Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-29
THE FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

wounded. Among the enemy were many
slaves, several Of whom have submitted to
the British. They say the Mahdi sent them
from Kbartoum.
The square reached the Nile at sunset
Monday evening aud cncamped for the
night On Wednesday they made a recon-
nossance and found Metemneh fairly we'll
fortified. Shots were exchanged, but the
rebels kept out of sight. The ground around
was sandy, with depressions full Of grass ard
bushes, afforded good cover.
The prisoners state that the enemy came
from Khartoum and that the force which
attacked the British ut Abu klea was the
advance guard.
On January 81, two days after the battle
in the desert a reconnaissance was made.
This revealed the fact that Metemneh was
in state of defense. Sir Charles Wilson
reports that he could have carried Metem-
neh, but be thought it not worth risking
the loss of the men which its capture might
have involved. Sir Charles regards the re-
suit of the operations as in the highest de-
gree successful.
Metemneh it appears is occupied at the
present moment by two thousand men.
One half of these are regulars, under the
command Of Nurangar. The town is pro
v,led with three krupp guns, but it has
very little ammunition. Shell Tired from
these guns will not explode.
At Shepdy, on the other side of the river
and a short distance north of Metemneh,
there is one small Krupp gun, and the town
is garrisoned by a small force.
Sir Charles Wilson started for Khartoum
last Saturday with a detachment Of the
Sussex regiment.
On the 22l the British encamped at Abn
Kru, two miles south of Metemneh. The
enemy were sparing in their use of ammu.
milton. and only kept up q desultory fire,
The rebel forces throughout all the engage
ment have been we'll handled. 1t is stated
that two Europeans are among them.
prisoner states that the British fire deci
mated the enemy, who seem determined to
remain inside Metemneh.
Five of Gen. Gordon's steamers, convey
ing 500 soldiers and FIVE guns arrived at
Gubat on the 22h All the troops ald guns
were landed, when the guns were turned
upon Melemneh without, however, prOduc-
ing any apparent effect upon the rebels.
IL is reported that the Mahdi is sending
more troops and guns to Metemneb,
On the 22d General Wilson, with four Of
General Gordons steamers, number Of
black troops, two companies of mounted in
fantry aud six guns, bombarded Shendy for
two hours, aud almost completely destroyed
the town, but the occupants, appeared to be
unwilling to surrender. The steamers at
forwards returned to Gubat.
The Mahdi mas force ofG 900 men around
khartoum.
The London Neus correspondent with
General Stewart telegraphs as follows:
NEAR METEMNEH, January 20.-Aiter
another fierce end prolonged fight the OBJ
ject of General Stewards brilliant march
has been so far attained that we have once
more established ourselves on the bank Of
the Nile, where we can hold our own against
immense numbers. General Stewart, leIl
| Abu klea Wells Saturday afternoon, and
marched through The entire night. We
sighted the river at daybreuk The enemy
were gathered about the ridges opposite Gu
the banks of the Nile, about all hours
march from us. We were burning TO max t
an attack, but were anxious 10 save the men
after their long march without food. Gen.
Stewart formed q square, which received
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 long past midday continued TO as
sail us with perfect storm Of bullets. In
spite Of the continuous fire, comparatively
few British were wounded. Geu. Stewart
WAS wounded early in the action when sew
eral other officers ard men were killed
Having strenet hened our position and re
pulsed all attacks, the square was prepared
TO advance. We went over the slopes uu.
der whitening fire, returning the volleys
very steadily. Three times the rebels at
tempted to make charge, but were NOV
ell down each time. They splendidIy sus.
tanned our fire. At last the square reach
ed the river bank and fortified one OF the
villages.
The first part Of the march was orderly.
Later the ronte lay through dense jungle
where the confusion and uproar of the ua
tive drivers delayed progress couple OF
hours and put the enemy Oh the alert. The
rebels, concealed in The tall grass, kept up
CALLING fire. The British were gradually
worn out, being exposed as targets and un
able to strike back. Gen. Stewards wound
delayed the counter attack Of the square
until O'Clock in the afternoon Rebel rifle
men possessed the heights, while their horse,
men closed the roads in our rear. As the
square moved slowly all felt that their fate
depended upon its steadiness. When
the square stopped the men lay down and
delivered volIey after voley with superb
steadiness. At last the critical moment
came. The rebel spearsmen advanced 10
hurl themselves against the little square.
| The British never wavered q moment.
| When they saw the foe coming they cheer.
ed Justify, and delivered fire so deadly
that the Arabs dropped in the lines and
recoiled and retired in broken array
Mean while, another dense mass of rebels
from the South was stopped by shells. At
this juncture the euemy's reserve of horse
men rushed against the square, but was
again repulsed by the whitening fire de-
llvered by our men. Their retreat this time
was fual
After reveren,ly burning the dead, the
whole force marched to the Nile, where
they were allowed to bivouac in peace.
1t is stated that the Mahdi sent 10000
picked troops to annihilate the British either
at Abu klea or here. It is said he is sending
1000 more men, but there is no more fear
now The British have he Nile on their