The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-02-14 00:00:00

ItEINFORCEMENTS POR EGYPT.

The Press Association adds: At three o'clock, ati
hour after the meeting of the Cabinet Council in
Downing-street, the Government, with the sanction
of her Majesty, authorised that Lord Wolseley's
instructions as to the dispatch of a large force to rein-
force him in the campaign in the Soudan should be
carried out. This decision was at once sent with all
speed by special messenger to the acting Adjutant-
General at the War Office, General Sir Arthur Her-
bert, who, in expectancy of such orders, had previously
instructed certain regiments that formed part of the
First Army Corps, and are therefore up to full war
strength, to hold themselves in readiness for an
instant order to prepare to embark almost
immediately for service in the Soudan.
Major-General Sir George Greaves, K.C.M.G.,
C. 8., was, it is understood, given, with General New-
digate, important commands in the expedition.
Scores of officers called at the War Office making
anxious inquiries as to their prospects of employment.
Amongst the officers who have already received offi-
cial notification of their selection for special service
in the Soudan are Lieut-Colonel W. R. Lascelles, as-
sistant adjutant-general of the Aldershot division; and
Lieut-Colonel Waite, V.C., C. 8., commanding the
2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, now stationed at
Devonport. The prompt decision of the Government
to give Lord Wolseley a free hand has been quickly
followed b 7 active work on the part of the naval and
military authorities responsible for attending to the re-
quirements of the Commander-in-Chief in the Soudan.
The Duke of Cambridge was at the War Office at an
early hour on Monday morning, and was subsequently
joined Lz: Lord Hartington. After a short conference
between the War Department official messengers
were dispatched to the Admiralty requesting the
attendance of Sir E. Sullivan and Mr. Baughan,
Director and Assistant-Director of Transports, who
at once proceeded to the War Office. The delibera-
tions which ensued between the officials of the two
departments lasted nearly three hours, during which
the regiments available for service in the Soudan were
finally selected and the means of transport arranged.
Lord Wolseley asked for the dispatch of about 6000
men, to be made up as nearly as oossible as follows:
The Ist Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry,
and the 2nd Battalion Dublin Fusiliers, both of which
are now in the Mediterranean garrisons. One battalion
each of the Scots Guards, the Grenadier Guards, and
the Coldstream Guards, the sth Lancers, the 20th
llussars, the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and
the let Telegraph Company of the Royal Engineers.
Some surprise has been expressed at the strength of
the reinforcements demanded by Lord Wolseley, as it
was not at first supposed that his requirements would
exceed 5000 men. As a matter of fact, however,
serious operations, involving the long-deferred open-
ing of the Souakim-Berber route, have been practically
decided upon, for the successful prosecution of which
a force nearly as strong as that already under Lord
Wolseley's command is required. It is understood
that the bulk of the reinforcements will be sent to
Souskim, where it is estimated that within a month
from this date about 8000 mem will have assem-
bled. The decision to dispatch a brigade of Guards
to the Soudan was arrived at on Sunday, and com-
municated to her Majesty. The battalions selected
are the 3rd Grenadiers, Ist Coldstreams, and 2nd
Scots, of a respective strength of 750 rank and file,
with a full complement of officers. The intimation to
be held in immediate readiness was conveyed to the
troops late on Sunday night—so late, indeed, that
when " last-post " was sounded the utmost excitement
prevailed, all ranks exhibiting the utmost anxiety to
proceed to the front to the aid of their gallant com-
rades, and, if not too late, to the rescue of General
Gordon. At reveille on Monday morning the
quarters of the respective battalions presented a
most animated appearance, and all drills and other
duties were of little interest compared with
the all-absorbing idea of preparation for em-
barkation this week. Simultaneously with the
renipt of the order, communication was established
with the clothing factory at Pimlico for the provision
of khaki-coloured fighting dress for 2500 officers
men. 'Though a considerable number of
officers were on leave they have been recalled by
telegraph. The battalions selected are first on the
roster of the Brigade of Guards for foreign
service, the 3rd Greriadiers and let Coldstream,
having returned from the Crimea in June, 1856,
and the 2nd Scots from Canada in 1864.
The 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards is com-
manded by Colonel L. G. Phillips; the Ist Battalion
Coldstream Guards, by Colonel A. Lambton ' • and the
2nd Battalion Scots Guards, by Colonel the Hon. R.
W. Trefusis. Soon after reveille on Monday morn-
ing at Wellington Barracks, where two of the three
battalions are quartered—viz., the Ist Coldsteams
and 2nd Scots, the troops were mustered on parade,
the muster in each case being nearly 650 men. The
difference between this number and the number
ordered to embark, viz., 750 men and all the officers,
was accounted for by casuals, men on duty, and on
leave. The telegraph was instantly set in
operation, and all men on leave ordered to
return at once.

The following despatches were received from the
special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle on
Monday:
BERT', Feb 7 (via Merawi, Feb. 8).
The enemy has at length been found.
The Camel Corps, while skirmishing a few miles
inland, on Thursday last, came upon a body of thtp
rebels encamped around the Wells.
Our men speedily opened fire, which the rebels
returned, but the fight they made was comparatively
poor, and the Wells were soon in our possession.
Thirty of the enemy were found to have been shot,.
and lay upon the field. Six of the rebels were cap-
tured unwounded. Besides this a large number of
Remington rifles, camels, and cattle, fell into our
hands.

Two of the prisoners who were etamined declared
that a distinguished officer of Osman Digna, who had.
been promoted for special bravery in the neigh-
bourhood,of Souakim, was in command of the force.

Our casualties are trifling. The rebels were effec-
tually dispersed by the charge of our troops.
The Camel Corps is now returning to Shakoob with
their booty.

Bum (via /brawl, Feb. 8., 10 p.m.), Feb. 7.
The advance guard, consisting of the men of the
Camel Corps, have had a brilliant skirmish with the
rebels, killing several and dispersing the remainder.
Our men had advanced upon Shakoob, and from
thence leaving the Nile and proceeding into the
desert on Thursday last espied, a large number of
rebels camped round the Wells.
An attack was immediately ordered, the British
force opening fire and charging down upon the
camp. The enemy returned the fire, but were almost
taken by surprise, the attack being delivered in the
early evening.
The rebels were soon in full flight, leaving their
camp to us. Among the stores, captured were a
number of Remington rifles, a little ammunition,
several camels, and many cattle. The camels and
cattle will be particularly serviceable.
No less than thirty of the enemy were afterwards
found lying on the field, having been shot by our men.
Six unwounded prisoners were secured, and from two
of these we were able to obtain. some interesting in-
formation.
They had previously been holding the Shakoob
Pass, but retired therefrom on our approach. The
black officer who commanded them was one who.
specially distinguished himself in the fighting around
Souakim in the last ornpaign. His bravery was
noted by Osman Digna, who promoted him and sent
him to beat back the English on the Nile. He came
to Shakoob from Berber.
The British casualties in the brush were only
trifling, and after securing their booty the camel
corps returned to Shakoob.
All the men of the Black Watch and Staffordshire
Regiments are now here.
Troops are in eood haPlth and spirits.
RESCUE OF SIR CHARLES WILSON.--
REPULSE OF THE REBELS.

A Renter's telegram from Korti, Feb. 9, states :
Sir Charles Wilson and party have been rescued
by Lord Charles Beresford's steamer from the island
near the Shabluka Cataract on which they bivouacked
after the wreck of their steamer, when returning
from Khartoum.
Subsequent to the embarkatima of the party the
rescuing steamer was attacked by the rebels, whose
rifle bullets pierced her boiler. The steamer was
compelled to anchor under fire in order to repair
the boiler.
The enemy was finally repulsed.
Sir Charles Wilson has arrived here in order to
report himself to Lord Wolseley the details of his
reconnaissance at Khartoum.
A Bombay telegram of Tuesday says: It is stated
on good authority that three regiments of Native
Infantry, two from the Bengal and one from the
Bombay Presidency, and one regiment of Bengal
Cavalry will shortly embark for Egypt.
From Souakim, on Tuesday, we learn than 1000
rebels have been recalled from Agig to Osman Digma's
camp at Tamai. The night
i attacks of the rebelsupon
Souakim have ceased since the 6th inst.