BRITISH OPERATIONS IN EGYPT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3516, 14 October 1882, Page 3

BRITISH OPERATIONS IN EGYPT.

(By Cable.) Albany, October 13

The P. and O. steamship Ancona arrived this morning with the inward Suez mail. She brings the following news of the British Egypt:— London, September 8.

The military operations against the rebels were making slow progress until the troops under Sir Garnet Wolseley disembarked at Ismailia on August 26th. Two days later they engaged the enemy. Sir Garnet Wolseley, wishing to ascertain the enemy's position, left Nofisch with a small reconnoitering force. Their advance was speedily checked by a force of fully 10,000 Egyptian troop?, supported by twelve guns, while Sir Garnet Wolseley had barely 1000 men, with two guns and two Gatlings, which, however, were used with good effect. The position was to a certain extent critical for several hours, but the enemy made no attempt to advance, and Sir Garnet Wolseley held his ground with slight difficulty until nightfall, when he was reinforced, and before sunrise the Guards, the whole of the Household Cavalry, and the remainder of the first division had arrived. Sir Garnet Wolseley was then enabled to assume tbe offensive, aud he advanced to destroy the enemy's canal and dam, thus threatening their supply of water. The British advanced in eschelon from the left,' the troops pivoted on the left flank, and swinging on the right flank thus enveloped the enemy's rear, and threatened their line of communication. The enemy abandoned Tel-el-Mabul without offering any resistance. General Drury-Lowe's cavalry brigade on the right flank operated brilliantly, and largely contributed to tbe success of the movement. Then they made a wide detour to the right upon Mahasmeh, capturing a number of the rebels' ammunition waggons, their camp at that place, and a quantity of war material, the enemy flying precipitately, pursued by the cavalry. MajorGeneral Dru-ry-Lowe subsequently occupied Ramses, and Sir Garnet Wolsley sent another portion of his force under Major-General Graham to occupy the Kassassin Canal. Arabi had, meanwhile transferred his quarters to Tel-el-Kebir, and on August 28th approached Kassassin with a formidable force of 13,000 men. Major-General Graham had but three battalions of infantry, five guns, and a Bmall detachment of cavalry. General Lowe was consequently summoned from Mahasmeh, and although the men and horses were tired tbe first brigade of cavalry instantly moved torward, and outflanked the enemy at Shersack. The Household Cavalry charged with great gallantry, the 7th Dragoon Guards following under the command of Colonel Sir Baker Russell. The attack was irresistable. The enemy's artillery were sabred at their guns, and their infantry fled in ntter confusion. MajorGeneral Graham simultaneously made an attack upon tbe enemy's front, and a general rout ensued. The advance of the British was subsequently checked owing" to the difficulty of transport. This, however, has since been overcome. The enemy meanwhile had fortified their camp at Tel-el-Kebir and rendered their position formidable by extensive earthworks. The army under Arabi has assumed formidable dimensions, his troops having been strongly reiuforced. The overflow of tbe Nile, which was rapidly rising, caused the British leaders much anxiety, and unlesn Arabi had been beaten beforehand an advance would have been quite impossible, and the British troops would have been compelled to retire. Active steps have been taken to forward supplies, especially locomotives and rolling stock. Sir Owen Laugton is charged witb the conduct of this department. The naval authorities are affording every assistance in towing supplies along the canal in flat-bottomed barges, which are the only meanß of conveyance available, as the canal is very

low and threatens to become dry. Sir Garnet Wolseley announces that a general forward movement is expected to be made on Sunday next. The troops are moving towards Kassassin, where the camp has already assumed large dimensions. They will carry two days' rations, with the exception of meat, and carts will convey another two days' supplies. IsmaiHa, Tel-el-Mahur, Masehemeh, and Kassassin will be held by a mixed force of British and Indian troops. It is stated that immediately the enemy's position at Tel-el-Kebir has been captuied the cavalry will endeavor to reach Cairo by forced marches, and hold the capital against the rebels.