THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1479, 4 March 1885, Page 2

THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

Battle of Abuklea.

[Per City of Sydney at Auckland ]

London January 23.

The special correspondent of the Morning Post telegrapa : —General Stewart on January 17th fought an obstinate battle with enemy lasting from nine o’clock in the morning till 1 p m. The correspondent states that the struggle culminated in a desperate charge by Arabs numbering oyer 3,0 0 on the British square, from which they were repulsed with great loss. General Stewart left Gakdul on the 18th and arrived near Abuklea wells on the afternoon of the 19th, and observing that the enemy was not far ahead he determined to halt four miles from the wells, and there . threw up entrenchments, under cover of which the force bivouacked for the night. During the whole night the enemy maintained a fire from the hills, and in the morning General Stewart, seeing they did not attack, determined to advance against them. He therefore left camela and stores, with luggage and hospital commissariat, in the entrenchments, under guard of 150 men, and at once marched out with the remainder of his force. Advance was made in a square, with mounted infantry as skirmishers in front and on tho right, the Hussars being in skirmishing order on the left. The enemy saluted us with a hot fire from the hills, by which several of our men were wounded, among | whom were the following officers:—Major Gough, Mounted Infantry; Major Dickson, Lord St Vincent and Lieutenmt Beach, Life Guards; and a surgeon. The march continued, and by bold skirmishing of rifles and mounted infantry, tho enemy was admirably driven away; the artillery at the same time keeping up a brilliant fire on the position across the valley, where hostile plumes floated in a long line. Our advance square was formed in the following order:—The left front consisted of two companies of mounted infantry, and the right of two companies of Guards. The left faee was composed of two companies of mounted infantry and one company of heavy dragoons. The right face was composed of two companies of Guards and two companies of Sussex Regiment and the rear face consisted of four companies of heavy cavalry and camel corps. The artillery was in the centre of the front face, and the Naval Brigade occupied the centre of the rear face ; the whole force was on foot, the camels being left behind in an entrenched I position. Those allotted for hospital ' purposes and to convey water and ammU' | nition were stationed inside the square. At 11 o’clock the square was moving on the right incline in order to enfilade the enemy, who were distant a quarter of a mile, and had brought its left face towards the Arab force, w hen suddenly the Arabs leaped up in masses, and rushed I fiercely at great speed against the square. I The onset was such that skirmisher's had scarcely time to reach the square before the enemy were following close upon their track. A call was made upon the Heavy Dragoons, who formed tho rear half of tho left face, and the whole of the face of formation, but so fierce and rapid was the rush at this moment that the heavy cavalry were borne back by masses of Arabs, and in a moment the square was forced. Gardiner’s gun was jammed, arid for ten minutes a desperate struggle ensued from the left rear Ito the centre. There it was Colonel Burnaby fell dead, a spear having severed his jugular vein. General Stewart’s horse was shot under him, and as the General fell to the ground at the same moment his orderly was killed beside him. Many of the camels were speared by the Arabs, and the whole place was filled with dense smoke and dust, while shots and sword strokes were replies

to Arab spear thrusts, It was not long

before every Arab in the square was killed, and the rest were beaten off. Three hearty cheers were given as the square was reformed on fresh ground. The enemy then retreated suddenly, numbers of them rising from among the dead, and rushing past the square, not without many being shot. The number of the enemy, according to information given by every prisoner,: was 14,000. They are said to have consisted of followers of the Mahdi from Khartoum, Kordofan and Berber, the latter having especially sent a great chief. Among the killed are the Emir of Metemneh and Chief of the Hamir Arabs. One of these penetrated into the square on horseback. After the fight had terminated the Hussars were sent forward to the wells of Abuklea, which were three miles in advance, and took possession of them after a few shots : had been exchanged. The heat had been extreme, and the men, who were without food or water, bore it admirably. Their behavior was splendid during the march, and is worthy of the highest praise, and also when in face of the enemy. The Welts of Abuklea were reached by the troops at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, where water was plentiful and excellent for drinking. Ac eight o’clock that night General Stewart sent back a portion of the Guards -with some of the heavy cavalry camel corps aud mounted infantry to fetch everything from the entrenched post in the rear. They a 1 arrived safely their at 8 a. m., and on their arrival the troops had the first food they had partaken of for twentyfour hours. The British losses were heavy, and the following nine officers were killed:—Colonel Burnaby, Majors Atherton, Carmichael, and Gough (Royal Engineers), Captain Daerly and Lieut. Garb (20th Dragoon Guards), Lieut. Wolfe (Scots Greys), and Lieuts. Piggott and De Lisle (Naval Brigade) Among the wounded were the Earl of Airlie, Viscount St Vincent, and Major Gough (Mounted Infantry), Major Dickson and Lieut. Oostell (50th Lancers), Lieut. Beaolife (Guards), Lieuts. Lilo and Guthrie (Artillery), and Surgeon Magel. There were sixty men killed, including fortysix of the Heavy Cavalry and Camel Corps, and eighiy-five wounded. The number of the enemy killed is supposed to be 2,000. They had 900 special negro riflemen, who proved themselves to be good shots, and as these men kept on the hills they suffered leas than others. Prisoners in giving an account of the number of their forces reckoned them as ton tribes, having on an average 800 men in the field, which would make a total o 8,000.

The following is Lord Wolseley’s telegram to Sir Evelyn Baring concerning General Stewart’s victorious engagement with the rebels at Abuklea:

‘f January 21st, 3 p.m. General Stewart ihad a moat successful tight on the 17th nat. against about 10,000 of ifie Mahdi’a forces, near the Abu Klea wells, which are about twenty-three miles on this side of Metemneh, Tho enemy’s force was collected from Berber, Metemneh, and Onderman, which place, I regret to say, was recently captured by the Mahdi’a forces, thus releasing the men from there to fight Stewart. Qn the afternoon of the Itlth Stewart’s cavalry reported the enemy as being in position gome few miles on this aide of the wells. It being too late to allow of an advance and a successful fight, Stewart bivouacked for the night. The enemy kept a harmless fire all night, and threw up works on Stewart’s right flank. Qn the 17th Etewart endeavoured to draw f he enemy on to attack, but they hesitated; so leaving all his impediments and camels under the guard of the Sussex Regiment and some mounted infantry, he moved forward in a equate, all the men being on foot, and passed the left flank of the enemy’s position, forcing him to attack or be enfiladed. The enemy wheeled to the left, and delivered a I well-organised charge, under a withering 1

fire from'oar men The square was unfortunately penetrated about the left rear, where the heavy cavalry and camelry regiments stood, by sheer weight and numbers. The admirable steadiness of our men enabled them to sustain a hand-to-hand encounter, whilst severe punishment was being inflicted on the enemy by all the other part? of the square, and the enemy was at last driven back under a heavy fire from all sides. On the 19th the Hussars then pushed forward to the. wells, which were in our possession at 5 p.m. The enemy left not less than 800 dead around the square, and the prisoners report that the number- of their wounded was quite exceptional. Many are now submitting. The necessity of obtaining water at the wells delayed for some hours Stewart’s advance on Metemneh, for which place, however, the force was to push on, When tht messenger left Stewart, a strong post had been estabtablished at the wells, where tents had been pitched for the wounded, who were doing well. Stewart concludes his report thus: —‘ It has been my duty to command a force from which exceptional work, exceptional hardships, and, it may be added, exceptional fighting have been called for, and it would be impossible for me adequately to describe the admirable support that has been given me by every officer and man in the force. I regret to say that our loss has been severe, butfour success was so complete, and the enemies loss so heavy, that it may dishearten them, s > that all future.fighting may be of a less obstinate character.” Oeneral Stewart’s operations have been most creditable to him as a commander, and the nation has every reason to bo proud of the gallantry, and the splendid spirit displayed by Her Majesty’s soldiers on this occasion. Our losses have been— Nine officers killed, nine wounded; sixty--1 five non-commissioned officers and .men 1 killed, and eighty-five wonnded. General Stewart’s force was about 1,500 all told.” | The nine officers killed included Colonel ; Burnaby, and Captain Viscount St Yin- ■ cent and the Earl of Airlie.

[rEOTEr’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT. ] Cairo, March2. Prince Hasaan, the Khedive’s brother, who has been appointed Governor of Soudan and Commander of the Egyptian troops therein, has started (for Eorti. Intelligence is to hand from Kassala, in the Soudan, that the Egyptian garrison recently made a sortie from that place, when a large force of rebels vas 'enoonn. tered, and heavy fighting ensued. The Egyptians were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and compelled to fall back on the town. . .

(Received March 4,11.30 a.m.) Cairo, March 3.

Intelligence has been received * that Lord Wolseley has re-called to Korti the British column under Colonel Brackenbury, which was advancing towards Berber,

London, March 3,

.In the House of Lords to-day the Duke of Cambridge made a statement to the effect that the .acceptance by the Imperial Government of all the colonial offers of troops for the Soudan would be’a baolute in case the services of the men were found to be required. 'I he military authorities, he added, were now only dis' cussing, the necessary details, and it was unlikely there would be any great delay in deciding definitely as to the acceptance of the offer from the colonies.

[rboxer’s telegrams—copyright.] Sydney, Yesterday.

To-day was observed as a public holiday, to celebrate the departure of the Soudancontingent. The streets forming the line of route from the barracks to Circular Quay were lined with an immense number of spectators from all parts, form, ing a dense mass. buildings and points of vantage were crowded. The troops were escorted by 600 sailors and marines from the war ships, and all the available forces, accompanied by the Governor, Ministers and official personages. The procession formed was an imposing spectacle, and the popular enthusiasm was unbounded. The contingent proceeded along the principal streets amid loud cheers and good wishes from the assem. bled masses. .Reaching the Quay, the men formed a hollow square, and were addressed by the Governor, who said it was the first time in the history of the Empire of a distant colony sending at its own cost a completely equipped contingent of troops, who had volunteered with an enthusiasm of which those only who witnessed it could judge. They would be greeted in Egypt by hearty welcome from thousands of chivalrous soldiers, and hews of their exploits would be eagerly read t in all parts of the world where our flag floats. The country, he added, “ charges itself with the care of their dear ones left behind. All that generosity, tenderness and gratitude could do for them would be looked upon as a labor of love by the nation. ” The contingent, numbering 800, then marched on board the transports, which were accompanied to the Heada by a fleet of small steamers.

Melbourne, Yesterday.

The Governor and the Premier have telegraphed cheir congratulations and good wishes to the New South Wales troops.

[Per s.a. City of Sydney, at Auckland. Sydney, February 26.

As the time is drawing near for the departure of the contingent, some changes have been made in the list of officers. Colonels Raymond and Halboro will not go, and Colonel Richardson is said to be in delicate health. All the arrangements are pretty well complete. The patriotic fund has reached between L 30,000 and L 40,000, but subscriptions are not coming in quite so freely. There is a strong and growing feeling against the expedition, and a petition is being prepared to Government on the subject. Sir H. Parkas has a letter in a paper nearly every day. If Government are beaten on the question in Parliament they will appeal to the country. It is urged that too much |s being done without the gonsent of Parliament, that the expedition is not really urgently required. As Parliament does not meet for three or four months, there is time for full consideration. The expedition will be well fitted, and private contributions will give the men many comforts unusual on a campaign.