The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-03-28
ANOTHER BATTLE.
The British Forces Narrowly Es-
cape Being Routed.
Inc Arabs Get the Indians Between Two
Fires-Tne Day is Calamity Saved by
the Irish Lancers.

LONDON, March 20-6 P. M.-The Tele-
graphs Suakini special says: ga five
hours battle was fought this morning be-
tween the British troops and forces of Os-
man Oigna. Osman's position was finally
captured by the British. The Arab losses
are said to be very great" Further accounts
OF to-day's battle agree in stating that the
rebels fought bravely, amounting almost
% desperation. The exploit OF the ma
flnes In driving them from their advan-
tageous position under such circum-
stances is highly applauded. When the
rebels had retired to the plain the native
indian tlld reg gments were the first to charge,
but were injudiciously pushed too far in
advance of the main column, and by a
nank movement the rebels rallied and at
tacked them from the rear, throwing them
into confusion. A portion of the Skhs
We're cut off entirely, and being surrounded
by Arabs, were mercilessly speared and
their horses hamstrung. The Bengalese
showed better discipline and sue
ceeded in rejoining the English.
square was then formed, which
slowly retired. The rebels We're greatly
elated and yelled furiously as they threw
themselves upon the sides of the British
square. They finally regained practically
all the effective points from which they
had been dislodged, but were unable to
hold them long. After some brisk firing
on both sides the British artillery fire bea
came 80 precise and effective that the
enemy suddenly broke and again abandon
ed the hill. The English then advanced,
firing steadily. The enemy still presented
good front on the plain, but a bril-
liant charge by the Irish Lancers decided
tha II ~ g. D..x. Il l..
| scattered and retired hurriedly upon
Tamai, while the English retired to their
| camp. To-day's fighting was of notice.
ably different character from that of any
preceding engagement. The Arabs main
| tainea steady rife fire, retiring slowly
| from each position held by them and
| avoiding close quarters. Another account
| says the battle between the British troops
and Osman Digna's forces lasted five hours.
The Marines were first sent to the front to
drive the Arabs from the hills west of Ha-
sheen. As soon as possible they were
reinforced by batteries of Gardner IL
Krupp's guns and cavalry. There was a
hot engagement for few hours, during
which the British cavalry charged repeat-
| edly upon the Arabs, while machine guns
| were worked with deadly effect whenever
| fire could be made available. Great bravery
| was displayed by both sides. At the end
of the engagement the Arabs retreated
| slowly toward Famal. The Arab loss in
killed and wounded is estimated at six hum
| dred. The loss to the British is forty. The
| Arabs displayed desperate bravery.
The marines drove the Arabs from the
| hills and forced them to retire to the plain.
| Then the Indian troops charged upon the
Arab position, but were outfianked and an
unsuspected body of Arabs succeeded in
getting behind their line. The Indians
found themselves between two fires and
fled. During this retreat they were closely
pressed by the Arabs, who hamstrung their
horses and speared the riders. The Benga-
lese fell back in confusion upon the English
infantry and guards, who had been formed
in hollow square, and the square leisure
| ly retired while the Arabs were yelling that
they had regained their lost position. AT
this juncture artillery came to the rescue,
and a brisk fire of small shot from the ma
chine-guns and shell from the Krupp field
mortars drove the Arabs from their posi-
tions. The marines maintained steady
fire throughout the engagement, but the
honors of the day are probably due to tbf
Irish Lancers, who changed the tide of the
battle by desperate charge and retrieved
the fortunes of General Graham's command
when they seemed almost hopeless.