New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-03
FRIGHTENED BY ARABS.
BRITISH PICKETs DRIVEN BACK.
A COMPANY FLEE IN A PANIC BEFORE AN EGYPTIAN
RECONNOrsSANCF

COMPANY FLEE IN A PANIC BEFORE AN EGYPTIAN
RECoNNOIssANCE.
LONDON, Aug. "a dispatch from Alexandria
in the second edition of The Daily Telegraph, dated
920 a. M. to-day. says: A scare took place last
evening. There is clump of trees on the Sweet
Water Canal about in the centre of the British line
of outposts, which was guarded by company of
the Goth Rifles. Men were duly posted there last
evening and cautioned by Major-General Alison as
to the necessity of maintaining absolute steadiness
and ordered the event of an attack in force
to fall back in order n barrcaded house by the
side of the canal These instructions were, ap-
parcntly fully understood, and the General left
the place satisfied
About o'clock in the morning the enemy sud-
denly appeared on the left of our outpost with in
fantry and cavalry. They had approached very
rapidly and unobserved, and before our men had
time to check their advance they charged the
clump Of trees at great pace. The Rifles fired
single volley, and then broke and ran along the
bank of the canal. The outlook would seem to
have been very defective and worse STILL the retreat
ing troops neglected all the orders concerning
rallying noint, and never stopped until they
had reached the fortified water-works hill,
about mile distant. -Four OF the men
even ran till they reached the camp, where they
spread all sorts of ridiculous rumors, such as that
they had lost all their comrades had last seen
Major Ward surrounded by the enemy. and similar
nonsense. A company instantly moved forward to the
bank of the canal. The enemy had apparently not
followed the fugtves far, but had taken tue rifles
they had thrown away in their flight and secured
their reserve of ammunition"
Another dispatch from Alexandria in the second
edition of The Daily Telegraph says: The scare of
the company of rifles early in the morning, when
they fed in panic before an Egyptian reconnOis-
sance, created terribly indignant feeling through
out the British camp. The position they abandoned
has been reoccupied but it is clear that severe
training in outpost duty will be required by some
of troops"
A dispatch in the second edition of The Times
gives the following accOunto the scare ofithe out
post of the Goth Rifles Fifty mounted Arabs
attacked the outpost. They approached under cover
of the embankment of the canal and had almost
passed an advanced sentry before he observed them
He returned their fire, and then ran back unframed
to the picket. There was some sharp skirmishing,
and a number of shots were exchanged AS it was
impossible owing to the darkness, to know the
force of the enemy, the picket fell back to the
pumping station, about 400 yards in the rear, and
fired from there and succeeded IN driving the enemy
off Four companies of the 3sth Regiment were
sent to the pumping station, but the enemy mad
disappeared. They are supposed to have been
Bedouns. A battalion of the 10th Regiment was
sent to Ramleh this morning. II. will occupy a
commanding position near the sea-"
A Renter dispatch says that the advance picket
of the Goth Rifles consisted of only six men and a
corporal. A dispatch to The Central Necs states
that the men composing the fugitive picket have
been placed under arrest
LoNDON Aug. 3.-An official telegram from Alex
andria says: 1.-The left front of the picket guard
was driven in by Arab Pachas cavalry on Wednes-
day morning. The picket maintained its position
eighty yards in the of the original post: Firing
continued for time Arabs men withdrew,
and the post re0ccupied. No casualty oc-
Cured"
In the House Of Commons to-day Sir Arthur d.
Hayter Junior Lord of the Treasury, said that the
cerning the alleged misconduct of company of the
Goth Rifles who were guarding post on the Sweet
Water canal but according to private adylces, the
foremost picket consisting of a corporal and six
men, was attacked by a hundred Bedouns in the
middle of the night. The picket retired, firing as it
withdrew There is no doubt therefore, that the
corporal and his six men did their duty and acted
according to instructions.