Morning journal and courier., 1882-09-08
The IrOn-CIad Train,
Trip on it Described by a Newspa pc
 Man,
[Alexandria Letter to London Te1egraph.l

GAIexandria Letter to Lcndon Telegraph.l
 The train was singular one. In front was an empty wagon. This was intended to shunt on ahead train stopping suddenly from time to time-to explode any mines which might have been laid beneath the lines. Then came the first iron clad truck with the Nor denfeldt barrels projecting in front like the horizontal pipes of an organ. The truck was followed by three others crammed with blue jackets ensconced behind sand bags Then came the engine, behind which were three more iron clad trucks filled with men, Close behind the train followed another with the reserves.
 Gliding along the margin of Lake Marco tis, disturbing clouds of wild fowls among it's shalloWs the train soon reached the point where the engine left the line this morning and then came to halt, which necessitatsd a return. Everyone was intensely disappoint- ed. as all had hoped to steam right into the enemy's lines to salute them with Calling and field guns, and to effect regular lodgment, The general determined to utilize the valuable base for reconnaissance afforded by the iron clad train. The mounted rifemen under Captain Hutton confronted the enemy's v1dettes, and a score of blue jackets moved out to their support. The mounted men ad- vanced in capital style. All belonged to the the Transv aal, and learned what mounted infantry tactics really should be.
 Pushing on they dismounted, and lying down behind the railway, opened fire on the enemy's videttes These fell back at once. and considerable commotion was observable ln tho enemy's lines. General Allison, &C., companied by Colonel Dormer and Lieuten- ants Lembton and Erskine, advanced with the rifemen to within 800 yards of the in- trenchments, and from the entertainments took notes of the enemy's position The enemy's infantry now began to show in force on our left. Had they possessed the least enterprise they could easily have cut off our handful of men but as our rifles and infantry opened fire they retrested precipitately. Every mo- meEs we expected to hear their guns. which were 7r,thin easy range but these remaine d unaccountably silent. A body of some fifty cavalry appeared upon the line of railway and seemed disposed to charge, but at the whistling of few bullets near them they thought better of it. A battalion of infantry in extended order then came on. They ad vanced very slowly, either fearing that we were laying trap for them or wishing to lay a trap for US.
 Had they advanced rapidly the position of the general and his little escort would have been very critical. From the train we watched the proceedings with intense interest Scarce ly word was spoken, and every instant we expected that orders would be given for SUD- ports to push forward So slowly, however. did the enemy's infantry advance that all the notes required were taken the generals party began to fall back and our hopes that the enemy would follow and come within striking distance were disappointed As the | accommodating party approached the train, a white cloud of smoke and sharp report overhead, followed by the whiz of shrapnel
 bullets, showed that the enemy's artillery had at last woke up. Then rocket flew harmlessly overhead. Then they were silent
 Had they been on the alert, and good artil- lerymen, they ought to have punished us severely, as we were within easy range. As 1t was, without any casualties whatever on our side much valuable information was gathered We know the strength of their works in our immediate front, and the points which they intend to defend. As the train started on it's way back & sudden boom from Ramleh heights showed that forty poundsr there was taking the affair in hand The range, which was over 4,OOO yards, was too long for accurate shooting and after three essays with percussion shell our gunners ob- tained the distance, knowledge which may be useful hereafter. From the train, in the darkness now closing in, we could see the flash of the bursting forty -pounder shells as they followed the retreat1ng Egyptians back to their lines.
 Every one was greatly pleased with our shore iron clad. The sailors carried every contrivance, including large crane for shift ing weights, and had it not been for the break in the line we should no doubt have penetrated to the center of Arabi's camp.