BATTLE AT SUAKIM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1833, 27 December 1888, Page 1

BATTLE AT SUAKIM.

Suakim, December 30... An engagement between the British forces and the rebels under Osman Digna, which hasbben impending some time, took place to-day. At an early hoar this morning, Major-Geueral Grenfell at the head, of four thousand men left the garrison and stormed the rebel redoubt. The battle lasted half •n hour, when the enemy were completely defeated leaving over a thousand killed upon the field. The Soudanese and black troops gallantly stormed the Arab trenches, despite the strong resistance of Osman's forces. The Wales Borderers followed up the attack on the trenches and inflicted severe punishment on the enemy by volley firing. The Blue Jackets from the British men-of-war in the harbour also rendered valuable assistance with machine and heavy guns. Osman's defeat , was complete, his ranks fleeing in the direction of Hasbeen and Tamai. The British loss was slight. No English officers were even killed or wounded, [ Major-General Grenfell's forces novr occupy the field and will encamp amoDg the rebels 1 works to night. An official report gives the loss of the' Dervisfce? in the battle to-day as four hundred. The English cavalry are still pursuing the flying Arabs, The 20th JTussars during the fight delivered a brilliant charge on the enemy's troopers. Osman Digna's trenches have been filled up. and two redoubts have been erected on the spot to protect the town from further annoyance,

December 22.

It is considered probable that Colonel Sir W. F. Grenfell, commander of the forces, will shortly make a forward movement in the direction of Handoub, and that ho ia not likelv to m3et with any resistance from th« followers of Oeraan Digroa. A nephew of Osman'e was wounded in the last battle and i token prisoner by the British troops

Daring the engagement on Thursday several of the revolvers were disabled through being clogged with sand, and many of the bwords of the Hussars were broken. The cnvalry. made a reconnaissance towards Eandoub to-dsy when it was discovered that the enemy are gathering on the hills in the neighbourhood of Hasheen. Later, j A spy has come in with a report to the' effect that Handoub is full of wounded Arabs.. It has been reinforced. Dec. 24. Both European and native opinion j agrees that an immediate attack on Han-! doub would completely quell the rebellion. Ten of the allies were killed and eighty wounded in the battle' on Thursday morning. Large quantities of the enemy's ammunition were captured. London, December 22. Tn the course of his speech at Scarborough, yesterday, Lord Salisbury said Government was not prepared to abandon the Soudan. STANLKFAND EMIN BEY. Zanzibar, Dec. 21, Arab traders who have arrrred from Wadelai state that Stanley, with a force of three hundred and thirty men, much exhausted by long privations, met Eaiin Bey at Wadelai on the 20th January. Emin Bey was then in good health, though suffering from an affection of the eyes, and he declined to leave Wadelai. The ATab traders left in April. At that time a Btrong force of the' Mahdi's was approaching, and Stanley was organising a strong detachment to search for his rear guard on the Aruwhini river. The West African Telegraph Company have received information from a reliable source at Sousiome that Stanley, accompanied by Emin Bey, has arrived at the Aruwhini river. Dec. 22. News of the safety of Stanley was read in the House of Commons and received with cheers. It is supposed that Stanley was the white traveller mentioned by OsmanDignain a letter to Major-General Greenfell as having escaped when Emin Bey fell into the hands of the Mabdi. Dec. 24. The letter sent by Osman Digna to Major- General G-renfell respecting the alleged surrender of Emin Bey and Stanley to the Mahdi, contained the promise from the latter that Emm's life should be spared, and that he should be well treated.