The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-29


while the British were erecting the zareba. Mr..
Herbert was secretary to Lord Dufter1n when
the latter was Governor general of Canada MIR.
Herbert witnessed the battles of Tel-el-kebir,
Ei-Teb and Tamai. He was severely wounded
in the last battle
There is intense anxiety as to the nature of
General Stewards wound and the prospects OF
his recovery. There was report this afternoon
to the effect that he had been killed. and that
the War Office had withheld information to that
effect. This report was refuted tonight by the
fact that the Queen sent dispatch to the War
Office, in which she expresses personal sympathy
with General Stewart and thanks him for his
conspicuous bravery. This dispatch was ordered
transmitted to General Stewart with all possible
speed, and it will be published officially to-mor-
row morning
Whitehall street is impossible tonight in the
vicinity of the Horse Guards Immense throngs
OF people. have gathered there listening to every
scrap OF information that can be obtained from
the Soudan.
The Queen has sent dispatch thanking Gen
erai Stewart and the troops for their bravery.
sending coincidence for their losses, and promot-
ing General Stewart to the rank of Major gen.
eral
In the fight of the 10Th inst, which occurred
within three miles of the Nile, many of the
British troops were in an almost fainting condi-
ton from lack of water. COL Sir Charles Viii
son ordered a small detachment of cavalrymen
to obtain supply of water from the river by
cutting their way through the enemy's forces.
with less loss of life than might have been ex-
pected, and enough water was obtained to re-
vive the troops and enable them to continue the
attack
CORRESPONDENTS NARRATIVE.
The London News correspondent with General
Stewart, telegraphs as follows: After another
fierce and prolonged fight. the object of General
Stewards brilliant march has been so far attained
that we have once more established ourselves on
the banks of the Nile, where we can hold our
own against immense numbers General Stew
art, hoping to surprise the enemy, left Abu-Klea
Wells on Saturday afternoon and marched
through the entire night We sighted the
river at daybreak. The enemy gathered
seops seoas the ths ridges opposite on the
march from We were burning to make an
| attack, but were anxious to save our men, after
their long march without food. General Stew
art selected the best position possible, and
formed square which was ready to receive the
enemy from all sides. Soon the rebels
were seen swarming and advancing towards
US. Within half an hour they opened fire
on our 'front.' right and left and until
lorg past midday continued to assail us with
perfect storm of bullets. In spite of the con-
tlnuous fire. comparatively few British we're
wounded. General Stewart was wounded early
in the action when several officers and men
were killed Having strengthened our po-
square was prepared to advance. We went
over the slopes under a whitening fire,
returning the volleys very steadily. Three
times rebels, horse and foot attempted
down each time. At last the square reached
the river bank and fortified one of the villages.
Some OF the men then returned to bring in the
wounded The first part of the march was
derly, quiet and steady. Later the route lay
through dense jungle and groves of
mimosa, where the confusion and uproar
of the native drivers delayed progress
couple of hours and put the enemy on the
alert The rebels, concealed in tall grass, kept
up calling fire. The British were gradually
wearing out, being exposed as targets and un-
able to strike back. General Stewards wound
delayed the counter attack of the square until
O'clock in the afternoon and the rebel rifiemen
possessed the heights while their horsemen
closed. .kAp roads In our rear. As the square moved
slowly from the zareba, all felt that their fate
depended upon its steadness. When the square
stopped the men lay down and delivered volley
after volley with superb steadiness. At last the
critical moment came and the rebel spearmen
advanced to hurl themselves against the little
square. The British never wavered moment
When they saw the foe coming they
cheered Justify, and delivered fire so deadly
that the Arabs dropped in lines and recoiled and
retired il broken array, while another mass of
by she'll from Nortons guns At
this juncture the enemy's redoubtabe
reserve OF horsemen, standard-bearers and
fanatical followers rushed against the square,
but was again repulsed by withering fire deliv,
cred by our men. Their retreat this time, was
final, for they renewed the attack no more.
Meantime the men left behind in the zeraba
to guard the wounded watched the SQUARE disap-
pear over the hills, and were unaware until the
next morning whether the square had reached
the Nile safely or had been over
whelmed. When the men were seen
returning, next day, they were greeted
with loud and heartfelt cheers. After reverent-
ly burying the dead the whole force marched to
the Nile, where they were allowed to bivouac in
peace, the rebels making no sign beyond beating
drums during the whole night
1t is stated that the Mahdi has sent 1900
picked troops to annihilate the British either at
Abu-Klea or here, and it is said he is
sending 1900 more men, but there is
no fear now. The British have the Nile
on their back, another British column
is on the march, and Gordons steamers
is still held by small force of rebel rifemen,
with one brass gum The town is said to be in great
straits. European was clearly distinguished
in the rebel ranks The British have captured
three unarmed rebel boats, which will be
very useful to them. Al, the officers and
men are in excellent health and spirits
The British square. numbered 1900 and the
force OF the enemy was estimated at nearly 12,-
600. When the square returned to the Zareba
the day after the fight many of the garrison
wept for joy.
ATTACH ON sHENDy AND METEMNEH.
On the 22d the British encamped at Abu-Kru,
two miles south of Metemneh. The enemy
were most sparing in their use of ammunition
while defending Metemneh, and only kept up a
desultory fire. The rebel forces throughout all
the engagements have been well handled. 1t
is stated that two Europeans are among them,
which may explain this fact Female prisoners
state that the British fire decimated the enemy
who determined to remain inside Metemneh
Five Of General Stewards steamers, contain
ing 500 soldiers and Ave guns, arrived at Gubat
on the 22d. All the troops and guns were landed
and the guns were turned upon Metemneh, with
out, however, producing any apparent effect upon
A. o1olo