Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-07
CARNAGE In EGYPT.

bepOFJcu -ESacuNt OF fLEypC
by the English Antagonized by Lord
Salisbury.
CAIRO, Nov. 23.-The army of Hicks
Pasla has been destroyed by the forces of
Ell Mehdi, the False Prophet. Intelligence
Of the disaster was brought to Khartoum by
a Coptic official. The fighting is said to
have continued from the Sd to the 18th inst,
and to have resulted in the complete ami
hilation of the Egyptian troops.
The forces of Ell Mehdi comprised, it is
estimated, 800, 900 men, and included der
wishes, Bedouins, mulattos and regulars.
The battle was fought near Ell Obied. Ell
Mehdi first sent forward the dcrvishes, de-
claring they would vanQuish the enemy by
Divine aid. Subsequently the regulars
Joined in the attack, and later the engage
ment became general.
The army of Hicks Pasha. which early in
the battle was divided into two bodies, was
subsequently reunited and formed a square,
Which the forces OF the False Prophet broke
after three days desperate fighting.
1t is believed that the correspondent of
the London Grdphic, and Mr.. O'Donovan,
of the Daily Nc,cs, persisted Oh the battle
ANA&s IL 10 CNIS N"S OIAt lClSpll WIN So.
capped was an artist connected with a Ger
man illustrated paper.
Captain Hueston, who was with Hicks
Pasha's forces and escaped in the disguise
Of a dervish, says that Oh his way from the
battle field he counted i50 wounded survi-
vors of the engagement. Among these was
a European artist named Power. Hicks
Pasha had divided his army, sending half to
Ell Obied to demand the surrender of that
place. lie awaited the arrival OF Mehdi who
was advancing from the southeast. Mehdi,
however, met the half of Hicks Pasha's
army which was advancing to Ell Obied, and
attacked it. Hearing the firing, Hicks
Pasha came up with his whole force and
formed a hollow square. Meldi brought up
fresh regulars, who, it is supposed, were
soldiers captured when Ell Obied fell, and
who agreed TO take service. These num-
bered 5000.
The square of Hicks Pasha's men was
then broken and his army annihilated. The
English officers with the Egyptian army
fought calamity. The European who es-
capped is thought to be O'Donovan or Frank
Vizetelly, Of the London Graphic. Hicks
Pasha had 10000 soldiers and 200 cam
followers. The Arabs numbered 200, 600.
1t is officially asserted that Hicks Pasha's
forces aggregated only 10, 500 men. 1t is
generally believed, however, that his army
numbered fully $4,000.
LONDON, Nov. 23.-1he Times Khar-
toum dispatch, dated the goth, says: The
most trustworthy shieks in the service of
the Government who arrived at Daven yes
terday report that 10000 men, including
Hicks Paslla, the Govelnor-G General, and his
entire staff, were annililatcd in Il detile at
Kashgate, whittier they were led by a
treaclerous guide. On the morning of
November l Hicks PaSla and his entire
army marched from Milbas. The guide
led them to a rocky, wooded delile, which was
without water, and where an ambuscadc had
been prepared by the rebels, who were
armed with rifles and artillery. Hicks Pasha
was unable to use his guns. For three days
the army, worn by thirst, defended itself,
but on the fourth day it was annihilated to
a man. Vizetelly, Artere and fifty soldiers
who were outside came in and were taken
prisoners. They were carried to El Obied.
The rebels captured thirty-six Krupp, Nord-
enfeldt and mounted guns, all the flags, mu-
nitions OF war and camels.
With Hicks Pasla, besides those before
mentioned. We're S~urgcon-(iencral George
Bey, Captain Anataga, Morris Brady, late
Sergeant-Maior Of the Royal Horse Ar
tillery, and certain Pashas and Beys, in all
bout 1,2OO officers and men. kordcsfau
is virtually lost. Colonel Coettogan was
at Daven when the sheiks arrived
there. He at once proceeded to Khartoum,
Which he is arranging to defend. He is
also arranging to suppress an expected re-
volt by calling in all outlying garrisons.
Colonel Coettogan and your correspondent
are the sole surviving Englishmen in the
Soudan. The entire Soudan is in a blaze.
The army will retreat to Berga ii possible.
1t can't muster four thousand regulars all
told: will try to reach Suakim. The pop
ulation OF kllartoum is disatfected, and a
crisis there is expected.
Another report of the fight says Mehdi
sent his dervishes to treat with Hicks
Pasha.s native officers, saying to the
Egyptians: eve, like you, are Mussulmen.
Why fight? Surrenderv' The dervisles
were received by a volley, and then the bat
tie commenced.
Inc catastrophe seems Tor the moment to
have wholly paralyZed the Egyptian Gov
eminent. Unless very speedy action is
taken it is feared Suakim will fall into the
hands of the tribes in revolt acting in con-
cert with Medhi. The latter is thought
to be near Khartoum. If that place should
be captured there would be no good
defensible position between Mehid and Cairo
except Minich, which is only six hours dis
tant from Cairo. No one believes the False
Prophet will rest content with the conquest
OF the Soudan. 1t is feared Turkey will
interfere and insist on conquering tile lost
Province. Neither the English nor the
French wish this. The prospect thus bristIes
with serious complications.
The MARQUIS of Salisbury, speaking at a
banquet at the Carlton Club, said the defeat
of Hicks Pasha must end all thoughts of
the Withdrawal of British troops from
Egypt.
1t is reported that the recent orders for
the evacuation of Egypt by the British
troops have been countermanded.
French papers express the opinion that
the disaster will lead to a permanent En-
gllsh occupation Of Egypt.
lsmai Pasha, eX-Klediye of Egypt, said
the disturbances in the Soudan are due to
the weakness of the Central Government at
Cairo. Throughout the Soudan, lie said,
much owe is exercised by religious chiefs
and dervishes, who could be readily CON
ttolled by conciliatory measures and the
allowance Of small stipends, the
practice of which had been unwisely
discontinued. The sufferers by the
discrimination of this bounty threw in
their lot with the slave-dealcrs, hence the
1 IGchn Y1S ~-N.-- -1sl