Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-08-12
THE ABYSSINIAN WAR.
Terrible Defeat OF the Egyptians near Cara
BY au OverwhelsainG Force.


Most Of tho Egyptian general staff
have returned to Cairo from northern
Abyssinia. The staff consists priuci.
pally Of Americans, and they abuse the
Egyptians aud their conduct OF the war
greatly; on tho other hand, tho latter
throw tho blame upon tho Yankees for
the whole miscarriage Of the campaign.
The reports, oil OF which agree in sub.
stance, on the battle OF Gura (situated
in direct line forty-four English miles
south southwest from the port Of Ma.
sana). are as follows:
The Egyptians were stationed very
we'll intrenched in Gura, ten battalions
strong with forty cannon under Ratib
Pasha, Prince Hassan, and the general
staff, while six battalions with a CORE
spending amount OF artillery under Os-
man Pasha, were ut Quaichkor, eight
miles northwest of Gura. The Abys-
SLAMS in enormous numbers-they talk
of lao, 900 men, but in reality there were
at most so, 000-advanced from north OF
Hamasen against both fortified positions,
but did not attempt to break through
between them. Ratib Pasha proposed
after tho Egyptians had been sufficiently
furnished with provisions to wait for
the enemy behind the intrenchments;
Loring, on the contrary, was for offer
ing battle in the open field. Theformer
had to yield, and Ratib, Prince Hassan
and the staff, with seven battalions and
twenty.one pieces of artillery, moved
against the Abyssinians. Osman Pasha,
who knew the country thoroughly, was
to fall upon the Abyssinian troops in the
flank at the right moment; Ratib Pasha
had hardly time to draw up his men in
regular order when the Abyssinians at
tackled them in immense numbers. The
Egyptians shot badly and their ranks
were soon broken through, while Osman
Pasha had not even left his intrench-
ments in Quaichkor. All Ratib Pasha's
battalions were completely destroyed,
and the artillery and munitions fell into
the hands of the Abyssinians.
Hassan Pasha and the stall had mean
while fought their way through, while
tho few Egyptians who had not fallen in
battle or i'll the flight (about 700 men)
were taken prisoners and were summar-
lily butchered the day after the battle.
King John, it is said, was not able to
prevent this, as each chief claims his
prisoners as his own, and avenges his
fallen friends by hecatombs.
On the third day the Abyssinians at
tackled the strong camp of Gura itself,
but Notwithstanding their superiority in
numbers they could not prevail over the
garrison of 1,5OO men. The
Krupp cannons were very useful in clear
ing them of. Nor did the investment of
the intrenchments Oh the following day
result more favorably. After the
had shot away all their cap
tured ammunition and sustained fearful
losses, they retreated, taking with them
two American physicians, Drs. john
stone and Wilson, who, after two
months imprisonment, during which
they were well treated, were again set at
liberty. King John was compelled by
the disorders which had broken out in
the interior OF his kingdom to turn his
attention thither.
The total loss of the Egyptian troops
in the battle at Goudet October, 1879
and the three days of fighting around
dura is estimated at from :, 900 to 10, 900.
Gura and Quaichkor are still held by
the Egyptians, and are now more
fortified and are fully furnished
with provisions, and there is moreover
third intrenchment on the river March.
Hamasen remains meantime in the khe-
dives possession, and the port Of Masa-
da has been, as precaution, surrounded
with six Notifications. Prince Hassan
has shown himself very contemplate in
the conduct of the war, but all unite,
however, i'll praising his personal bra
very. They expect the prince, who is
now in England, soon to return to Cairo.