Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-22
FOREIGN NEWS.
WIPED OUT.
The British Force Meet 10000 Rebels
and Completely Demolish Them
Great Praise Bestowed on
Gen. Stewart, Off
GERS and Men.

1t is officially reported that serious fight
ing has occurred in Egypt, and that the re-
suit is satisfactory to Lord Wolseley.
The battle occurred near Metemnh. An
army of o.000 rebels attacked the square in
which the British forces were advancing sew
eral times, but was compelled to retreat. The
rebels lost 800 killed and 500 wounded. The
English lost So. Colonel Barnaby, who made
the famous ride to kiva, was among those
killed.
dispatch has been received at the war
office from Gen. Lord Wolseley, dated ''Korti
Jan. 2l o'clock p. NJ" which reads SUBJ
stantially as follows:
Gen, Stewart has had heavy engage
ment with portion of the Mahdist orces, near
Abu klea Wells. Rebels had collected from
Berber, Metmeneh and Onduraman. This
last place the prisoners report was captured
by the Mahdi and thus the men were released
On the afternoon of the 10th, Gen. Stewards
cavalry reported that the enemy were in a
position some few miles this side of the
Wells. As it was too late in the day to allow
| an advance and successful encounter, Stew
art bivouaced where ne was for the night
and erected works on the right flank. Gen.
Stewart endeavored TO draw the enemy on to
make an attack, but the rebels hesitated. In
consequence of this, Stewart left all his ini-
tSui'hShts anu NahP uhuSi SuaIu VI tic ousstA
regiment and some mounted infantry, and
moved forward, keeping his forces in the
form of square, all the men on foot. The
British army passed around the enemy's left
flank, forcing them to make an attack or be
subject to an enfilade fire. The enemy
wheeled to the left and delivered a well or
ganized charge. The square was unfortu-
nately penetrated about the left rear, where
heavy cavalry and camel regiment were in
position. By sheer weight of numbers, the
the admirable steadiness of our men enabled
them to maintain hand to hand fight with
the opposing force, while severe punishment
was being inflicted on the enemy by all other
parts of the square. The enemy were finally
driven back under heavy fire from all sides
The 18th Russians then pushed forward to
the Wells, which were in our possession by
5 o'clock in the evening.
The prisoners who were taken while the
enemy were retiring, report that the number
of the enemy who were wounded was quite
exceptional. One immediate effect of the
battle is that many Of the rebels are submit
ting. 1t was necessary for the army to re-
main at the Wells some hours to obtain water.
As soon as practicable, our intention was to
push on with all expedition to Metemneh.
The English wounded are doing well -
The report concludes as follows;
''It has been my duty TO command force,
from which exceptional work, exceptional
hardship and exceptional fighting have been
called for. 1t would be impossible to ade-
quately describe the admirable support given
to me by every officer and man of the force.
| regret to say that our loss was severe, but
oar success has been so complete that it may
dishearten the enemy to such an extent that
all their future fighting will be of less OBJ
stinate character"
Lord Wolseley saws Gen. Stewards oper-
ations has been most creditabe to him as a
commander, and the nation has every reason
to be prond of the gallantry and splendid
spirit of her majesties soldiers on this occa-
sion
Our losses were nine commissioned officers
killed, and wounded; 60 non-commissioned
officers and men killed, and s5 wounded
Gen Stewards force consists of about 1900
men all told.
The battle between Gen. Stewards troops
and the Arabs, was fought at point in Hass
aniyeh desert % miles northwest from Met
emeDeh, and near the caravan station of She
bacs. Gen. Stewards force consisted of
about 1900 effective men. On the approach
of the Arabs, who we're estimated to number
between 5000 and 10000, Gen Stewart form
ed his troops in hollow square, pieces at the
corners and invalids and provisions in the
center.
The Arabs made the attack with rush.
directed principally upon the square held by
the Hussars. A steady and deadly fire was
kept up by the Hussars and mounted infantry,
while the artillery maintained the enfiading
fire, which piled dead Arabs up in heaps. A
space in front of the British right flank was
veritable slaughter pen, and when the
Arabs were finally repul.ed, they left 800 of
their number dead on the field. The number
of their wounded who were able to march or
be carried from the field was estimated at
200O.
The most casualties on the British side
occurred during break in the line of the
Huzzars. The British took their own and
Arabs wounded to the Wells at Shebacs.
Gen. Stewart with the remainder of his troops
is progressing toward Metemeh.