The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1885-05-26 00:00:00

OUR BOYS AT BUAKIIII.

It having been decided to proceed in the direction
of Ilandoub, the following trolls paraded at an early
hour on the 6th of April, Realer Monday, preparing
' for the march, which took place about 7 a.m. —The
I Infantry Battelion of Australian Contingent, Grew,
die! Guards, 17th Company Royal Islngineers, and
various other detachment*, with camels, mules, kc.,
loaded with n.visions. Tlw square being formed, the
advance sounded, we moved off at a slow pace,
several halts being made on the way to keep the
square in position. Owing to a very great number of
'muffins, it WAA very difficult to march, the 61111 being
hut and very little break:. Four *Ye,. el sun.
stroke occurred among the Australians and Guards.
.tfter a march of about five miles, a halt was made
and a zereba formed. All the troops at once set to
work, although tired and very eager for something
to quench their thirst, some being employed cutting
bushes and drawing them lip to the temp, others
pitching tents, Ow 17th Company Royal Engineers
being employed in erecting a look.out or signal
station, and firming defence* for their own part of
the camp. I may say the bushes here are very huge,
and covered with thorns, averaging frulll A hall to
inch,. The camp being partly formed, the men
retired for dinner, and tuned snit again at 3 p.m. hi
I complete the defence. In all cases the troop.i sleep
out in the open air: and about 10 p.m. shots were
find into the camp, the only amenity being the damage
if a signalman's lantern by • bullet. Several volleys
were fired from the zerebaat the rebels, who quickly
disappeared, and the troops all turned down t.. sleep.
B. enlic being sounded at 1.30 a.m., we all turned out
and got ready for a day's work, cutting bushes and
clearing road fir railway for about two miles towards
Ilandoubs Night drew on and we retired to rest, and
enjoyed it much, not being disturbed. Ni, firing
during the night and all quiet around. We sleep
round the :ere* with anus and accoutrements siii,
and 70 rounds Ammunition, *words fixed, one blanket
and waterproof ;sheet being only allowed for a cover-
ing. The nights are very cold, with heavy dews ;we
feel it very chilly. On the morning of the Bth, the
same troops paraded as before for a march further
on to • station called Handoub, about five miles
further inland; being relieved by another column
from Suakin. We started at 7 a.m., a square
being formed, the 17th Company Royal Engineers
taking the front face. .1. few halts were made on
the march, one being to cut the bushes away sec
account of their being AO thick. A few of the troops
only being employed at this, while the others were
I protecting the square. The advance sounded, and we
movedff o arriving at our dcetinatiou about noon. We
met with no resistance from the enemy, they all
having fled further into the interior. This part is ale°
covered with the same kind of bushes, and we set to
work and formed A zerelm. During the stay of the
column in this piece, I z., set en slays, the troops wens
employed cutting bushes ansl clearing the way for
the railroad, the Royal Engineers Issieg employed
daily digging wells' and making watering-elan-x for
the animals, and fixing pe ts the wells, water
being the chief item which is valued by all. Several
times the Mounted Infantry and friendly tribe went
out scouring the country round about, and on one ssr
two occasions flocks and women driving them were
brought in, ales prisoners about 10. The heat en the
marches, and especially on the hills, is felt very
much, especially by those who have lately come to
the country. Several cm, daily of sunstroke, others
with slight touches of fever ansl ague caused by
the slessong snit .4 a night. On the lilth
a coltsn;n RAA f14111,e1,1 Ull in !squad, consisting if 17th
Coumjusay Royal lingi net ng iu feint face, Scotts Guards
side and roar faces, accompanied LI usual by
branches of different corps carrying supplies, ke. The
advance sounded about seven, and WI. Illuvell ..ff for
a place called Otos, &Isonit eight or nine miles alwad.
IVe had a few halts, the sun being very warm and no
breeze, bad road, and covered with bushes, made the
march very hard, hut on arriving at the islace I wax
glad to find none had fallen mit, although many
could DOA have gone much f sirther. This part al somuls
in game ssf all kinds, consisting chiefly of gazelles,
hares, and many fine spiel 111 l nes of birds. Ws. set to
work, as usual making zerelso for defence .1 thus:amp,
I and searching fie water to 14111.14 call' craving thirst
! and for watering the transports. Ws. •ssn found
sufficient to supply the wants of all, the HuyAl
Ettginterso §xing pumps and making watering-places :
water supply geod ; utter scepb Ted daily cutting
and clearing away the bushes around the camp to
prevent the enemy from stealing itt uPon us. We are
kMts ~..sntains. Wells .1 water
are very scarce in this part of .1,.,
from thcee wateringplaces the names are derived
front. No signs of villages are visible, the rebels
chiefly existing under bushes covered over by large
tufts of gnus, to keep the sun out. I may say during
the march to Otoa we captured one rebel only, he lasing
brought in by the scouts, everywhere around seems
discrttd by them. After a short stay hens. we ..+l
off to TIM ce 18th, A pril, 17th Company Royal
Engineers orming poi4ts'ef squat. , stht Scums I ;lewdx
side and rear faces; the advance soultded, ritjij tht
square moved off, arriving at Tanilmiak about 10.311,
the march not being troublesome, but very tiring
owing to the large stones in the water courses, this
being our only road. The heat was very cppreasive,
no casualties occurred on the ctey, and no signs of the
rebels near; all very quiet. The troop set to work
and formed :webs, while the Royal Engine., were
ensploycd in searching for water, which was soon
found. The water supply being %try bad, not
sufficient for traesports, the tnesies are allewaressl 'Mt
with ono gellon per MAU a day cundenaed water, which
is hardly enough to supply our wants. Oonvoys come
up to is,. daily with water and prsoisioes. Welltploleop-
ing out at night, one .1 the hardships wit of maity
active service, isulaciahly Wlll-11 analAell at night by
tiring from the rebels. Since our stay at Tambouk, we
have been visited by a few of OW 44111111 y, but • good
distance ,if, near enough for their shots to pass over
our cans's; no casualties. On Sunday, thel7th Company
Royal Engineers
.went out about n miles e=
in the mountains, le being thought that so

exists here. It is decided thatcopper Qui be obtained;
health id' the tnsips is good, very little sickness. The
rations for iiiic man a day is 1011 biscuit, IN) preserved
or Ilh "frwli meat, when procurable," Om sugar,
Oz. coffee, lox. tea, oc. salt, ime-thirty-sixthOL
•a. compress's' vegetal ilea, yrs I itneji i ice ant I los. sugar
every otherilityl. I gallon of water a day. Oranges have
lawn a few time,. (one hut to-day, the
a special Waite of iine orange tcitiiree men, remind-
ing as of days gone by at 1i,,,,,. Ilay we &la.
received from tin. National A l Society a very hand-
111111be luxury, in prole. onion i alter tr. ;it INSIIIItl•
ted of jams, coo at and milk, lowed nii I k vegeta I ilea,
comp.-eased iiipea and tobacco. We value this
gift very much. 1., closing, I might say that the 17th
Company Royal F.ngiwwni left Cairo for Sliakini in
.1 mw last, lias lawn there ever since, enliloyetl in
making the piers, which have proved wi useful in the
imliadisig of w • 1111 l ch shipping that has ciiine into the
harlasirfluring the recent exiaslition, also in making
the raidwiiy, and erivting several forts tor the defence
if the tan. Ginsiiliwing the climate, amid excessive
licat which has to lie endures' in this place, known to
inie 1 4 the unhealthiest part* iif the 'tort Sea, this
comiviny has sbaal it well, and tan. 111,1111 111 say *Mlle
(nun l'ortland have *twat it well, awl are
nou- sharing tlic the expeditiim under a
Ir. pical sum, lighting for queen amid country.
iSignial, One iif the l'ortland
.tpril 1it4.1,
BRI1)PORT.

THR sale of work at the Wanleyan Chapel riedised
about t:5O.
Corery Poure, Tuesday.- Before N'ea'r,,. W.
Itouitsell awl S. W. Whetluun, Mary Ann Slefor, a
tramp, was charged with being drunk at Peaminster
Sunday.-She pleaded not guilty.--P.C. Miller
maid he found defendant near Beaminster, when. she
was cursing awl swearing and drunk. He could not
get her to the station withoitt the assistance .1 a
constable, and on the way her language was fleet
disginting.-The liench sentetitsxl her t.. hard labour
for 14 days.
, SCHOOL INAPIWTION.-T11.• filii.kWing Are reports of
the Education Department ..n the Brelport National
tkhools, consequent mom the recent inspection by Mr.
G. H. Donlon and Mr. T. M. Morgan, H.M. In•
Apex:tors -I:iris' Sekm4-" The girls are in very nice
order, and have made. moat cnxlitable prem. during
the year. The elementary work has been well elone,
the recitation very well said, and the needlework is
extremely gwsl. -Infanta' Selu.l--" The aches.' fully
nutintains its high character for general efficiency.
The singing from notes has been very minx...fully
accomplished. Ti.. merit grant is again 'Excellent '
WAItTON.-For some little time past Parliament
has been relieved of the 111/111/16011/1 imeience of the
Member for Bridport ; but on Wednesday night Mr.
Warton was in his place again, and, having wasted
much time in talking about the Irish Registration
Bill, proceeded to block the introduction .1 the
Crofters' Bill. It was proposed to bring in the Ilill
pm brow, in order that et might he printed and in the
hands of members before the Lied Advocate mak. his
explawitims on Thursday. Mr. Warton succeeded
in preventing this. Fortunately, the next Parliament
is not likely to be vexed by the
_presence of this
spiteful little. Ecke.—The interest Mr.
Wart.m takes in the queetion of making a HOMY.
Wedaladayll ii. illustrated in curious faahion. It han
for several sessions been the hon, member's custom to
stand outside the dew of the KIRIN, lif Commons on
Wednesday afternoon between twelve and one o'clock
and endeavour to diemade members from entering, se
that the making of a House might be delayed to as late
an hour an pesible.-Duely New.
EVILYING CONCIRT.-In the Congregational school-
room on Monday evening • concert id vocal and
ituitrumental music of first-clase order was given.
The promoters of the concert deserved the large
audience which attentively listened to the pleasing
efforts of the various performers, who. noutys were
(nun time to titne rapt:mm..ly applauded. The whole
of the items in the programme were calculated te
plewie, and the manner in which the major part of
the pieta,/ were rendered does honour to thew.
concerned. The following Wall the programme: -
Overture, " Nbisaniello;“ part-song, " Echoes song,
" Beyond the Stars," Monteith; organ solo,
Mr. W. Stow.; duet, " Maybe-11s," K Croft
and E. Champ; part-song, "Spring Sung wing,
"Come back to Erin,- Mrs. Buckpitt ; part-song,
" Creme.. and Snowdrops mambo ;
selection la Scotch air..; wing, "TI,. Sea Ring,- Mr.
Nlorris ; string quartet part-..0n. ".Jack Fnwit
violin solo, "Hungarian Sketeli,• Mr. W. Stone:
duet, " Excelsior," Niesers. T. 3lorris awl A. Champ ;
part seng, "Sweet and Low;" waltz, "Sunny
Clitui!“."