The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-29
ACROSS THE DESERT
WORD COMES OF STEWART ANG
CORDON'S SAFETY.
The KoaG Contested Inch by Inch-Two
Noted Correspondents killed-An-
other Desperate E2ttlc--Gen.
stewart Badly - ourtlrt.

LONDON. Jan IA IiSplteh frota Gen
We, ei-y, 6atet at k0rtj, ha- been received
It the war Office He states TIA, a courier
who was sent back by Gen SJewar. shortly
after the battle at Alu Klea wells, has Az
rivol He reports that Stewart is strongly
ilcrenrhci near IejeHmeh. Gen Stewart j,
badly wounded After the battle he at once
set lis men TO work and soon succeeded in
strongly iLtyencbinE his position. Since the
principal engagement the rebels have made
n number Of attacks on the British works.
but have been invariably repulsei with
heavy loss both in killed and wounded.
Among the latter are six important chiefs
! steamer iounI at Metamneh was at
once pressed into q service, and q small con
tin-ent Of troops under command Of Col.
Wn,on, vas Immediately dispatched To
khartoun. Since, Gen. Stewart reports
that lie has bcen in communication with
Gen Gordon The latter Is we'll AMI ex
presses himself as confident Of being able to
hold hhartoUm Until the main boiy Of the
British arrive
Gen. Wolseley adds that Gen Stewards
position is almost impregnable, and conclui-
ing states; = shall make all possible haste
forward and expect to Join Gen Stewart in
a few days"
Mr. Cameron special correspondent Of
The London Stlniard, and Mr.. Herbert
special c,rro sp0nien. Of The London Post
were killed during Gen S5ewart's terrible
march across the desert The British forces
are now strongly entrenched at Gabut, on
The bank Of tie Nile two miles south o.
Metemneh.
The march across the desert between the
Abu Klea wells, where the first battle was
fought. and Gen. Stewards present position
was conducted in the most trying circum-
stances Attack followed attack, and moth
ing short Of the most perfect discipline and
courage saved the little column from an
initiation.
On Monday the 18Th inst, two days after
the battle. the rebels threw themselves upon
the English lines in large masses with q fury
and reckless daring which perhaps exceeded
that displayed by them when they fought
Gen Graham at Teb. At one time they
| succeeded in reaching within thirty yards of
| the sides Of the square and for few mo-
! ment5 the fate Of Gen. Stewards forces
trembled in the balance The terrible Mar
| tine Henry FIRE assisted by the SIX screw guns
| however, did their deadly work 50 well that
even the fanatcism of the followers of the
mGhdi was appalled, at the terrible loss which
was inflicted. Two hundred and fifty rebels
were killed in this one charge and several
| hundred were wounded.
Metomneh is stil held by the maldi >
| 0j0 Of his troops being within the walls
I'hey have three Krupp guns with which
| they keep up continuous fire on the British
/ position which is haYas>ing in the extreme
! Gen Wolseiey has sent forward large re-
Inducements to Gem Stewart and another
column viii follow rs soon as the. necessary
| preparations can be perfected
Theuews Of the safety Of Gen. Stewart.
! forces has caused much relief and for the
| present seems 20 have entirely superseded
the exciting topic Of the recent dynamite
outrages.
Much regret is expressed at the news Of
tine wounding Of Gen Stewart, who is one of
the most popular officers in her maieSty's
service. His recent gallant victory has
greatly increased his popularity, and con-
siderable anxity is felt 10 learn his true con
dition.
The war office has sent forward an urgent
dispatch to Gen. Wolseley to send the fullest
details Of the situation AT Metemneh, and
the queen has expressed wish to be in
| formed at the earliest possible moment OF
the condition Of the wounded. especially
Gen Stewart, concerning whom She evi
dences especial interest
Gen. Wolseiey's dispatches giving partcu
lars Of Cen Stewards advance further state
that since Monday, the 18th inst, two officers