The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-22 00:00:00

THE DEFEAT OF OSMAN ZIGNA.

In describing the recent defeat ‘af Osman Digna,
thespeckd correspondent of the Daily lcews says:
General Graham has been as good as his word.
The Arab rebels did not forsake Osman Digna, and
the fate which their fellow-tribesmen got at El Tel
has overtaken them also.

At eight this morning we marched out to attack the
cneiny's position. The previous formations were
changed, and two echeloned squares were substituted
for the single square which most had hoped would be
adopted, and the two squares were formed in line, in
which manner they started from Baker's zeriba. I
noticed that the right square comprising the First
Brigade, under General Buller, seemed to be rather
hurried in keeping the line of march; but then the
ground was difficult for attacking squares. The
Second Brigade, under General Davis, which I accom-
panied, was composed of the 42nd and 65th Regi-
ments, with the guns in front of the line, and the
Marines forming the rear. Latterly the ground over
which we have advanced is a kind of plateau dipping
towards the east, on which ourfront was then moving.
' The configuration reminded one of the warnings
uttered by certain members of the Intelligence Do-.
part—" Beware of surprises."
It seemed exactly the sort of ground on which large
numbers of the enemy might easily conceal them-
selves, and from which they might spring upon a
sudden. As soon as our troops came within short
striking distance, right in front, some eleven hundred
yards a head, a group of Abyssinian scouts were
busily engaged in exchanging shots with the enemy.
Unlike proper scouts, however, they were all in a
heap, and seemed to be firing somewhat promis-
cuously. Parties of cavalry in skirmishing order
were similarly engaged in the same quarter of the
field. If the object was to draw on the enemy the
attempt succeeded admirably, for within fifteen or
twenty minutes from the time of starting the fight
was raging.
The machine guns were handled most dexterously;
but our artillery had only a brief chance, for the
enemy were swarming upon us in the space of a few
moments. Before coming to close quarters, the Arabs
actively plied their Remington rifles, and with the
musketry from the 42nd and the 65th half battalions,
the fire was simply terrific.
In recent battles there have been fewer hotter
corners than General Davis's square. The hissing
and whizzing of the enemy's bullets over our heads
made our voices almost inaudible. Had the Arabs
been as good shots as the Boers not a tenth of our
number would have escaped alive. The rebels then
began to crowd about our left flank, composed of
the 42nd, which opened fire with the same rapid
energy as their comrades in front.
The musketry fire had lasted about three seconds,
when a confused din of voices broke as an undertone
through the roar. It was the 42nd forming the
front half battalion, and the 65th, which, giving
way, bulged inwards until at last they came within
ten or fifteen yards of the rear line of their square,
which as I have already said, was composed of the
Marine Light Infantry.
Simultaneously the Arabs were running in upon
the left flank. Our square was being crushed in-
wards. This is savage warfare, and I may remark in
passing that some, if not all, of the non-combatants
within the square became combatants for once. I
myself did, though I don't know whether my revolver
bullets found their billets. A fellow-correspondent,
an old campaigner, was as active with his weapon as
any soldier in the ranks.
As the wild ruck of reckless savage Arabs pressed
onwards the Highlanders and 65th continued press-
ing on the rear, and for a few moments the scene sug-
gested a strange resemblance to that of Baker's
square at El Teb, but there was a difference. The
Highlanders and their comrades were retiring like
lions at bay.
The spectacle did not so much terrify as exercise a
weird, terrible fascination. Ido not suppose that
either I or anyone else who witiftssed it will often
again see its equal for magnificence. Though re-
treating, our men literally mowed down their assail-
ants. In the smoke and dust of the battle, amid the
bright gleam of their myriad spear-heads, the semi-
nude, brown-skinned, black, shaggy-haired warriors
were falling down in scores. Of all the savage races,
of the world none were more desperately. brave than
the Soudani Arabs who were breaking upon our ranks
ike a tempestuous sea.
At last the pressure of the front upon the rear
became so great that those of us who were mounted
were for a few moments too tightly wedged together
to be able to move; but we felt the collapse was only
temporary. Even the capture of our four Gatling
guns by the rebels did not shake this confidence. At
last the Highlanders and the 65th responded to the
call of their officers. They advanced step by step
resolutely and fiercely. The Bluejackets charged
splendidly, retaking their guns, and the Arabs began
to retreat.

The order to cease firing soon sounded, and the
Brigades waited to form, after which the force re-
sumed the advance, the enemy giving way slowly and
obstinately. The demoralisation of the Arabs in this
part of the battlefield was completed by the cavalry,
who, sweeping round the left flank, dismounted and
poured volley after volley into the retreating enemy.
The Arabs, in fact, had attempted to rally and take
up in flank, but the sudden movement by the cavalry
defeated their object. This check effected, the square
advanced to the edge of the plateau, beneath which
extended a large nullah, or ravine, to search which
skirmishers were promptly sent, when large numbers
of Arabs concealed all over the spot sprang up as if
by magic. But instead of attacking they bolted.

Hitherto I have spoken only of General Davis's
brigade within which I stood during the action; but
from what I could see of General Redver's Bailer's
brigade, which was echeloned at a distance of about
300 yards in our rear, and, from what I have gathered
from some who have accompanied it, I put together
the following brief statement: The brigade was
assaulted in the same wild, furious manner as the
second, but replied with a tremendous fire, which
killed every living being within reach of it. In other
words the enemy never even got near this brigade.
Its story was very much the reverse of that of our
attacking square. Not only did the rank and file
calmly and strenuously hold their ground, but the
guns inside played havoc among the enemy's ranks,
speedily throwing them into helpless confusion. It is
but common justice to say that Redvers Buller handled
his brigade splendidly. Bailer's brigade then advanced
to the edge of the plateau, with the mounted infantry
operating in advance.
By this time, about a quarter-past eleven, the battle
was virtually over; but no rest was given to the
Arabs, for, after a short halt, Buller, with his bat-
talions, which General Graham also accompanied,
crossed two or three ravines, intervening between the
plateau and the wells of Tamai, as it is sometimes
called, a spot about four miles from Tamanhid. The
capture of these wells was the immediate object of
General Graham's expedition.
As the brigade advanced its artillery, with neat pre-
cision, shelled the enemy, who, having completely
lost heart, were making as fast as they could for the
hills, where they knew we should not follow them.
When the second brigade came up, and after march-
ing a little more than a mile, reached the wells, only
a few struggling parties of our lately brave and pre-
ponderatingly numerous foes were visible. As they
disappeared into the mountains the El Teb scenes
were repeated, and men and horses—hot, dusty,
thirsty, and weary refreshed themselves at the
springs.
The Wells were reached at about midday. It is
impossible to speak too highly of the conduct of the
bluejackets. It was not their fault that the guns were
taken, and they recaptured them in a style worthy of
the finest traditions of their noble service. The Naval
Brigade had ten killed, among whom I regret to say
are Lieutenants Montressor, Almack, and Houston
Stewart.