RELIEF OF COBBE'S COLUMN

Southland Times, Issue 19032, 28 April 1903, Page 2

RELIEF OF COBBE'S COLUMN

THE MULLAH'S STRENGTH

SANGUINARY KX(; ACJEMENT RE-

I'OR'I'ED

HOW PLLNKETT WAS SLRROLN-

UFA)

REINFORCEMENTS lUtOBAULK

Per United Press Association. By Electric Telegraph— Copyright

LON'DON, April 20

Most of the survivors of Captain Plunkett's force were wounded. The enemy's loss was enormous. Finding Colonel Cobbe's column in difficulties Colonel Manning , sent Major Kenna ahead with a hundred mounted iv-

fantry, who were successful in relieving Colonel Oobbe at noon on the 18th. and they re-joined Colonel Manning ttO miles from (Jaladi.

The Mullah retired to Nardair, where, it is believed, he has 200# (?) well-armed mounted r.i.'ii and 80,000 spearmen.

Later unoHicial reports state that Colonel Wanning had engaged the Mullah iind killed two thousand of his followers. The British loss is not stated.

Further details show that I'iiinkett's guide, when sixteen miles fiom L'strak. learned that Colonel Col'bo's column had not Touched water at Nardair. IMunkett determined to retire when he located the i/ti'-im in great strength f>o miles from (Jaladi Wells. An engagement was foxed, and the enemy poured in ;t heavy rifle lire, while their horsoMi -n mk! spearmen charged on all sii>s. liptains IMunkett and Olivcy f.iiinly charged with bayonets, a'i 1 lien the little force fought moit gf llantly until all the officers were killed.

Two hundred KalTrarian rilos. with two Maxims, are offering lor sot vice in Somalilund. Simla minion favours further Indian troops I «.:ng sent. Tho war ships at Aden have been ordered to hold maxim pi. i tics in readiness to land a brigade at Berbera.