Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-15
AN ARMY OF FANATICS.
DIGNA's TROOPS COURT DEATH
EVEN AFTER DEFEAT.

The British Victory. However, Has a
Narrow Escape from Being Turned in
to an InglOriOus ROut - Wounded
Arabs Fight Like DemOns-COwardIy
Digna Turns Tail to the Foe.
SUAKIAI, March 14.-The rebels, under
cover of the smoke, crept close up to the
British lines and dashed against the ma
rines and Goth and Black Watch regi-
ments, throwing themselves upon the
bayOnets of the British and giving and
receiving fearful wounds. Great confu-
sion ensued. The Goth began to retreat,
crowding upon the marines, when all be-
came ineXplicably mixed. Gen. Graham
and his staff did their utmost to rally
the men, retreating 600 yards TO enable
them to reform. Assistance from the
other brigade prevented a serious
disaster. There were many mar
row escapes among the officers.
The horse of Gen. Butler was shot from
under HIM. The pluck shown by the
rebels is uneXampled. The rebels en-
tered the second square upon their hands
and knees beneath the muzZles of the
Gatling guns. They then commenced
slashing with their weapons, doing terri
bic execution. The British were no
match for the rebels at close quarters.
The British will return to Suakim to-day,
CORRESPONDENTS IN THE FRAY.
LONDON, March Ii, IL p. M.-Further
details of the desperate battle Yesterday
between Gen. Graham's forces and the
rebels near Tamaiwells continue to ar
rive. During the confusion which en-
sued when the Arabs made their wild
rush on the British lines and caused them
to retreat, the newspaper reporters and
other nOn-cOmbatants took part in the
fray and used their rey0lYers freely and
with deadly effect against the enemy.
sCOURGING THE ENEMY.
After the battle, Osman's camp and
three villages We're burned. Among the
trophies Osman's standard was taken and
TeWtik Bey was captured. The British
losses were considerably heavier than at
first reported. The number of killed
reaches 100 and the wounded $50. Gen.
Graham's forces are returning to Suakim.
Osman Digna has fled to the hills The
ArabsTetired before the English slowly and
sullenly. They were defeated but not
put to rout. They walked away as if
sauntering through a bazaar. with their
arms folded or swinging at their sides.
They were often shot down, but this did
not hasten their companions speed.
Judges of the native character think that
the Arabs are so allied by family ties that
the great loss Of life will appal them, and
break their faith in FL Mahdi and their
sheikhS.
NO sURRENDERs.
1t was impossible to take prisoners.
Wounded Arabs would lie motiOnless,
without uttering a single cry or grOan,
and watch their chance TO stab the adj
yancing British with a knife or spear.
The victors walked among the wounded
as among so many Yipers. A wounded
Arab killed n British marine dur
ing the night. Another attempt
ed to stab Col. Stewart while
his aide-de-camp was giving a wounded
man water. Admiral Hewitt has to-day
sent out fresh circular to the tribes
warning them that if they do not obey the
summons to submit the fate of the Arabs
who fell at Teb and Tamanieb will over
take them.
NINETY-oNE OF THE BRITISH KILLED.
LONDON, March -, > A. M.-Gen Gra-
ham telegraphs that five officers and
eighty-siX men were killed, and eight
officers and one hundred and three men
wounded. Nineteen men are missing.
The rebels numbered from 10000 TO 1900.
Three officers and seven men of the
naval brigade were killed at the guns.
Over 1000 rebels were killed. The rebels
charged regardless of their great loss.
They left 600 dead at one point of the
square.
OsAIAN DIGNA FLEEs.
SUAKIAI, March ii, IL p. M.-Whiie de-
strOying rebel ammunition the troops un-
earthed and destroyed 1000 Remington
rifles. The wounded rebels state that
Osman Digna's nephew and many chiefs
were killed in Thursdays fight Osman
was present early in the battle, but fed
when defeat became evident. Fifteen
hundred rebel cOrDSpS were fOund in ono