, 1885-01-22

4 ttAInlJ oOlAolDAdlJ AlAltCQI A1 I
trying to discover the British formation
Meanwhile the British were steadily pre-
pairing for the reception of the rebels
They formed a square, the artillery beinl
placed in the center, and advanced t.
meet the overwhelming force of the
enemy, who occupied the most favorable
ground, showing a great knowledge of the
art of wal. They drew us to difficult pc.
%sitions for operations when, by a ~cleyerly
executed movement, they almost disap-
peared from view, leaving only their
standards visible. Suddenly a large body
Of rebels appeared and furiously charged
upon the front of the British square.
The British replied with a 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 iforma-
ton for a few moments, but quickly nl-
lied A hand to hand fight ensued. The
rebels penetrated the ranks, but were sub
jected to a heavy flank fire and were
finally driven back. Gen. Stewart had a
narrow escape, his horse being killed un-
der him. 1t is reported hat the rebels
are in full force at Metemneh.
The battle between Gen. Stewart and
the Arabs was fought at a point in the
Passaniych desert, twenty-three miles
northwest from Nehemiah, and near the
caravan station of Stebacas. Gen. Stew
arts force consisted of about ], 800 effec-
tive men. On the approach Of the Arabs,
who were estimated to number 5000 or
10000, Gen. Stewart formed his troops
into a hollow square, with the field pieces
at the corners and invalids and provisions
in the center. The Arabs made their at
tack in a tumultuous rush, directed prin-
cipally upon the side Of the square held
by the hussars. This side of the SQUARE
was broken at one time during the fight.
The officers attribute this disaster to the
unruly conduct of the camels, which
got powder burned and became
uncomfortable. The line was speedily re-
formed. The discipline of the men was
splendid throughout the action. A steady
and deadly FIRE was kept up by the hus-
sars and mounted infantry, while the ar
tillery maintained an e~nflading fire which
piled dead Arabs up in heaps. The space
in front Of the British right flank was a
yeritable slaughter pen, and when the
Arabs were finally repulsed they left 800
Of their number dead upon the field. The
number Of their wounded able to march
or to be carried from the field Is estimated
at 1000. Most Of the casualties on the
British side occurred during the break in
the line of the hussars. The British took
their own and the Arabs wounded to the
wells and Stebacas. Most of the wounded
are reported as doing well. Gen. Stewart,
with the remainder of his troops, are
progressing toward Metemneh. During
the night preceding the action the Arabs
threw up small earthworks, intending to
intercept Gen. Stewards march, but they
were captured and destroyed by a de-
tachment of English troops.
A special giving additional particulars
OF the battle near Abu Klea wells, says
The battle was a fearful hand to hand
fight Most of the Arabs were armed
with spears and protected by spiked
shields of OK hide. 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 shortened
sabres and with sword bayonets, welded
at half arm length. Colonel Barnaby was
killed by the thrust of an Arabs spear
which entered his neck and severed the
iugular vein. When General Stewards
horse was shot, the rider fell to the
ground and was badly shaken, but he
soon recovered and obtained another
horse. The English soldiers had neither
food or water since the night before the
battle.
Still another account of the battle says
that until the 10th the British advanced
rapidly with a struggling column, but the
evidence of the presence of many Arab
scouts near the camp the previous night
led to long halts, more compact formation
and a regular advance. The British had
no idea the enemy was so near. The ma
tive reports had led them to suppose that
only a few rebels held AbuKlea- On the
receipt Of news Of the enemy's appear
ance at noon Gen. Stewart massed his
brigade into columns. Gen. Stewart then
went over to a ridge to r~econnoitre.
Skirmishes were sent forward to force the
attack. At the first shock from the enemy
the fate of the whole British force trem-
bled in the balance. bur the steadiness of
the guards, marine corps and mounted in
fantry prevailed, and the rebels retired,
leaving the ground strewed with dead and
wounded warriors, and arms and banners.
The Sussex regiment was attacked in the
rear. The Egyptian allies fought desper-
ately. The greatest losses fell on the
heavy camel corps, six of whose officers
were killed and two wounded.
The rebels brought all their best troops
to the attack. They came on in sood
order from the right and left front at 8
o'clock in the morning. Our screw gun
battery checked their advance for some
time. Though our position was well pro-
tected, the rifles of the rebels made ac-
curate fire. At 10 o'clock Gen. Stewart
determined to make a counter attack and
formed a hollow square with the guards in
front, the mounted infantry on the left
flank, the Sussex regiment ON the right