Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-03-06
How Burnaby Died.


Mr.. Burleigh, the war correspondent who
was wounded at Abu Klea, has, under the
inspiration of his hurt, written to the Daily
Telegraph thrilling account Of the battle,
and in it occurs this description of Colonel
Burbaby's death, which must become his.
torical:
"Still down upou US tho dark Arab wave
rolled. 1t had arrived within three hundred
wards undiminished in volume, unbroken
in strength-a rush of spearsmen and
swordsmen. Their rife fire had ceased
Other Arab forces surrounding us-the Nah
dis troops, plundering Bedouins and pillag-
ing villagers from the river sde-stood ca
ger on the hillsides watching the charge up
on the British square. In wild exctem ent,
their white teeth glistening and the sheen
of their brandished weapons flashing like
thousands of mirrors, onward they came,
charging straight into our ranks.
II was at that instant inside the square,
not far from the Gardner gun, when | saw
the left face move somewhat backward.
Colonel Burnaby himself, whose every &C.
ton at the time | saw from a distance CT
about thirty yards, rode out in front
of the rear left face, apparently to as
sist two or three skirmishers running
in hard pressed. ALI but one man of
them succeeded in reaching our lines. Col.
Burnaby went forward to his assistance
sword in hand. AS the dauntless Colonel
rode forward he put himself in the way Of
a sheik charging down on horseback.
ERE the Arab closed with him bullet
from some one in our ranks brought the
sheik headlong to the ground. The en-
emy's spearsmen were close behind, and
one of them suddenly dashed at Colonel
Burnaby, pointing the long blade of his
spear at HIS throat. Checking his horse
and pulling it backward, Burnaby leapt
forward in his saddle and parried the Mos
LENS rapid and ferocious thrusts. But the
length of the mans weapon-eight feet
put it out Of his power to return with in.
terest the Arabs murderous intent. Once
or twice Colonel Burnaby just touched his
man, only TO make him more wary and
eager. The affray was the work of seconds
only, for the savage horde of swarthy ne
groes from Kordofan and straight haired
tawny complexioned Arabs Of the Bayuda
steppe were fast closing in upon our square.
: "Colonel Burnaby fenced the swarthy
Arab as if he were playing in an assault at
arms, and there was smile on his TEXTURES
as he drove off the mans awkward points.
The scene was taken in III glance.
With that lightning instinct which |
have seen desert warriors before now
display in battle while coming to one
another's aid, an Arab, who was parsuing n
soldier and had passed five PAGES to Burma
by's right and rear, turnod with sudden
spring, and this second Arab ran his spear
point into the Colonel's right shoulder. 1t
was but a slight wound Enough, though,
to cause Burnaby to twist around in his
saddle aud defend himself from this unex'
pected attack.
Before the savage could repeat his un-
looked for blow, so near the ranks of the
square was the sceno now being enacted, a
soldier ran out and drove his sword bayonet
through the second assailant. Brief as was
Burnaby's glance backward at this fatal
episode it was long enough to enable the
first Arab to deliver his spear point full In
the brave officers throat The blow drove
Burnaby out Of his saddle but it required a
second one before he let go his grip OF the
reins and tumbled upon the ground.
"Half a dozen Arabs were now about him.
With blood gushing in streams from his
gashed throat the dauDtless guardsman
leapt TO his feet sword in hand and slashed
at the ferocious group. They were the
wild strokes of proud, brave man dying
hard, and he was quickly overborne and
left helpless and dying"