Soudan Affairs

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 75, 22 December 1888, Page 2

Soudan Affairs

FIGHTING AT SUAKIM. By Electrio Telegraph. — Copyright fPEK UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Suakim, December 20. The cavalry reconnoitred in the direction of Handoub to-day, and reported that a large body of rebels were visible in , the rear of the earthworks thrown up. The right redoubt of the enemy was destroyed, owing to the excellent shooting i made by the new magazine rifle. News has been received that the tribes of Aruria have massacred hundreds of women and children, adherents of the Mahdi, and in consequence a tribal war is impending. A British sortie was made from this ( city to-day, and although the enemy were ( engaged, no lives were lost. A battle is imminent. Later. The engagement between the British ' forces and rebels, under Osman Digna, ( took place at an early hour this morning. Major-General Greenfell, at the head of 4000 men, left the garrison and stormed ' the rebel redoubts. The battle commenced i at 7 o'clock, and lasted half an hour, the enemy being completely defeated, and leaving over 1000 killed upon the field. The Soudanese and black troops gallantly stormed the Arab trenches, despite a strong resistance by Osinan's forces. The Wales Borderers followed up the attack on the trenches, and inflicted severe punishment on the enemy by volley firing. The bluejackets from the British nien-of-war in the harbor also rendered valuable assistance with their machinery and heavy guns. Osman 's defeat was complete, his ranks scattering and fleeing in the direction of Hasheen Farm. The British loss is slight ; no Englith officers were killed or even wounded. Major-General Grenfell's force now occupy the field, and will encamp among the rebel works to-night. Received December 18, 12.20 p.m. Suakim, December 20. The official report gives the loss of dervishes in the battle to-day as 400. The 20th Hussars, during the fight, delivered a brilliant charge on the enemy's horsemen, in which the former lost 4 troopers. Osman Digna 's trenches have been filled up, and two redoubts erected on the spot to protect the town from further annoyance. London, December 20. A Berlin despatch states that Lieut. "Wissman will leave in January with an expedition to search for Emm Bey.