FIGHT WITH THE DERVISHES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1947, 24 September 1889, Page 4

FIGHT WITH THE DERVISHES.

The long expected battle between Sir George Grenfell’s force and the dervishes, under Wadel Ngumi, took place on Saturday, August 3rd, and resulted m the complete overthrow of the fanatics, after seven hours’ stubborn fighting. Erom the account telegraphed by the correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, which was the only paper represented at the battle, it appears that General Grenfell’s plan of action was most effective, as he entirely succeeded in his design of. drawing the enemy on by a feigned retreat of a portion of his force until the whole could attack with effect. He began by leading out from Toski, i in the early morning, the 20th; Hussars, the Camel Corps, the Egyptian Cavalry, and Mounted Infantry, with the double purpose of reconnoitering and drawing the enemy from his position, about six miles off, iuto more open country. They found the dervishes in a state of confusion and striking camp, and those already started opened a vigorous but ineffectual fire. Then a formidable body of spearmen moved out against Sir George Grenfell’s small reconnoitering force. He, seeing the enemy fit to fight, and having already sent orders for the whole force at Eki to move up in readiness for a general engagement, moved off out of range towards the north. The enemy followed in hot pursuit, wasting a good deal of ammunition at impracticable ranges. The cavalry moved slowly, and several times the enemy’s spearmen nearly got within striking distance, the firing occasionally becoming quite brisk. Actual contact was avoided, and the cavalry moved adroitly from one ridge to another, luring the unsuspecting dervishes surely to their doom. On the north-west of Toski the desert rises, and upon the high ground thus afforded Sir George Grenfell’s two infantry brigades and mule battery took up a commanding position. The enemy, about 3000 effectives, ultimately formed on ground almost as advantageous, and almost facing our fortress. Our infantry now barred Wadel Ngumi’s northward march, and, the cavalry being well on his flank, nothing was left him but to fight. The battle itself began :: the infantry fire, and that of the combined English and Egyptian troops telling very much, but that of the dervishes hardly at all. The spearmen then made several charges, all of which were repulsed with slaughter. Yery gallantly the brave fellows came on, brandishing their spears and shouting “Deifeitre foe!” but the fortress spent long ere they could have crossed a spear with a bayonet. The charge was reckless to a point of madness, for our men, black and white alike, remained as steady as rocks, maintaining a ruthless and well-directed fire, against which trained British infantry could not have stood for long. But the reckless or mad attempt was made again and again, and always with the same result. On the right, however, where Wadel Ngumi was himself, a more determined attack was made; but, strengthened by the cavalry, fhe Egyptian troops were victorious on this also, though only after several hand-to-hand encounters. The charges of the enemy failing at all points, Sir Georg© Grenfell ordered a general advance. The Soudanese regiments dashed forward with a joyous yell, the dervishes waved their standards and sounded defiant war cries, and rushed tomeetthe advancing troops. The first meeting was brief and fierce. Several blacks were speared, more perhaps than the dervishes who fell beneath the bayonet. One of the first to fall was a tall chief, who proved to be Abdel Halem, second in comof the enemy, and for a while there was a terrific hand-to-hand fight around his body, but the dervishes were overmatched even in their favorite method of warfare, and retreated upon and beyond the position whence they came. It was a retreat, not a flight, althought the cavalry rode on and among the dervishes, asd did terrible execution. Frequently the gallant Arabs turned at bay, and hacked away at the horses’ legs and riders’ bodies, regardless of sabre cuts and bayonet thrusts,, Driven from their first position, the enemy took up fresh ground, but our infantry, after a short breathing space, fired volley after volley and again charged. Again the dervishes rushed to meet them, and again there was fierce fighting, followed by retreat. Then our men drove the enemy out of their last position, and the fight was nearly over. The final dervish charge was superb, but it was met by such a fire from our rifles and artillery that the spearmen never half covered the ground, and from this: moment the enemy seemed to lose heart. Their fighting grew feebler, and ■' our artillery gave them no time to rest or reform, and finally the dervishes turned and fled. Our cavalry pursued mercilessly, compelling the fugitives to seek safety in the desert. Not a few refused the ; dreadful alternative, and turning, sometimes in groups and sometimes singly, stood and fought the horsemen until cut down, declining equally to give or accept quarter. It was a wretched remnant which sought safety in flight, and 1500 dervishes were killed on the wide battle-field. A few were taken prisoners, and many others were wounded. Wadel Ngumi, the dervish leader, fought while there was life in him, and finally fell, pierced with rifle bullets. Abdel Halem and

all the principal Emirs died at their posts like men. Only one Emir survived. Our loss was not serious. One nrivate in the Hussars was killed, and the rest, sixteen in number, were Egyptians. 'J here were 131 wounded, including several British officers. After resting a day G-eneral Grenfell advanced with the infantry, and occupied Sarras. Ha found the country perfectly quiet, and free from dervishes. In Wadel Ngumi’a camp an immense amount of treasonable correspondence was found, implicating a large number of residents of Cairo and other towns-in Egypt proper, including some highly placed officials and others of good social standing. Some well known people were also found among the dead Sheiks. These prove what has been long suspected that the Mahdi has numerous influential sympathisers, and even adherents in Lower Egypt, who are prepared openly to espouse his cause at an opportune moment. Eull particulars were sent to Cairo, and many arrests will probably follow.