Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-14

Sultan Pasha saving the British attack on
Tel ell Kebir commenced at $50 this A. NJ.
LONDON, Sept. IL.
A correspondent at Alexandra announces
that Tel ell Kebir was carried this A. N.
Forty guns and a large number of prisoners
we're captured. The cavalry are in pursuit.
Arabrs force appears to be quiet and broken
up. The decentralization of Arabi's army Is
complete. His infantry are flying towards
the desert.
A correspondent gives the following de-
scription of the battle at Tel ell kebir: The
great battle is practically over. The rebels
discovered our men when about q mile from
their works, and opened heavy rifle fire.
Our men paused for moment on the line of
sand hills. then with a gallant rush they
were among the rebels. Acting on Gen.
Woolseley's orders, they reserved their fire
and went in with bayonet. The slaughter,
for a time, was very great. The rebels
could not stand it and broke and fled. pur-
sued hotly. followed the Royal Irish Reg
iment into the trenches before one of the
forts. They were filled with Arabi's follow.
ers, dead and dying. The final rush was
made over a distance of POO yards, the men
skirmishing and seeking cover until they
reached this point Several thousand Egyp-
tians have been taken prisoners. Our own
loss to this time l should compute at 200
killed First fire of the rebels was very
wild; it came from both infantry and ar
tillery and passed over our heads, they be-
ing disconnected by the sudden attack. With
daylight, the enemy's fire improved and be-
came like hail storm. Many men fell, but
not for second did our advance stop. Our
covering parties, lying down, fired while
those in front pressed on. Grahams brig
ade worked with gallantry. The Egyptians
were terror stricken. Many hid in corners
of the works, while others fled at the utmost
speed. Our work, however, was not yet
ended. A large inner redoubt on Arabi's
left, well manned and armed, still remained
intact, but the British troops were not to be
daunted. With another brilliant rush they
were among the enemy, bayoneting the gun
ners at the guns and capturing the heavy ar
tillery. Thus we captured the key of their
position. In fifteen minutes from the first
rush we were masters of their works. The
rattle of the enemy's musketry died away
while our men forsook the bayQnet and
picked of any rebels who still showed fight
in their retreat. On the south the enemy
stood few minutes longer-perhaps fifteen
minutes-but the appearance of our cavalry
on their right flank, soon hastened their
movements. In a few minutes one rushing
stream of fugitives was making for Zagazig,
flying ont of all their intrenchments. Little
later Gen. McPherson's Indian brigade burst
upon the flying foe from the south and the
rout was complete. The artillery coming
up at gallOp, unlimbered and sent their
shot and shell after the rebels, adding to the
confusion. The cavalry had got right round
the enemy's TANKS before the fight began
Ny previous estimate of the number of
rebels captured was under rather than over
marked. Egyptian losses and number of
guns captured are not greater than first
mentioned. 1t is believed that the bulk of
the rebel force will be captured, and that the
death blow has been given to Arab. All
the work was done by our troops in the first
line of attack. The principal Notifications
had been carried by the time the Guards
and the fourth brigade came up.
Maj. Gen. Mcpherson has telegraphed
from Zagazig to the war Office here that he
made forced march after the capture of Tel
el Kebir, and occupied Zagazig at 4. IA this
afternoon. He seized five trains with en-
gines. The Governor came in and sur
rendered to the British. The people are
submissive.
Gen. Wolseley's official report gives Arab
Pasha's force in this mornings battle at TO-
900 regulars and 5000 bedouins and irreg-
uidIs VIII ~ guns. uc IOrCe con.
sisted of ii 900 bayonets, 1000 sabres and 60
guns. He says to have attacked so strong a
position by daylight with the troops I could
place in the field would entailed very great
los,. l resolved. therefore, to attack before
daybreak, marching six miles that interviewed
between my camp and the enemy's position
in the darkness. The cavalv and two batter
les of horse artillery, on the right had orders
to sweep round the enemy's line at day break
The first division of the second brigade,
under Graham, supported by the foot guards
under Duke COnaught, seven batteries of
artillery with supporting brigade, second d.
vision of the highland brigade, leading Indian
contingent and naval brigade on the railway.
All then went at them straight. The Royal
Irish brigade particularly distinguished itself.
All the enemy's works and camps are now in
our possession. l do not yet exactly know the
number guns captured but it is considerable.
Several trains with immense quantities of
supplies were captured. The enemy's loss
is very great.
The Exchange Telegraph Co., received
the following: -
KAssAsIN, Sept. ID.
At the capture of Tel ell Kebir the Egyp-
tan loss is estimated at 1000. Our less is
probably 2O0 including many officers. The
Highland Brigade bore the brunt of the &C.
ton.
Reuters Telegraph Co., has the following
from Kassasin: The attack on Tel ell Kebir
began at 4.45 this morning. The main at
tack was directed against the enemy's ex-
treme left flank, four miles north of the rail-
ways. The heavy artillery and infantry fire
is now proceeding.
The British troops are advancing rapidly
and evidently turning the enemy's flank.
The British armored train with forty
pound Krupp gun, which was captured At
Kassasin, and the Gatlings has just come in
to action. The fire of the enemy opposite
the extreme right of the British, is nearly
silenced.
dispatch to the Central News says the
Egyptians opened FIRE when the British were
within about a mile of Tel ell Kebir The
place appears to have been finally cap
tured by rush. The Indian cavalry are
hotly pressing the fugitives in the south and
the British cavalry on the north of the canal
The enemy's killed alone amount to 1000.
The retreat of the enemy on the north is cut
of. The cavalry are still pursuing.
The Times has the following from Is
MALTA: Tel ell Kebir was carried this morn
ing with a rush. The first shot was fred at
). The position was taken in twenty min
utes, we having surprised the enemy with .
night march. The enemy are in full retreat.