THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2615, 23 January 1885, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. GREAT BATTLE WITH 14,000 ARAB REBELS, ON THE DESERT, NEAR GAKDUL. BRILLIANT VICTORY OP BRITISH TROOPS. EIGHT HUNDRED ARABS LYING DEAD ON THE FIELD. BRITISH LOSSES : 9 OFFICERS 65 RANK AND FILE KILLED ; 9 OFFICERS 85 RANK AND FILE WOUNDED. NARROW ESCAPE OF COLONEL STEWART. ADVANCE OF COLONEL STEWART TO METEMNEH. (Received January 23, 1 a.m.) Cairo, January 21. Intelligence is received here that a severe engagement lias been fought near Gakdul, between the British troops under Sir Herbert Stewart and a body of rebels nam beting fully 10,000. Heavy fighting proceeded for some time, but Colonel Stewart finally gained a brilliant victory, and inflicted a heavy loss on the enemy, fully eight hundred of whom are left dead on the field. The British casualties are set down at nine officers, sixty-five rank and file killed ; and nine officers eightyfive men wounded. After the battle

the enemy retired, and Stewart will advance forthwith to Metemneh, from which position it is hoped communication will be opened with Khartoum. (Received January 23, 12.30 p.m.) January 22. Latest despatches state that in the battle near Gakdul the enemy numbered fully 14,000, including nine hundred riflemen. Colonel Stewart had a narrow escape from death, his horse being shot under him. (Received January 23, 2.50 p.m.) London, January 22. An official telegram from Wolseley states that ou Saturday last, the British column under Colonel Stewart inflicted a complete defeat on ten thousand Mahdites who were occupying a position at Abukela Wells, between Gakdul and Metemneh. Stewart, leaving the camels and luggage at the camp, advanced in a square, the whole force being on foot. He outflanked the enemy, who charged bravely under a withering fire and succeeded in penetrating the left of the square. The British were admirably steady, and maintained a hand to hand fight with the rebels, who were at length driven off, and completely defeated.