THE DISASTER TO INDIAN TROOPS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10266, 8 February 1899, Page 6

THE DISASTER TO INDIAN TROOPS.

Admiralty and Horse Ci'ards Gazetts

Major Quinton had issued the strictest orders to the troops, when reconnoitring that they should always march with iked bayonets ; while each man also carried tw o cartridges in his hand, so as to be able to load his rifle on the shortest notice. His directions for lighting, when the enemy were sighted, were also admirably adapted for local jungle conditions. The men were directed always to watch both hanks, the files facing h> the right and left respectively, so as to guard against sudden attacks from either side. Jemadar Radha Singh, who commanded the reconnoitring party on June 22nd, seems to have neglected to follow out these orders. The result \va» that the enemy caught his party quite unprepared. Many Sepoys were speared hi*-. fore they could fire a shot or fix bayonets. They were nearly all Sikhs, and after tha first surprise the survivors rallied iv small knots, and their fire at once checked the Ogadens; but over twenty men had then been killed. The affair tuok place in the early morning, only some two miles from the Halished post. Captain Tanner heard the firing, and sent out twenty-five men under a native officer, who met four Sepoya retiring, who told the tale of the ambuscade. Then fifty more men were hurried out, Surgeon-Captain Kilkelly accompany, ing them. On arrival at the spot where the fighting had taken place twenty-six bodiei were found, but the enemy had then cleared off.

From the story told by tho survivors it would seem that the Ogadens so cunningly contrived their ambuscade that tbey cut off the advance and rear guard from the main body, on which *lhey directed their principal attack. They are said to have numbered 400, but there were several hundred niore near at hand in the jungle. The Sepoy who most distinguished himself was Private Bhoota Singh. Though wounded in two places he rallied three men about him, and coolly retired facing the enemy, and checking tiv\n by rapid fire. He also Lrought away a wounded.lomr-.tiie, though the latter asked to be left to his fate. For his gallantry Captain Tanner promoted Bhoota Singh to be naik on the spot, and intends recommending him for the Order of Merit. Out of thirty-one men killed and wounded twenty-eight were Sikhs,' two Rajputs, and one a bugler enlisted in the "Bombay Presidency. Jamndar Rodha Singh was a,Sikh, and had shown a good native officery--but he lacked experience in jungle fighting. The Halished camp, we may add, is thirtysix miles from Kismayu, the coast port fiom which communication is kept up by tea with Mombassa. Major Quintin has iOO Soudanese with liim in addition to the wing of the 4th Bombay Rifles and 128 men of the ,27th Baluchis. We may have to | wait another fortnight or so before further news is- receiveu; No;,; anxiety is felt regarding the troops m Jubaland', as the stockaded camps whicV they hold are well placed for defensive puri poses, and can be easily held by their gar-;! risons. The Ogadens are rtiosv? armed withl spears, and rely;' mostly upon ambuscading | small parties.in dense jungle. ■: