Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-01-29
a BATTLE I'm NUBIA.


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LONDON, jan. 81 "A dispatch has bee
received at the war ctfio. from Geners
Lord Wolselsy, dated "Korti, Janusr
21st, 3 O'Clock, p. m.," which reads sut
stantislly IS follows:
General Stewart has had heavy en-
gsgement with portion OF the Mahdi'
forces, near the Abu Klea Wells, about
miles this sids OF Metemneh This rebel
had collected from Bsrber, Metennel
and 0mdurmsn. This last place, regre
TO say, the prisoners report was reoentl,
cspiured by the Mshdi, and thus the mel
were released from there to fight Genera
Stewart, On the afternoon of January l6tl
Gen. Stewart's cavalry reported that th
euemy were In position some few mile
this side Of the wells. AS 1t Was too lat
In the day to allow an advance and
successful encounter, General Stewsr
bivousoksd where he was for the night.
"The enemy kept up harmless fire al
night and erected works on Genera
Stewards right flank. On Saturda,
General Stewart epdeavored to draw th,
enemy on 10 make an attack, but tn,
rsbelD hesitated. In consequence Of thiI
General Stewart left all his impedimenti
and eamels under guard Of the Sussei
regiment and some mounted infantry
and moved forward, keeping his forces II
the form OF q square. All the men wer,
on foot. The British army passed around
the enemy's tlank, forcing them t.
make an attack or be subject to al
enfllade FIRE. The enemy wheeled TO the
left and delivered we'll organized charge
undcr = withering fire from our men
The square was unfortunately penetrated
about its left rear, where heavy cavalry
and camel regiment were in position, by
sheer weight Of numbers. The admirable
steRdiness Of our men enabled them tc
maintain = hand to hand fight with the
opposing forces, while severe punishment
was being inflicted upon the enemy by
all other parts Of the square
"The enemy were finally driven back
under heavy fire from all sides. The
Nineteenth Hussars then pue he'd forward
to the wells, which were in our possession
| by five In the evening. The enemy left
not less than 800 Blain around the square.
Prisoners who were taken while the
enemy we're retiring report that the num-
ber of the enemy who were wounded was
quite exceptional. One immediate effso,
of the battle is that many OF the rebels
are submitting. 1t was necessary for the
army to remain at the wells some hours
to obtain water. As soon as practicable
the Intention was to push on with all
| expedition to Metemneh. The English
wounded are doing we'll.
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
NEAR ABU-KLEA WELLS, Saturday noon.
when the Hursar scouts returned yes
'erday announcing that the rebels held
he wells the British forces promptly
formed in mass column and advanced TO
the wells. The Guards marched at the
LETT OF the column, the heavy corps in the
centre and the mounted infantry at The
right. The column halted within three
miles Of the wells, but the rsbels showed
no signs of moving. The British troops
set to telling trees and clearing away the
grass In front Of the column. Az sbattis
was formed sround the baggage aud a
stone breastwork, with q frontage of l5O
yards, was erected as an additional pro.
teotion.
In the afternoon the enemy q camp was
sighted four miles from our z,reeb ba. Il
comprised Bumefous tents and appeared
to be fairly we'll fortified Meauwh hile
two groups OF rebels were watching us
from high bills en- the left front. At 6
in the evening ths enemy fred few stray
shots and the British replied with several
shells. The enemy continued the firing
throughout Friday night using only
one slight casualty. Ga Saturday foie
noon the enemy commenced advano oipR in
two divisions ia echelop, each numbering
some 8 600 men. beating drums and waving
fa99 Manu- NJ tt,ann mi al
r tlss The enemy oocrRiop ally halted as
II trying TO diroJvsr the British forma-
tion. Meanwhile the British were steadily
preparing for the reception OF the rebels
They formed square, the artillery being
plRosd d in tie can 70, and advanced to
meet the overwhelming force OF the
enemy, who occupied tsAorable ground,
showing great knowledge of the art Of
wsr They drew us to difficult posi-
tiou for operating, when, by cleverly
executed movement, they almost diasp-
pesred from view, leaving only their
standards Visible
Suddenly $ large body Of rebels
appeared and fnriously charged upon the
front of the British rquars. The British
replied with deadly fire, which the
rebels we're unable 10 withstand, and
thsy turned and attacked the LETT rear OF
the square Th heavy cavalry and
camel ooTps, orns down by the onslaught
broke tina formation for few moments,
bat quicky rallied a hand. to hand
| Il tht ensusd The rebels penetrated the
rsuks, bnt were subjected to q heavy
hsvk hts snk fnslly driven back. Gen.
| S:ewstt had partow escape, his horse
bpirg kill d nnd,r him. II IA reported
that the rs''sis are in force at Mstemneh.
oFFIoERs KILLED OR WOUNDED
B Bsidss Colonel BnInsby the following
officers wers killed:
Msjor CeImichael OF the Fifth lancer.
Hsjor AtLsr'oN Of TIE Fifth dragons.
Mfjor Gough OF the Royal dragons.
Gsptsin D4slsy VI T. . Fourth dragons.
L'euteuens Lsw Of the Fonrth Dragons.
Lisutsnan Wpl'e of the Scots Greys
L ante, SIT p,gatt o: the Naval Brigade.
lieutenant De.isI, OF the Naval Brig ade.
Llrd ST, Vincent and Lord AIrlie were
wounded.
HoR THE ARABS FOUGHT.
The ArRbs made their attack In q
tumultuous rush directed principally
upon tho side OF the square held by the
hussArs. This side Of the square was
broker at one time during the fight, and
uDruly conduct Of the camels, which goi
powder burned and became unoentrol
able. The line was speedily reformed,
aud the discipline of the meI
was splendid thr ughout the action
A steady and deadly fire was
kept up by the husssrs ano
the mounted infantry, while the artillery
maintained an entiladina fire, which piled
dead AIabs mp In heaps. The space In
front Of the British right flank was Z
veritable slaughter pen, and when th.
Arabs were finally repulsed they left 800
Ji their lumber dead upon the field
The number Of their wounded who wer,
able TO msrch or be carried from the felt
10 estimated at 1000. Most Of tn,
casualties on the British side ooourret
duripg the brsak in the line Of III,
husRarB.
THE FEELING In LoND
LONDON, Jan. 22-4 q. m.-The on,
theme until after midnight in politica
snd social clubs, in the public h0use-ir
fsot everywhere-was the RgyptiAI
battle. The worthiest comments on 4
heard by the New York Herald oorrespon
dent seemed TO favor the conclusion tha
the situation was more critical than tn
censorship dispatches Of Lord " olsele,
declared.
| -a--
Congratulations TeIeR raphed Q,
Generals Wolseley aud Stewart.
LONDON, Jan. 22.--A report is ourren
that Gen. Stew IT has occupied Metem
peh. Although this lacks official con
hrmAtion, It is generally believed, a
Gen Stewart pushed forward with th
greater part o.his forces Immediately afte