The Portland daily press., 1885-02-13
KHARTOUM.
The Mudir of Dongola Asserts
that the City Has Not
Been Taken.
Details Of the Engagement in which
Gen. Earle was Killed.

LONDON, Feb. 12--Sir Samuel Baker writes
that he believes Khartoum had already fallen
when the battles of Abu Klea and Gakdul
were fought. He says that the treachery
which caused the fall of the city originated
among traders, who, being absolutely ruined
by England's policy of abandonment, wisely
sought the MahdPs protection. Sir Samuel
urges that the new expedition consist of 1000
men and that all converge at Berber which
would make 8 base that could be supplied
from Suakim. Continuing he says: "If tho
present imbecile government delays any lon
ger, the splendid army in Soudan will be par
allzed By hot weather. England should let
the Italians occupy Kassala relieving the pres.
ent gallant garrison at that place and retain
ing the country from MasSowah to the Atbara
river" He asks how long England will stand
the present terrible misgovernment.
Inc Standards correspondent describes the
battle in which General Earle was killed on
Tuesday.
The enemy was in a strongly fortified position
near Berti. The British force consisted of the
Black Watch and South Stafford regiments, q
squadron of Hussars, two guns of the Egyptian ar
tillery, an Egyptian camel corps and a section of
the field hospital corps The troops at once set 10
work to form a Zaraba. In the meantime the enc
my fired several shots from the high hills. Our
pickets advanced and drove back the Arabs who
had descended the hills to make an attack. Night
ensued and the guards were posted. Ever ything
passed quietly during the night
Tuesday morning the troops formed and adyanc.
ed to the enemys position, marching in two parall
ell columns. Two companies of the South Stafford
regiment and two guns occupied the ground direct
ly in front of the enemy attract their attention
At eight O'Clock ours guns opened the attack and
for some time desutory fire was maintained. In
the meantime the main body of our troops ad-
vancing steadily over the almost impracticabe
ground pushing the enemy before them and seizlng
each successive ridge by short determined rush.
The forward movement was continued until the adj
Vanced troops reached the right rear of the enemy
which rested on the river. This completed the
movement whereby the rebels were surrounded
n
was on rocky broken ground and was strengthen
ed by loop holed walls from which they maintained
heaVy well directed fire. After the Brtise forces
had succeeded in completely surrounding the enc
mys position, Gen. Earle commanded the Black
Watch regiment to carry the enemy's works at the
point OF the bayonet. The regiment responded gal
lantly to this command. The pipers struck up
with inspiring cheers, the men moved forward with
steadlnesS and val0r which the enemy was unable
to Withstand and which called forth expressions of
admiration from the lips of General Earle. From
loophoies in the enemy's works rife pufs shot out
continually, but the Black Watch kept bravely ad-
vancing. The men of Statfordshise were not to be
resisted and they finally drove the enemy from the
hill. This brought the battle Of Ell Kibekan to a
close from hrst to last it was gallantly contested.
Gen. Earle was killed while leading the charge.
-Four other officers were killed and four wounded.
Nine of the men were killed and forty-tWo wound
ed. The enemy's loss was consideraL le
The rebels consisted of Arabs of Mouassir and
Debatal tribes. With them were numbers OF Der
wishes from Berber. 1t is impossible to Judge of
the number of the enemy owing to their extended
position and the rocky nature Of the ground. The
corpses of the rebels who were slain lie in heaps
upon the ridges from which they were driven By
the British cnarge The leader of the foe who was
from Berber, together with several Emirs, was
among the killed. The number OF fugitives who
escaped from the field was very small. Half bat
TALON of the Black Watch regiment will remain in
occupation of the enemy's position. The wounded
have been brought into camp and every thing posi-
Bile, under the circumstances has been done for
their comfort.
The main body of the forces advanced Wednesday
some miles up the river. The guns spiked by Col
one Stewart when he was forced to abandon the
steamer Abbas were found buried at Berti.