The Battle of Kerbekan

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 127, 11 April 1885, Page 3

The Battle of Kerbekan

A BRILLIANT VICTORY. EETAILS OF THE BATTLE. The following details are given by the special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle :— -" After an obstinate combat, the pass above Dulka Island, -where a determined resistance, had been anticipated, was carried on the 10th, not, hdwever, without severe loss on our side, including our brave leader. General, Earle. In the early morning- it became apparent that the pass- was occupied in force by the rebelsj and an advance force of the Staffordshire Regiment and the Black Watch executed a flank movement by marching' rqund the defile and taking the enemy in the rear. , The main position: 6f the enemy was situated on a ridge -by the river' side, overtopped by mountainous rocks. Our attack commenced by the Staffords charging up the pass at the point of the bayonet. Their rush was irresistible, and the enemy were swept before them like chaff. They were unable, however, to dislodge the enemy from a strong loop-hpled fort, which maintained an obstinate resistance, and in their charge. < our men- were subjected to heavy flank fire from the main position by the river. In the execution of this manoeuvre, I regret to say that the gallant <6olonel Ey ro, who has rendered such admirable service in connection with this expedition, were shot dead. Cobinel Colborne and Captain Horsbuzgh wei» wounded. We lost here, in addition, two men killed and thirteen wounded. Meanwhile the High-, landers, with two companies of the Staffordsh ire Regiment, worked their way round the' enemy's position bn the ridge above described, and, getting i^to position, charged up the heights, stiwxning them one after the oiher in tbe most brilliant fashion, firing steadily at short ranges, and finally clmi-ging with ihe bayonet. At this juncture Ac Egyptian troops coming frmn. the -pareba met, the enemy with a murderous > cross fixe, driving them completely from their shelter—some to&ihe river aad some inland, scarcely i_jr esosphg: A It was at this moment that our -hive leader, General Earle, iftpUli(Ld£aJh_ Jfrgsftiiig into, the fort frfi^fw|nchjthe -foe had just been dislodged, he was struck by a bullet, a_<L never: 'spoke again. Our meh, : however, vigorously -pushed on, and having been reinforced on the hilljby t^^ mo*-«>c6mpaiiies, stormed .the^out\^ng earthworks of the fort, shooting qpd .bayoneting all tne defenders. Victory thus remained in our hands; bht It *w«_ ; dearly purchased with the loss of our general, three officers, and esght mop. Id— ed, with four officers and. ti£U^rfiy£. ' .men. wounded. Colonel Coveney, of the Black Watch, was killed,, while, Major Wauchope and Lieutenant Jfcennedy, of the' same regiment, were wounded.. Throughout the fight do*' men .behaved with the greatest sfeadiness and valor, men ofton.cott^ii-uiog to ; chai^e after being bounded. : The ebemp-jalso showed great dete«mihiaiadn; ; but bur soldiers p-^y^smp7y.i|rasistible. The enemy defending'the ; paß9 and the fort could hotvhftve numbered less tha& 1,500, w^^heu-Vpoffliabh was yejry strongly T^e}Arab loasisestimated at 300 lolled, but this is probably- much -uader the actual number. . All, our -cajm— lties^were caused by the bullet. The -enfltn-r fried- one spear charge, but t_dy tyOire shattered in alldirections befbr^th# obuld get anywhere near .(om'^kß. r..i r y