Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-14
THE SOUDAN WAR.

feat of Baker Pasha-The Panic
Stricken Egyptians Slaughtered on
Their Knees While Begging for
Haercy-Tewfik hey and Four Hun
dred of His Followers Surrounded
and Destroyed.
j SUAKIM, February 11.-Baker Pasha
began his advance from the intrench-
ments of Trinkitat Sunday. His force
consisted of 5000 troops, badly armed
and short of ammunition, and many Of
whom show an unwillingness to pro-
coed. Baker Pasha had sent from
Trinkitat to Cairo an urgent appeal for
rifles to replace the old muskets with
which numbers of his troop were
armed. In reply he received orders to
try to force his way to Tokar without
delay, and, with English officers CON
nected with the expedition, he began
the march expecting defeat. Spies had
falsely reported the roads clear with
the exception Of small bands of rebels.
Monday forenoon, when about nine
miles from Trink1tat portion of the
advance encountered a body of Osman
Degna's troops and fight ensued,
which was more of route than a
battle.
/ The fight began by a few Arab
horsemen attacking Baker Pasha's
cavalry, which fled. Baker attempt
ed to form a square which the enemy
! surrounded. Only three sides of the
square were formed, owing to the fact
that two companies of Egyptians stood
still overcome with fright. The enc
my poured into this gap, when the
Egyptians threw away their rifles and
flung themselves on the ground,
screaming for mercy. The troops on
one side of the square killed many of
their own men by wild firing. The
enemy betrayed profound contempt
for their opponents. Baker Pasha
was several times surrounded by the
enemy, but, with his staff, managed
to cut his way through.
Baker Pasha lost all his camels and
baggage. Most of the Egyptian Off
GERS and men bolted. Colonel Sar-
torius tried hard to rally them, but
without success. The Europeans be-
haved splendidly. The enemy pur-
sued almost to Trinkitat. The Euro
pean police and Turkish infantry
were cut to pieces Fourteen Euro
peans and three native officers are
missing.
Among the killed are Morice Bey,
an Englishman, who acted as Baker
Pashas paymaster, and DR.. Leslie,
who served In the sso-Turkish war.
Later: A London cable special
states that Baker Pasha was led into
ambush by Sheik, who pretending
to be friendly, asserted that the rebels
in the vicinity of Tokar numbered
fewer than 4, 900 men, many of whom
were unarmed, while there were in
fact 30,0 well-armed men under
i Sheik Khadir and Osman DIqua await
ing his approach. The success of the
rebel stratagem was complete, Baker
! Pashas forces being taken by surprise.
After short encounter, during which
the Egyptian troops under Baker
Pasha's command displayed the ut
most cowardice, his force was routed,
and fled in all directions, only small
remnant escaping along the road back
to Trinkitat. Baker Pasha lost his en-
tire equipment of guns, cannons,
stores and camp utensils. Baker
Pasha himself was among the small
number of fugitives that escaped from
the field and reached the coast in
safety.
The distressing news created intense
excitement in political circles. The
Soudan will now be swept by British
troops, to accomplish it's subjugation.
LATER.
The latest from Egypt is to the eff
feet that Baker Pasha's forces were
led into ambush by a Sheikh who.
pretended to be friendly. Baker Pas
ha himself was among the small num-
Der of fugitives who succeeded in es-
Gaping from the field and reaching the
coast IN safety. The slaughter of his
forces continued all the way back to
Trinkitat. The Egyptians were panic
stricken and fell upon their knees,
but their appeals for mercy were fruit
less. The Arabs seized them by the
necks, thrust their spears into their
backs and savagely cut their threats.
/ The excitement over Baker Pasha's
defeat is intense and little else is talk
ed of among members of parliament
and the various attaches of the gov
eminent