The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-03-28 00:00:00

The following are the official telegrams received a

the War Office—:
From Lieutenant-General Sir G. Graham to the
Secretary of State for War.
"Souakim, March 23, 1885, 12.5 a.m.
_ _ _ _

"Following to Wolseley, March 22nd:
"Following just received from M'Neill, 9 p.m.:
Berkshire—Killed, Lieutenant Swinton and 12 men.
Marines—eight men killed, 12 wounded. Navy—
Killed, Lieutenant Seymour, six men. Royal
Engineers—Captain Romilly and Lieutenant Newman
killed. Indian Contingent—about 25 killed, including
Major Von Beverhondt, and 70 wounded.
" ' It is impossible at present to get further infor-
mation. Enemy broke into square of zereba, which
was imperfectly formed. Attack lasted about 20
minutes. Enemy lost near 1000. Very great loss
in transport camels, horses, and mules; and no firing
from enemy at present.'
"On first hearing firing, at 2.45 p.m., I ordered
out Guards, except one battalion previously despatched
to liasheen with convoy. Remaining battalions, with
Horse Artillery,'; advanced two miles towards zereba,
and were retired on receipt of telegram from
M'Neill. Two battalions go out to-morrow with
further supplies. I shall accompany Guards, and
will send further details..

The following telegram has been sent by Lieut.-
General Sir G. Graham to Lord Wolseley, dated
Souakim, March 23, 6.30 p.m.:
"Advanced Zereba 12 noon.
___

"Arrived here with Guards and large convoy.
Am sending in wounded and baggage animals with
Indian Brigade and Grenadier Guards, under Fre-
mantle, leaving two battalions of Guards here with
31'Neill's Brigade.
"A strong zereba has been constructed, and I
consider position secure against any number of
enemy.
"The attack yesterday was very sudden and deter-
mined, and came unfortunately on our weakest point.
The Sikhs charged the enemy with bayonet. The
Berkshire behaved splendidly, clearing out the zereba
where entered and capturing three standards.
Marines also behaved well. Naval Brigade was
much exposed, and suffered severely. Engineers
also suffered heavily, being out working when at-
tacked.

"The enemy suffered very severely, more than a
thousand bodies being counted. Many chiefs of note
are believed to have fallen.
"I deeply regret our serious losses, but am of
opinion that M`Neill did everything possible under
the circumstances. The cavah-y, sth Lancers, did
their best to give information, but the ground being
covered with bush it was impossible to see any
distance.

"The troops behaved extremely well. All the
staff and regimental officers did their utmost.
"Enemy charged with reckless courage, leaping
over the low zereba to certain death, and although
they gained a temporary success by surprise they
have received a severe lesson, and up to the present
time have not attempted again to molest the
zereba.'

On Tuesday the special correspondent of the
Morning Post despatched the following message
from Souakim : A convoy of camels left the camp
this morning, under the escort of the Sikhs, with a
portion of the Bengal Caralry. A body of Marines
and Guards which left to meet the convoy was
attacked on its road by the enemy, and fired a few
volleys. The rebels again fired on the party from
the shelter of the bushes as they were returning.
One private was killed and one wounded. The brush-
wood growin,, around the zereba is being cleared away,
so as to destroy the cover for an enemy to approach.
A convoy of camels was also sent out to the
Ifasheen zereba, escorted by the Shropshire Regi-
ment, with a party of the Mounted Infantry. The
garrison will abandon Hasheen to-morrow. Osman
Digna's General, Faggiah, is reported to have been
killed in the fight on Sunday. The Scots Guards,
the Coldstreams, the Berkshlre Regiment, and the
Marines remain in occupation of the zereba on the
road to Tamai. Lieutenant Edwards of the 28th
Bengal Native Infantry, died yesterday of his
wounds.

The following complete list of British losses near
Tamai is to hand from the War Office : - -

The following are-tV3—ca- sUalties which occurred in
the -engagement of the 20th of March, at. Hasheen,
as reported by telegram from General Sir G.
Graham ;--

KILLED.

Lieutenant M.D. D. Daliso-n, Scots Guards; one
native officer, Indian Contingent.
WouNDEn.

_
Major A. B. Harvey, sth Lancers, severely; Lieu-
tenant G. E. Benson, Royal Artillery, slightly;
Surgeon I. R. Lane, Medical Staff, very dangerously
(since dead) ; Majw D. H. Robertson Oth Bengal
Lancers, severely.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN.

KILLED.
stl Lancers t— Troop Berjeant-Major Nicholla
Private Edwards.
2nd Battalion Scots Guards 6142 Private
Ashby, 5385 Private Andrew. Murray.
Indian Contingent-12 sowars.
WOUNDED.

sth Lancers-1855 Private H. Cole, severely; 2550
Private C. Rowland, slightly.
Mounted Infantry-270 Private J. Betteridge ; 102
Private N. Benfort, severely ; 1519 Lance-Corporal
H. Stanley; 94 Private A. Rhodes, slightly.
3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards-7897 Private W.
Stubbings, dangerously; 8607 Private A. Sutcliffe;
7776 Private J. Douglas, slightly.
Ist Battalion Coldstream Guards-5675 Lance-
Corporal D. Thomas, severely; 5505 Private W.
Chadwick; 5844 Private G. Court, dangerously;
4832 Private R. Wray (since dead) ; 6508 (55508)
Lance-Corporal W. Dyble ; 5906 Private T. Bishop;
4861 Private M. Brennan; 5598 (? 5590) Private
A. Whitby; 3371 Private H. Newton; 4575 Ser-
geant H. Atkins, slightly.
2nd Battalion Scots Guards-4081 Private P.
M‘Laughlin ; 4848 Private J. Hamer; 5699 Lance-
Corperal P. Stewart, severely; 6025 Private W.
Squires, dangerously.
Ist Battalion Berkshire Regiment-274 Private W.
Piper, slightly; 149 Private Walton, severely.
Royal Marines—E. T. Capel, dangerously.
Indian Contingent—Thirteen sowars and three
privates.
From Lieutenant-General Sir G. Graham to the

Secretary of State for War.
SOIJAKIIf, March 23, 9 p.m. ,
Following to Wolseley to-day: i
March 23.—Following 'casualties among officers,
since reported, in yesterday's fighting:

KILLED.

Ordnance Store Department—Quartermaster C.
Eastmead.
Wotriogn.

Royal Navy. severely—Surgeon M. Digan.
Staff—Lieutenant Hon. A. D. Charteris, Coldstream
Guards, A.D.C.

Royal Engineers—Captain C. B. Wilkieson.
17th Bengal Native Infantry—Lieutenant E. M.
Drury. _

281 Bombay Native Infantry—Dangerously,
Lieutenant A. T. P. Edwards; slightly, Lieutenant
Thompson. _ _ _ _ .

Detailed statements of other ranks follow.

The Secretary of the Admiralty forwards for pub-
lication the following list of casualties amongst the
petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy during
the action near Souakim on the 22nd inst.: