THE SURPRISE AT TAMNAI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1545, 20 May 1885, Page 2

THE SURPRISE AT TAMNAI.

The Soudan correspondent of the Daily Chronicle has published a brilliant description of the surprise at Tamnai, from which wo take the following notices of personal bravery: —‘‘Oatside, away from the squares, a number of men on fatigue duty, such as cutting bush for the zareba makers, were cut off from the main body. Undaunted and resourceful, they quickly improvised a square hard by the fiohi kitchens. Their promptness saved their lives. Conspicuous amongst them were to be seen Major Alston and the Rev Mr Collins, one of the chaplains, fighting back to back ; the reverend combatant having seized the nearest available weapon, which he wielded vigorously, as if to the manner born. As the bugles were ineffective in stopping the random firing of the P 'ohbear infantry the Rev Mr Collins volunteered to cross the bulletswept ground intervening, and convey the orders to cease firing. Stepping forth, calm and collected in demeanour, the chaplain walked, his life in his hands, across to the Indians, to whom he gave the necessary orders, and then returned as calmly to the little square which he had just left. His reception must have been some compensation to the risks he had run. The men, struck with his heroism, raised cheer after cheer, and, sticking their helmets on their bayonets, frantically waved them in their enthusiasm. . . .

Fortunately the general’s aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Gharteris, saw the peitl of his chief, and gallantly rushed to the rescue. And not a moment too soon, for the rebels were at close quarters. One Arab had his gun pointed straight at the general ; but Gharteris turned the shot, and then quickly turning, cut down another assailant with his sabre. As Gharteris was thus engaged, he was attacked with the greatest fury by a lithe young Arab—a mere boy, in fact, not more than ten years old- The youngster fought like a tiger, and succeeded in spearing Gharteris through the arm before he himself was shot. He was a gallant little fellow ;he fought with all the courage of a man, and suffered a man’s fate. I fancy Lieut. Gharteris will hear more of that little incident, for he saved his general’s life. . . . About the middle of the fight there was some further trouble with the Loyal Poohbears outside the first square. They wore ordered to retire, but the order seems to have been misunderstood, for Major Drury, commanding the left battalion, halted his men, and they gallantly kept the enemy at bay. The order to retire wes repeated, and this tinge was only too literally oboyod, for the Poohbears not merely retired, but rushed headlong into the square. Ma;jor Drury, who vainly strovq to stay the mad rusfy, was left somewhat in the rear, and, seeing one of his men drop disabled, stopped and attempted to save him, although the enemy were close upon him. In another moment, indeed, they were hacking and thrusting at the heroic officer with their spears and swords. Grander heroism was never shown on field of battle. For several minutes Drury fought with at least 20 rebels, and with his single sword kept them from their prey, nor did he abandon his efforts to save his comrade until a great spear wound in the neck and the danger of being hopelessly surrounded compelled him reluctantly to retire