The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-23

Account OF the Battle Near Tokar
Cownrdsce and Confusion.

r.
moved in advance OF the column, the in
fantry following them, and the greater
part OF the cavalry were scattered
round In q circle OF sllrmishers,
half mile or so from the column, thus
effectively protecting IL from any sudden
attack. The Turkish cavalry were in re-
serve. "Shortly after o'clock.v says the
special correspondent OF the London Stand
ard. "parties OF the enemy were sighted.
These retired slowly upon the approach Of
cavalry skirmishers, but showed more and
more thickly as we advanced. At half-past
8 the column halted. A Krupp gun was
brought forward and unlimbered, and a
few rounds OF she'll were fired. II was
hardly to be expected that any execution
would be done upon the scattered parties
OF the enemy, but the effect was to cause
them again to fall back.
STRATEGY.
"About 0 O'Clock the enemy again ap-
proached-this time in considerable num-
bers. The guns OF the attacking party
opened fire, and the force was ordered to
advance. When the cavalry skirmishers
came up with the enemy they were soon
holly engaged. Presently about a dozen
Arabs, riding barebacked on wiry little
horses, appeared from behind hillock
and coolly galloped round our right flank
within 800 yards OF our cavalry on that
side, running the gauntlet of the latter's
fire. They passed scatheless, and as they
still kept along parallel TO our column,
with the evident intention Of gauging its
strength and disposition. the General or
dered the Turkish cavalry to charge them
and cut them off. After hot chase the
enemy escaped; but as the Turks rode
back again toward the column they again
appeared, and this time galloped across our
front and round to the left.
SURPRISE.
"While our attention was distracted
from the front by this incident a sudden
commotion arose in the midst OF our caval-
ry skirmishers on our left flank. The
enemy must for some time have been lying
concealed close to them, and they now
sprang to their feet, and with wild cries
charged the Egyptian horsemen. These ut
once turned rein and came galloping in in
wild and very disorderly fashion. The
order was then given for the infantry to
form square-a maneuyre in which they
had been daily drilled for weeks. At this
crisis, however, the but half-disciplined
mass failed to accomplish it. Three sides
were formed after fashion, but on the
fourth side two companies OF the AleXan-
dria regiment, seeing the enemy coming on
leaping and brandishing their spears, stood
like panic-stricken flock of sheep, and
nothing could get them to move into their
place.
THE SQUARE BROKER.
"Into the gap thus left in the square the
enemy holly poured, and at once all be-
came panic and confusion. The troops
fired, indeed, but for the most part straight
into the air. The miserable Egyptian sol
diers refused even to defend themselves,
but, throwing away their rifles, flung them
selves on the ground and grovelled there,
screaming for mercy. No mercy was given,
the Arab spearmen bouncing upon them
and driving their spears through their necks
or bodies. Nothing could well surpaSs the
wild confusion which the mass presented
camels and guns mixed up together, soldiers
firing in the air, with wild Arabs, their
long hair streaming behind them, darting
among them, hacking and thruSting with
their spears. The right side OF the square
was not at first assaied, but kept up a con-
tinuous fire toward their front, which
killed many OF our cavalry.
BAKERS ESCAPE.
"When the charge had been made by
the enemy on the left flank General Baker,
with his staff, were out with the cavalry in
front. Upon riding back they found that
the enemy had already got between them
and the column. They at once charged
them and cut their way through, but not
without several being killed, among them
Abdul Rusac, the chief Egyptian staff
officer. His horse was hamstrung, and as
IL fell he was instantly speared by the
Arabs. On nearing the square the Gen
eral had TO run the gauntlet OF the fire
of the Egyptians in front, who, regard
less OF what was going on around them,
were blazing away in their front. When
the General reached the square the enemy
had already broken it up, and it was clear
that all was lost. General SartOrius, with
mis- staff, had been in the inside OF the
square when the enemy burst into it. They
in vain tried to rally the panic-stricken
Egyptians, and were so closely coOped In
by the huddled mass Of soldiers that for q
time they were unable to eXtricate them
selves. When at last the Arab spearsmen
had thinned the throng OF Egyptians, they
succeeded in breaking out and in cutting
their way through the enemy.
A CHAOTIC RETREAT.
alt now became total rOut, the scat
tered column streaming across the plain
toward Trinkitat. preceded by the flying
cavalry, the enemy pressing holly on the
rear Of the infantry and slhughtering at
will. All mounted men unable to ride
well were dismounted by the rush OF the
flying horsemen and killed. When last
seen, DR.. Leslie, Morice Bey, and Captain
Walker, with drawn swords and pistols,
were standing in a group surrounded by
the enemy, close to the guns in The front
face of the square. There also the Turk
isb battalion and thirty-siX Italian police
men were annihlated, scarcely one eseap-
ing. So for five miles the flight and pur-
suit were kept up. The Massowah black
battalion behaved well, and for q portion
OF the distance retired steadily, firing vol
leys into the enemy. ZObehr's blacks
were undrilled and hardly able to ire
their rifles, not having arrived long enough
before the advance TO enable tile officers 10
Get them into any shape. They therefore
bolted as promptly as did the Egyptians.
AFEEBLE STAND.
"When the earthwork was reached
where we had encamped the night before
the General made great efforts to protect
the rear Of the flying iugitives by charge
Of the Turkish cavalry with few Egyptian
horsemen, whose flight had been stopped
by the officers, but nothing would induce
them to charge. Half regiment OF Eng.
Iish cavalry would have swept the plain OF
the scattered enemy with the greatest ease.
However, although the General could not
induce the Turks to charge, he got them 10
form in line at the earthwork, and to halt
facing the enemy. The pursuit then ceased
the enemy, doubtless. being afraid OF the
fire OF the ships; but in fact no gun6oat was
m the harbor. the Admiral having ordered