The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-02-14
AN ARMY OF SHEEP.
Baker Pasha's Invading Column Al
most Completely Annihilated
at Tokar.
Conduct OF the Egyptians on
Meeting the Enemy-Yells
for Mercy.

The news OF tho defeat Of Baker Pasha IN
the Soudan, while attempting to relieve the
garrison of Tokar, created intense excite
ment in London. Little else was talked OF
among the members OF Parliament and tho
various attaches Of the Government. Much
criticism OF the policy Of the Government in
the management of affairs In Egypt has
again been renewed. Lord Salisbury severely
condemns the course which has been pursued
throughout, and tauntingly accuses the adj
ministraton of having again displayed It's
usual optimis tical policy, although In the
face of almost certain disaster. From the
mass of cable dispatches relating TO Baker Pa
sha's defeat, we compile the following suecinct
account OF the disastrous affair: Baker was
led into ambush by IL sheik, who, pretending
to DO friendly, asserted that the rebels in the
vioiHity OF Tokar numbered less than four
thousand men, many OF whom were I'M
armed, while there were in fact 10000 we'll
armed men under Sheik khadir and Osman
Diqua, awaiting his approach. The success
OF the rebel stratagem was complete, Baker
Pasha's forces being taken by surprise.
After snort encounter. during whioh the
Egyptian troops under Baker Pasha's COM
mand displayed the utmost oowardice, his
force was routed, and fed in all directions,
only small remnant escaping along the
road back to Trnkitat. Baker Pasha lost his
entire equipment of guns, cannons, stores,
and camp utensils. Baker Pasha him
self was among the small number or
fugitives that escaped from the field,
and reached the coast In safety.
The fight began by few Arab horsemen
attacking Baker Pasha's cavalry, which fled.
Baker formed u square, which thefnemy sur
rounded. The rest of the Egyptians then
fed in confusion and the gunners deserted
their guns Baker Pasha was several times
surrounded by the enemy, but, with his stan
managed TO cut his way through. The ene-
my's force was inferior in numbers TO Baker
Pasha's. Only three sides OF square were
formed, owing to the fact that two companies
of Egyptian troops stood still, overcome with
fright. The enemy poured into this gap,
when the Egyptians threw away their
rif es and flung themselves uron the ground,
screaming for mercy. The troops on one
side of the square killed many OF their own
men by wild firing. The enemy betrayed
profound contempt for their opponents. The
Egyptian cavalry threw away their saddles
and turned their horses loose, eifecting "a re-
treat on foot, Ia order that they might not be
sent back TO fight again. The slaughter Of
Bakers forces continued all the way back TO
Trinkitat. The Egyptians were panic stricken
and fell upon their knees, but their appeals
for mercy were fruitless. The Arabs seized
them by their necks, thrust spears
into their backs, and savagely cut
their throats. The Eng ishmen missing are
Maurice Bey, Surgeon Leslie, CaptS. oster
and Walker, Iiouts. Carol, Smith, and Wat
kins. Ten other foreign othCerS are missing.
Tie fugtives, hudded toGo her en- the shore
| at Trinkitat might easily have been sau h
tered. but the enemy gave over tho pursuit
The men embarked as quickly as possible
upon six transports lying there, and, with
Baker and Col. Sartoris, arrived at midnight
at Suakim. The rebels captured five guns
$4,000 pounds of cannon ammunition, 5000
rifles, and an enormous quantity OF cart
ridges.
TEwFIK BEY'S FORCE ANNIHILATED.
A Suakim dispatch says that the enemy
surrounded and destroyed Tewfik Boy and
400 followers between S.nkat and the coast
while attempting TO cut their way through
the enemy. a cairo dispatch reports that
tribes beyond Korosko are in full revolt.
Gen. Gordon, who has arrived at Korosko, is
unable TO proceed on his journey TO Khar-
tOum.