WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1324, 7 April 1885, Page 1

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

Cairo, April 4. A report has reached this place to - the effect that an engagement recently occurred between the Mahdi's forces and a number of deserter* from Kordofan, with the result that the followers of El Mahdi were completely defeated with great lose. London, April 5, A telegram has been received by the War Office from General Graham, in which he praises the demeanor, of the Australian troops during the recent advance on Tamai, stating tliey cheerfully shared the hardships of the movements, and proved themselves worthy of their comrades. Souakim, April 3, The force under the command of Sir ' Gerald Graham advanced, as arranged, this morning, and succeeded in occupying Osman Digna's position at Tamai, the enemy retiring on the approach of the British troops after exchanging a few shots. General Graham, finding only a very small supply of water which was useless for drinking purposes, only remained two hours at Tamai, and the troops are bow returning to Souakim. It is the intention of the British com-. mander to push forward the construction of a railway to Ilandoub as faßt as possible, and a force is to be stationed at that place to awaitP any attack that may be made by the Arabs. The British casualties daring the skirmish were one private killed, and one officer and ten rank and file wounded, including two members of the New South Wales contingent. The enemy's loss was only slight. April 5. Reuter's special correspondent says : -—The whole of the troops under the command of General Graham, returned here to-day with the exception of a single ■ Indian Native regiment, which remains behind to garrison the zareeba until Monday, when they will return here. The adjoining camp and the zareeba will be abandoned. A movement will commence on Monday for theconcentration of troops along the rail-, -way line to Handoub, which is making good progress, and it is hoped the force will be able to reach that place in about a week's time.