THE FRENCH SOUDAN. 
441 
the river, which was accomplished by the 3rd. We learnt from it of the surprise 
of the 15th January. The Touareg had fled towards the north. A reconnaissance 
despatched in that direction found no trace of them : they marched more than four 
days over a very broken country. 
On the 7th February the column resumed its march on Timbuctou and, on the 
9th, reached the place of the fight of the 15th January. 
The bodies of the missing officers and non-commissioned officers were found and 
carried to Timbuctou, where we arrived on the 12th February. 
Throughout (the march of) 434 miles, we have lost two native tirailleurs, died 
from sickness, and one native tirailleur, wounded. 
The sanitary state has been satisfactory throughout. 
The populations, tired of the robbery and violence of the Touareg, are on our 
side. 
The chief of the Soumpe district accompanied us to Timbuctou. 
The principal chiefs of the sedentary tribes and the heads of villages in the 
neighbourhood soon came and gave in their submission, acknowledging the 
French Protectorate.” 
Later despatches read as follows :— 
“ On the 3rd of March, Captain Gautheran, with 40 tirailleurs and a machine- 
gun (Hotchkiss), marched against the Touareg camps at Takai-Gourou, dispersed 
the Touareg horsemen there, killing several, and captured 80 of their sheep and 
50 asses. In another direction, on the 5th March, Captain Prost, at the head of 
225 Soudanais auxiliaries, 80 Spahis, and two mountain guns (80 mra ), surprised 
a large band of Touaregs near a marigot , killed a number of them, and seized a 
herd of 1000 sheep, without a casualty to his own men. 
The effect of these raids was soon indicated, by the envoys of the Touareg Ten¬ 
guereguif coming in to request an amnesty, which was granted, on condition that 
five of their notables would reside permanently at Timbuctoo, and that the 
movements of these camps of the nomads were constantly reported; whilst a fine 
of 1000 sheep was required to be delivered within 20 days. 
These conditions not being complied with, Colonel Joffre marched against the 
encampment of the Touareg Tenguereguif, between Lake Goro, near Dire and 
Lake Fati. On learning the approach of the French the Touareg prepared to 
resist them in a position taken up near Lake Goro, where they were speedily dis¬ 
lodged on the 23rd March with great loss, their chief and his principal lieutenants 
being slain. On the 25th they were again attacked in their camp and driven into 
the country between Lake Fati and Goundam. Colonel Joffre’s column captured 
on this occasion 50 horses, 30 camels,- 8000 sheep, 400 oxen and 200 asses; 
whilst the bodies of 120 Touaregs were found on the field of action. Only one of 
the Tenguereguif chiefs escaped, having been badly wounded at Goundam, he 
remains at Farasli with a few partisans. All the other chiefs were killed and, 
in fact, the tribe has practically been extinguished. The news of this exploit has 
caused a sensation throughout the Sahara, and must inevitably spread the prestige 
of the French flag, which might have been endangered had the disaster of the 
13th of January been allowed to go by unavenged.” 
The latest news from Timbuctou is very satisfactory to the French 
authorities, the position of the garrison has been strengthened by the 
establishment of two new posts at El Waledji, north of Safay, and 
another near Salafere, at the junction of the Barra Issa and the Koly- 
Koly. The chief, or portion of the Kountos, near Bourroum, on the 
right bank of the Niger, has also submitted. 
The Thiouk, a peaceable fraction of the Irreganaten, have sent 
emissaries asking for peace; and the Hel Antassar remain tranquil. 
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