, 1885-01-29

follows:
NEAR METEMNEH. Jan. 20.-After
another fierce and prolonged fight the OBJ
ject Of Gen. Stewart brilliant march has
been 50 far attained that we have once
more established on the banks of the Nile
where we can hold our own against i'm
mense numbers. Gen. Stewart, hoping
to surprise the enemy, LEFT Abu Klea
wells Saturday afternoon and marched
through the entire night We sighted the
river at daybreak. The enemy gathered
about the ridges opposite on the banks Of
the Nile, about an hours march from us.
We were burning to make the attack, but
were anxious to save the men after their
long march without food Gen. Stewart
selected the best position possible. and
formed a square, which received the e
my from all sides. Soon the rebels were
seen swarming and advancing towards us.
Within half an hour they opened fire
on our front, right and left, and until
long past midday continued to assail us
with a perfect storm Of bullets. In spite
Of the continuous fire comparatively few
British were wounded. Gen. Stewart
was wounded early in the action, when
several officers and men were killed. Hay-
ing strengthened our position and re-
pulsed all attacks, the square was pre-
pared to advance. We went over the
slopes under a whitening fire, returning
the volleys very steadily. Three times
the rebels attempted to make a charge
but were moved down each time. The
rebels ~splendidly sustained our fire. At
last the square reached the river bank
and fortified n of the villages Some
Of the men then returned to bring in the
wounded. The first part of the march
was orderly and quite steady. The later
route lay through a dense jungle and
groves of mimosa where the confusion up
road ofthe native drivers delayed our pro-
gress a couple hours and put the enemy
on the alert. The rebels concealed in tall
grass kept up a CALLING fire The British
were gradually worn out, being exposed as
targets and unable to strike back. Gen.
Stewart wound delayed the counter at
tack of the square until 2inthe afternoon.
The rebels rifemen possessed the heights
while their horsemen closed the roads in
our rear. As the square moved slowly from
the zareeba all felt their fate depended
upon its steadiness. When the square stop
pedt the men lay down and delivered voIley
after volley with superb steadiness. At
last the British moment Gamer The rebel
spearmen advanced to hurl themselves
against the little square. The British
never wavered a moment. When they
saw the foe coming they cheered Justify
and delivered a fire so deadly that the
Arabs dropped in lines and recoiled, and
retired in broken array. Meanwhile an
other dense mass of rebels from the south
was stopped by shells from Norton guns.
At this juncture the enemy's re-
doubtable reserve of horsemen,
standard bearers and fanatical
followers rushed against the square, but
were again repulsed bya whitening fire de-
livered by our men. Their retreat this
time was final, for they renewed that ut
tempt no more. After reverently bury
ing the dead, the whole force marched to
the Nile, where they were allowed to
bivouac in peace and unity, the rebels
making no signs beyond beating drums
during the whole night. 1t is stated that
the Mahdi sent 1900 picked troops to
annihilate the English either at Abu Klea
or here. It is said he is sending 20, DOC
more men, but there is no more fear now.
The British have the Nile on their back
another British column is on the march,
and the Gordon steamers are securing
supplies and material. Metemneh is still
held by a small force Of rebel
riiemen with one brass gun.
The town is said to be in great
straits A European was clearly distint
guished in the rebel ranks. The British
have captured three unarmed rebel boats
which will be very useful 10 them. All
officers and men are in excellent health
and spirits, The British square numbered
200 and the force of the enemy is esti
mated at nearly 1900. When the squar,
returned to the zareeba the day after Tho
fight many Of the garrison wept for joy