; the second day we fought they conquered. We were on the second only 110 men, and found ourselves suddenly surrounded by about 4,000 yelling armed natives. On they came, and we mowed them down. One of our divisions (No. 3) was completely exterminated. We were driven back into the water; it was hand to hand, but it was fighting hard against hope—a last resource being a charge of the reserve. I gathered my men together, and delivered into the compact crowd of natives two fearful volleys at about 40 yards distant, and so close and destructive was it that they fell back, although they were forty to one. I then desired my bugler to sound the assembly, and to gather my men. While sounding he was shot dead and fell across my feet. Every bugler and drummer was dead; and in the wild yelling of the natives, and the discharge of fire-arms, the officers could neither be heard nor seen. The men got into confusion, and a panic ensued. Then commenced &scene I never shall forget, neither can I describe it. The men seized upon the boats without order—the natives rushed in after them. Four men got possession of the boat, shoved off, and were escaping. I plunged into the water, got hold of the boat, and, pointing my gun among them, vowed I would kill some of them if they did not put back. They persevered, however, and I found myself out of my depth. I then heard a yell—it was the savage yell of victory, accompanied by the bitter cry of despair. It sounded high above the din of firearms. Then came a rush behind me in the water. 1 received a blow over my head, and sank beneath the wave. How long I was down 1 don't know; but having partially collected my senses at last I struggled violently, and arose panting to the surface. As good fortune would have it I came up close alongside a boat in full retreat to the ship, into which I was dragged quite exhausted. We had landed twelve Europeans and 110 black men. Of the latter, 75 were killed, together with six Europeans, two officers, one sergeant, and three sailors. One officer was taken prisoner, and afterwards murdered ; three others were dangerously wounded, and 14 men ; no that barely a man cameos board untouched. It was a fearful sight. The soldiers fought like demons ; one officer, Lieut. Vincent, with a revolver, shot three head men and two others before he fell. He was afterwards shot through the lungs, but I am delighted to say Is rapidly getting better. I have since ascertained that we killed over 100 natives. I know they must have fallen in great numbers, so close at one time was our fire. The whole affair did not occupy an hour—some say two hours, but 1 scarcely think it. The treatment acme of our wounded received at the hands of the natives is fearful to think of. One officer whom they took prisoner they cut into pieces alive, first scalping him. I saw one cool thing done; two natives rushed up to the company of the Ist West India Regiment, and, seizing a soldier, tried to drag bins into the jungle. Lieutenant Wylie (afterwards killed) shot one of them dead with his pistol, and the soldier, having one hand free, snatched his musket from the native and ran the brute bang through with his bayonet. This man is now uninjured In his barracks. One soldier of mine sheltered himself behind • stone, and was seen to kill at least eight or ten men during the first rush upon us.'