The Battle of Atbara.

Manawatu Herald, 4 June 1898, Page 3

The Battle of Atbara.

Some graphic details of tb« brilliant British victory in the goudjan on Good Friday, are given by the London correspondent of the Argu*. He says :— The remarkabe and decisive oharacter of the victory has won the applause of military critics throughout the world. At 6 o'clock on the evening of April 7th the attacking force moved out of the Umdabia camp. Leaving the fires burning to deceive the enemy's scouts, the troops marched in squares in perfeot silence, no smoking being allowed until 9, when they slept on the pebbly desert sand. The march was resumed -at 1 o'clock, and the dervi9h camp at Nakheila was sighted two hours later. The troops halted within striking distance, and at dawn the dervish horse were seen watching the advance, hundreds of the enemy being grouped about the edge Of their camp, within which hundreds of standards were flying. v The attacking force provided a magnificent spectacle, advancing with perfect regularity of movement and with colours flying. At a quarter -past 6 o'clock the guns opened a raking fire on Mahmoud's elaborate entrenchments. The enemy immediately sough shelter, while thousands of horsemen galloped oat of the zarebft. The artillery fire was remarkable acourate, and the forts and storages were severely knocked about. The bush and palm clumps were thoroughly searched by the artillery fire. The enemy maintained silence for an hour under a terrific pounding, which dismantled four guns, killed hundreds of camels, horses, and donkeys, and probably a thousand Dervishes. The enemy at last relieved their feelings by an ineffective rifle fire* while the cavalry

made a demonstration on the British right flank, only to be repelled by the Maxims. LAST INSTRUCTIONS. For another hour the guns poured in a deadly shelL fusillade, and the rooket battery repeatedly fired the camp, while the case shot made great gaps in the zareba of mimosa bush. About 8 o'clock the Sirdar ordered the advance. The pipers struck up a cheery lilt, the bugles and drumßstarted playing, and the commanding officers made stirring addresses. Sir H. H. Eitchenersaid :— " Men, remember Gordon." Colonel Murray, of the Seaford Highlanders, declared that the news of victory must be in London that night. General Gataore told the troops there must be no question about this. They were to go right through the zareba, and drive the Dervishes into the river. (" To be continued ")