Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-21

LONDON, March 20
Two hundred extra natives are going 10
Suskim to hasten the construction OF a rail-
way 10 Berber.
KoRrI, March 20.
Generals wolseley and Butler have return
ed TO Korti.
The chief of the Shaylyeh tribe has sub
mitted TO the British.
A rival OF Ell Mahdi has appeared al ElObeid.
SUAKIM, March 20.
Dispatches from korti state that the Muir
dir of Dongola is at a point twelve miles
above Merawi, with 500 native troops, three
field pieces and one Gattling gun. He is also
supported by Kabbabish and Shsylyeh tribes.
He is about to attack the rebels and Hassani-
yet, and if successful in everpewering them,
it is his intention to move against Berber
with the hope of Wrestling that important CEN
tire from the Mahdi's forces. There are re-
ports that the followers of the Mahdi are de-
sert.ng in large numbers.
The British forces set out again this morn.
ing, at daylight, in the same direction as yes
terday They carry with them two days ra-
tions and some 5000 gallons of water. They
have six Gardner guns. battle is believed
to be imminent, and the hills beyond Hash
cen, it Is Thought, will he its locality.
LONDON. March 20.
A dispatch from Suakim TO the Telegraph,
states that five hours battle was fought
this morning between the British troops and
forces of Osman Digna, and that Osman Dig
mas position was finally captured by the
British. The dispatch says the Arab losses
were very great.
In the House OF Commons, today, the
statement that Gen. Lord Wolseley had been
appointed Governor of the Soudan, was de-
MED by Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice. who ad-
ded he was unable to impart any further in
formation.
Gen. Graham teegraphs as follows:
HAsHEN, March 20.
$50 p. M.-We moved out from camp at
5. Is this morning, leaving the Shropshire
regiment to guard it, On reaching the first
hill, at $50 this morning, we found the en-
emy had retired and occupied another hill "A
mile and quarter distant. After short
halt the Berkshire and Marines were ordered
to clear the hill, the Indian contingent and
guards supporting.
This was done very effectively, the enemy
being driven off the ridge and streaming south
towards Tamai, were charged by squadrons
of the Indian lancers. The cavalry then re-
tired toward the guards. MANY of the enemy
passed the guards at the foot of the hill west
of Hashen. In the valley these were shelled
by the Royal Hossee artillery, while other
parties moving round our right, were engaged
IN the brush by the 5th lancers. Meanwhile,
Seareba with four entrenched posts on the
hill. is being formed.
The advance troops have all returned to
this position and will return to our camp,
leaving the East Surry regiment, with two
Krupp guns, four Gardners, water tanks and
signal appliances, at the entrenched position
Our killed are 2 officers and ? men of the
British, and Sepoys The wounded are .
officers and 20 men of the British, and Off
Ger and 10 men of the Indian contingent.
The infantry behaved with great steadiness
The number of rebels is estimated at 1000
The rebel loss is not known, but it is heavy
The engagement lasted five hours. The
Arabs carried off all their dead.
The wounded natives report that numbers
of Osman Digna's men are deserting, having
become disheartened.
Today's fighting was of Il noticeably differ
ent character from that of any preceding en-
gagement. The rebels maintained a steady
rifle fire, retiring slowly from each position
held by them, and avoiding close quarters
SUAKIM, March 20.
p. M.-The British troops have returned
to this point Osman Digna sent reinforce
ments numbering 1000, to Hashen, on Thurs
day night, to assist in opposing the British.
At the end of the engagement the Arabs
retreated slowly towards Tamai. The Arab
loss in killed and wounded was estimated at
600. The loss of the British is 40.
The marines drove the Arabs from the
hills and forced them to retire to the
plains. Then the Indian troops charged on
the Arab position, but were outfanked and
unsupported. A body of Arabs succeeded in
getting behind their line
The Indians found themselves between two
fires and fed. During this retreat they were
closely pressed by the Arabs, who ham
strung the horses and speared the riders.
ZengoIege fell back in confusion upon the
English infantry anc guards, who had been
formed in a hollow square, and the square
leisurely retired while the Arabs were veil
ing that they had regained their lost posi-
ton. At this luncture the artillery came to
the rescue and brisk fire of small shot from
the machine guns and shell from the Krupp
field mortars drove the Arabs from their DO
sition. The marines maintained a steady
firing throughout the engagement, but the
| honors of the day are due to the
Irish laneers, who changed the
tide of battle by desperate
charge and retrieved the fortunes Of General
Grabams command when they seemed almost
hopeless The British troops have returned
to their former camp near Suakim.
| The British advanced in hallow square,
guards on the right. the infantry in front. the
| Indian contingent on the left and the cavalry
/ scouting in front and on the fanks. After
seizing Col. Bakers old position on the hill
I the troops advance through pass dcbouch-
/ ing upon a wide plain encircled by craggy
/ hills Of volcanic formation and found the
| enemy on the hill to the left Thunders Of
musketry then began. The enemy soon re.
/ tired, some to the right, but the main body to
the left with the intention of cutting of the
| British rear.
The Bengal Cavalry started to checkmate
this and a desperate fight ensued. The cav
airy retired in order to allow the infantry 70
send volley into the scattered enemy. The
Arabs closed up and pursued the cavalry
around HIM, where they were met by guards
drawn up in a square. The Arabs charged
the square with yelis, but in the face Of the
vithering fire which was kept up, were una
BILE to approach nearer than within 20 yvrds
of the line of bayonets. The guards we're
perfectly cool, joking among themselves till
the moment Of the charge. The cavalry re-
formed and charged, and scattered the rebels.
who had been reinforced by those from the
right. The rebels still showed admirable
courage, but appeared to be bewildered.
The British followed the fleeing Arabs.
pouring not fire at every point and never
allowing them time TO concentrate.
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