LATEST SAMOAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3726, 28 April 1899, Page 6

LATEST SAMOAN NEWS.

AN IKGITiNG ENGAGEMENT. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE. BRITISH WARSHIPS SHELL THE REBELS’ POSITION. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAN-, Thursday. The Auckland “Star’s” special correspondent reports that a severe engagement took place at Vailimo on Monday, the 17th instant, when we saw one of the severest engagements yet fought. It was understood that Suetali, one of Mataafa’s high chiefs had again occupied the forts around i ailimo with a very strong force, consisting of Ana Atua and Savaii people. At nine o’clock, therefore, H.M.S.’s Porpoise and Tauranga. opened fire on these, a heavy cannonade continuing for upwards of an hour. On tho ships ceasing fire tho friendly natives advanced up the. Ifi-Ifi and Tivoli roads. The force consisted of 230 Tutuila people on tho right. 140 of the “Ever Victorious Army” inthe centre, and 300 of Taumahana people, under Tamasese, on the left, the whole under the command of Lieutenant Gaunt. A reserve force of eighty bluejackets, witn a Nordcnfeldt gun from the warships in nnrbour, under the command of Captain Sturdoe, with Lieutenants Cave, ournor and Vaughan to assist him, followed them out.

Shortly after passing the Mission School, about one and a half miles from Apia, the rebel 'scouts wore seen, and another mile they came in sight of the first fort. From behind this a terrific fire was opened. The “Ever Victorious Army,” however, continued to'advance without a flinch. It was otherwise with the majority of the untrained men. Do what ho 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 the Tamasese and about 190 others, who were willing to go on. At the sound of the whistle and tho command of “Charge,” up they jumped and witn a great shout made for tho fort . It was one of those charges that would make any man shudder. -

Of the urst six, four wovo shot down, Lieutenant Gaunt and his first lieutenant, a magnificent high chief named Tao, alone remaining to reach the rampui’t. The others were not far behind, however, and they, drove the rebels holtor-skeltor out of tlie place, carrying their dead and wounded before them, but were forced to leave four dead behind. A German flag was found flying over this fort. It was captured and handed to Taupo, a village oclle, who went with the troops as a water-carrier.

So far all was satisfactory. Further, however, they could not get. For locr hours the heavy firing continued. Again and again they tried to take the next fort, but the odds were too groat. It was practically 200 men fighting considerably. over 1000. ■ _

At 2 o’clock word was sent down to Iho I ships that it was impossible to take the ; forts, that tho friondlios would retire to i Skeen’s house, and that it was desired That the ship should once again shell the I forts. This was done. Tho ships opened ■ 1 fire at a range of 480 yards. I At 3 o’clock adyancos. wore again sounded, and another attack was made ion tho forts. The same thing, however. i occurred, Tho untrained natives could I not face the hail of bullets. At 6 o’clock, ! Lieutenant Gaunt, unable to got their ; support, decided to retire his men, who, ■'had; indeed, fought splendidly from 10 a.m. ,tp ,5 p.m. They had faced heavy 'odds, had succeeded in turning the rebels | from tho first fort, and if tho untrained men had given any support at all there 1 is no doubt that all tho remaining forts .would now bo in their possession, i It is known that tho rebels lost heavily. The Maliotoans lost five;killed, ifive were mortally wounded and sevettiteon others wore wounded. Their fej turn to Apia was the signal for a triiumpli. They marched down the beach 'road, Taupo waving tho captured Gerhnan flag in front. All the white troops ■and residents turned out 'and cheered 'Lieutenant Gaunt and his men again land again. . ,; ■ , They were brought' to a iialt in a square by , the, Supremo Court, where : Captain Sturdeo 1 congratulated and -praised them for their gallantry and success. The ships also signalled off, “.Well - idone, Gaunt’s brigade!” ■ ; The German flag was then handed to Captain Sturdee, who told, tho menthat they were not at war with Germany' and 'therefore lie could not see a' national nag disgraced,.but as the flag had been captured in a fair fight from tho rebels, he would take it off to tho senior officer to ! show to him, and report bow it was captured. It would then bo handed back, j The troops then went back to Mulini. Before the account of Monday’s fight as closed it is necessary to say something of the'attention paid to tho' wounded. The Supreme Court has been made into a hospital for tho white .troops, and a large shed in front of Fab’ - on ■ natives.' Here Surgeons Andrews (Porpoise) find Bowie (Tauranga). and Dr Braught, assisted by Miss McCoy (a Pit'cairn Islander), and Miss, Forth, - were iready to attend to the wounded, j Tlie first hatch of twelve wounded men iwas ■ brought down very soon after tho fighting commenced, and- tlie doctors wore hard at it. The natives,she wthe 'most ' extraordinary pluck with their ‘wounds. Never so much as a single groan-is heard from them. On Tuesday H.M.S. Porpoise and Tauranga once more, turned their guns on ,Va.Uimo and the vicinity, and a heavy bombardment continued for an hour or so. ' ■