The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-23 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF BRITISH TROOPS AT
SOUAKIM.

The special correspondent of the Daily News, in a
telegram dated Souakim, Monday, says:
This afternoon the troopship Jumna arrived with
320 officers and men, all told, of the 10th Hussars,
under Colonel Wood, 338 of the Royal Irish Fusiliers,
under Colonel Robinson, and 81 all told of M.-1 Royal
Artillery, under Major Holley.
The appearance of the Jumna, the largest ship
which ever entered Souakim harbour, excited great
astonishment among the native population, a large
number of whom, including the Arab 3, crowded the
beach of Souakim Island, The Juliana was most skil•
frilly steered through the reefs which render the up.
proach, especially in rough weather, somewhat hazar-
dous. As soon as she cast anchor Baker Pasha went
on board, and was repeatedly cheered by his old
regiment, the Hussars, the band of which played the
air "Auld Lang Syne," in significance of his former
connection with it.
The 10th, one of the three original Huesar regiments
in the British army, attained much of its reputation
for smartness during Baker Pacha's colonelcy and
after the Crimean War, in which it served. The
regiment arrives here after eleven years' service in
India, including the Afghan War. As old soldiers,
many of them counting twelve to fifteen years' service,
the 10th are eminently fitted for service in the Soudan.
The Fusiliers are already known for their service in
South Africa. Both regiments are in excellent health
and spirits, and are eager for the coming campaign.
They showed much curiosity for information about
the Arabs who had massacred Baker Pasha's force,
their style of fighting, arms, and so forth.
The Hussars will take over the horses of the Egyp•
tian cavalry. The animals, though small, are wiry,
and would be well adapted for the coming work, but
owing to the utter incapacity of the Egyptian troop
officers, are in poor condition. From the same cause
the saddlery is almost ruined.
During the night run from sixty miles south of
Trinkitat to Souakim the Jumna officers saw numerous
fires, evidently the rebels' signals, for they were lighted
one after another as the vessel proceeded.

Telegraphing from Sot:1BICm, on Tuesday, the
special correspondent of the Daily News says:
Two men who have broken through the rebel lines
round Tokar arrived this afternoon. Being surprised
by a party of rebels en route, they tore up the letter
with which they had been entrusted by Makawi
Effendi, commanding the garrison. One, broken with
fatigue, has stopped at a spot eight miles distant. His
companion says that Tokar has an abundant supply of
food and water, but the munitions are running short;
that in the last sortie the garrison killed about 160
and lost only two, which, to say the least, suggests
suspicions of the refugee's memory, or even his
veracity. He adds that the rebels are quarrelling
among themselves, especially with the sheikhs, who
are accused of having appropriated most of the booty.
The man even sayc that Osman Digna has taken the
lion's share. This report is in contrast with Osman
Digna's professed rule of poverty and self-sacrifice.
The 60th Rifles, under Colonel Ashburnham, and
also detachments of mounted infantry, arrived to-day.
The 42nd and another regiment sailed past this
afternoon to Trinkitat direct, where Admiral Hewett
forms the whole army, which will assemble on Friday
or Saturday at the latest. The advance upon Tokar
is to begin almost immediately after. Doubtlens Tokar
can easily hold out until relief arrives. Oar success is
equally certain; in fact, there is some doubt whether
the rebels will oppose the march from Trinkitat. It
Is considered probable that Osman Digna may prefer
sweeping down upon Souakim when once we leave it,
with its small garrison.