The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-03-26
ANOTHER BATTLE.
The British Forces Narrowly Es-
cape Being Routed
The Arabs Get the Indians Between Two
Fires-The Day is Calamity Saved by
the Irish Lancers,

LONDON, March 20-6 P. M.-The Tele-
graphs Suakim special says: "a FIVE
hours battle was fought this morning be-
tween the British troops and forces of Os-
man Digna. Osman's position was finally
captured by the British. The Arab losses
are said to be very great" Further accounts
Of to-day's battle agree in stating that the
rebels fought bravely. amounting almost
to desperation, The exploit of the ma
rines In driving them from their advan-
tageots position under such circum-
stances is highly applauded. When the
rebels had retired to the plain the native
indian regiments We're the first to charge,
but were inludiciously pushed too far in
advance OF the main column, and by a
flank movement the rebels rallied and at
tackled them from the rear, throwing them
into confusion. A portion of the Sikhs
were cut off entirely, and being surrounded
by Arabs, We're mercilessly speared and
their horses hamstrung. The Bengalese
showed better discipline and sue
Geeded in rejoining the English.
slowly retired. The rebels were greatly
elated and yelled furiously as they threw
themselves upon the sides of the British
square. They finally regained practically
all the effective points from which they
had been dislodged, but were unable to
hold them long. After some brisk firing
on both sides the British artillery fire be-
came so precise and effective that the
enemy suddenly broke and again abandon
firing steadily. The enemy still presented
q good front on the plain, but brill
liant charge by the Irish Lancers decided
the day In favor of the British. The Arabs
scattered and retired hurriedly upon
Tamai, while the English retired to their
camp. To-day's fighting was of notice.
ably different character from that of any
preceding engagement. The Arabs main
tained steady rifle fire, retiring slowly
from each position held by them and
says the battle between the British troops
and Osman Digna's forces lasted five hours.
The Marines were first sent to the front to
drive the Arabs from the hills west of Ha-
sheen. AS soon as possible they were
reinforced by batteries of Gardner &
hot engagement for few hours, during
which the British cavalry charged repeat
edly upon the Arabs, while machine-guns
were worked with deadly effect whenever
fire could be made available. Great bravery
was displayed by both sides. At the end
of the engagement the Arabs retreated
slowly toward Famal. The Arab loss in
killed and wounded is estimated at six hun
dred. The loss to the British is forty. The
Arabs displayed desperate bravery.
The marines drove the Arabs from the
hills and forced them to retire to the plain.
Then the Indian troops charged upon the
Arab position, but were outflanked and an
unsuspec5ed body of Arabs succeeded in
getting behind their line. The Indians
found themselves between two fires and
| fled. During this retreat they were closely
pressed by the Arabs, who hamstrung their
horses and speared the riders. The Benga-
| lese fell back in confusion upon the English
infantry and guards, who had been formed
in a hollow square, and the square leisure
| ly retired, while the Arabs We're yelling that
| they had regained their lost position. At
I and brisk fire of small shot from the ma
| chine-guns and shell from the Krupp field
| mortars drove the Arabs from their posi-
| tions. The marines maintained steady
| honors of the day are probably due to the
| Irish Lancers, who changed the tide of the
battle by desperate charge and retrieved
| the fortunes of General Graham's command
| when thew seemed almost homeless