Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-20
THE WEEK
In the United States and the
Old World.
ENGLAND'S DISASTERS.
The British General Earle Killed by
Arabs ON the Nile Banks.


Arabs on the Nile Banks.
LONDON, February 1.-THE war Office has
received the following information in de-
spatch from General Lord Wolseley: The
fortified vessel in which General Earles de-
tachment was proceeding up the Nile from
Brit reached the pass above Dulka Island yes
teTday Tuesday,. The enemy appeared in
great force at this point. Alter causing some
| generalization among them by a heavy fire
from the guns on board, General Earle and
portion OF his men landed and attacked the
Arabs, driving them back at the point of the
bayonet and carrying the pass without the ex-
pendture of ammunition. This course was
adopted in order to save the supply of car
| tridges, which had become greatly reduced.
The enemy, emboldened by their comparatively
slight loss in the conflict, rallied and made a
fierce onslaught on the English, firing with re-
lnarkable precision. They repulsed the troops
with heavy loss and captured the floating fort.
General Earle was killed while calamity lead
ing a charge. Three other officers were killed
and four wounded. Eight of the men were
killed and thirty-fve wounded. The enemy's
loss was considerable.
The force under General Earle, which start
ed from Korti, December 30, consisted of
24OO men, comprising portion of the Forty
second Black Watch Highlanders, part of the
South Stalfordshire (Ihirty-eigh 1900
mounted men, squadron of the Nineteenth
Hussars, 400 horses, 1900 camels, six screw
guns. The South Stafford was the largest in
fjntry force numbering 600 strong, and was
towed in fifty-two whale boats, the mounted
and camel corps following the bank of the
river as near as possible. In anticipation of
the necessity for occupying defensive positions
large number OF intrenchng tools were
taken. The water transportation was under
command of Colonel Brackenbury assisted by
a detachment of seamen from H. NJ. S. Mon
arch. No mention has hitherto been made of
certified steamer" which is probably the
| launch of the Monarch. This force was fur
Their diminished by the formation of position
about 100 miles from Korti, so that
the exact number with the unfortunate general
is not easily ascertained.
Maior-General Earle was an officer OF con-
siderable experience, having served in the
Crimea, where he won especial distinction.
He participated in all the battles of the CAM
| paign, was mentioned especially for bravery at
| lnkerman, and received the French Sandman
and Turkish medals in addition to those of
his own government. In the last campaign in
Egypt he had charge of the line of oommunca-
tons, was especially commended in the de-
spatches for his ability, and his selection by
Wolseley for the dangerous task of opening the
road to BeTber was looked upon as q wise one
though the criticism was male, and will be
emphasized by this event, that the force sent
was much too small for the hazardous under
taking.
LONDON, February l2--An official Arabian
document, found upon the person of native
after the battle Of Dulka pass, sets forth that
Ell Mahdi stormed Khartoum on January 26,
and, after only quarter of an hours fighting,
captured the city and killed the traitor Gordon.
The proclamation also states that Gordon's
steamers were captured and concludes with
the orthodox "Praises to Allah?"