The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-01-31 00:00:00

GENERAL S FE-WART SEVERELY
'WOUNDED.

COMMUNICATION WITH GENERAL
GORDON.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

We have received the following despatch from the
War Office:
1.,'Re1% GENERAL LORD WOLIELEY TO VIE SECRETARY
OF STATE FOR WAR:

KORTI, January 28, 1885, 5 a.m.

_ . .
Captain Pigott, Mimiited Infantry, just arrived
from Gubat, on Nile, two miles above Metammeh,
which he left on 24th instant.

There has been some sharp fighting since action on
17th Instant, and the men have had extremely hard
work, and until 23rd n,stant little sleep. General
Stewart who, I deeply regret, has been severely
w9unded, has carried out my instructions, and we
have now a strongly fortified post on the Nile half-
way between Berber and Khartoum, and we hold the
desert route between it and this place.
On the large island opposite Gubat there is plenty
of green forage for horses and camels. Gubat can be
held against any force Nfandi can send to attack it.
Pour steamers from Khartoum under Nusri Pasha
arrived at Gubat during the reconnaissance made of
Metemmeh of 21st inst. The Pasha landed men and
guns and took part in the operations.
Sir C. Wilson left for Khartoum on the 24th inst.
with two steamers and a detachment of the Sussex
Regiment. Metamtneh is occupied by about 2000
men, half of whom are regulars, under Nur Angar,
who has three Krupp guns, but very little ammu-
nit ion for them. None of the shells fired from them
exploded. At Shendy there is one Krupp gun and a
small garrison.
A hospital hasbeewestablished at Metarnmeh, where
the wounded are well cared for. The movements of
General Stewart's force, since my last telegram, were
as follows: Having established a strong post at Abu
Kieft Wells, he left there about three p.m., 18th
instant.

After passing wells at Shebacat, moved to their
right, as my instructions were that if Metammeh
were held Stewart should establish himself on the
Nile between it and Khartoum. About seven a.m.,
19th inst., when three or four mites from river,
enemy showed in force. A halt was made for break-
fast in a strong zereba. It was here that General
Stewart was wounded, and heaviest fire was sus-
tained.

Colonel Sir C. Wilson, as Senior Officer, as-
sumed command. Force, leaving wounded and
impedimenta in work constructed under heavy fire,
marched about 3 p.m. 19th instant in the
gravel ridge overlooking Nile, where a large
force of enemy was established. Enemy charged,
led by several Emirs on horseback, but none were
able to get nearer mit square than about thirty yards.
They were repulsed with heavy loss, five Emirs and
about 250 dead left on the ground. Their wounded
very numerous.
Sir C. Wilson in report says: "Nothing could ex-
ceed coolness of the troops both when exposed to fire
of sharpshooters in morning, and to charge of spear-
men in afternoon." He speaks highly of Colonel
Boseawen, to whom he gave command of the square
during these operations.
On the 21st inst. reconnaissance in force made of
Metammeh, which had been placed in a state of de-.
fence, walls loopholed, although Sir C. Wilson re-
ports he could have carried the village, which is long
and straggling, he did not think it worth the loss it
would have entailed. On 22nd inst. reconnaissance
made down river towards Shendy with threesteamers,
which returned same day.
I most deeply deplore the losses we have experi-
enced, but in every, other respect the result of these
operations so ably and successfully conducted by Sir
Herbert Stewart, is most satisfactory, and cannot fail
to have great effect upon the future of this campaign.
I have had no letters of any importance from General
Gordon. The most recent, dated 29th December,
contains merely one line, saying Khartoum all right
could hold out for years,
Sir Th Willer starts to-morrow to assume command
along desert route to Gubat. We have plenty of
troops, of ammunition, and of food. Royal Irish
begin their movements across the desert to-day.
West Kent will follow. Sir Herbert Stewart writes
in good spirits from on board one of the steamers, and
last report of him says he is iioing well, but his
wound .s very severe, and I cannot expect him to be
fit for any more work this campaign.
The temporary deprivation of his services at this
wc,nient I regard as a national loss. He is one of the
ablest soldiers and most dashing commanders I have
ever known. I recommend him most strongly to the
Queen for her Majesty's most favourable considera-
tion. I append a list of killed and wounded. I regret
to say Lord St. Vincent and Lieutenant Guthrie, Horse
Artillery, died of wounds. The only officers killed
since 17th are Quartermaster Lima,•l9th Hussars, and
Conductor Jewell. Enemy did not fight with same
determination or courage as on the 17th inst.

From General Lord Wolseley to the Secretary of
Stath
e i- War,
11,1111, . 4.010, itN.1.445
Captain Pigott lost his way, or would have been
here a day earlier. He reports Lieutenant Lyall,
Royal Artillery, as improving. At Abu Klea
wounded doing well. Will bring them in hero
very shortly. _ _ _

. .
Kolar, Jan. 28 (8.55 a.m.)
Following is list of killed and wounded since 17th
inst. :

OFFICERS KILLED.

19t1i Hussars—Quarter-Master A. G. Lima.

Commissariat and Transport Corps—Conductor of
Supplies, A. C. Jewell.
Also Messrs. St. Leger Herbert and Cameron, cor-
respondents.