The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-01-24
The Battle In Egypt.

been received at the war Office from
Gen. VOLS. ley, dated Kolti, Jan.
2lst, 8 p. M, which reads substan.
TALLY as follows:
"Gen. Stewart has had q heavy
engagement with q portion of the
Maildi's forces, near Abu-Klea Wells,
about q miles this side of Metemneh.
The rebels had collected from Berber,
Metemneh and Omduraman. This
last place, l regret to say, prisoners
report. was recently captured by the
Mahdi, and thus many men We're re-
leased from there to fight General
Ste ~art. On the afternoon of Jsnu-
ary 18th, Gen. Stewards cavalry re-
ported the enemy were in position
some few miles this side the Wells.
1t was too late in the day to allow an
advance, and succ sssfui encounter.
Gen. Stewart bivousced where he
was for the night. The enemy kep:
up q harmless fire all night, and
erected works on Gen. SiewaIt's
right flank. Saturday Gen. Stewart
endeavored to draw the enemy on
to make an attack, but the rebels
hesitated. As q consequence, Gen.
Stewart left all his impedimen,s.
also his camels, under u guard Of the
Sn-sex regiment and some mounted
infantry, and moved forward, keel-
lug h.e Ivices III The form of square.
All the mem were on foot.
The British army passed around
the enemy's flank, forcing them to
make an y, tack or be subj rcted to an
eff ade fire. The enemy wheeled to
the lett and made well organized
charge under q withering fire from our
men. The quare was unfortunately
penetrated about Its left rear, where
u heavy cavalry aud camel regiment
were in possession. BY sheer weight
of numbers and admirable steadiness
our men enabled them to maintain
a hand to hand fight with the oppos-
ing forces, while severe punishment
was being Inflicted upon the enemy
by all the other parts of the square.
The enemy was finally driven back
under heavy fire from all sides.
The nineteenth hussars then pushed
forward to the wells which were in
our possession by o'clock in the
evening. The enemy left not less
than 500 slain around the works.
Prisoners taken while the enemy was
retiring report the number of the
enemy wounded quite exceptional.
One Immediate effect of the hattle IS
that many rebels are submitting. It
was necessary for the army to remain
at the wells some hours to Obtain
water. AS soon as practic tble the
intention was to push on with sll ex-
peditiOn to Metemneh. The English
wounded are doing well.
Gen. Stewart concludes his report
rs follows: cit has been my duty to
command the force from which ex
ceptional work, exceptional hard
ships and exceptional fighting have
been called for. 1t would be impos-
sible to adequately describe the 3D.
mirable support given me by every
officer and man of the forces. / re-
gret 10 lay that our loss was severe,
but our success has been so complete |
that it may dishealten the enemy to
such an extent that all their future |
fighting may be of less obstinate
character"
Gen. " olse ley says: "Gen. Stew
arts operations have been most |
creditav!o to him as commander,
and the nation has every reason to be |
proud Of the gallantry and .plend,d
spirit of Her Msjesty's solalers on
this occasion. Our losses were nine |
commissioned officers killed, and
nine wounded and IS non-commis-
stoned officers and IS men wounded.
Stewards force consists Of about l 500 |
men all tOld."
Among the British who fell was
Lieut.. Col. Buruaoy, who made the
famous r de to Khiva."
B .sides Coz. Baruaby the1fOll owing
officers were killed: Major Cal-
michael, 6th Laucers; Maj. Ather
ton, 5th DragoOns Msj Cough,
Royal Dragoons Capt. Dorley and
Lieut.. Low, 4th Dragoons; Lieut..
Wolf, ScntL's G,eys; aud Lieutenant
Pigott ami Delisie, Naval Brigade. |
Aolu ~. SAnCOns ouu AOIu AHAey,
wounded.
R=uler's telegram company's |
dispatch dated near Abu Kle Wells,
SATURDAY moo :, gives the following
account OF the engagement " When !
the Hussar scouts returned yesterday |
announcing the rebels had the wells, |
the British promptly formed in u
mass column and advanced to the |
wells. The guards marched to the |
le t Of the column, heavy corps
in the centre and mounted infantry
at the right. The column halted
within three miles of the wells, but
the rebels showed no signs of NOV.
Ing. The British troops set to telling
trees and clearing away the grass IN
fIont OF the column. An abat.
tice was formed around the
b sggsye and Q stone 6breastwork,