The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-21
THE WAR IN EGYPT.
ANOTHER HEAVY AND PROBABLY DE-
CISIvE BATTLE.

THE WAR IN EGYPT.
ANOTHER HEAVY AND PROBABLY DE-
CIsIvE BATTLE.
LONDON, March IA dispatch from Gen
Graham dated at Osman Digma's camp
March -, 1l:40 q. IN. says: "The camp OF
the enemy has been taken after hard fighting
since 8 O'Clock this morning. Over seventy
British were killed, and a hundred wound
ed" A later dispatch says that the bivouac
last Eight was exceedingly unpleasant. The
Arabs kept up q persist mt fusiliade until
just before dsybreak. The bright moonlight
rendered objects distinctly visible at a long
distance, but prevented the enemy attempt.
ing sudden onset. The rebels directed
their fire especially toward the hospital
wagons, which were conspicuous In the
moonlight. The surgeons and Gen. Ora
hams staff officers had many narrow escapes.
At sunrise a Gardiner gun aud q nine.
FOUNDER were turned against the rebels, who
were within thirteen hundred yards Of the
British position, and afforded a most excal-
lent target. The Arabs were soon compelled
TO retire TO their main position near the Ia.
manIeb wells. Colonel Stewards cavalry
arrived at half past six and took position OH
the British left flank, so as to turn the enc
my's right.
General Graham has taken quarters for
the present in the camp from which Osman
Digma and the rebel hosts were driven. The
enemy fought most stubbornly. The battle
was much heavier than the engagement at
lib. The sailors, the Black Watch regiment
and the York and Lancaster regiments suf-
fered the heaviest losses.
SUAKIM, March 13.-The rebels opened
fire on Gen. Graham's forces at one O'Clock
this morning. The British forces at once
formed TO repel the charge, hut 10 attack
came. The men were thereupon ordered TO
lie down again. The fire Of the rebels con
tinued all night, but the British did not ~
ply. One officer and two men were wounded,
aud one man killed. Fighting began at day
break, and the infantry and artillery COM
pletely routed the enemy from their pits and
trenches. The battle did not last more than
half an hour, when the victory of tue British
was made certain.
The loss of Osman Digman's forces was
2,400.
The British forces advanced in two brig.
AIDES, which were thrown into the form of
soon after leaving Saribz. A great body of
rebels charged the leading square, piercing
many British sailors inside the square, which
Immediately closed up, and the rebels were
repulsed with great slaughter. The squares
advanced again, when immense hordes
rushed upon the British from both sides. A
terrible struggle ensued. The Arabs fought
with the greatest pluck and bravado, but
nearly all were killed. The second brigade
were met with an obstinate resistance, and
was at one time repulsed, and the Calling
and Gardiner guns fell into the hands Of the
rebels, and were only recovered after a Sc.
we're fight, when the British likewise gained
possession of the rebel camp.
The Hussars made favored movement
and cut of the rebel retreat at SInkat with :
hope 10 save the families Of the massacIed
garrison.
The rebels under cover of the smoke crept
up close to the British line aud dashed
against the marines aud Sixty fifth aid Black
Watch regiments, throwing themselves on
the bayonets of the British and giving and
receiving terrible wounds. Great confusion
ensued. The Sxty-fifL began to retreat,
crowding upon the marines, when all be-
came inextricably mixed. Gen. Graham and
staff did their utmost to rally the retreating
reform. Assistance from the other brigade
prevented . serious disaster. There were
many narrow escapes among the officers.
The horse Of Gen. Butler was shot from un-
der him. The pluck shown by the rebels
was unexampled.
The rebels penetrated the second square
on their hands and knees beneath the muzzle
Of the Calling guns. They then commenced
slashing with their weapons, doing terrible
execution. The British were no match for
the rebels at close quarters. The British re.
turn TO Suakim to-day.
Further details of the desperate battle
Yesterday between GIahsm's forces and the
rebels near the Tamanieb Wells, say that
during the confusion which snsusd when the
Arabs made their wild rush upon the British
lines and caused them to retreat, the news
paper reporters and other non combatants
took part in the fray, and used their revol
vers freely and with deadly effect against the
enemy. After the battle, Osman's camp and
three villages were burned. Among the
trophies taken was Osman's standard, and
Tewfk Bey's was recaptured. The British
loss is considerably heavier than at first re-
ported. The number Of killed reaches 100,
wounded $50. General Graham's forces are
returning to Suakim. Osman Digma fed to
the hills. The Arabs retired before the Eng
lish slowly and sullenly. They were de-
feated but not put to rout; they walked away
as If saunteriDg through the Bazars, with
their arms folded or swinging at their sides.
Many were shot down, but this did not hast
en- their companions speed. Judges Of na-
tive character think the Arabs are so allied
by family ties that the great loss Of life will
appall them and break their faith In MaLdi
and their Sheiks.
1t was impossible TO take prisoners. The
wounded Arabs would lie motIonless with
out uttering a single cry or moan, and watch
their chance to stab the advancing British
with knife or spear. The vlctors walked
among the wounded as among so many
vipers. A wounded Arab killed q British
marine during the night, and another al.
tempted to stab Col. Stewart while his aid
de-camp was giving a wounded man water.
Admiral Hewitt to-day sent out fresh cir.
cular TO the tribes warning them II they do
not obey the summons to submit, the fate of
the Arabs who fell At Teb and Tamanieb
will overtake them.
Gen. Graham 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.
uIcC OhScIs ScNcu tHcu Vi Iuc udfal
brigade were killed at the guas. Over 1000
were killed when the rebels charged regard
less Of their great loss.
SUAKIM, March 12.-General Graham and
Col. Stewart, with their stats, have returned
to Suakim. The wounded will return to-
day. The latter are doing well. The rebel
troops unearthed and destroyed 1900 Rem
ington rifles. The wounded rebels state
that Osman Digma's nephew and many
chiefs were killed in Thursdays fight. Os-
man was present early In the fight, but fed
when defeat was inevitable. Fifteen hun
dred rebel corpses we're found In one pit.
Immense volumes Of black smoke which
rose from the burning Of the camp and viii
lagos made . greater impression on the fagi-
tives than the British proclamations made.
Before the battle Osman Digma went twenty
miles to holy spot to pray for success. Il
The troops returning to Suaklm cheered
greatly the personal heroism of Adam Fra
ger, the largest man of the Black Watch
Regiment. Twelve Arabs were laid low by
his single bayonst. Drummond, of the same
regiment, bayoneted Osman Digma's me-
phew. Fifty men have left Chatham to fill
vacancies In the Black Watch Regiment.
yWAY DOWN I'M Egypt