The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-29
THE OLD WORLD.
THE OLD WORLD.
Gen. Stewards Force Entrenched at Me-
temneh.
Fierce Engagement Between His
Troops and Rebels.
GladsteHe's Government Attacked by
Sir Stafford NOrthcOte.


LONDON Jan. 27.-Intelligence has been received
at the War Office that Gen. Stewards force is
trencbed south of Metemneh. The despatch also
gives the gratifying information that Gen. Stewart
is in communication with Gen. Gordon. Gen.
Stewards force bad several fights with Arab rebels
before it reached Metemneh, and Gen. Stewart
himself is badly wounded. Five of the Mahdis
Emirs were killed in the fights. Gen. Lord Wolse-
ley, In despatch, reports the capture of Metem-
neh by the British. He also says that Sir Charles
Wilson has gone to Khartoum on board steamer
to confer with Gen. Gordon. 1t is expected that
he will return as soon as possible to report person
ally to Gen. Woseley.
An official despatch received this afternoon from
Gen. Gordon, shows that his position at Khartoum
Is by no means as desperate as has been supposed He
says he could hold out there for years. Gen. Stew
arts wounds are reported to be doing we'll.
The dispatches indicate that the march of Gen.
Stewart and his little army from Abu Klea Wells to
their present position was no easy task Almost
every foot of the way appears to have been sharply
contested by the resolute Arab foe. There was
of the 7th till the Nile was reached. The British
troops steadily gained fresh victories the i'm
petuous but easily demoraized rebels.
On the morning of Monday, January 10, two
days after the fight at Abu Klea, the enemy
appeared in force in front of the advancing British
army and a short, fierce battle was fought This
occurred at a point about three miles from the
Nile. The British were compelled to sustain
heavy fire for some time. Early in the engagement
General Stewart received his wound and Sir
Charles Wilson thereupon assumed command.
works were hastily constructed under leaden
rain which continued to pour upon them from the
enemy's rifles. The wounded men and baggage
train were left under guard behind quickly built
earthworke while the rest of the force advanced
ln the face OF the hostile fire to gravel ridge some
distance IN 'front.' Here large force of rebels had
established themselves in a strong position. As
soon as the British line came near, fierce charge
led by several Emirs was made against 1t by the
rebel toemen. The British troops were arranged
as usual in the form of a square and steadily ad-
vanced to meet the wild onset of the loudly cheer
ing enemy who were rushing down upon them. At
i'm tha Tit of hNpnFn nj
bloody execution. The charge choked off and
not an Arab came within 30 yards of the British
square. They did not long stand before the mur-
derous English fire, but were repulsed with heavy
loss. Five Emirs and $50 men were left dead upon
the field aud large numbers were wounded. About
tne english losses few details have yet been re-
special correspondent of the London Daily Stand
ard, and Mr.. Herbert special correspondent of the
Morning Post, were killed. The place where this
battle occurred is slight distance beyond the
Shebaeat Wells