THE ADVANCE ON KHARTOUM. DECISIVE FIGHT AT METAMMEH. SIR H. STEWART SEVERELY WOUNDED. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS KILLED. HELP FROM KHARTOUM. [BY TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.] [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 31 January 1885, Page 2

THE ADVANCE ON KHARTOUM. DECISIVE FIGHT AT METAMMEH. SIR H. STEWART SEVERELY WOUNDED. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS KILLED. HELP FROM KHARTOUM. [BY TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.] [REUTERS TELEGRAMS.]

Cviko, January 28. Lokd WoiaKlky wires that El Metaminch has born captured by Colonel Stewarts column after heavy fighting, (lining which Colonel Stewart was severely wounded. Colonel Sir C. Wilson has left El Metimineh for Khartoum in a steamer. Later telegrams from Lord Wolseley give the following detaih of the action at Mctammeh : — When Sir Charles Wilson arrived within four mlleß of the Nile on the l!Hh instant, the enemy showed iv strong force. Colonel Stewart therefore halted his column and constructed a zarcbah, although under heavy fire. It was here that Colonel Stewart was severely wounded, and Colonel Sir C. Wilson then assumed the command, and, leaving the wounded in the zarebah, marched out the same afternoon. The enemy, led by several Emirs on horseback, charged the Btitish gallantly, hut were lepulsed each time, losing five of their Emirs and '250 killed, besides many wounded. The British loss is not stated. Mr C.imcron, the special correspondent of the Standard, and Mr Herbert, of the Morning Post, were killed. Subsequent inspection of El Motamineh showed that it was fortified and occupied by 2000 Arabs, and Colonel Wilson considered that the position would not be woi th the loss winch would be incurred in carrying it by assault. During the inspection of the enemy's position four steamers, under the cominan.l of Mi&rai I'.xslia, fiom Khartoum, readied (inbal, a slioit distance south of El Mctammeh, and landed guns and men. Sir Charles Wilson, with two steamers and a detachment of the Royal Sussex, started for Khaitoum on the 24th instant. Major CJencral Butler is now leaving Korti ior Gubal, where ho will take the command of opeiations The Royal Irish have also started, and the West Kent follow shortly.

Korti, January 28. The troops under Colonel Sir Herbert Stewart made foiced marches on Sunday and Monday, and had nearly reached the Nile, when they were attacked by the enemy near El Metammeh. The enemy were beaten after four hours' hard fighting. The British loss was slight. The British columns succeeded in reaching the Nile after a severe fight, and remained there until Tuesday e\ ening. During the engagement Mr Cameron, special coricspondcnt of the London Standard, was killed.