Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-11-02
THE LAST BATTLE.
The Story OF the British Victory aud
the Rout OF the Egyptians at Tel


the Rout OF the Egyptians at Tel
cl-Aebir.
Kassassin Letter of September Is.
Yesterday evening Sir Garnet Wolse
icy, accompanied by Prince Arthur,
Generals Willis, Graham, Wilkinson and
Drury Low, Colonies Maitland, r. E,
and Russell, made a reconnaissance of
Arab Bey's positions, and in order to do
this efteGtually the general ordered two
batteries of horse artillery to advance on
the Egyptian right and left TANKS, and
while the Arabs were engaged with
them the British generals advanced
quite close to the earthworks and OBJ
tanned a goodide of the positions of
the defenders. On their return to camp
which had yesterday the look of an
enormous tented town, covering nearly,
nine square miles, it was understood
that ar attack would shortly be made
At o'clock two days rations were
issued to every man and beast and 100
rounds of ammunition to the infantry.
The transport division was hastily formed
also the Army Service Corps and
Army Hospital Corps. At 6:l5 the En-
glish tents were struck and with the bag
gage were loaded On camels, mules,
donkeys and wagons, only the heavy ar
tillery and ponderous equipments being
left here, where they have been guarded
by Gen. Nugent, who was very much
disgusted at being left behind with two
squadrons of the Ninteenth Hussars and
West Kent Regiment. Orders were is
sued that the greatest silence be MAIN
tail ed and that no bugle be sounded
after dark. At O'Clock precisely a gem
eral advance commenced in three divi-
sions. The advanced guard consisted of
the Second, Sixth and Thirteenth Ben
gal Cavalry, under the terrible Macpher-
son. Half dozen batteries of artillery
started with the right and left wings.
As all the regiments are complete, the
advancing forces could not be far short
| of 1900; this number of rations was is
sued. This large body of soldiers quiet
ly marched on until $50 o'clock in the
morning, when they bivouacked on a
ridge distant only six miles from the
Egyptian advanced positions. The night
| was beautiful and cool, not sound was
to be heard anywhere; for, although
many of us were moving about, our foot
falls died in the sand. can safely say that
few were there who did not consider
the whole as being awe-inspiring, but
grand. At three clock precisely the ST.
| lent order went round to advance and that
no shots were to be fired under any con-
sideration until within short range OF the
earthworks, and as the infantry, espe-
cially the Highlanders and Royal Irish
regiments, were placed in front it be-
came known that the bayonets was to be
used. Sir Garnet Wolseley had decided,
after carefully examining Arab Bey's
positions, that his centre was too strong
to be attacked with safety in front. The
main attacks were, therefore, directed
towards the TANKS, which il once turned
would render the Egyptian centre near
| ly useless. l do not believe that any
other body of men of half this magnitude
could have got under arms and have
marched more quietly. The orders were
whispered, and the dark divisions moved
made by the wheels of the ammunition
carts and the occasional clashing of scab-
bards, which at the time appeared ter
rible loud although the contrary in real
ity. Everything combined has so i'm
| pressed this march upon the minds of
those who shared in it that it cannot be
possibly forgotten by any of them.
Marching in the dark has, I believe, an
injurious effect upon soldiers, as they do
not know where they are going, or if they
are near the enemy orotherwise. They
have to depend entirely upon their Of
| ficers, and should they have no conf
dence in them the men would soon be-
come demoralized. AS it was, am sure
that there were few men marching upon
Tel-el-Kebir who did not heartily wish
for daylight.
The cavalry and horse artillery having
orders to strike ont due north and then
fall on the Egyptian left flank, and thus
cut Oft any retreat, now left the main
b-dy OF the advancing force and pro-
ceeded on their way at brisk pace. The
Highland Brigade and Royal Irish Fusi.
hers had the place ofhonor land followed
by the Indian Infantry as support
moved on our left south of the canal
while General Graham's brigade, SUD.
ported by the guards under Prince Ar.
thur, who, must say, has proved him.
self good soldier ali through the cam.
paign, moved on our right north of the
railway. The forty-eight guns of the
Royal Artillery moved between the ca
nal and the railway, and on the latter
was truck carrying a forty-pounder.
The troops halted at 4:30 within 6
| thousand yards of the Egyptian work.
to enable the fighting line to reform
Immediately after which final word was
given to march. Away over the sane
went the men, the death-hke silence
aud awful anxiety which ensued beins
unbearab!e. On marched the High
landers and Irish regiments to within 2O(
yards OF Arabi's position, the quiet il
which made the situation still more ag
onizing; on they still kept when til,
night was suddenly Lit up with a line Q
lire, flame and smoke from the earth
works, clearly showing that those benin
them were not asleep. The Highlander
/ staggered but one second, and on the
rushed again. The line of fire from tn
trenches again lit up the darkness, bu
with one terrible cheer, cheer of deaf
agony, Joy, hope and encouragement
combined, rushed on the Irish reg
ments, the Black Watch, the Gordo
Higblanders and the Cameronians closel
followed by others, all with bayonet
| fixed and firing not shot in response
the deadly fire which met them. TIL
bands struck up march, and, as if b
| one bound, the advancing men rushe
on to the sand-heaps, spreading deaf
before them. | know of nothing tina
could resist such an attack. 1t was maj
: veIously dreadful; it now became mai
/, ter ofthe individual weight 9th soldier
and the Irishmen and the Highlanders
E being by far the heaviest and strongest
! the Egyptians gave way befor
: them. The first intrenchment
8 were carried, but from
/ line behind them the fusilade burst upo
> the intruders SO determined and wei
directed that the advance was checked
! The lines reformed and with anothe
b cheer rushed on, but this time the