The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-09-16
ENGLISH VICTORY IN EGYPT.

III now loOkS 10 IL Ucn. WOieciey Inhy Uc
able to redeem the promise he made when
he sailed for Egypt, that he would end the
war IN lime to dine with his friends in
London by the Goth Of September. The
British armies on Wednesday achieved a
great victory in Egypt. Late on Tuesday
evening they struck camp at Kassassir
and by midnight b,vouacked on high
ridge six miles east Of Tel.el.Kebir. At
80 the march was resumed upon the
strong position of Arab Pasha at Tclel.
Kebir, fortified BY five miles Of entrench-
ments and manned with 10000 regulars,
10 guns and some 1000 cavalry, Bedouins
and other irregulars. The English force
consisted OF II 900 infantry, 1000 cavalry,
and go guns. The distance from the ridge
to the Egyptian works was about six
miles. Gen. Wolseley's dispatch says:
To have attacked 30 strong position by
daylight with the troops l could place in
the field would have entailed very great
loss. resolved therefore to attack before
daylight, marching the six miles that in.
tervened between my camp and the enc
my's position in the darkness.
The cavalry and two batteries of horse
artillery on the right had orders to sweep
round the enemy's line at dsybreak. The
first division, composed Of the Second
Brigade, under General Graham, supported
by the Foot Guards under the Duke of
Connaught, and seven batteries of artillery,
numbering fOrty-twO guns, with support
ing brigade. Their came the second div.
sion, the Highland Brigade, leading, with
the Indian contingent These were on the
south side of the canal, with the naval bri.
gade on the railway, and IN the interval
advanced. A great emulation WA eviaced
by the regiments to be first in the enemy's
works. All went at them straight, tho
Royal Irish particularly distinguishing
itself by Its dash and the manner IN which
it closed with the enemy.
All the enemy's works and camp are
now in our possession. do not yet know
exactly the number of guns captured, but
it ls considerable. Several trains, with
immense quantities of supplies, were cap.
tured. The enemy ran away in thousands,
throwing away their arms when oyertaken
by the cavalry. Their loss is very great
The Egyptians were not entirely taken
by surprise, tor they fired the first guns
The orders Of Gen. Wolselcy to his men
were not to fire at all but charge with the
bayonet The rush was made over dis
lance Of 200 yards, the men sending up q
loud cheer and then charging up the steep
slopes of the trenches. The Egyptians
were terror stricken, many hiding in the
corners OF the works while others fed.
The slaughter was fearful, and over 5000
prisoners we're taken, while the British
loss Is placed at 100 killed and about 500
wounded. The whole affair occupied less
than half an hour.
Then followed a confused rush of fugi.
tives towards Zagazig, followed by Gen
McPherson's Indian brigade, making the
route complete, the artillery sending shot
and shell after the fugitives. Arab him.
self, 1t is SAID, as soon As the British troops
got into the Intrenchments, mounted .
train and steamed off towards zagazig.
Subsequent accounts are that after brief
rest Mcpherson pushed his 4th cavalry
and the Indian contingent on to Zagazig,
reaching there at Ala p. NJ, in time TO
seize five railroad trains with their en-
gines. No attempt WAS made to defend
the place, the Governor coming out and
surrendering to the British, the people
apparently haillng their advent with glad
ueSs