THE STORY OF HICKS-PASHA’S DEFEAT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1141, 14 March 1884, Page 3

THE STORY OF HICKS-PASHA’S DEFEAT.

The "Vienna correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes : —“ I have received from a military friend at Kiiarr.nnoi the following authentic account of Hicks Pasha’s disaster. Being the most complete narrative hitherto obtained, it will no doubt prove of para mouut interest. The facts it contains were related to my friend by an eye-witness, a follower of Kenaui Bey, who accompanied the army of Hicks Pasha. His statement runs thus : On leaving Duem for Obeid we came acro-s the re els, and had several skirmishes with them. Our he sea we.’e confined to a few Bashi-Bnzouks and Soudanese irregulars. On arriving at Hahad, where we found a lake, we took in a supply’ of water, and afterwards marched on Alouba. There we spent the night. We had met numerous detachments of rebels on the road, but we easily put them to flight. The next day (November 2) we continued our march, taking with us the necessary quantity of water. We took three hours to cross the forest. We were subsequently surprise 1 by a strong force of ihe enemy, our advance was oh'-cked, and the square was formed. We fought *he whole day long, and finally compelled the rebe s to vet lent. We spent the night on iha scene of action. The following day (November 3) we set out again. Our supply of water was soon exhausted. The enemy surrounded us in large numbers, and after several engagements, with heavy losses on both sides, ihe rebels were defeated, and we remained the night on the scene of the day’s fighting. On Sunday, November 4, the army marched on Kashgil; and, after we hid been four hours on the road, the enemy attacked us with a terrible fusila 'e. We suffered badly from thirst, hut nevertheless kept our mound the whole day. On November 5, the fighting having ceased, we advanced towards the Wells. About half an-hour after we had started, the rebels, who wore hidden in the forest, surrounde I the army on all sides, and opened fire. We made a lively reply ; but towards mid-day the rebels made a general charge, and the Egvptiau army was annihilated, with the exception of 200 Egyptian soldiers and a few necro servants, who were or ly wounded. I was picked up wounded and sent to Birkeh. There I found the Mad hi, and remained a fortnight. The MaHii then left for Ohrid, wi-h all his followers. They took me wi hj them, and I stayed at Ooeid until I found means of escaping with several merchants. I came at once to Khartoum. The prisoner i at Obeid enjoy certain freedom, hut may not leave the town. They would be shot if they tried to get away.”