Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-13
THE WEEK
In the United States and the
Old World.
A6raIhie Description OF Colonel Burn
Rby's Fighting at Abu HIea.
! HOW HE WAS SLAIN,

AGray.hIc Description OF Colonel Burn
Rby's Fighting at Abu HIea.
LONDON, March 4, lss5.-AIr. Burlslgh, the
war correspondent who was wounded at Abu
6lea, has, under the inspiration of his hurt,
written to the DAILY Telegraph a thrilling ac-
sonnt Of the battle, and in it occurs this de-
Scription of Col. Burnaby's death, which must
become historical;
''Stll down upon MS the dark Arab wave
rolled. Ii had arrived within 800 yards, undi-
minished in volume, unbroken In strength, a
eush of spearsmen and swordsmen. Their
rifle fire had ceased Other Arab forces sur
rounding us-the MRhdi's troops, plundering
Bedoins and pillaging villagers from the river
side-stood eager on the hillsides watching the
charge upon the British square. In wild ex-
element, their white teeth glistenng, and tho
sheen of the brandished weapons flashing like
thousands of mirrors, onward they came,
charging straight into our ranks. was at that
instant inside the square, not far from the
Gardner gun, when l saw the left face move
somewhere backward. Col. Burnaby himself,
whose every action at the time l saw from a
distance of about 80 yards rode out in front
of the rear, left face, apparently to assist two
or three skirrnishers running in hard pressed.
All but one man of them succeeded in reach
ing our lines. Col Burnaby went forward to his
assistance, sword in hand. As the dauntless
colonel rode forward he put himself in the
way of a shiek charging down on horseback.
Ere the Arab closed with him a bullet from
some one in our ranks brought the sheik head
long to the ground. The enemy's spearsmen
were close behind, and one of them suddenly
dashed at Col. Burnaby, pointing the long
blade of his spear at his throat. Checking his
horse and pulling 1t backward, Burnaby leaped
forward in his saddle and parried the Mos
LENS rapid and ferocious thrusts. But the
length Of the mans weapon-eight feet-put
it out of his power to return with interest
the Arabs murderous intent. Once or twice
Col. Burnaby Just touched his man only to
make him more wary and eager. The affray
was the work of seconds only, for the savage
horde of swarthy negroes from Kordolan and
stught-haired tawny -complexioned Arabs of
the Bayuda Steppe were fast closing in upon
our square. Col. Burnaby fenced the swarthy
Arab as ii he were playing in an assault at
arms, and there was a smile on his features
rs he drove off the mans awkard points. The
scene was taken in at glance, with that
ligh ming instinct which / have seen desert
warriors before now display in battle while
coming to one another's aid An Arab, who
was pursuing soldier, and had passed five
PAGES to Burnaby's right and rear, turned with
a sudden spring, and this second Arab ran his
spear into the colonePs right soldier. 1t was
but slight wound. Enough, though, to cause
Burnaby to twist around in his saddle and de-
fend himself from this unexpected attack be-
fore the savage could repeat his unlooked-for
blow. So near the ranks of the square was
the scene now being enacted soldier ran out
and drove his sword bayonet through the
second assistant. Brief as was Burnany's
glance backward at this fatal episode it was
long enough to enable the first Arab to deliver
his spear point full in the brave officers throat
The blow drove Burnaby out of his saddle but
it required a second one before he let go his
grip on the reins and tumbled upon the ground.
Half a dozen Arabs were now about him.
With blood gushing in streams from his gashed
throat, the dauntless guardsman leapt to his
feet, sword in hand, and slashed at the
ferocious group, They were the wild strokes
of proud brave. mans dying hand, and he
was quickly oyerborn and left helpless and
DIVING"