1n

informing him of the instructions contained in your Lordship's telegram of the

25th June. In the second I wrote that if he had not already left Bohotele to return to

Burao he should now do so; and with regard to the Nogal Valley, I said that no

operations should now he undertaken there or elsewhere. I can, however, quite under-

stand that when Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne came up with the Mullah's rear-guard at

Cour Girad he felt himself bound to go on. He could not have done otherwise.

It will be observed that Mahmud Girad, the powerful tribe occupying the

northern Dolbahanta, joined the expedition, but would not face the Mullah's rifles.

This is typical of the situation throughout; the tribes are powerless against the Mullah's

rifles.

The Mullah has now twice been attacked and routed with heavy loss. In each

case he has made good his escape. This only emphasizes the extreme difficulty of

catching an individual who has a large area to fall back on in a very difficult country

interspersed with dense thorn bush; were he to stand it would be different; but his plan

is to keep well out of the fighting line, and bolt as soon as he sees that all chance of

success is up.

I would invite your Lordship's attention to the fact that, in the course of nine days,

this column, self-contained in every way, and operating at a distance from its most

advanced base, had made a march of considerably over 100 miles, fought a successful

action, and pursued the enemy to a distance in the Haud,

I have, &c.

(Signed) J. HATES SADLER.

Inclosure in No. 11.

Lieutenant-Colonel Swayne to Consul-General Sadler.

Sir, Cour Gerad, near Beretableh, July 18, 1901.

I HAVE the honour to report that the Mullah Abdilla Hassan, having received no

encouragement from Sultan Yusuf AH, of Obia, considered his position at Mudug

insecure, and therefore attempted to come north-westward to Kurmiss. It was then that

his mounted scouts found the road blocked at Kurmiss and Heygaleh by our people, and

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a certain number of them were killed. The result was that the Mullah changed his plans

and came north again to Weyla Hedd, with a view to proceed to Firdiddin, about 16 miles

south-east of Beretableh, within the British border. His horsemen were sent down to

Eyl Maado and Beretableh.

On getting this news I moved my force from Bohotele via Yaheyl and

Weyla Hedd to Firdiddin, and attacked the Mullah at the latter place, latitude

8 north, longitude 48 10', shortly after dawn on the 17th instant. The Mullah's

Mijjertein riflemen were in considerable strength with Lebel and Martini-Henry

rifles. His force was, however, scattered, and he himself was driven back into

Italian territory. The Mijjertein lost heavily, and also the Mullah's own family.

His brother-in-law, Gaibdeed, was killed, as well as two sons-in-law, Haji Sudi's brother

and nephews, &c. Sultan Nur's camels and the Mullah's cattle were captured. The

pursuit was carried on into the bush in the Haud, and then, as the enemy had scattered

in all directions it was discontinued. The Mullah's own karia was burnt, with all his

books, &c. I regret that the action cost us 5 per cent, casualties in the whole force

engaged, viz., ten killed and seventeen wounded, thirteen riding camels killed missing,

and twenty-one ponies.

I am grieved to state that amongst the killed is Captain Friedrichs, R.E. He was

shot whilst trying to convey to a place of safety a wounded Somali Havildar. He was

buried in camp, all officers being present.

Amongst the wounded is Lieutenant Dickinson, D.C.L.I., gun-shot wound through

the muscle of the left thigh. Lieutenant Dickinson received this wound whilst leading

his men over a rocky plateau against the enemy's riflemen on a commanding hill. His

action in clearing the hill was most timely, and owing to this and the support of the

1st Corps under Captain Phillips on the right flank our casualties were fewer than they

otherwise would have been.

The 2nd Corps, under Captain McNeill, operated on the left flank, and carried on

the pursuit when the enemy began to give way.

All wounded are doing well. No other British officers were hurt.

I received your communication, stating that it was not intended I should proceed to