The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-01
British 3 attieS-

Last week Gen Graham, commanding
at Suakim on the Red Sea, started west
ward with all his troops, about 5000 IN
number, to drive back Osman Dlgma
| Arabs and get room to camp. The army
marched nine miles, and drove the black
skinned warriors before it, untll the
Hasheen Hills were reached. Then the
! Arabs made stand, and held the British
for five hours Next day the latter ad-
vanced about mile, but the Sepoy cav
airy got too far In advance; ami the
Arabs closed in b ehind them. The In
dians rushed mady back to the infantry
square, and came near cansln & total
rout. which would have resulted IN the
slaughter of every man on the field. Hap
nily the Irish lancers dashed upon the
foe; and helped to save the day. Next
Iday, the British retired to Suaklm Ieay
ling a force of Sepoys to build 'zere ba;
that is a kind OF breast work fort, such
as old Confederates remember.
They were suddenly surprised by a
rush of Arabs who had been massed and
Ieoncealea in defles west of llasheen. The
E,nglish formed square as quickly as
nossible, but the camels, mules and hor
ses were driven back ia confusion on tbs
troops, causing a stampede, aud amlo
clouds of dust the Arabs penetrated tht
y south and north sides of the square.
Meanwhile the marines and Berkshire
Regiment, who were on the east and ives
sides of the square, maintained con
l tinuous fire, holding the enemy at ba,
! while charge Of cavalry and tire fron
the guns at the iiasheen Zereba checked
the onslaught of the Arabs, which at tn
, onset threatened a serious disaster to tn
British
The official estimate places the Brltlsl
killed at So and the wounded at 5.
Nearly all the casualties were due to spea
thrusts received in hand to hand engage
: ments. The Arabs got between the trans
h mort train and the zereba, speared tn
men of the transport corps and killed tn
animals. They fought savagely, retuslI
TO give or take quarter. Gen. McNel
who was commanding the zereba, repor
vaguely that there were several thousaI
rebels in the fight aud that over "
were killed or wounded. Gen. Meme
is blamed for not taking precautloi
against surprise.
Thc enelny began the attack at
o'clock this morning. Tue damage do
to the transport material yesterday Is II
mense. The camels aud mules were han
strung by the Arabs. Scores OF can
followers were cut up The Arabs SCI
~ tered about in the whole vicinity lnt(
. ceptiny native fugitiyes. The appe.
ance and yells of the Arabs were so 50
den that the whole asSemblage OF traL
port animals, mixed with the natives,
came panic stricken and surged on I
zereba, making resistance hopeless. |
scene was iniescribable. The Arabs glle
and crept in all directions among the !
los Iimals swarmed from the bush like ma
and attacked the zereba tercely on
sides.
The Soudanese coolies were mstat
for enemies and many were Killed
friends. The Berkshire regiment {
Marines stood firm aud cool and fired
lev after volley into the ranks otthe
. NV. The uava brigade, which was ms
of the zereba, also opened 2 hot lre.
ii Indian troops held their own gatlantl5
Ii soon as they were able to close the SGT
II again. Eventually being unable to st
IL the rafting fire the enemy dlsappef
- as they came Gen Mcneil drew II
of his forces and stood to arms.
Hussars brought in the wounded, tho
menaced by an Arab camel force W
watched them Vlgliantly