THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1153, 18 March 1884, Page 1

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

London, March 8. Latest advices from London state that numerous oases of sunstroke are occurring among the British troops, the heat being intense. March 13, A despatch to hand from General, Graham states that Osman’s camp has been taken after heavy fighting on both sides. The engagement was a very brief one. The loss on the British side was given as seventy killed and a hundred wounded. The enemy’s loss is not known. March 14. A later telegram from Egypt states that Major-General Gordon’s forces advanced against the enemy iu two squares. The Arabs charged them furiously, and did considerable execution with their spears. They were repulsed with great slaughter, but lh y renewed the attack time after time until nearly all who were engaged were either lulled or desperately wounded. The British loss is 70 killed and 100 wounded. The Arabs are now col’ecting tit the Wells of Taniamin, and the British are shelling them. Later. Full particulars ara now to hand from

Souakira, regarding the defeat of the rebels near Taraaneb, The British troops adyanced from Zavibar in two squares, and shortly came up with the enemy, who at once opened fire. They attacked the British columns most fiercely and repeatedly broke the leading square, and after desperate fighting captured some of our guns and drove back the Ist Battalion, the York and Lancaster regiment (65th Foot), The marines and troops, however, rallied and further heavy fighting took place. The rebels were finally driven back completely defeated, and the guns lost in the early part of the battle were recaptured. The fighting lasted fully two hours and a half, during which time the whole of both forces were actively engaged. The rebels are said to have lost three thousand killed and four thousand wounded. Previous telegrams setting down the British loss at seventy killed and one hundred wounded are confirmed. The Ist Battalion Royal Highlanders (42nd Foot) were the heaviest sufferers. Latest. Further details of the engagement state that the Arabs, by an impetuous charge, broke the square commanded by Colonel Davis, and, creating a panic, succeeded in making a temporary capture of the guns. The cavalry, however, came to the rescue, and checking the enemy, afforded time for the brigade to be re-formed, and recaptured the gmis. Colonel Bailer’s square proceeded without check, and captured and burnt the enemy’s camp. The Arabs have now fled to the mountains, March 15. Major-General Graham’s force has returned to Souakim, after burning four villages and exploding vast stores of captured ammunition. The [bodies of 1500 Arabs were found at the spot where the square under Colonel Davis was broken. The total British loss in killed proves to be 120, of which number the 65th Regiment loss 30, and the Black Watch 65, including 10 sergeants. The Victorian gunboats Childers is at Souakim, and may not improbably be employed for some time as a despatch boat. Cairo, March 14. The latest telegrams from Souakim report that Osman Digna, with the remnant of his followers, has retreated to the hills near Tamaneb. It has been definitely proved that in the recent battle the rebels suffered more heavily than at first supposed, Their loss in jkilled alone is now set down at fully 4300, and the wounded exceed that number. The whole of the British treops engaged in the battle near Tamaneb are O O now returning to Souakim. Major-General Graham telegraphs from Souakim that Sheikh Mahomed, a prominent Arab chief in Eastern Soudan, has expressed a belief that the recent victory of the British will have the effect of pacifying the natives of that district, and that the road to Berber will now be open.