The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-24
The Arabs Admit that They Lost 5000 Men
The British, on Returning to the
Field, Find Over 1000 C0rpses.
General Graham Moves Forward in the
Direction of Tamai with His Force,
And Pitched Battle Is Expected To-Day
0sman Digna Said to Have $4,000
Nen-Evacuation of Korti.
Heavy Losses Of the Arabs in Sundays Fight
"A Pitched Battle Imminent.

Heavy Losses Of the Arabs In Sundays Fight
"A Pitched Battle Imminent.
SuAKrM, March 23.-The Guards have returned
from the zeraba. The total British loss during
the fight on Sunday was FIVE officers and fifty
one privates killed, and ITO wounded. The rebel
loss was fully 1900. In the rush large number
of rebels entered the corner of the zeraba, and
in the desperate fight which ensued there every
Arab was killed. The rebels admit that they
lost 3, 600 men in Sundays battle
The Guards at an early hour this morning
were sent to the zeraba erected yesterday by
General Mcneil. to render assistance After
the battle yesterday General Mcneil was up-
molested. The Guards found him well en-
trenched in the zeraba, which is situated seven
miles southwest of Suakim. The Guards were
sent back by Mcneil for water and provisions
and they succeeded in making the return journey
unmolested. A force of infantry and cavalry,
with supplies for the zeraba, escorted by con-
voy of Guards was at once dispatched toGeneral
Mcneil. A number of heavy guns have been
forwarded to the fort.
A general advance towards Tamai will be
made tonight by Gen. Graham. During the
advance Suakim will be garrisoned by sailors.
The zeraba constructed by Gen. Mcneil will be
shifted because Of the intolerable effect of the
rapid decomposition Of the hundreds Of bodies
of slain Arabs lying close around. A spy re-
ported that the hostile Arabs are growing in
numbers around Hasheen. The heat is oppres-
sive.
Two hundred and fifty sick aud wounded to-
day sail for England.
Later official acconnfc placo tho loecec of tho
Arabs in yesterdays fight at 1000, all told. If
this figure is correct, the losses of the enemy
exceed those of the British less than in any
battle of the past two years
Osman Digna has 25, 900 men at Tamai Gen.
Graham will reach Tamai and give Osman
Digna battle to morrow 1t will be pitched
fight, and probably more decisive than any that
has Jet occurred.
LATER-General Graham began, this evening"
move with his whole force from Suakim
toward Tamai The troops under General Nc
Neil left the zeraba, where the battle was fought
yesterday, and advanced about mile toward
Tamai, where they constructed another zeraba,
the enemy making no opposition. 1t was found
impossible to encamp near the battle field, owing
to, the decomposition of the enemy's dead, and
the earcasses of camels and horses At day
break tomorrow General Graham will resume
his advance
Gen. Graham telegraphs from the advanced
zeraba that the British position is strong
and secure against any number of the
enemy. He regrets the serious British
losses in yesterdays fight but
exonerates Gen. Mcneil from blame believ-
irg he did the best that could be done under
the circumstances General Graham praises the
gallantry of all the troops He Gays the cavalry
would have given the alarm had not the rugged
nature of the ground prevented their seeing
more than o short distance. Though the rebels
met with temporary success, they received a
severe lesson The corpses Of over 200 Arabs
were counted on the field Of yesterdays battle,
Including the bodies of many noted chiefs.