The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-01-27
English Soldiers in q Hollow Square
Fig-t the Mahdi's SuperSii.
tlOuS HOrdes.
THE RED COATS GAIN THE DAY.

LONDON, Jan. 81 "A dispatch has
heen received a, the war office from Gen
Wolsley dated Ko.ti, January 2l-3
p. m. which reads suhstan'iAlly as fol.
lows: Gen. Stewart has had heavy en-
gagement with portion OF Mahdrr
force near Abu Kelea Wells, about TWEEN
ty-three miles this side OF Metemneh.
The rebels had collected from Berber.
Me,emneh, and Ornduraman This las'
place. regret to say, prisoners report
Was recently captured by the Mahdi and
their men were released from there IT,
6ght Gen. Stewart. On the afternoon
of January 18th, General Stewards
cavalry reported the enemy were in po-
sition -ome few miles this side of the
we'll AZ it was too late in the dsv to
allow an advance and successful encoun.
ter, General Stewart bivouckaed where
he was for the night. The enemy kept
up a harmless fire all night and erected
works on Gen Stewards right flank.
Saturday Gen. Stewart endeavored to
draw the enemy on to make an attack
hut the rebels besi,ated. In consequence
Gan Stewart lett all his Implement, also
his camels With guard CT the Sussex
regiment ami some mounted infantry
He moved forward, keeping his forces
IN the form OF square All the men
we're on foot. The British srmy passed
round the enemv's left flank, forcing
them to make an attack or be subject to
an entlade fire. The enemv wheeled To
the left and made a well organized
charge under a withering fire from our
men,. The square was unfortunately
penetrated about it's lett, near where 8
heavy cavalry and camel regiment we're
in position, bv sheer weight OF numbers
The admirable stesdiness Of our men
enabled them to maintain hand to
hand 6ght with the opposing force while
severe punishment was being inflicted
upon the nemy by all other parts Of the
square. Tie enemy was finally driven
hack under heavv fire from all sides.
The Nineteenth Hussars then pushed
for ward to the wells. which were in our
possession by 5 5o'clock in the evening,
The enemy lett not less than 800 slain
around the square. Prisoners taken
while the enemy was retiring report the
number of the enemv's wounded az
quite exceptional. One of the immedi.
ate effects OF the battle Is that many o.
the rebels are submitting. 1t was neces
sary for the army to remain at the wells
some hours to obtsin water. Soon q:
practicable the intention vas TO push or
with all expedition to Matemnah. Tbs
English wounded are doing we'll. Gen
Wolsley says General Stewart concludes
bis report as follows: 1T has been 10,
duty to comms snd q force from whict
exceptional work. exceptional hsrdship'
and exceptional fighting have been calIe;
/ for. II would be impossible to ade
luately describe the admirable suppor
given 10 me by every officer and man o
the force. regret 10 say that our losl
was severe, but our success has been 81
complete that 1t may disbesrten the en-
emy to such an extent that all their fu
ture fighting may be OF less obstinate
character.
Gen. Lord Wolslev saws: Gen. Stew
arts operation has been most creditabl
10 him as commander and the nstio
has every reason to he proud OF the gal
lantry and splendid spirit OF Her Ma
jesty's soldiers on this occasion. Ou
Losses were nine commissioned officer
killed snd nine wounded and sixty-Hv
non-commissioned officers and me
killed and eighty-6ye wounded. Ger
Stewards force Consists of about LOO
mon all told.
LONDON, Jan %, a. m-All tn
morning newspapers contain columns G
descriptions and comment. regardin
Gen. Stewards battle. The papers unani
mously extol In glowing terms the here
ism Of the troops, and unite in eulogil
ing Col. Bainabv, who is described q
tying like true British "bull dog" wi
his right hand clenched in death ahor
, the throat OF the Arab whose spear Wa
thrus, through the Colonel's n-ck.