New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-22
A VICTORY FOR THE BRITISH.
PEREIs DEFEATED NEAR METEMNEH.

1oxnoS Ian 2l-It is officially reported thata II
hattie has been fought near Metemneh An army
of 10 600 rebels attacked the square IN when .he
p,t;ob forces were advancing several times put Iho
ormv was compelled eventually to retire. Inc
~ohols los, 500 killed and 500 wounded. Among inc
pr;t;sb who fell was Lieutehant-Colonel Burnaoy
who made the famous Ride to Khiva.
q, =. disnatch has been received at the War ounce
from General Lord Wolseley, dated korti January
81 Q o'clock D. mD which reads substantially aS
follows: .o,.
General Stewart has had heavy engagement
with portion of the Mahdrs forces near 'ho n Ao,'
Klea Wells, about % miles this side OF M''ei'"o",
The rebels had collected,from Berber Metemneh ana
Omduraman This last place. regret TO say tne
nrisoners report was recently captured by 'he
Nobdi and thus the men were released from there
+o 6oht General Stewart. On the afternoon OF
January l6 General Stewards cavalry reported
that the enemy were in position some rev miles
this side of the wells AS it was too late in the day
TO allow an advance and a successful encounter
General Stewart bivouacked where he was Tor the
night.
@Tne enemy kept up a harmless fire all night, and
erected works on General Stewards right iiaDk. oh
Saturday General Stewart endeavored to draw the
enemy on to make an attack, but the repeis hes-
toted In consequence of this General Stewart left
Sussex Regiment and some mounted infantry ana
,ooved forward keeping his forces in the form OF
sonare All the men were on foot The British
army nossed round the enemy's left flank, forcing
them 10 make an attack be subject 20 an enhiade
fire. The enemy wheeled to the left and delivered
n wel-organized charge under wltherihg hre
from our men. The square was unfortunately pene-
trated about its left rear, where heavy cavalry
and camel regiment We're in position, by sheer
weight of numbers. The admirable steadlness OF
our men enabled them to maintain hand-tohand
fight with the opposing force, while severe PUNISH
uent was being inflicted upon the enemy by all
other parts of the square. The enemy were hhaiiy
driven back under heavy fire from all sides.
"The Nineteenth Hussars then pushed forward 10
the wells, which were in possession by,5 in the
evening. The enemy left not less than 500 slain
around the square. Prisoners who were taken while
the enemy were retiring report that the number OF
the enemy who were wounded was quite eXcep
tional One immediate effect of the battle is that
MANY of the rebels are submitting. 1t was heces-
sary for the army to remain at the wells some hours
to obtain water. As soon as practicable the inten-
ton was to push on with all expedition to Metemneh.
The English wounded are doing we'll"
CONDUCT OF THE ENGLISH FORCES.
General Lord Wolseley says that General Stewart
concludes his report as follows:
1t has been my duty to command force from
which exceptional work. exceptional hardship and
exceptional fighting have been called for. 1t would
be impossible to adequately describe the admirable
support given to me by every officer ana man of
tine force regret to say that our loss was severe,
but our success has been complete that 1t may
dishearten the enemy to such an extent that all
their future fighting may be of less obstinate
character"
General Lord Wolscley continues: General
Stewards operations have been most crcditable TO
him as a commander. and the Nation has every
reason to be proud of the gallantry and splendid
spirit Of Her Majesty's soldiers on this occasion.
Our losses were commissioned officers killed and
Q wounded, and 60 non commissioned officers and
men killed. and So wounded. General Stewards
force consists of about l 800 men all told"
dispatch to Reuters Telegram Company dated,
"Near Abu-Klea Wells, Saturday noon," gives the
following account OF the engagement:
When the Hussar scouts returned yesterday,
announcing that the rebels held the wells. the
British forces promptly formed in mass column 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 signs of moving. The British
troops set to telling trees and clearing away the
grass in front of the column. An abattls was formed
around the baggage and a stone breastwork with
a frontage of 100 yards erected as an additional
protection In the afternoon the enemy's camp
sighted four miles from ZaTeeba. IL comprised
numerous tents and appeared 10 be fairly well fOrti-
fed. Meanwhile two groups OF rebels were watch
ing from hi gh hills on the left front AT In the
evening the enemy hred a few stray shots, and the
British replied with several shells.
"The enemy continued The firing throughout Fri
day night, causing only one slight casualty. On
Saturday forenoon the enemy commenced advancing
in two divisions III echelOn each numbering some
5000 men. beating drums and waving flags. Many
nj hem
casiOnay halted as If trying to discover the British
formation. Meanw bile the British were steadily
preparing for the reception of the rebels. They
formed square. the artillery being placed in the
centre, and advanced to meet the overwhelming
force of the enemy, who occupied favorable gronnu,
showing great knowledge OF the art OF war. They
drew us to a difficult position for operating when,
by cleverly executed movement, they almost dis
appeared from view, leaving only their standards
visible. Suddenly large body of rebels appeared
and furOusy charged upon the front of the British
square. The British replied with a deadly fire,
they turned and attacked the left of the square
The, heavy cavalry and camel corps, borne down
by the onslaught broks,the formation tor few mo-
ensned The rebels penetrated the ranks, but were
subjected to a heavy flank fire and finally driven
back. General Stewart had a narrow escape, his
horse being KILLED under him. 1t is reported that
the rebels are in force at Metemneh."
Besides, Colonel Burnaby, the following were
Major Atherton, of the Fifth Dragons; Major
Cough, of the Royal Dragons; Captain barley, and
Ilculcnaht Law, Oh fOuTln DldgOOnS; llcutcn-
ant Wolfe, of the Scots GTays and LIeutcmants
Plgott and Delise, of the Naval Brigade. Loid st.
Vincent and Lord Airle we're wounded.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE ENGAGEMENT
The battle between General Stewards troops and
the Arabs was fought at point in the Hassaniyeh
Desert, twenty-three miles northwest of Metam-
neb, and near the caravan station of shebacas.
General Stewards force consisted of about |, 800
effective men, On the approach of the Arabs, who
were estimated TO number between 5000 and
and 10000 General Stewart formed his troops in
to hollow square with his field pieces at the
ners, and with the invalids and the provisions in