Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-14
OSMAN DIGNA ROUTED.
FOUR THOUSAND REBELS KILL
ED AND 6,OOO WOUNDED.

The British Loss smaIl-The Advanc
Made in Two Squares-Desperate
Fighting by the Enemy, and One of the
Squares Once Broken and the Cannon
Captured.
LONDON, March 13.-Dispatches from
Suakim state that the rebels opened fire
on Gen. Graham's forces at 1 O'Clock this
morning. The British forces were at once
| formed to repel charge, but no attack
came. The men We're 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
lighting began at daybreak. The infantry
and artillery completely routed the enemy
from their pits and trenches. The battle
had not lasted more than halt an hour
when the victory of the British was made
certain.
A telegraphic dispatch has been re-
celYed from Gen. Graham, dated at Os-
man Digna's camp, March 13. II 40 a. m,
in which he saYss The camp Of tie
enemy has been taken after hard fighting
since O'Clock this morning. over seventy
OF the British were killed and a hundred
wounded"
THE NIGHTS UNPLEASANTNEsS.
LONDON, March 13, 2P. M.-Later dis
patches say that the bivOuac last night
was exceedingly unpleasant. The Arabs
Kept up persistent fusilade till lust be-
fore daybreak. The bright moonlight rem
dered objects distinctly visible for a long
distance, but prevented the enemy from
attempting sudden onset. The rebels
directed their fire especially towards
the hospital wagons, which were cOnspic-
u0us IN the moonlight. The surgeons and
Gen. Graham's staff officers had many
narrow escapes. At O'Clock, sunrise,
Gardner gun and the 9-pounders were
turned against the rebels, who were
within l,3OO yards of the British position,
and afforded a most excellent target. The
Arabs were soon compelled to retire to
their main position near Tamiewells.
Col. Stewards cavalry arrived at $3.50
O'Clock and took position on the British
left 80 as TO turn the enemy's right.
GREATER BATTLE THAN AT TEB.
Gen. Graham has taken up his quarters
for the present in the camp from which
Osman Digna and the rebel hosts were
driven. The enemy fought most stub
bOrnly and the battle was much heavier
than the engagement at Teb. The sailors,
the Black Watch Regiment and the York
and Lancaster regiments suffered the
heaviest losses. The British forces ad-
Vanced in two brigades, which were
thrown into the form of squares. A series
OF encounters followed soon after leaving
Zariba. A great body of rebels charged
the leading square, spearing many of the
British sailors who were inside.
DESPERATE FIGHTING.
The square Immediately closed up and
the rebels were repulsed with great
slaughter. The advance was again re-
sumed when immense hOrdes rushed up
on 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 met
with an Obstinant resistance and was at
one time repulsed. The Gatling and Gar
diner guns fell into the hands of the
rebels and were only recovered after a
severe fight. when the British likewise
gained possession of the rebel camp.
FOUR THOUSAND REBELS KILLED.
LONDON, March IA, A. MA dispatch
from Suakim says that the enemy was en-
abled to penetrate the second square and
capture the guns by the movements of the
Black Watch regiment, which advanced
impetuOusly and broke ranks. Numbers
OF rebels still hover around the camD and
fire when cattle are being watered The
native guides bOlted when the square was
broken. Further fighting is improbable.
The battle ragged two and a half hours.
The rebel loss is estimated at 1000 killed
and 6 900 wounded.