Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-03-27
The Arabs surprise the English While
Making II Zareba-A stampede Ensucs
Amid Much Confusion-IOOO Arabs
Killed With Small Loss to
the British.

SUAKIM, March 22.-While detachmcnts
of English and Indian infantry were max
ing Il zareba seven miles southwest
of Suakim to-day they were suddenly sur
prised by Il rush of Arabs who had been
concealed in the defles west of Hasheen.
The English formed square rs quickly
as possible but the camels, mules and
horses were driven back in confusion on
the troops, causing stampede and amid
clouds of dust the Arabs penetrated the
southern and north sides of the square.
Meanwhile the marines and Berkshire
regiment, who were ON the east and west
sides of the square, maintained Il cOntinu-
OuS fire, holding the enemy ut bay, while Il
charge of the cavalry and the fire from the
guns ut the llaSheen Hareba checked the
onslaught of the Arabs, which at the onset
threatened serious disaster to the British.
Gen. Graham reported that the English
losses so far as known are two officers and
twenty-five men killed, and thlrty-three
J 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 - and wounded at -. Nearly
all the casualties were due to spear thruSts
received in hand to hand engagements.
/
train and Zarrba speared the men of tn,
transport tribes and killed the animals.
/ They fought saVagcly, refusing to give or
take quarter. Gen. Mcneil, commanding
the Zareba, reports vaguely that there
were several thousand rebels in the fight
and that over 1000 were killed OrWOundcd.
Gen, Mcneil is blamed for not taking pre-
cautions against II surprise.
The enemy began an attack at three
O'Clock th, morning, They were repulSed
and the ground was cleared by four. The
damage done to transport material yes
lerday is immense. The guards and ar
tillery were sent to reinforce the troops
who were attacked. The whole British
force remained IN the field during the
night. The camels and mules were ham
lowers We're cut off. Arabs scattered about
in the whole vicinity, intercepting fugi-
tiVeS.
The appearance and yells of the Arabs
were so sudden that the whole assem-
bla9e OF transport animals mixed with ma
tlves, became panic stricken and surged
on the zareba, making resistance hope
less. The scene was indescrlbable.
Arabs glided and crept III all d-
rections among the animals. The Had
dendowas swarmed from the bush like
magic and attacked the zareba, fierce
ly on all sides. The SOudanise coolies
were mistaken for enemies and many
We're killed by friends. The Berkshire reg
iment and the marines stood firm and
cool and fired volley after yolley into the
ranks of the enemy The naval brigade,
which was inside of the zareba, also open
ed hot fire.
The Indian troops held their own gal
lantly rs soon as they were able to close
the square again. Eventually being una
BILE to- stand the rattling fire the enemy
disappeared as they came. Gen. Mcneil
drew in all his forces and stood to arms.
The huSSars brought in the wounded,
though menaced 10y the Arab camel force,
which watched their movements Nigilant-
ly. The desert is dotted in every direction
with runaway animals. The enemy's loss
must he heavy, The camp ut Suaklm was
prepared for renewal of the attack, but
|, was unmOlcstcd
Rebels Attack KassaIa.
LONDOS, March 22.-Adyices from Mas
sowah state that the rebels who had been
. reinforced from Berber, attacked Kassala
but were repulScd The governor of kas-
sala states that he can hold out for some
time and will burn the town rather than
= submit To the rebels, 1t is supposed that
he has received fresh supply of provs
Z ions.
The Mahdi sentencing Natives To Death
, KORTI March 22.-Thc Mahdi has sent
enced many natives to death for not re-
. vealing treasure supposed to be hidden al
; khartOum, Many slave women from
; KhartOum are being sold in the vicinity OF
: kOrti ut 500 each.