The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-29
A BATTLE IN EGYPT.
Con. Stewart Meets the Mahdi's
Host at the Wells Of
Abu Klea.
A Fierce Battle in the Desert,
the Arabs Charging the
British.
The British, After Heavy Loss,
Drive the Mahdi from
the Field.

the Field.
The first battle between the troops Of the
British General Wolseley and the Forces of
the Egyptian rebel FL Mahdi occurred at
the wells of Abu Klea, in the desert, on
the 18th of January. General
Stewart, who had moved with a force or L.,
500 men from Korti 10 Gakdul, ninety miles
on the caravan route TO Metemneh and
Shendy, left Gakdul on the l4th for Abu
Klea. At this point there is an abundant
supply of water, and it was proposed 10 re-
cuperate here for the dash on Metemneh.
When Stewart left Korti the rebels were in
force at Berber and Shendy, with the main
army Of the Mahdi camped TO the
northwest of Khartoum, near On
durham, one Of Gordon's outpost strong
holds. This position was taken ON the the
DRY that Wolseley would advance by way OF
Debbeh, but when it was discovered that
Stewart was advancing across the desert the
rebels at Omdurman and Berb@ were con-
centrated at Shendy and thrown forward to
meet Stewart before he could reach the
wells at Abu Klea. This was not unex-
pected, as Gen. Stewart had moved forward
from Gakdul in readiness for an attack. He
fought tbs battle under all the disadvan.-
ages that il was possible for the opposing
forces to impose, and the struggle ended in
the defeat of the Mahdi's forces. cable
special gives the following account Of the
engagement:
Until the 10th the British advanced rapidly,
of many 9ab sco1ts near camp the
previous night then led TO long halts, a more
compact form alton, and regular advance.
The British had no idea the enemy was so near.
Native reports had led them TO suppose that
only few rebels left Abu-Klea- Onfeceipt OF
news OF the appearance OF the enemy at noon,
caoAf ho hrf<r ia int co.
placing the guards on the right, the heavy
cavalry IN the center, and the artillery and
engineers In the rear the guards thus form
ing the right face OF the square, Lord Beres-
fords naval brigade posted behind, and
mounted infantry and the Sussex Regiment
closed the rear. The baggage was placed in the
center. Gen Stewart then went over TO Ridge
to reconnoiter. Sk1rmisners were sent forward
70 force an attack. AT the first shock from the
trembled in the balance, but the steadiness or
the guards. the marine corps, and the mounted
infantry prevailed. and the rebels retired. leav-
ing the ground etrewn with dead and wounded
warriors and arms and banners Jhe Sussex
Regiment was attacked in the rear. The Egyp-
tians allies fought desperately. The greatest
six of whose officers were killed
and two wounded. The rebels brought
a. sault on the right OF the British square was
led by Abusaleh, Emir of Metemneh, and the
attack on the left was under Mohammed Khair,
Emir of Berber. The latter was wounded and
retired during the early part Of the engage
ment. Abusaieh advanced fereeiy with a hun
dred fanatics until shot down in the square
the fire Of our Martini rifles The naval
brigade suffered great loss. Col. Barnaby
fell while lighting galantly with his com
fore the hight prevented sleep The rebels came
on in good order from right and left mont at
battery checked their advance for some time
Though our position was well protected the
rifles OF the rebels made accurate fire. At 10
IAfA x.sa<It
tack and formed q hol ow square, with the
guards in front, the mounted infantry on the
left flank, the Sussex Regiment on the right,
and a heavy camel corps and the naval brigade
in the rear. The square moved out under
storm of bullets Men dropped right and left,
%sc nS ne rns
worked splendidly under the heaviest fire
Stoppages to attend the wounded delayed
the advance An hour before the main body Of
the enemy was sighted the British realized that
at least 1000 5000 rebels were opposed TO
them. Gen. Stewart took good position on g
slope, where the rebels must advance UP hill
and across open ground. Norton's battery did
great service when the enemy was forming for
the charge. their shrapnel causing inter de
morafization. Gen. Stewards orderly vas killed
by his side. The interior of the square presented
to view mass OF falling camels, and struggling
were given when the square reformed ON
fresh ground. Numerous Arabs, having pre-
tended To be dead, now rose from the field and
rushed past the square TO join the retreating
enemy The rebels consisted of forces from
Khartoum, Kordofan, and Berber. During the
night Gen Stewart sent portion of the guards
back to bring everything from the intrenched
post In the They returned in safety the
morning OF the 18th, when the troops partook
of the first food for twenty -four hours The
hussars buried sixty men where the square was
attacked. The rebels had 900 special negro rifle
men. all GOOD shots. The country is rugged and
rocky. and with scanty vegetation
A special giving additional particu lars of
the battle says:
The battle was a fearful hand TO hand fight
Nest OF the Arabs were armed with spears and
protected by spiked shields of ox-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 hired, fought with shortened l1s, sabers
length. Col Burnaby was killed by n thrust of
an Arabs spear, which entered his neck and
severed the jugular vein. When Gen Stewards
horse was Shot the rider fell to the ground and
was badly shaken. but he soon recovered and
obtained another horse. The English soldiers
had had neither food nor water since the night
before the battle
The most deplomble result of the battle
in the mind of the average Englishman,
saws cable dispatch, is the death of Lieut.
Col Frederick Burnaby, OF the Royal Horse
Guards. He was the best known and most
popular officer in the British military
service. His personality made him
striking figure, for he stood six feet and six
inches high barefooted, and measured
ihChcS tuc Cuest-
Wonderful tales are told Of his strength
and endurance, and the desperate adj
ventures recounted in his books--A Ride
to Khiva," On Horseback Through
Asia Minor" etc.-are implicitly believed
by those who knew him. His connec-
ton with the present Egyptian conflict
was romantic as well rs adventurous.
Without resigning his commission in
the army. he Obtained leave Of absence
and went to Egypt last January as a corre-
spondent of the Post. az he had formerly
been a correspondent of the Times during
the Carlst war in Spain. When he arrived
at Suskin and Baker Pasha's expedition
was fitting out to attack Osman Digma, Col.
Burnaby found it irtolorabe to be without
active military employment. md he was
given a position on the staff of Baker
Pasha. He was with that General In the
.l.....t........ Lstll.