Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-24

4 F1EscE ARAB ASSAULT.

IhfH aetmoHh
A suakim special of March ed says:
while detachments Of English aud in-
dian infantry were making a zercba
seven miles southwest Of Suakim to-
,dsy they were surprised by rush Of
Arabs who had been masscd and con-
ccsled in the deiilcs west Of Hasheen.
The English formed square as
quickly as possible, but the camels,
rnulcs. and horses were driven back
IN confusion on the troops, causing a
stampede. and amid clouds OF dust the
Arabs penetrated the south and north
sides Of the square. Meanwhile the
marines and Berkshire regiment, who
were on the east and west sides OF the
square, maintained continuous lire,
helding>the enemy at bay, whlie q
charge Of the cavalry and the lire from
the guns at the Hashcen zereba check
ed the onslaught Of the Arabs, which
at the onset threatened q serious disas-
fer 10 the British. General Graham
reports that the English losses, so far
A. known, are tive officers and twenty
Two men killed and thirty-three men
wounded. The losses Of the engineers,
transport corps, and Indian troops
have not yet been reported.
An unofficial estimate places the
British killed at 50 and wounded at IS.
Nearly all the casualties were due to
smear thrusts received in hand-to-hand
engagements. The Arabs got between
the transport-train and zereba, speared
the men Of the transport corps, and
killed the animals. They fought sa-
yagely, refusing to give or take quarter.
General Mcneil, who was commanding
the zcrsba, reports vaguely that there
were several thousand rebels in the
fight, and that moro than 1000 were
Killed or wounded. General Mcneil is
blamed for not taking precautions
against q surprise.
A later dispatch says; The enemy
began an attack at 3 O'Clock this morn
ing. They were repulsed, and the
ground was cleared by 4.
The damage done to transport mate
rial yesterday is immense. The Guards
aud artillery were sent to reinforce
the troops who were attacked. The
whsle British force remained IN the
held during the night. The camels and
nudes were hamstrung by the Arabs.
scores Of camp-followers were out
MP. Arabs are scattered about IN
the whole vicinity intercepting ma
tive fugitives. The appearance and
Wells OF the Arabs were so sudden that
the whole assemblage of transport ami
mails mixed with natives became panic
stricken and Surgcd on the zerebs,
making resistance hopeless. The scene
was indescIibable. Arabs glided and
crept in all directions among the ami
mails. The lladdendowas swarmed
from the brush like magic and attacked
the zereba fiercely on all sides. The
Soudanese coolies were mistaken for
enemies, and many were killed 10y
friends.
The Berkshire regiment and the ma
Iines stood firm aud cool, and fired vol
ley after volley into the ranks of the
enemy. The naval brigade, which was
inside Of the zerebs. also opened hot
fire. The Indian troops held their own
calamity as soon rs they were able TO
close the square again. Eventually,
being unable to stand the rafting fire,
the enemy disappeared as they came.
Geaeral Mcneil drew in all bis forces
and stood TO arms. The HuSsars
brought in the wounded, though me-
naccd by the Arab camel force, which
watched their movements vigilantly.
The desert is dotted in every direction
with runaway animals. The enemy's
loss must be very heavy. The camp at
;Suekim was prepared Tor a renewal of
the attack, but was unmOleSted.
A korti special says; The Mahdi
has sentenced many natives to death
tor not revealing treasures supposed to
be hidden at KhartOum. Many slave
women from Khartoum are being sold
in the vicinity u korti at Sl0o each.
THE LOSSES.
STAKIN. March 23.-The total
British loss during Sundays battle
was five officers and iifty-onc privateS
killed and one hundred and seventy
men wounded. The Arabs. it is esti-
mated, lost 1900 men. In the rush
made by 0sman Digus's men they
broke through one corner Of the zereba.
The British recovered promptly, and
killed every Arab who had got behind
the lines.
A number Of heavy guns have been
landed by Seamen, and will be at once
forwarded to the front.
THE EVACUATION OF kORTI or
DERED.
koRTI, March 23,-General WolSe-
lev has ordered the evacuation of korti.
Cases Of typhoid-fcyer, dySentery, and
sunstroke are increasing among the
troops. The heat is intense. The
troops will proceed to entrenched lines
at Debbeh, Aani. and DongOla
GENERAL GRAHAM MOVING FROM
SUAkIM.
SVAKIN, March 23.-General Ora
ham begun this evening to move his
whole force from Suahim toward Tamai.
The troops under General Mcneil left
the zereba where the battle was fought
Yesterday aud advanced about a mile
toward Tamai, where they constructed
another zereba, the enemy making no
opposition. II was found impossible TO
cacamp near the battlefield. owing to
the fetid carnations from the bodies OF
the dead and the carcssSes Of cattle and
horses. At daybreak tomorrow Gen
crsl Graham will resume the advance.
EasSia end England.
lBy cable 10 the Dispatch.
VARNA, March 23.-1here are re-
newcd statements TO the effect that Rus
sia and the Porte are negotiating tor
neutrality treaty in the event OF war
between England and Russia.