New-York tribune., 1885-03-20
SKIRMISHING AT SUAKIM.
osMAN DIGNA DRIVEN FROM HAsHEEN.
GENERAL GRAHAM WRITES TO THE REBEL LEADER

GENERAL GRAHAM WRITES TO THE REBEL LEADER
BOASTS oP THE MAHDI's ADHERENTs.
sUAKIM, March l0.-The whole force started this
morning at o'clock. with a DAYS rations and
hundred rounds of ammunition to each man, in the
direction OF iiasheen. Before the order was given
TO march, General Graham inspected all the
troops except the Shropshire Berkshire and Surrey
Regiments. Five hundred of the enemy
on the hills near IIasheen. The cavalry, the
mounted infantry and the Indian infantry were
sent to reconnoitre, while the Guards acted as
reserve. The enemy retreated before the British
advance
The mounted infantry and scouts, supported by the
main body of all the troops marching 600 yards
bchlnd advanced to the base of the range of low
hills near iasheen. The Indian contingent and the
cavalry in this movement secuted and skirmished
on both sides OF the line of march along the entire
front. The scouts reached the summit of the hills,
and discovered that the Arabs had massed in the
valleys. The Arabs at once retired into positions
OF shelter, only fifty remaining in sight They
remained in this position until the British advance
reached the ridge of the hills. The Hadendowah
tribe of hostile Arabs then rushed from the ambush
in which they had lain and made an attack In
this skrmsh Captain Birch was speared through
the shoulder. The Arabs succeeded in getting
within ten yards of the British line before the latter
opened regular fire, which the enemy
promptly replied to. Three of the infantry
were wounded and several rebels killed.
Lieutenant OConnor, whose horse was shot under
HIM, killed four rebels with his own hand
The object of the reconnaissance having been
obtained the British retired the Arabs showing no
disposition TO follow. The British infantry and the
Guards were left on the road half way between
Suakim and the Hasheen hills. supporting the
Indian contingent. In the brief engagement on the
ridge the Bengal cavalry took many prisoners. 1t
was ascertancd by the reconnaissance that the
Arabs were in large bodies along the entire range
of hills. and were evidently massing. As the
British retired, the rebels rapidly reoccuped the
positions previously evacuated by them
The entire British force with the exception OF the
Shropshire Regiment, will parade at o a. m. to-
morrow, previous to advance to Tamai, whore,
it is expected, battle will take place
After the skirmsh, General Graham's right, con-
sstIng of British infantry, Indian infantry and the
Guards, began to advance toward Handoub. The
mounted infantry and Bengal cavalry. renewing
the reconnaissance occupied Hashecn and found
Osman Digna withdrawing bis forces toward
Tamai. The concentration of the Arabs was
effected in unusually good order.
General Graham has written letter 10 Osman
Digna, IN which he declares that England respects
all religions and desires the friendship Of the Arab
tIlUtr TIE ailNircs lbt NHc ms 10 dJ oltc
aud to rely upon the mercy of England; otherwise
be threatens to destroy the hocks and other prop
cTty Of their followers.
CAIRO, March lg.-Tho bitterness Of feeling
shown by the English toward tho French is due TO
the hostility of the BosphOye Egyrtcn which is con-
SANITY melting the natives 10 opposo the British.
The suppression Of that paper appears TO be
military necessity.
Tho Mahdfs adhercnts declared that before the
summer ~ far advanced General Wolscleys army
will be- cut oil from Cairo
IDNDtN, March 2O,-Dlspatchcs IN the morning
papers confirm the reports Of III MahdIs waning
power. Several deryishes have denounced him as
an unpostOr. some dispatches To the same DurpOrt
have been detained on the way. 4 rival of the
MahdI has appeared at FL Obcid