Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-08-24
Nafortin Glarion.
Chas. T. CasseIl, A. N.
Editor and Publisher.
Thursday, August "a, 1882.
A Master Move.

Sir Garnet Wolsaleys plan of cam
raign is sufficiently revealed by the
recent movement to enable one to
predict with some certainty the prob
able course of events. Instead of at
tempting to drive Arab out of his en-
!renchments, to force him back ny the
Nile toward Cairo, he has dexterousiy
withdrawn his whole army from Ara.
biz front, and is now nearer Cairo
THAN the rebel army, By this move,
ment the whole line Of the Suez Cana,
is made safe, and short line of march
on Cairo is opened from lsmailia along
the railroad. The invading army will
now have an unassailable base of sup
niles on the Suez Canal, and rail
road uniting it with that base all the
way to Cairo So evident plan of
rampaign does this seem, that it is
rather strange that Arab or some Of
his European staff officers should not
lave anticipated it. The first step
will probably be for the British to-
send a flying column to occupy the
railroad junction at Zaga2ig and the
other junction four miles west at Bena
lIAssai. This if accomplished would
,lace the British in the rear of Ara.
lis army. The situation would then
lie reversed. The English might for
1lfv and hold these functions and send
back to Cairo small force, merely to
1olce that city and restore the hhe-
olive to his capital. 1t is, however
quite possible that Alabi has by this
lime GENT force to occupy those stra-
;,etic positions and he may at this time
le busy fortitying them. There will
probably be race between the En-
Hlish and Egyptian troops which will
get first to Bena l. Assai junction and
there nay be battle in the open, be-
tore either party will be able to fortl-
ty or bring up the heavy field artlI.
jary.
There are other advantages to the
English in this plan. This is the sea
ot the year when the overflow o: tie
Nile is at its height. When the waters
begin to subside, as it VIII in about
ten days, the country is at its most
unhealthy stage, and most difficult for
,oiitary operations. The numerous
small canals and bitches, cut for lrrl-
,ating the land and the marshy cor
.lition Of large sracts Of the country,
would make the campaign exceeding
ly difficult, dangerous, unhealthy and
labsrious. But by starting as the En-
glish army now will, from lsmalllia Or
Suez, and marching west upon Caro-,
they pass over the desert country
which is not visited by the Nile over
flow. The railroad from Ismailia to
Zagazig lies in valley,in which there
are small lakes and low lands, but the
valley is very narrow and the desert
lies on each side.
It is not probable that the results Of
this aggressive change Of base will i'm.
medately be known. The reticence
that was shown by Sir Garnet Wolse'
icy in carrying out the movement was
such that even his own genaral officers
cot sealed orders, and did not know
until the movement had actually be,
gun what it would be. This prudence
he will probably maintain, for he is
surrounded by treacherous Egyptians
who would gladly give Arab early in
telligence of any movement he may
make. The Khedive and his suite
are under his care, and he must be
doubly careful not to let any glimpse
of his plans be seen. The movements
already made, however, are such as to
force a short and decisive campaign.
Unless Arab can beat the English IN
the open, he must soon suffer the com
plete destruction of his army BoSto'
An1e7lcan