The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-28
The Bloody Battle in Egypt

On the afternoon of Jan. l6, General
Stewards cavalry reported that the
enemy were in position some few miles
this side of the wells A. il was too
late in the day to allow an advance and
a successful encounter. Gen. Stewart
Uvoua> ked where he was for the night
The enemy erected works on Gen. Stew
arts right flank. On Saturday Gen. Stew
art endeavored TO draw the enemy on to
make an attack, but the rebels hesita-
I'D. In consequence of this, General
Stewart left all his impediments and
camels under guard of the Sussex regi
ment and some mounted infantry and
moved forward, keeping his forces in the
form of a square. A II the men were on
foot The British army passed round
the enemy's left flank. forcing them to
make an attack Or be subject to an en-
hiade ire. The enemy wheeled to the
left and delivered well organized
charge under whitening fire from our
men. The square was unfortunately,
pen etrated about its left rear, where a
heavy cavalry aud camel regiment
were in position, by sheer weight Of
numbers. The admirable steadness
of our men enabled them to main
tain hand to hand fight with the op-
posing force. while severe punishment
was being inflicted upon the enemy by
all other parts of the square. The enemy
we're finally driven back under heavy re
from all sides. The Nineteenth Hussars
then pushed forward to the wells, which
were IN oui possession by 6 in the even
ing. The enemy left not less than 800
slain around the square. Prisoners who
were taken while the enemy were retiring
report that the number of the enemy who
were wounded was quite exceptional.
One Immediate effect of the battle is that
many of the rebels are submitting.
Gen. Lord Wolseley says: Gen. Stew
arts operations have been most credi-
table TO him as a commander, and the
nation has every reason to be proud of
the gallantry and splendid spirit of her
Majesty soldiers on this occasion. Our
losses were nine commissioned officers
killed and nine wounded, and sixty five
non commissioned officers and men killed
and eighty-fve wounded. Gen. Stewart s
force consists Of about 1,50O men all
told.
Among the number Of the British who
fell was Lieut. Col. Burnaby, who made
he famous Ride to Khiva.''
! Besides Col Burnaby, the followng
were killed: Major Carmichael Of the
Fifth Lancers, Major Athorton of the
Fifth Dragons, Major Cough Of the
Royal Dragons. Capt barley and Lieut.
Law of the Fourth Dragons, Lieut.
Wolfe of the Scots Greys, and Lieut..
Pigott and Delisle of the Naval Brigade.
Lord St. Vincent and Lord Airlic were
wounded.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Suddenly a large body of rebels APP
peared 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 the
square. The heavy troops, borne down
by the onslaught, broke the formation
for few moments, but quickly rallied.
A hand-to hand fight en- nsued The rebels
penetrated the ranks, but were subjected
to heavy flank fire and finally driven
| back. General Stewart had a narrow
escape, his horse being killed under him.
1t is repeated that the rebels are in force
at Metempeh.
A special dispatch giving additional
particulars eff the battle near Abu X lea
wells says most OF the Arabs were armed
with spears and protected by spik ed
shields Of oxhide. They rushed to close
quarters and swarmed over the bodies OF
their dead and wounded comrades.
The English troops, after the first few
rounds had been fired, fought with short-
ened sabres and with sword bayonets
welded at half-arm length
Colonel Burnaby was killed b6 a thrust
of an Araba's spear, which entered his
neck and served the jugular vein.
" hen General Stewards horse was
shot the rider fell to the ground and was
badly 4aken, but he soon recovered and
obtained another mount.
The Enel soldiers had had neither
food nor water since the night before the
battle.