The National tribune., 1882-09-02

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against 10000 Egyptians. His forces numbered
about 600 men. in his details Gen. Wolseley
saws: az advanced before daybreak with the
household cavalry, two-horse artillery guns,
thirty mounted infantry, one thousand men
from the York and Lancaster regiment and the
marines. After some skirmishing L took pos
session of the dam which the enemy had con-
structed across the canal between the villages
of Magfar and Mahuta. During the operations
the souadrons of the household cavalry charged
the enemv's broken infantry very CALAMITY.
soon found that the enemy were being largely
reinforced from Tel-el-kebir. could see trains
arriving. / thought it inconsistent with tradi-
ton for the Queens army TO retire before any
number of Egyptian troops, and so decided to
hold the ground until reinforcements arrived.
All day long have had an Egyptian force OF
10000 men with ten guns in my front and on
my right flank. The precision of the enemys
artillery was very good, but fortunately they
fred common shell nearly all day, and when
they did fire sharpnel their fuses were badly
adjusted. The enemy had their cavalry regi-
ments in line. Our horses, having been re-
Gently on board ship, We're not in condition to
gallop much. The two-horse artillery guns
were served with pluck and ability. Our cas-
ualties have been slight. Capt. Hallam Parr
was wounded through the leg. Lord Nelgund
received wound through the hand. Capt
PARIS mounted infantry distinguished itself
All the troops engaged did well. Tomorrow
(Friday) 1 shall attack the enemy's position at
Holenke, and hope TO take possession of the
dam which they constructed there this morn
ing" In later telegram Gen. Wolseley adds
g omitted to say that l had with me yesterday
two Gatling guns, worked by seamen, who did
their duty admirably"
The following telegram from Gen. Sir Garnet
WolSeley has been received:
"IsMAILIA, Aug, %. Evening" pushed on
again this morning at daybreab. The enemy
had a strongly intrenched position at Mahata,
and from the bold way in which they attacked
US yesterday hoped they would stand their
ground to-day. They withdrew their guns,
however, last night. They had twelve in action
yesterday. The force at my disposal this morn
ing was the first division and all the English
cavalry, with 16 guns. My intention was to
pivot on my left at the dam we took yesterday
and swing round my right to take the enemy's
position in the flank and drive them into the
fresh-water canal, sending the cavalry COM
pletely round their position to occupy the rail
way in their rear and if possible capture their
engines and rolling stock.
"This operation was very well carried out
All the heavy work devolved on the cavalry
and artillery, which were well handled by
Maior-General Lowe He attacked the rear of
the enemy, who had large camp at the Nah
somel railway station, which he took, routing
the enemy with considerable loss, taking five
Krupp guns, seventy-fve railway carriages
laden with provisions, and a large quantity of
ammunition and rifles.
Notwithstanding the fact of our horses be-
ing unfit for heavy work, and the long march
which the reinforcements l ordered yesterday
had to make, l have every reason TO be satisfied
with what has been done. Although l did not
intend advancing beyond Mahata for some
days, such has been the success Of the cavalry
to-day that I intend tomorrow TO occupy the
Kassasin lock of the fresh-water canal. 1t is
about two and half miles west of the Nah
s0meh station, and its position will secure TO
us a safe passage across the desert lying be-
tween Ismailia and the cultivated land of the
delta
"The enemy seem so demoralized and so
hverse to await the attack Of our infantry that
it is possible that they viii not make the de-
termined stand l anticipated before we reach
Zagazig. The guards, under the Duke of Con-
naught, made very trying march yesterday
across the desert. They were well handled by
him.
The losses yesterday were: The Household
cavalry one private killed and five wounded,
and ten horses killed; the horse artillery, two
priyates and FIVE horses killed; the York and
Lancaster regiment, one private killed and five
wounded; the marine artillery, one private
killed; and the mounted infantry, two officers
wounded. There have been forty-cight sun
strokes among the privates one fatal to-day, so
far as l have yet been able TO ascertain. Major
Bib5y, Of the Seventh dragons, has been Sc
verely wounded. viii send further particu-
lars tomorrow. Admiral Seymour has organ
lied a boat-scrvice along the canal on which
we shall have mainly to depend for supplies
until the locomotives get to work. The army
owes the navy deep debt Of gratitude for the
assistance they have rendered. WoLsELEY."
IMPORTANT RESULTS.
General Wolseley telegfaphs from IsmaiIia
under date of August 9th, as follows: 81 have
lust returned from the outposts and find that
our actions on Thursday and Friday had far
more important results than / was aware Of
yesterday. The enemy were completely routed
and fed toward Zagazig, throwing away their
arms and accoutrements. A very large amount
OF camp equipage and munitions were captured.
Mahmoud Fehmy, Arab Pacha's chief engineer
and military adviser, is now a prisoner in my
camp
sUFFERINGs OF THE EGYPTIANS.
Press dispatches from Ismailia say that NAH
moud Fehmy reports much suffering and in
subordination IN the Egyptian army. General
Wolseley and staff viii probably start for the
front in two days, or as soon as their transport
can easily be effected by rail- The difficulty OF
dragging supplies over the deep sand is very
great. But few miles can be made daily. The
weather is somewhat cooler and the health of
the troops is excellent The glare ON the sands
at noon is terrible. The troops are continually
advancing and it viii not be long before Tel-el-
Kebir is attacked. Between Ramses and Max-
ANA the ground is good for marching bDt the
canal is full Of dead horses and bodies of Arabs
Some Of the latter were thrown there by their
comrades, while the others were corpses Of men
shot while attempting to escape. Judging by
the quantity of clothing, &c, found in the
abandoned camp, the rebels must have been in
great force. bat most of them appear to have
been merely peasantry armed with old nuzzle-
loading muskets. Almost all the prisoners are