THE DEATH OF GENERAL EARLE.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 6

THE DEATH OF GENERAL EARLE.

A Gallantly Fought Engagement. London, February 11. -General Enrle was killed on Tuesday during tho storming of the enemy's position at Birti. The "Standard's" correspondent with General Earle's columns Rends the follow ing despatch, dated Dulka Island, Tues day: Tho British troops id van eel to attack the enemy, who had a strong position on the hills. After some fighting the enemy were completely surrounded. Finding it impossible to dislodge the rebels from their fortified position, General Elarlf ordered the troops to charge. General Earle was killed while leading the attaok. The Black Watch Regiment captured the position at the point of the bayonet, the

cavalry taking possession of the enemy's camp. General Brackenbury, upon the fail "f General Earle, assumed command und ordered the remaining positions of the enemy to be stormed. The troops acted promptly, made a gallant attack, and soon captured all the enemy's positions. The fight.lastingfive hours, was a grand slaughter among the enemy. Those who survived escaped by swimming the river.

Further Particulars. London, February 11.— Another account of the death of General Earle, dated at Korti, says : General Eai le was killed in the action ot Tuesday. The fight occurred near the Nile, a few miles übove JJulka Island. Tho Arabs had fortified the pass, and had built a small fort on the left bank of the river. When General Eurle's forces reached the pass they were subjected to a heavy fire from the n'eld guna which the Arabs had placed in commanding positions. General Earle had no artillery, and commanded the troops to charge. It was more of a scramble than a charge, but the Arabs were driven from the heights at the point of the bayonet and fell oack slowly toward the river. Atl that then remained to be captured was a liitlo forbon the river bank. As the British column advanced it was met by a steady and well-directed fire from behind the sand and watlings which composed th<3 Arab iort, and many men of the attacking party were killed. General Earlo again ordered the men to charge, and put himself at the head of the column. He waa killed during thi3 charge The fort was ultimately captured, but at a terrible cost. In addition to General Earle, three officers and eight men were killed and thirty -five men wounded.

A Despatch from Wolseley. London, February 11. — General Wolseley telegraphs that Brackenbuig report* from JDuLka Island, about seventeen miles above Merawi, that Earle's attack was well planned and gallantly executed. TLe expected effect will be to open the way to berbor without further lighting. The rebels held the high ridge on the razor bucked hills. Six companies of the Black Watch and six companies of the btallord Regiment marched around the high hula, entirely turning the enemy's posiiior, which was then attacked trom tho rear. The enemy was not great in point ot num berd, but his position very strong and diffi cult of acce-s. They fought with moat de termined bravery. Earle waa amoi.g the toiemost in the attack, and hits fall was the cause of deep lament irom every officer aud man in the forue. He was killed on the summit of the hills, behind which the enemy was posted. At almost tho same time Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre was killed.