New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-14
OSMAN DIGMA DEFEATED.
HIS CAMP CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH

BATTLE LASTING AN HOUR AND a HALF-sEVENlf
BRITISH KILLED.
LONDON, March 49, Dispatches from Suakim
say that the rebels opened fire on General Grahams
forces at ! o'clock this morning The British forces
were at once formed to repe charge, but no attack
came. The men were thereupon ordered to lie
down again. The fire of the rebels continued all
night, but the British did not reply. An officer and
two men were wounded and one man was killed.
The fighting began at daybreak. The infantry
and artillery completely routed the enemy from
their pits and trenches. The British forces
advanced IN two brigades which were thrown into
the form Of squares series of encounters fol-
lowed. Soon after leaving Sariba the great body
of the rebels charged the leading squares spearing
many Of the British. The sailors, who were inside
the square, immediately closed up, and the rebels
were Tepulscd with great slaughter. The advance
was then resumed, when immense hOrdes rushed
upon the British from both sides. The Arabs fought
with great pluck and bravadO and were nearly all
killed. The second brigade met with obstinate re-
sIstance and was at one time repulsed. The Cat
ling and Gardiner guns fell into the hands Of the
rebels and were only recovered after a severe
fight. 1t was then that the rebel
camp was captured. The battle had not lasted
more than a haf-hour when the victory of the
British was made certain.
4 tclcgIaphic dispatch has been received from
General Graham dated "Osman Digmas camp,
March 13 1l:4O a. m.." in which he says: "The
camp of the enemy has been taken after hard tight
ing sIEce o'clock this morning Over seventy OF
the British were killed and hundred wonnded'
The bivouac last night was exceedingly I'M
pleasant The Arabs kept up a persistent iuSi-
lade till Just before daylight. The bright
moonlight rendered objects distinctly visible at
long distance but prevented the enemy from at
tempting sudden onset The rebel directed their
fire especially toward the hospital wagons, which
were conspicuous in the moonlight. The surgeons
and General Grahams staff officers had many mar
row escapes. Al O'clock sunrise, a Gardiner gun
and nine-pOundcT were turned against the rebels,
who were within 300 yards of the British posi-
tion and afforded most excellent target: me
position near the Tamai Wells. Colonel Stewards
cavalry ar-:77Gcit az $50 and took position on the
british left so as to turn the enemys right,
General Graham has taken up his quarters for the
present in the camp from which Osman Dlgma and
the rebel hosts were driven. The enemy fought
most stnbborniy and the battle WAS much heavier &
than the engagement at Icb. The sailors, the
Black Watch Regiment and the York and Lancas-
ter Regiment suffered the heaviest losses.
The HusSaT, made a forward movement, ana cut
of the rebels retreat to Snkat 1t Is hoped that
they will save there the families of the massacred
The rebels. under cover of the smoke crept close
M to the British lines and dashed against
The marines and the. Goth and Black
the bayoncts of tue British, The Goth be-
gan to retreat, crovding upon the marines, when
all became iMextfcably mixed. General Graham
and his staff did their utmost to rally the men, re-
treating 500 yalds TO enable them to reform.
Assistance from the other brigade prevented serl-
Ous disaster There We're many narrow escapes
among the officers. The horse OF Geheru bulIer
was shot under him.
The Queen has telegraphed General Graham her
congratulations upon yesterdays victory me
Government has received congratulations upon the
victory from the foreign embassies in London.
A dispatch from Suakim TO Reuters Telegram
Company saws that the enemy enabled to pen
etlate the se ond square and capture the guns by
the movements OF the Black Watch Regiment,
which advanced mpctuOusly and broke the ranks.
Numbers Of rebels still hover around the cdups
ana fire when cpttle are beng WaLered. The ma
tive guides bolted when the square was broken;
Further lighting is impIobabe. The battle ragged
at COO killed aud SGVU wounded.