HOW GENERAL EARL WAS KILLED.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1345, 26 May 1885, Page 3

HOW GENERAL EARL WAS KILLED.

The correspondent of the Daily News, writes as follows :

The order was preserved till the high rocks in front were reached, The two regiments then rushed in between and over these. The enemy at once commenced a brisk fusilade, and some gallant fellows fell immediately. Shortly afterwards Colonel Eyre, commanding the South Staffordshire, fell when ascending a hill, leading the attack on the second ridge, where, behind boulders, Sheik Mousa Abou Hagil was with his Eobatat men—the most determined of all. These were faced by two companies of the Higlanders, led by the colonel and general himself who was near when the fatal shot was fired. A desperate struggle now commences. Behind every rock, crag, and stone a hidden or half-concealed enemy is opening a murderous fire. The men dashed at whatever aperture or passage, however narrow, could be found. Like wild beasts of the forest surprised in their lair, the Arabs fought at bay with the courage of desperation, having the vantage ground everywhere. And thus against desperate odds our gallant soldiers, in spite of a withering fire all round, gained rock after rock, fastness afler fastnass, behind which the well-directed aim of the Arabs deal death at every shot. Inch by inch, foot by foot, with fearful odds against them do the Highlanders on the. left and South Stafford men on the right press forward and gain ground, while the black granite beneath their feet became red and slippery from gore ; while on they pressed over ghastly corpses, over the groaning, dying, and wounded. After the first ridge there is open space for about 50 yards. Carter’s battery of Egyptian artillery had contrived to work their guns through the narrow apertures, and reached to this spot. Rush after rush is made at them, but at each a flash is seen, a hollow “boom” heard, and the assailants are hurled back, and their limbs scattered to pieces. Bound after round is fired, and a murderous Are kept up, while the Highlanders are scaling, in the most daring manner, what may be called a second position, attacking the while by sword spear and rifle. The Staffordshire had a somewhat similar feat to perform, and most coolly and resolutely did they set to work at it, clambering over, pressing through, and climbing up a most difficult, naturally fortified ground, and thus for hours was heard the ring of the rifle, the clashing of sword and spear, the cheers of the soldiers, encouraging each other, the yells of the infuriated Arabs, the roaring of the guns, and the groans of the dying, There is one house on the rise of the ground, brickbuilt, with two windows in each wing, a door bricked up between. Most of the enemy’s positions had been turned. General Earl is walking up to this to see what it was and what it contained, when a sergeant cries out, “ Don’t go near it, sir; there are men inside," The man had hardly spoken when “ crack” goes a rifle, and the general is seen to fall deadshot through the head. The house is surrounded, but entrance found irapossiblo—it is set fire to, and an entrance blown with powder. There were from 15 to 25 men inside ; all were killed—some shot, some burnt, They held out and fought till the last, knowing their fate if they issued forth. Shortly before this Colonel Covney was killed. By 3 in the afternoon all resistance was over. General Earl and Colonels Oovney and Eyre >yere buried with funeral honours under a palm tree, near the camp, 21 guns being fired as a farewell salute.