Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-22
FIGHT IN The DESERT.


has mad heavy engagement with portion
of the Mahdi's forces near Abu- klea Wells.
The British lost some Is officers and men
and the rebels about 500. Gen. Wolseley
sends the following account:
"Gep. Stewart has had heavy engage
nent with portion of the Mahdi's forces
near the Abu Kea Wells, about % miles
this side Metemneh. The rebels had col
lected from Berber Metemneh and Omdur-
aman This last place, lresret to say, the
prisoners report was recently captured ny
the Mabdi and thus the men were released
from there to fight Gen. Stewart. On the
afternoon of January Is Gen. Stewards
calvary 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 encount-
er, Cen. Stewart bivouacked where nc was
for the night. The enemy kept up harm
less fire all night and erected works on
Gen. Stewards right flank. On Saturday
Gen. Stewart endeavored to draw the enemy
or to make an attack, but the rebels hesi.
tnted. In consequence Of this Gen. Stewart
left all his impediments and camels under
guard of the Sussex giment and some
| mounted infantry, and moved forward,
keeping his forces in the form of a 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 sub
iect to an enflade Ere. The enemy wheel
ed to the left and delivered well-organ-
lied charge under whitening fire from our
men. The square was unfortunately pene
trated about its left rear, where heavy
cavalry and camel regiment were in posi-
ton, by sheer weight of numbers. The ad-
mirable s:eadiness Of our men enabled them
10 maintain a hand to-hand tight with the
opposing force, while severe punishment
was being inflicted upon the enemy by all
other parts Of the square. The enemy we've
finally driven back nuder heavy tire from
I'll sides. The Nineteenth Hussars then
pushed forward to the wells, which were ia
our possession by FIVE in the evening.
The enemy left not less than 800 slain
around the square. Prisoners, who were
taken while the enemy were retiring, report
that the numbsr of the enemy who were
wounded was quite exceptional. One i'm
mediate effect of the battle is that many OF
the rebels are submitting. 1t was necessa
nv for the army to remain at the wells some
hours to obtain water. AS soon as practical
Bile the intention was to push on with all
expedition to Nehemiah. The English
wounded are doing we'll"
The British losses were 8 commissioned
officers killed and wounded, and Is non
commissioned officers and men killed and
IS wounded. Gen. Stewards force consists
of about 1850 men all tod. Among the
killed was COL Burnaby, VINO made the ia
nous ride to Khva."
A dispatch to Reuters Telegram Compa
nv dated Near Abu-Klea Wells, Saturday
noon," gives the following account CT the
engagement ~"When the Hussar scouts re
turned yesterday announcing that the reb-
els held the wells the British forces prompt
~ formed in r1ass columns and advanced to
the wells. The guards marched at the left
OF the column, the heavy corps In the cen
ire and the mounted infantry a. the right.
The column halted within three miles of
the wells, but The rebels showed no signs of
uoving. The British troops set to Telling
trees and clearing away the grass in front
Of the column. An abatlis was formed
around the baggage and a stone bTeastwork
| with "a frontage OF $50 yards, was erected as
an additional protection. In the afternoon
the enemy's camp was sighted four miles
from Our Zareeba. 1t comprised numerous
tents, and appeared TO be fairly well forti-
fed. Meanwhile two groups Of rebels were
watching us from high hills on the left front
AT six in the evening the enemy fred few
stray shots and the British replied with sew
eral shells The enemy continued the fir
ing throughout Friday night, causing only
one slight casually.
Saturday forenoon the enemy commenc-
ed advancing in two divisions in echelon.
each numbering some 5000 men, beating
drums and waving Hugs. Many Of them
were armed with rifles. The enemy occa-
sionally halted, as if trying to discover the
British formation. Meanwhile the British
we're steadily preparing for the reception of
| the rebels. Tney f"rmed a square, the ar
ti!cry being placed in the centre, and adj
vauced to meet the overwhelming force of
the enemy, who occ upied favorable ground
showing great knowledge of the art Of war.
They drew us to difficult position for
operating, when, by a cleverely executed
movement, they almost disappeared from
view, leaving only their standards visible.
Suddenly large body of rebels appeared
and furiouSly charged upon the front of the
| British square. The British replied with Il
deadly fire, which the rebels were unable to
Withstand, and then turned aud attacked
the left rear Of the square. The heavy
troops, borne down by the onslaught, broke
| the formation for few moments, but quick
" rallied. A hand-to-hard fight eusued.
The rebels penetrated the ranks, but were
subjected to heavy flank fire and fually
driven back.
Gen. Stewart had narrow escape, his
horse being killed under him. 1t is re-
ported that the rebels are in force at Me-
temneh."
A special dispatch giving additional par
ticulars of the battle says: "The battle was
fearful hand-to hand fight Most of the
Arabs We're armed with spears and protect.
! L 4.
ed to close quarters and swarmed over the
bodies oftheir dead and wounded comrades.
The English troops after the first few rounds
had been fired, fought with shortened sebres
and with sword.bay onets welded at half
arm length.
"Col. Burnahy was killed by thrust of
an Arabs spear, which entered his neck and
severed the jugular vein. When General
Stewards horse was shot the rider fell to
the ground, but he soon recovered and ob-
tanned another mount The English SOL
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