THE SAMOAN WAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1914, 5 May 1899, Page 3

THE SAMOAN WAR.

FURTHER FIGHTING. PLUCKY ACTION BY GAUNT’S BRIGADE. A FORT CAPTURED*AGAINST GREAT ODDS. ’A GERMAN ASSISTS THE REBELS. tFnoK the Evening Star’s Correspondent.] [Per Taviuni, at Auckland.] APIA, April 18. The t Alameda left Samoa for Auckland with the last news on the 6th inst. On the previous day a German named Hoffnagel had been arrested on the evidence of two bluejackets, who were both positive that he was the white man they had seen present at the Vaillee fight. Hoffnagel was sent on board the Falke by Captain Stuart (of the Tauranga), the captain of the German ship giving his word that he would hand him over whenever requested to do so. On Wednesday, the sth, the Royalist steamed out of harbor for Futinka, with several chiefs aboard, who were desirous of collecting their followers together and bringing them over to Mulinuu. She returned on Saturday morning, landing 180 Natives. On Monday she again went out —this time to Tafuni, on the Island of Savaii, from where rumors had arrived that a large number of Natives were undecided as to which side to take. She returned with 130 Natives, on Fridav, the 7th, together with the flagship Philadelphia, which had left for Pango Pango to coal from the Pukaki. On Thursday morning, the 6th inst., the Porpoise went down to Fangatoa Bay, accompanied by the steam pinnace (Lieutenant Craven, of the Philadelphia, in charge!, and 100 friendly Natives under Lieutenant Gaunt. A few miles from Apia the village of Utumapoo, one of the headquarters of the rebels, was bombarded at a range of B,oooyds, some excellent shooting being done. Proceeding on, Fangatoa Bay was reached about 10 a.m. While steaming up the harbor the three-pounder Hotchkiss sent a few shots into each village, and with the forward gun we shelled the village and road leading to Apia at the head of the harbor. Under the protection of these guns and the guns of the steam pinnace and the armed cutters (under Lieutenant Parker) the Natives or Red-caps, as they are known, were landed. Opposition was, however, shown, and the villages of Hi Hi, Musa Musa, Loga, Seinauiea, and Failifaga were burnt. The boats returned to the ship laden with loot in the shape of kava bowls, fowls, pigs, etc., all of which, of course, remain in possession of the friendly Natives. The ship returned to Apia on Saturday evening. On the night of the 7th inst. a start was made for Faliolili, a Malieatoan village on the other side of Upolu. Rain came down in torrents, the night being as black as pitch. Faliolili was reached early the next morning. The chiefs were landed, and by S p.m,, with a contingent of 450 Natives, the return journey was started. It still continued to rain in bucketfuls, and at eight o’clock a gale of wind was met with. A most disagreeable night.was the consequence, especially for the Natives, who huddled together on deck for warmth. All were glad to see the morning dawn and Apia in sight. On Tuesday, the 11th, the Porpoise, accompanied by the steam pinnace (Lieutenant Craven) went down to Falifa village, about seventeen miles from Apia, where one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the island falls into the sea. This is the home of Ealanoa Mulnify, the adopted son of Mataafa. On reaching this place the pinnace, with a Hotchkiss in her bows and an armed cutter (under Lieutenant Parker) and three boats containing eighty Natives (under Lieutenant Gaunt) started for the shore. The friendlies were landed without opposition, and the burning of the village commenced. Scouts then came running in with the news that the rebels were gathering in force around the house of Salanoa. A move was made in that direction. A few stray shots gave warning that the rebels intended to fight, and soon all hands were hard at it. The pinnace was unable to get inside the reef, so she remained inactive, but the cutter was rowed up and down, blazing away with her Nordenfeldt. The rebels were gradually forced back, and, after an engagement lasting about an hour, were in full retreat, with a few shells from the Porpoise to help them along. Salanoa’s house was burnt, and the Natives returned with large quantities of loot.

Next day information came to hand that the rebels had lost six killed, while several of their men were wounded. The friendlies had only one man wounded. On Wednesday, the 12th, news arrived that Von Balow had crossed from Sayaii with 400 Natives to assist Mataafa. This news being confirmed, the \Porpoise once more weighed anchor early on Friday morning. and 'steamed down the west coast to Mulafanua. Here an armed cutter (under Lieutenant Parker) and a native boat (under Lieutenant Gaunt) started for the shore. On landing a Native missionary gave some important information. He stated that the Falke, which had left Apia on Wednesday, with the German Consul on board, steering a N.N.E. course, had already been to Muhfanua, and that the chiefs and Von Bulow had gone off to her. Von Bulow had been advised to remain on board, and to refrain from taking an active part in the fighting. The chiefs, however, had been advised that instructions had arrived by the Hauroto from their respective Governments that the English and Americans were to cease fighting, and that Mataafa was to be placed on the throne. It is unnecessary to remark that the English and American Consuls had received no such news, and that not one word of this was true. Unfortunately, two days after the Royalist and the Philadelphia had left the jffarbor for Pango Pango to coal, and the rebels naturally believed the German story. They took it that the two ships were leaving Samoa altogether, un^£ 7 / n ’ structions from their Governments. What will be their feelings now that these ships have returned to Apia, as they did on the morning of the Taviuni’s departure, may be imagined. In the meantime the rebels have fought two very severe engagements, and thus are unwilling to come over to the other side or to surrender, fearing more severe punishment than ever. To go back to the landing. I his was done without opposition, although the missionary had informed Lieutenant Gaunt that 2,000 rebels were collected in the bush close by, the cause of so many being present being that Mataafa’s men had come down to hold a “tatolo,” or feast, in honor of the arrival of a contingent from Savaii. village was set on fire, and the friendlies were doing some looting when the rebels opened fire from all sides. Lieutenant Gaunt s picked men—now known as the “ ever victorious,” owing to their great success since they have started drill, and fight “all same English soldiers” —replied in the pluckiest manner, although they knew that they were outnumbered by twenty to one. A hot engagement ensued, lasting for about an hour, when the ammunition of the friendlies started to give out. It was then deemed advisable to retire to the boats. This was done in excellent order, the only difficulty being to get some of the men to retire before they had fired their few remaining cartridges. Lieutenant Parker, who had been at work with the Nordenfeldt wherever the rebels were pressing hardest, covered the re-embarka-tion. A return was thus made to the ship. The day had been a most successful one. Important news had been received j in the face of heavy odds a number of villages had

been burned and four boats destroyed ; Mataftfa’s men had received a severe lesson, •while the Malietoans’ casualties only amounted to three men wounded.

During the fighting a trader further down the coast managed to escape from the shore in his boat, and was fired on by the rebels, several shots hitting his boat. Finding that the shots did not stop him, they set out in their canoes to intercept him, but, fearing to get too close to the guns of the Porpoise, they gave up the chase. The Porpoise returned to Apia the same evening. The Tauranga has remained in the harbor the whole of the time, except on Monday (the 10th), when she went down to Safato and brought back 180 Natives from that village. Owing to the tremendous downpour of rain the land forces have been unable to move about as much as they might desire. The rivers and creeks are all overflowing their banks, and as there are no bridges it is almost impossible to get across. However, on Sunday (the 9th) some unattached friendlies under Tamasese went out at 11 a.m. Crossing Mount Via they came on the rebels strongly entrenched at Papalaloa, and immediately attacked them. A spirited engagement took place, and word reached Apia that Tamasese was retiring. Thinking that they might have been defeated, Lieutenant Gaunt assembled his men, and set out up the Ifi Ifi road to cover his retreat. Seeing re-enforcements arrive, the rebels retired, and soon were in full flight into the bush. The friendlies advanced right up to Vailima, the late R. L. Stevenson’s house. The road was found to be blocked with large trees and strong posts at intervals of a quarter of a mile thrown up. Lieutenant Gaunt had too small a force at his disposal to occupy the forts without aiiv communication with the town forces, and so decided to destroy as much as possible (owing to the heavy rains it was impossible to set fire to them), and return to Apia. This was done. A large quantity of provisions was found in Suetaili’s house, which was burnt to the ground. For the rest of the week all was quiet, but information was constantly being brought in that the rebels were going to attack the town on such and such a night, but no attack was made.

Monday (the 17th) saw one of the severest engagements yet fought. It was understood that Suetaili, one of Mataafa’s high chiefs, had again occupied the forts around Vailima with a very strong force, consisting of Ana, Atua, and Savaii people. At nine o’clock, therefore, the Porpoise and Tauranga opened fire on these places, a heavy cannonade continuing for upwards of an hour. On “ cease firing ” being sounded the friendly Natives advanced up the Ifi Ifi and Tivoli roads. The force consisted of 250 of the Tutuila people on the right, 149 of the “ ever victorious army ” in the centre, 300 of Taumasana people under Tamasese on the left; the whole being under the command of Lieutenant Gaunt. A reserve force of eighty bluejackets (with a Nordenfeldt gun) from the warships in the harbor, under Captain Sturdee, and Lieutenants Cave, Gurner, and Vaughan to assist him, followed them out. Shortly after passing the Mission School, about one mile and a-half from Apia, the rebel scouts were seen, and at another mile the force came in sight of the first fort. From behind this fort a terrific fire was opened. The “ ever victorious army,” however, continued to advance without flinching, but the majority of the friendlies were untrained men. Do what he would, Lieutenant Gaunt could not make them advance. All had excuses, and so at last he decided to rush the fort with his own men, together with Tamasese’s and about 100 others, who were willing to go. On the sound of the whistle and command of “ Charge ” up they jumped, and with a great shout we made for the fort. It was one of those charges that would make any man shudder. Of the first six, four were shot down, Lieutenant Gaunt and his first lieutenant —a magnificent high chief named Tao —alone remaining to reach the rampart. Others, however, were not far behind, and they drove the rebels helterskelter out of the place, carrying their dead and wounded with them, but were forced to leave four dead behind. The German flag was found flying over this fort. It was captured and handed to the taupo, or village belle, who comes with the troops as water carrier. So far all was satisfactory. Further, however, they could not get. For four hours the heavy firing continued. Again and again they tried to take the next fort, but the odds were so great that it was practically 200 men fighting considerably over 1,000. At two o’clock word was sent to the warships that it was impossible to take this fort, and that the friendlies would retire from Mr Skeen’s house, and that it was desired that the ships should once more shell the forts. The same thing, however, occurred. The untrained Natives could not face the hail of bullets. At five o’clock Lieutenant Gaunt, unable to get support, decided to retire. His men had, indeed, fought splendidly from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They had faced heavy odds; had succeeded in turning rebels out of the first fort; and if the untrained men had given him any support at all there is no doubt that all the remaining forts would now be in their possession.

It is known that the rebels lost heavily. The Malietoans lost five killed, five mortally wounded, and seventeen others wounded. Their return to Apia was a triumph, for, marching down to the beach reach, the taupo waving the captured German flag in front, all the white troops and residents turned out and cheered Lieutenant Gaunt and his men again and again. They were brought to a halt in the square by the Supreme Court, where Captain Sturdee congratulated them on their gallantry and success. The warships also signalled “Well done, Gaunt’s brigade.” The captured flag was then handed to Captain Sturdee, who told the men that they were not at war with Germany, and therefore he could not see the national flag disgraced. But the flag had been captured in fair fight from the rebels, and he would take it off to the senior officer to show to him, and report how it was captured. It would then be handed back to the “taupo.” The men then went back to Mulinuu.

Before this account of Monday’s fight is closed it is necessary to say something of the attention paid to the wounded. The Supreme Court has been made into a hospital for the white troops, and a large shed in front of Mr Fabricius’s store similarly fitted for the Natives. Here Surgeons Andrews (Porpoise) and Bowie (Tauranga) and Dr Draught are assisted by Misses M‘Coy (a Pitcairn Islander) and Forth and some male attendants. They had not long to wait, and very soon a sad sight was to be witnessed. The first batch of twelve wounded men were brought down very soon after the fighting commenced, and the doctors were hard at it. Volunteers were put on to cut more bandages and to assist in any little way possible. As soon as a man’s wound was dressed he was taken possession of by his weeping female relations and carried off to a temporary hospital. These Natives show most extraordinary pluck with their wounds. Never so much as a single groan is heard, although some of their wounds were truly ghastly. No wound, no matter how severe, prevents him from turning to the doctor and saying “Faafilai tele dava” ( lhank you very much”). . On Tuesday evening the Porpoise and Tauranga once more turned their guns on Vailima and its vicinity, and a heavy bombardment continued for an hour or so. On Wednesday the Taviuni sailed for Auckland, having on board Von Bulow, who was bound for Nukualofa,