NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4329, 15 November 1882, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Incidents of the Egyptian War

THE BATTLE OF TEL EL KEBIR,

The Times correspondent with thelndian contingent gives an interesting account of the part played in that engagement, which virtually brought the war to a close, by the Sepoy troops. In the earlier part of the attack (he says) the Highland and Marine brigades respectively had to sustain a torrent of shell and bullets without any protection ; hence their rather heavy losses and our singular immunity. .The shell which plumped into the middle of General Macpherson's staff came from the corner battery on the other side of the canal, and was quickly followed by many more. At first our General merely bade his followers dismount and stand/behind their horses, but finding it too hot, he ordered a ' rapid scamper up the incline, across the flat, and down the other side, to shield us from the said murderous rain. There, of course, we bad to bear the full, straight fire from the Krupp battery in front, but the ground being much broken it was not difficult to obtain a certain amount of shelter. Corpses in dozens lay strewn hither and thither, victims of our screw guns, while in the trench itself the slain could be counted by hundreds. The incidents told by men's attitude were painful, of course, but absorbingly dramatic. In one spot I saw a Highlander who had absolutely run his bayonet through two foe men, and had himself at the instant received his quietus from a bullet in the forehead. Near him was a drummer boy, an urchin of twelve, who had plunged his dirk through an Arab's heart, and had received a bayonet in his own bosom. It was apparent that the Highlanders had not fired at all, but had escaladed the earthwork and caught the enemy with cold iron just as he attempted to make good his escape up the other side of the trench; the havoc was fearful, the contortions of pain horrid to look upon; the ferocious «xpression of faces, both Oriental and European, akin to that of demons. Upon looking around us the Egyptians were seen flying in thousands in all directions, pursued by our soldiery. While this was taking place on the plain north of the canal, the liffian Division on our side had shelled o« a native village on our left, which was perceived to be occupied by Arab infantry, and the Nordenfelt guns were pouring a destructive fire on the enemy's intrenchments. Under cover of our fire the Seaforth Highlanders had got within 200 yards of the intrenchments, which they now stormed. Lieut. Barn-Murdoch, RE., was the first man in. Galloping forward in advance of his men, he dashed into the battery and sabred the gunners as they were about to discharge the last gun into our men. The infcreachments of Tel-el Kebir were now ali carried, fifty* eight guns in our hands (of which twelve were captured by the Indian Division), and the enemy in full flight, pursued by our cavalry. HOW ZAGAJSI& WAS TAKEN.

Among the most brilliant Had spirited incidents of this brilliant little war, the capture of Zagazig takes a foremost place. It was effeoted by the acting Commandaßt of the 6th Bengal Cavalry, with Lieut. Murdoch, of the Engineers, and five troopers of the 6th Bengal Cavalry, The rest of the corps bad all been thrown out in the headlong gallop from the battlefield. The little party dashed through the crowd assembled round the station, and there found found four trains laden with soldiers with the steam up, and at the point of

departure. They reined up in front of the first engine, and with levelled pistols, ordered -the engineer to dismount. He refused, and was at once, shot; the rest bolted, as did the passengers, including some Pashas, whose luggage -was taken, and thousands of troops fled, across the country. The British cavalry came up half an hour later. a tboopeb's adventube. Trooper Bennett, of the Blues, who was lost on the night of the famous cavalry charge, August 28, had to run a terrific gauntlet. ' His horse bolted through the rebel infantry, and he was surrounded by a troop of Bedouins. He had already re ceived threeslight wounds, when he dashed at a regiment of cavalry. There he was surrounded, lassooed, and pulled out of the saddle. He would have been cut to pieces but for an officer, who rushed to his rescue. Thus saved, he was led with a rope round his neck to Arabi Pasha, who, after examination, told him the English were fools to ,fight, and that he had 403,000 men.. The English, he added, would never return home ; they woold be completely cut up. Bennet was sent on to Cairo in chains, but otherwise treated kindly. His fetters were afterwards removed, and he was confined in the citadel with De Chair. When taken through the streets he was rudely insulted and reviled by the mob, who threw sand at him and spat in bis face. AFTER THE BATTLE OF TEL-EL KEBIB. . When it was known that Arabi had been defeated there was quite a panic among the peasantry. Women went about screaming that the Nazarenes were coming, crying and wringing their hands. All the cattle were driven into the villages ■ and the inhabitants remained shut up with them for the whole day. When, however, they saw that our soldiers did not interfere . with them, they went out and resumed their usual occupations. Most of the people seemed-indifferent as to who governed them, andmany told me plainly that they did not care to whom they paid their taxes, whether it is the Sultan, the Khedive, or the English, so long as they were left in peace to follow their agricultural pursuits. They seemed particularly to object to having their friends and relatives turn awny from their midst to swell the ranks of the army, and to be compelled to furnish contributions of straw and barley.

THE ATTACK ON THE TEEMCHES

Arabi's men fled tbe moment our soldiers appeared above the parapet of tbe trenches; but it is net tbe less true that such a solid, steady and plucky advance, under a terrific storm of bullets, without firing a shot in reply, is probably unparalelled in warfare. For the space of a mile.and a half the ramparts presented the spectacle of one sheet of flame, so rapid and incessant were the volleys discharged, and il is now known that each man was supplied with 300 ronnds of ammunition. With no desire to disparage the valor of our young soldiers, it must be recorded that success would never have crowned their efforts had it not been for the officers' heroic conduct. The truth is the men required an immense amount of 11 leading," which is proved by the fact that do less than 20 percent, of the killed were officers—a very unusual proportion.

ARABt's SUBMISSION,

When Cairo was surrendered, the Prefect of Police was at once ordered by Colonel Stewart to invite Arabi to attend him as the Abbassieh. He at once came, accompanied by Toulba, and was received by General Lowe, who had Bean while arrived. Turning to Colonel Dullier Bey, an officer in the Khedive's service, Arabi asked him what he was required to do. Dullier told him to surrender his sword. He was then asked whether he understood that he was to surrender unconditionally. He replied '• Yes;" that he surrendered to the clemency of England. . He then began a speech to the effect that all men were brothers, but was stopped by General Lowe, who stated that his only mission was to receive his surrender. He then asked to be allowed to send to his palace for some of bis servants. This was allowed. As ho was leaving he started at the drawn swords of tbe escort, and whispered to Dullier, " Tell the gene ral I treatfd his prisoners well." He was assured that he should be treated with all consideration until he was handed over to Sir Garnet Wolseley. On the arrival of Sir Garnet, he was taken by Sir Charles Wilson in a carriage to the place prepared for him in the Abdin Palace. On the way he began making the usual salaams to the crowd, but finding the natives did not respond, he threw himself back in the carriage with disgust. He is well lodged, but suffering from dycentry^.and attended by Dr Jackson. Sir Garnet Wolseley declined to see him.