The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-22
Saturday noon, gives the following account of

and advanced to the wells. The guards marched
at the left of the column, the heavy corps in the
center and the mounted infantry at the right.
The column halted within three miles of the
wells, but the rebels showed no signs of moving.
The British troops set to telling trees and clear
ing away the grass in front of the column. An
abattis was formed around the baggage, and
stone breastworks, with a frontage of l50 yards,
erected as an additional protection.
I'm the afternoon the enemy's camp was sight
ed, four miles from Ourzareeba. 1t comprised
numerous tents, and appeared TO be fairly well
fortified Meanwhile two groups of rebels were
watching US from high hills on our left front.
AT in the evening the enemy fired few stray
shots, and the British replied with several shells.
The enemy continued firing throughout Friday
night, causing only one slight casualty. On
Saturday forenoon the enemy commenced ad-
vancing in two divisions en- echelon, each num-
bering some 5000 men, beating drums and wav-
ing flags. Many of them were armed with
rifles The enemy occasionally halted, as if try
ing to discover the British formation Meanwhile
the British were steadily preparing for the re-
ception of the rsbels. They formed square,
the artillery being placed in the center and ad
enemy, who occupied favorable ground, showing
great knowledge of the art of war They drew
US to difficult position for operations, when. by
a cleverly-executed movement, they almost dis
appeared from view, leaving only their standards
visible. Suddenly a large body of rebels
appeared and furiously charged upon the
front of the British square. The
British replied with bloody fire.
which the rebels were unable to withstand, and
then turned and attacked the left rear of the
square. The heavy troops borne down by the
onslaught, broke formation for few moments
but quickly rallied. A hand hand fight en-
sued. The rebels penetrated the ranks, but
were subjected to heavy flank fire, and finally
driven back. Gen. Stewart had narrow escape
his horse being killed under him. 1t is reported
the rebels are in force at Metemneh."
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
The battle was fought at point in the Hass-
aniyeh desert, twenty three miles northwest
from Metemneh and near the caravan station
of Stebacas. General Stewards force consisted
of about 1,500 effective men. On the approach
of the Arabs, who were estimated to number
5000 or 10 900, General Stewart formed his troops
into hollow square with his field pieces at
the corners, ard the invalids and provisions in
the center. The Arabs made their attack in a
tumultuous rush, directed principally upon the
side of the square held by the hussars. This
side of the square was broken at one time dur
ing the fight The officers attributed this disas-
ter to the unruly conduct of the camels, which
got powder burned and became uncomfortable
The line was speedily reformed. The discipline
of the men was splendid. Throughout the ac-
tion steady and deadly fire was kept UP by the
huzzars and mounted infantry, while the
artillery maintained an unfailing fre
which piled dead Arabs up in heaps
The space in front of the British right flank
was veritable slaughter-pen, and when the
Arabs were finally repused they left 800 of their
number dead upon the field. The number of
their wounded able to march or be carried from
the field was estimated at 1900. Most of the
casualties on the British side occurred during
the break in the line of hussars The British
took their own and the Arab wounded to the
wells at Stebacas. Most of the wounded are re-
ported doing well. General Stewart, with the
remainder of his troops, is progressing toward
Metemneh.
special giving additional particulars of the
battle, says: "The battle was fearful
hand to-hand fight Most of the Arabs were
armed with spears and protected by spiked
shields of OK hide. They rushed to close
quarters and swarmed over the bodies
of their dead and wounded comrades
The English troops, after, the first
few rounds had been fired, fought with short
ened sabers and with sword bayonets welded aS
half arms length. Colonel Burnaby was killed
by thrust of an Arabs spear, which entered
his neck and severed his jugular vain. When
General Stuarts horse was shot, the rider fell to
the ground and was badly shaken, but he soon
recovered and obtained another horse The
English soldiers have had neither food nor water
Since the night before the battle"
THE STORY TOLD AGAIN.
Still another account of the battle says:
Until the 10th the British advanced rapidly,
with a struggling column, but the evidence of
the presence Of many Arabs near the
camp the previous night, led to
long halts more compact formation
and regular advance The British had no idea
that the enemy was so near. Native reports
had led them to suppose that only a few rebels
held Abuklea On receipt of the news of the
appearance of the enemy, at noon, General
Stewart massed his brigade into columns,
placing the Guards on the right the
heavy cavalry in the center, and the artillery
and engineers in the rear. The guards thus
formed the right face of the square. Lord
Beresford, of the Naval Brigade, was posted
behind, and the mounted infantry and the Sus-
sex regiment closed the rear. The baggage was
placed in the center. Gen. Stewart then went
over to ridge to reconnoiter, and
skirmishers were sent forward to force an at
tack. At the first shock from the enemy, the
fate of the whole British force trembled in the
balance. The steadiness of the guards,
the marine corps and the mounted
infantry prevailed and the rebels retired.
leaving the ground strewed with dead and