Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-03-03
the VAR IN the SoUDAX.
A Desperate Battle on Friday-The
British Successful at Every
Point.
British Loss "a Killed and l42
Wounded-lOOO Rebels Sla in.
LONDON. March

OH hursday night the expedition encamped
near F0-t Baker The infantry biyouack ed
IN front, and the cavalry in the rear. The
troops were all assembled before sunset, ex-
cept tue 55th regiment, which arrived at
eight O'Clock. on Friday morning fires
were quickly kihdled and coffee made
Breakfast over. the forces were formed in an
obtong square, the front and rear OF which
were longer than the sides, owing to the dit
fe ent strength of the regiments. The Cor
dc Hllaaders in line formed the ad-
vance with two Gatling guns and one Gardl-
ner in tie right corner and TWO GARDENERS
and one Gatllng in the left corner. The S9th
regiment in line formed the right hand side
Of the square; the Black watch Regiment
the rear. The whole strength of the British
forces was somethin. less than 1000 men.
The length of the front was 300 yards.
The Hussars acted as scouts and advanced
in a sem'-circle, a thou,asd yards ahead, cover
ing the front and hanks of the main force.
The troops advanced over sand knolls and
scrubs for mile from Fort Baker along the
Teb road, when the rebels opened fire th
their Remington rifles, but the range was
too long and their shots proved ineffective
The rebels in swacms occupied the high
ground in front and on the fanks of the
British army
They retired slowly, as the English ad
vancsd, keeping within about 300 of the
main body of the English forces. The
Britiah cavalry followed, covering the rear
upon the left. formed in three lines and dis
lance some 900 yards from the main army.
At $50 the gunboat Sphinx fired four
rounds from Trinkitst harbor, but the range
was too great. The shells burst mile short
of the snemy's position. The firing was
stopped. as the shells were dangerous to the
English.
The cavalry and mounted in nfantry advanced
on the left to touch the rebels who moved
obstiR.tely. though they were not indisposed
to fight The infantry continued to advance
steadily. Two or three times a halt was
made in order to allow the sailors and ar
tillery, who were dragging tho guns, to rest.
The square was we'll maintained. but where
the ground was difficult the mea marched by
fours right in columns of companies The
road toward Teb was studded With corpses
of Baker Pasha's illstarred fugitives, which
filled the air with pollution and around
which swarms of carrion flies lazilJ hovered.
After an advance of three miles had been
accomplished the earthworks of the rebels
came in sight. Guns were mounted and
standards we're flying in the sultry air. The
Rebels fire had now almost ceased except
on the extreme right and left, where it still
continued to be directed at the scouts.
The British stepped forth as on Il holiday
parade, the bagpipes playing and the Hiland-
ers footing cheerly and advanced illwithin 800
yards of the rebels position, where an old
mill was standing. surrounded by a number
of native huts and where also stood fort
with two guns. Here halt was ordered
and the scouts rejoned the cavalry. Neither
force seemed disposed to open fire.
At last attention was called, wherepon
the rebels, seeing the British move. began
the battle with shell from Krupp gnn cap
tured from the Egyptians. The she'll passed
wide over the square. The next two shots
we're aimed with greater accuracy and the
shell burst close to the British. woundng
several The rebels remained a rattling
fusilade with small arms, sending hundred.
of bullets which whizzed around the ears of
the British. A man Of the Gordon Hilanders
was first to fall, badly wounded. As the
shots increased the ambulance surgeons we're
fully occupied.
The English advanced steadily in = square
without answering the rebel fre till they
passed the north face Of the rebel works. At
this point piece Of she'll wounded Baker
Psshs in the face and 20 men we're hit. After
An schelon Of . thousand yards = halt was
ordered, and the men were directed to lie
down. 1t vss now noon, the day was clear
and the wind dispersed the smoke of the rebel
fire. disclosing the rebels movemsnts.
Then the British opened fire with guns and
rifles, and the rebel fire rapidly slackensd.
An advance was at once ordered. The troops
rose, and approached the rebels works. The
rebels we're in no military order, but held
their position desperately. There were 200
of them in front and hundreds on the sides
of the square. As the Brstish advanced.
firing. the rebels rose within 200 yards Of
them. and ruahed headlong with their spears
upon the British line. They fell dead right
and left. None of them bolted but fell back
sullenly. Having cleared the ground in frsrt,
the British attacked Fort Burnaby, and
carried i, after . desperate fight.
They turned too Krupp guns against the
enemy, and the Arabs contested every inch.
The British then stormed brick building.
and at one o'clock the rebels bolted. the Cat
ling guns and Martini rifles creating great
havoc among them The English forces ad-
vaueed to the fresh water we'll At Teb, where
the rebels made their last stand.
After four hours of Arduous fighting the
British gained possession the rebels camp
The cavalry charged the retreating rebels.
who did not bolt but gave the troopers blow
for blow. The enemy retreated slowly and
the British kept up their FIRE. Gen. Graham
decided to pass the night at the Teo wells.
The advance on Toksr will be made today.
The British forces captured two hruPp
guns two howitzers, and one machine gun
The war Office is in receipt of telegram
stating that the losses of the British in the
fight near Trinkitat yesterday, were "a killed
and 142 wounded.
The news of Gen. Graham's victory over
the rebel forces under Osman Digna. in the
Soudan. yesterday, has caused immense en-.
,husasm and the complete subsection of
Mahdi is now freely predicted. On all sides
the opinion is freely expressed that the gov
ernment should re-conquer the whole Of the
Soudan before making terms with the rebels
SUAKIM, March /.
The British troops entered Tokar at noon,
SATURDAY. few shots were exchanged with
the enemy, when the four thousond rebels
holding the town fed. Osman Digma il en-
camped eight miles distant from Suaklm.
battle with him is expected when
the British troops return to Suakim from
Tokar. All reports commend the stsadiness
with which the British moved on Teb. The
square in which they advanced to the battle
was never broken. The determination and
bravery Of tAs rsbsls we're shown IN the fAcf