The National tribune., 1885-03-26
THE SOUDAN.
Spirited Engagement Between the British and
Arab Forces.


Arab Forces.
During the past week there has, been in
creased activity between the beligerent forces
in the Soudan. 4 number of skirmishes took
place, but without important result until Fri
day last, when a severe engagement occurred
near Suakim, between the British forces under
Gen. Graham, and the Arabs under Osman
DigDa. The battle lasted five hours. The
marines were first sent TO the front to drive the
Arabs from the hills west of Hasheen. As soon
as possible they were REINFORCED by batteries
of Gardner and krupp guns and by cavalry.
There was a hot engagement for few hours,
during which the British cavalry charged re-
pc3tCdly upon the Arabs, while the machine
guns were worked with deadly effect whenever
their fire could be made available. Great
bravery was displayed on both sides. At the
end of the engagement the Arabs retreated
slowly towards Tamai. The Arab loss in killed
and wounded IS estimated at 800. The loss of
the British is II killed and 80 wounded.
The Arabs displayed desperate bravery. The
marines drove the Arabs from the hills and
forced them to retire 10 the plain; then the
Indian troops charged upon the Arab position,
were outfianked, and an unsupported body of
Arabs succeeded in getting behind their line.
The Indians found themselves between two
fires and they lied. During this retreat they
Were closely pressed by the Arabs, who ham
strung the horses and speared the riders. The
BeBgaIese fell hack in confusion upon the En-
glish infantry and guards who had been formed
in a hollow square, and the square leisurely
retired while the Arabs were yelling that they
had Tegained their lost position At this june
ture artillery came 10 the rescue and a brisk
fire of small shot from the machine guns and
shells from the krupp field mortars drove the
Arabs from their position. The marines main
tained a steady firing throughout the engage
ment, but the honoT5 Of the day arc probably
due Ia the Irish lanCers, who changed the tide
OF battle by q desperate charge and retrieved
the fortunes Of Gen. Grahams command when
they seemed almost hopeless. The British
troops have returned To their former camp near
Suakim.
Gen. Graham telegraphs to Gen. Wolseley
that the result of the operations has been to
establish a strong position commanding the
Hashecn Valley and protecting the right flank
and the line communications in ensuing opera
tions agains; Tamai. All portions of the force,
he says, worked admirably aud gallantly on
very difficult ground, covered with high thorn
bushes. and occupied by an agile and deter
mined enemy, showing that the troops are able
to master the Arabs III any position.
The latest returns Of the engagement show
that q men were killed, including II of the
Indian troops, and that ~ were wounded, of
whom II. belong To the Indian contingent. The
troops in the zareba at Hasbeen ut daylight
next morning shelled and dispersed bodies of
the rebels which had collected Oh the adjacent
hills. The whole force, except the guards, ad-
vanced the following day for the purpose Of
constructing Zarob8s at points seven or eight
miles from the camp. The Berkshire regiment
and the marines will be left TO garrison the
zarebas, the remainder of the troops returning
to Suakim.
The English forces under Gen. Mcneil came
near meeting with serious disaster near
Suakim on the 22d inst. They were engaged in
buiding q fortified camp, when suddenly, and
without a moments warning, the Arabs made
desperate onslaught on them. The British
formed in squares as rapidly as possible, but
the mules, horses and camels scattered around,
were drieven back on the troops, causing the
utmost confusion, in the midst of which the
Arabs got inside the square, and a desperate
hand to hand fight ensued. The rebels were
finally driven of, but not until the British had
the casualties were caused by speer thrusts re-
cevcd in hand to-hand encounters. The loss
of the Arabs could not be ascertained with any
degree of accuracy, but is supposed 10 be not
less than 600. The loss of the British was by
no means confined TO their killed and wounded,
the damage TO transport material being i'm
mensG. The Arabs hamstrung scores of mules
and camols, aud did considerable damage to
other property. Gen. Mcneil, the British COM
mander, is severely censured for not taking
precautions against a surprise.
The Mahdi has sentenced to death q number
Of natives for refusing TO reveal treasure sup
posed TO be hidden in KharOum. Many women
captured by the rebels at Khartoum are being
sold in the vicinity of that place for 500 each.