Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-14
The Battle Of Tamai Wells.

QCIIoT1C BBAvERY OF osMAN pIGNAs TRooPs-TEEY
THROW THEMSELVES on THE British GUNS To NO
PCRP0SE-A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THF Fight.
cable special to the Baltimore american from
Suak1n, gives the following account OF the British
victory reported in yesterdays STAR: The British
troops under comiqand OF General Graham, gained
a great victory to-day about thirteen miles from
here over the Arabs under Osnan Digna- The
loss OF the British is about 20 killed and upwards
or 100 wounded OSInan DiCilaS loss IL estimated
at 2.400. AT sunrise a Gardiner gun and a lime
FOUNDER were run out and opened Oh the Arab ad-
vance; which at that time was about 1000 yards
from the British front. The undiSClplned tribes
were unable TO withstand long The storm OF shot
and shell, and suddenly fell back upon the main
body or OSlnan Dignls troops. which were masatd
near the TaIaf wells About half past O'Clock,
Colonel Stewart. in command OF the cavalry. Joined
General Graham. and was placed on the ierr Of the
line covering the Side and OF the second square
thus being In position TO move on The entiny ;
right flank should opportunity offer. The advance
movement WAS now begun. the troops marching In
echeOn, the square 10 tine right being Ia front and
The second square within easy supporting distance
in rear and TO the left. The ground which the
British marchV1 WAS uneven. and the square IN
front was thrown into slight confusion shortly al
ter the advance Was begun. The Arabs quickly
noted the apparent disorder and SNooped dow IA
upon the British iii Swarlns firing their pieces as
they approached. and placing their spears ia rest.
The outer angle OF the front square was COLI
petely exposed. aid The Arab hOrorlllen dashed
upon 1t with savage iInpetu0,iIE. For Il moment
fortune seemed 10 FAVOR these brave fanatics.
They Speared the mrn OF the Eignts-NiIJh aud
York and Lancaster. regiments. and the compact
line OF the British weakened, and IL some places
Welded but the sailors ia the center closed up
the gap, and deadly FIRE from the Wlnclest.rS
and Calling guns was poured into them, moving
them down III great numbers Withdraw Ing
from the right, they fell back only w attack
the other square In greater numbers.
THE ARABS SEIZE THE BRITISH GUNS.
A few moments later the cavalry under General
Stewart was in the act or making detour for the
purpose OF turning the flank OF the Arabs when
no psrl. ba
square Was unsupported TIE Arabs literally
veloped It. Their charge was resiSlesS, and before
the British could recover Iroin the confusion into
which their ranks were thrown, the Getling and
Gardiner guns We're seized and borne OF In triumph.
The rebels, under cover OF the smoke, crppt close
up to the British lines and dashed against the
marines and the Sixty-nfth and Black Watch regi-
ments, throwing themselves upon the bayonets of
the British. and giving and receiving fearful
wounds. The rebels entered the second square
upon their hands and knees beneath the Inuzzles
OF the Gatling guns They then commenced slash
ing with their weapons, doing terrible execution.
The British were no match FOR the rebels at close
quarters Great confusion ensued. The Siyth-ffth
began to retreat, cfowdlng upon the marines. when
all became inextricably mixed. General Graham
and his stan did their utmost to rally the men.
retreaung eight hundred yards TO enable them TO
reform Assistance from the other brigade pre-
narrow escapes among the officers. The horse OF
General Butler was shot from under him A for
ward movement OF the British was ordered as soon
as the formation was restored but before IL could
be executed. Oslnan Digna's soldiers were on them
again, charging from all sides. and appearing
utterly regardless OF the terrible fire which raned
upon them and thinned their ranks by hundreds
The Hussars now bore down on the Arabs In CON-
pact lines, pistoling and sabering them as they
passed rapidly through their irregular ranks and
joined the main body OF the British. over and
over again the advance or the English troops was
checked by
THE STUBBORN CHARGES OF THE REBELS,
but finally their losses began 70 tell even on them
and they slowly withdrew to a rising ground near
the Tamai wells The British now charged with
great spirit and with ringing cheers the Hussars at
the same time making Tor the rear or the ARAB po-
sttion, The Arabs waSered a moment and then
gave way. scurrying over the bare hiilocks in
punches Of f1frieS and hundreds, and leaving IN the
possession OF their enemies the Gatlings and Garui
ners captured but an hour before, and all their
own guns and camp equipage. The Arabs were
brave TO desperation, and had they been weil dis
ciplired and properly armed with improved weap-
o,s would have been irresistible, the British lid
not number more than 400 all told. While there
must have been al least l0.0JU oI the elielny
The huSSars made a forward movement and cut
or the rebels retreat To SinkaL Ii Is hoped thai
they win save there the families OF the massacred
garrison