Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-22
A BATTLE AT ABU KLEA.
10000 REBELS DEFEATED BY
1900 BRITISH TROOPS.

Gen. Stewards Horse Shot Dead from
Under Him-The British Forces Ar
ranged in the Favorite Square-A
Brave but Disastrous Charge by the
Enemy-The Losses Heavy.
LONDON, Jan. 21.-It is officially re-
ported that serious fighting has occurred
in Egypt, and that the result was salts
factory to Lord Wolseley.
The battle occurred near Metemneh.
An army Of 10000 rebels attacked square
in which the British. forces were advanc-
ing several times, but was compelled
eventually to retire. The rebels lost 800
killed and 800 wounded. The English lost
So. Among the British who fell was Lieut..
Col Burnaby, who made the famous
''ride to Khivaqua.o
Besides Col. Burnaby the following
were killed: Maj. Carmichael, of the Fifth
Lancers; Maj. Atherton, of the Fifth
Dragons; Mai. Cough, of the Royal Dra-
gOOns; Capt. Darby and Lieut.. Low, of the
Fourth Dragons; Lieut.. Wolfe, of the
Scots Greys, and Lieuts. PigOtt and
Delisle, of the Naval Brigade. Lord St.
Vincent and Lord Ayrlie were wounded.
wOLsELEY's STORY OF THE BATTLE.
A dispatch has been received at the
War Office from Gen. Wolseley dated
Korti, Jan. 81, 3 O'Clock p. M, which
reads substantially as follows
Gen. Stewart has had a heavy engagement
with portion Of Ell Mahdi's forces near the
Abu klea wells, about % miles this side of
Metemneh. The rebels had collected from
Berber, Metemneh and 0mdurmOn. This
last place, | regret TO say, prisoners report
was recently captured by El Mahdi and thus
men were released from there to fight Gen.
Stewart: On the afternoon of Jan. IS Gen.
stewards cavalry reported that the enemy
were IN position some few miles this side OF
the wells. AS it was too late in the day to
allow an advance and successful encounter
Gen. Stewart bivouacked where he was for the
night. The enemy kept up harmless fire all
night and erected works on Gen. Stewards
right nank. On Saturday Gen. Stewart en-
deavOred to draw the enemy to make an at
tack, but the rebels hesitated.
IN THE FORM OF A SQUARE.
In consequence of this, Gen. Stewart left all
the mpediments and camels under guard of
the Sussex regiment and some mounted IN
tantry, and moved forward, keeping his forces
IN the form OF square. All the men were on
foOt. The British army passed round the
enemy's left flank, forcing them to make an
attack or be subject to an enflade fire The
enemy wheeled to the left and delivered a
well organized charge under a wiJhering fire
from our men. The square was unfortunately
penetrated about its left rear, where a heavy
cavalry and camel regiment were i'll position,
by sheer weight OF numbers. The admirable
steadiness of our men enabled them to main
tain a hand to hand fight with the opposing
force, while severe punishment was being iu-
nIcted upon the enemy by all other parts of
the square.
THE ENEMY DRIVEN BACK.
The enemy were finally driven back under
heavy fire from all sides The Nineteenth
Hussars then pushed forward 10 the wells,
which were IN our possession by O'CLOCK IN
the evening. The enemy left no less than sou
slain around the square. The prisoners vino
were taken while the enemy were retiring
report that the number Of the enemy who
were wounded was quite exceptional. One
immediate effect of the battle is that many of
the rebels are submitting. 1t was necessary
Tor the army to remain at the wells some
hours 20 obtain water. AS soon as practical
bic the intention Waf to push on with all eX-
peditlon to Metemneh. The English wounded
are doing well.
STEWARDS CONCLUDING WORDS.
Gen. Wolseley says that Gen. Stewart
concludes his report as follows:
at has been my duty to command the force
ON which exceptional WORK, exceptional
hardship and exceptional fighting have been
called for. 1t would be impossible to ade-
quately describe the admirable support given
to me by every officer and man of the force. /
regret TO say that our loss was severe, but our
success has been so complete that it may dis
hearten the enemy to such an extent that all
their future fighting may be of less obstinate
character"
Gen. Wolseley says: g Gen. Stewards op-
eratiOns have been most creditable to him
a commander, and the nation has every rea-
son to be proud of the gallantry and splendid
sion.
"Our losses were commissioned officers
killed and wounded, and 65 nOn-cOmmfs-
stoned officers and men killed and S5 wounded.
Gen. stewards force consists OF about 800
men all told"
ANOTHER STORY OF THE FIGHT.
A dispatch to Reuters Telegram Com
pany dated near Abu Klea wells. Satur-
day noon, gives the following account of
the engagement:
When the Hussar scouts returned yesterday
announcing that the rebels held the wells the
umn and advanced to the wells. The guards
marched at the left of the column, the heavy
corps IN the centre 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 clearing away the grass in
front of the column. An abattis was formed
around the baggage and a stone breastwork,
with frontage of $50 yards, was erected as
an additional protection. In the afternoon
the enemy'S camp was sighted four miles
away. 1t comprised numerous tents, and ap-
peared to be fairly well fortified. Meanwhile
two groups of rebels were watching us from
high hills on the left front. At O'Clock in the
evening the enemy hred a lew stray Shots
and the British replied with several shells.
ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY.
The enemy continued firing throughout Fri
day night, causing only one slight casualty
Saturday forenoon the enemy commenced ad-
vancing in two divisions in echelon, each
numbering some 5000 men, beating drums
and waving flags. Many of them were armed
with rifles. The enemy occasionally halted, |
as If trying to discover the British formation.
Meanwhile the British were steadily prepar-
ing for the reception OF the rebels. They
formed square, the artillery being placed in
the centre, and advanced to meet the over
whelming force of the enemy, who occupied |
favorable ground, showing great knowledge |
Of the art of war. They drew us to a difficult |
position for operating when, by a cleverly |
from view, leaving only their standards |
visible.
FURIOUS CHARGE.
Suddenly a large body of rebels appeared
and furiOusly charged upon the front of the |
British square. The British replied with a |
deadly fire, which the rebels were unable to
Withstand. They then turned and attacked |
the left rear of the square. The heavy troops,
borne down by the onslaught, broke the for
nation for a few moments, but quickly rallied. |
a hand to hand fight ensued. The rebels |
penetrated the ranks, but were subjected to |
a heavy flank fire, and finally driven back
being killed under him. 1t is reported that |
the rebels are in force at Metemneh.
STILL ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Another account of the engagement
says:
The battle between Gen. Stewards troops
and the Arabs was fought at point in the
west from Metemneh, near Caravan, a station |
Of ShebacasO. Gen. Stewards force consisted
Of about 1900 effective men. On the approach
Of the Arabs, who were estimated at between |