War in the Soudan

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 103, 14 February 1885, Page 2

War in the Soudan

SIGNAL DEFEAT OF THE

MAHDIiES

GENERAL EAKLE KILLED.

GORDON'S DEATH CONFIRMED

(.REUTERS TKLEGRAMS.)

London, February 10.

A telegram has been received from Lord Wolseley announcing that a battle has been fought with the enemy at a place opposite Bucka on the Nile, about seventy miles above Merawi. The Mahdites attacked the troops under General Earle on both flank and front, and a severe engagement ensued, resulting in the complete defeat of the enemy, scai-cely any of whom escaped. General Earle and Colonels Eyre and Conveney, and eight men were killed. Four officers, including Colonel Wanchope, and thirty eight men were severely wounded.

Colonel Brackenbury has assumed command of the column in place of General Earle, and will commence an advance to Berber.

The expedition to Soudan via Suakim has been placed under command of Lieutenant G neral Sir Gerald Graham with Mnjor General G. Greves as chief of the staff.

Received February 14, 1.30 a.m. Melhourne, February 13. Mr Service, Premier, has wired to the New South Wales Government that if its offer of troops for Soudan is accepted, Victoria is prepared to follow suit. London, February 12. Lord Wolseley has telegraphed that a letter written by the- Governor of Berber has been found at the enemy's camp at Bulka, stating that Mahdi captured Khartoum on 26th January, and that Gordon was killed. Lord Wolseley also telegraphs that a convoy conveying more of the wounded in the battle near Bulka lias nrrived at Korti.

The Indian Native troops, nnder orders for Soudan, consist of four regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. General Sir D. E. Wood has been appointed to succeed General Earle in command of the column, which is proceeding to

Berber,

Received February 14, 1.10 p.m.

Cairo, February 13

A letter was found at Bulka, written by the Governor of Berber, which stated that Mahdi had written to him announcing the capture of Khartoum and the death of Gordon;