The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-20
Little Difficulty Is Experienced in Finding
the Arabs, and Sharp and Spirited Skir-
mish Immediately Takes Place.
Osman Digna's Force Thought to Consist
of About Ten Thousand Men,
And lie Is Said To BE Prepared to Give Battle
Near Tamai, or Tamanieb- Prediction
that Wolseley Will Be Cut Off.
A FIGHT NEAR sUAKIM.
The British Advance Finds the Enemy, an,

The British Advance Finds the Enemy, and
Small Engagement Follows.
LONDON, March 19-The whole force started
this morning from Suakim in the direction of
Hasheen. Each man had plenty of rations and
one hundred rounds of ammunition. The
troops at 10 o'clock were three miles from
Suakim, and the cavalry had been sent to beat
up the enemy. Fighting is expected at any
moment.
NooN.-General Graham inspected all the
troops, this morning, except the Shropshire.
Berkshire and Surrey regiments. Five hundred
of the enemy were seen on the hills near Ha-
sheen. The cavalry, mounted infantry and Indian
infantry were sent to reconnoitre, while the
Guards acted as a reserve. The enemy retreated
before the British advance. The head of the
British column is now close to Hasheen.
The mounted infantry and scouts, supported
by the main body of troops, are marching 500
yards in advance After reaching the base Of
the hills near Hasheen, the scouts assembled to
the summit and discovered the Arabs massed in
the valleys. The Arabs at once retired to
shelter, but fifty remaining in sight. When the
British advance reached the ridge of the hills
the Hadendowa tribe rushed from ambush and
made an attack During this onslaught Captain
Birch was speared through the shoulder. The
Arabs got within ten yards of the British line
before the latter opened regular fire, which the
enemy promptly replied to. Three infantrymen
were wounded and several Hadendowas killed.
Among the killed is Lieutenant OConnor, whose
horse was shot from under him. O'Connor killed
four rebels with his own hahds The British
retired, the Arabs showing no disposition to fol
low. During the engagement on the ridge the
Bengal cavalry took many prisoners. It was
certained by reconnaissance that the Arabs
were present in large bodies along the entire
range of hills.
After the skirmish General Graham's right
consisting of the British infantry, the Indian in
fantry and the Guards, began an advance to-
ward Handoub. The mounted infantry and the
Bengal cavalry, renewing their reconnaissance,
occupied Hasheen, and found Osman Digna
withdrawing his forces toward Tamai. The con-
centration of the Arabs was effectedin unusually
good order.
AS the British retired from Hasheen the
rebels reoccupied it.
Scouts report that Osman is prepared to give
battle between Tamai and Tamanieb Rebels
are estimated at from 1000 to 10000
The Mahdi's adherents declare that before the
summer is far advanced General Wolseleys
army will be cut off from Cairo.
General Graham, in his letter to Osman Digna,
declares that England respects all religions, and
desires the friendship of the Arat. He ad-
vises the sheiks to submit and rely upon the
mercy Of England; otherwise he threatens to de-
stroy their focks and the property Of their fol-
lowers.
Generals Wolseley and Butler have returned
to Korti.
The chief Of the Shaki Yeh tribe has sub
mitted.