THE WEST AFRICAN DISASTER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4660, 28 February 1894, Page 3

THE WEST AFRICAN DISASTER.

British Artillery Captuied. Reinfotcements to the Fiont, London, February 26. \ Later particulars concerning the disaster at Bathursl, ia Western Africa, show that Captain Gamble's force consisted of 225 bluejackets. The detachment was caught in ambush, and after a vain attempt to withstand the withering lire of the onemy retreated to their boats. The Arabs captured the field-pieces and 600 cartridges, and also carried off the bodies of the slain, with the exception oi those of Lieutenants Arnold and Meister. Tl)9 total number of wounded on the British side was 52, On receipt of tbo news of the defeat at Bathurst, the gunboat Alecto proceeded to Ganjor, aud lauded a party of bluejackets, who were unable to make any headway, and had to beat a retreat before the heavy fire of the enemy. A detachment of the West India Regiment, 300 strung, will be sent to reinforce the Bedford expedition, Latei. London, 26th Februiry. A strong force of marines will be sent from Chatham to rei: force the troops at Bathurst. Sydney, 27 th February. Liout. Arnold, killed at Bathurst, was we ll known here. He had served on the Diamond and Nelion ) and maided a Sydney lady.