The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-01-30
STEWARDS COLUMN FIGHTING.
A HEAVY ENGAGEMENT AT ABu KLEA
WELLS.


The English, Many Times outnumbered, Wi
the Battle and Press on Into the Desert.
LONDON, Jan. "A dispatch has been re
ceivsd at the war Office frsm Gen. wolseley
dated korti, Jan. q, 3 p. m, which read
substantially as follows: General Stewar
has had heavy engagement with a porter
Of the Hahdi's forces near Abu Klea Wells
about % miles this side Of Netsmneh. The
rebels had collected from Berber, Metemneh
and Omduraman. This last place, I regret t.
say, prisoners report was captured recently
BY Mahdi, and that the men were released
from there to fight Stewart. On the after
noon Of Jan. 16, Stewards cavalry reported
that the enemy were in position some few
miles this side Of the Wells, The British
forces promptly formed In massive column
| and advanced to tho Wells. The guard,
marched at the left Of the column, the heavy
corps in the center and the mounted infantry
at the right. The column halted within three
miles of the Wells, but the rebels showed nc
signs Of moving. The British troops set to
work Telling trees and clearing away the
grass in front Of the column. An abattis
was formed around the baggage, and stone
breastwork, with frontage Of $50 yards, was
erected as an additional protection. In the
afternoon
THE ENEMY's CAMP
was sighted. 1t comprised numerous tents,
and appeared to be fairly we'll fortified.
Meanwhile two groups Of rebels were watch
ing us from the high hills On the left front
At six In the evening the enemy fred few
stray shots, and the British replied with sew
eral shells. The enemy continued firing
throughout Friday night, causing only one
slight casualty. Saturday forenoon the enc.
my commenced advancing in two divisions
in echelon, each numbering some 5000 men,
BEATING DRUMS AND WAVING FLAGS.
Many Of them were armed with rifles. The
enemy occasionally halted, as IL trying to
discover the British formation. Meanwhile
the British were steadily preparing fer the
reception Of the rebels. They formed .
square. the artillery being placed In the CEN
ter, and advanced to meet the overwhelming
fsrces of the enemy, who occupied favorable
ground. Showing great knowledge Of the
art Of war, they drew us to difficult positions
for operations, when, by cleverly-executed
movement, they almost disappeared, leaving
only their standards visible. Suddenly q
large body Of rebels appeared and furiously
charged upon the front Of the British square.
The British replied with deadly FIRE, which
the rebels were unable to withstand. and
then turned and attacked the left rear Of tho
square. The heavy troops, borne down by
the onslaught, were broken In formation fer
a few moments, but quickly rallied. A hand
to hand fight ensued. The rebels penetrated
the ranks, but were subjected to . heavy
flank fire and finally driven back. General
Stewart had narrow escape, his horse being
killed under him. 1t is reported the rebels
are In force at Metemneh.
GEN. STEWART ooMPLIMENrRD.
Gen. Wolseley says: "Gen. Stewards opsr.
ations have been most creditable to him as
commander, and the nation has every reason
to be proud Of the gallentry and splendid
spirit of Her Majesty's soldiers on this occa-
sion. Our losses were nine commissioned
officers killed and nine wounded, and sixty
1--WE non-commissiensd officers and men
killed, and eighty-fve wounded. General
Stewards force consists Of about I 800 men,
Ill told" The Arab force was 5000 to 10000,
Of whom 800 were left dead on the field.
OFFICERS SLAIN.
Besides Col. Barnaby, the following were |
killed: Major Carmichael, Fifth Lancers
Major Atherton, Fifth Dragons; Major |
iough. Royal Dragons; Capt. barley and |
Lieut. Law, Fourth Dragons Lieut.. W olfs,
Scots Grsys, and Lieuts. Pigott and De Lisle
u the naval brigade. Lord st. Vincent and
Lord Airlie were wounded.
REGRETS FOR BARNABY.
Serious doubts are expressed whether Gen.
Wolseley's force Is sufficiently strong to
each Khartsun. Col. Barnaby's death 10
greatly dsplorsd in London. He was favor
to in all the clubs and in political and mill
airy circles, where the news has been the
hief topic Of conversation. The death or
3arnaby Is mere talked about than the battle
tseR. All the nsrning papers contain eel.
INNS of descriptions and comments regard
ne Gen. Stewards battle. The papers unan-
mously extol in glowing terms the heroism
4 the troops, and unite In eulogizing Col
whs Is described ~ dying like .
rue British "bull dog" with his right hand,
lenched In death, about the threat Of the
Arab whose spear was thrust through the
,olonsps neck.
FERocrTr OF THE FIGHT.
A special, giving further particulars, says
he battle was fearful hand to hand fight
dost Of the Arabs were armed with spears,
nd protected by spiked shields Of or hide.
hey rushed to close quarters, and swarmsd
yer the bodies OF their dead and wounded
smradss. The English troops, after the
rst round had been fred, fought with short
ned sabers and with sword bayonsts, WELD
1t halfarm length. Col. Barnaby was
illed BY the thrust Of An Arab 3 spear, which
inferred his neck and severed the jugular
elm. When Gen. Stewards horse was shst
he rider fell TO the ground and was badly
haksn. but he soon recovered and obtained
mother horse. The English soldiers had had
either food nsr water since the night before
ae battle.
The London papers are generally appre.
snsive that the column win have hard work
reach Khartsum.
uNFAvoRABLE TIDrHcs.
LosDoS, Jan. ga special from Cairo
~. - EcpoHt W. ClICulAI0Q b0-OAy 70 t00
feet that Stewards troops have been dsfest-
and rsutsd BY Mahdi's troops. The re-
ort is generally believed BY the natives,
he assumed such . threatening attitude
ut ball cartridges were served to the Brit .
b soldiers OF the garrison.
ASKING yoR SERVICE.
LONDON, Jan. D.--The war sfics has sell
'm been 20 throngsd on Sunday = 1t was 2
day. Over 1000 callers, including peers |
embsu Of the commons and Of the cabinet Q
ID oficsn Of the army. Many u the latter.
no have been On leave Of absence, had I
aveled hundreds Of miles on hearing Or the
sndon explosions and the critical csndi- !.
On sf Affairs in the 6cudan, to ask for -
70 ssrvios. All we're inquiring eagerly for !.
sws u Schwartz situation, but the officials
u No news - give.
LONDON, Jan, 3, $50 p. N. The war ONCE 3
= jast made public TIE contents Of : dis '