Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-23
THE WAR IN THE souDAN.
Osman Digna, Leader Of the Dervishos.
Again Escapes From the Egyptisns.

Osman Digna. Leader of the Dervishss,
Again EscaPes From the Egyptisas.
Tokar, the scene of the recent terrific battls
described in the telegraphed report to Satur-
days Star, 10 q town in the eastern Soudan,
about thirty miles south of Suakim and ten
miles inland, in . southwes. direction from
! Trinkitat on the Red sea. The place was the
scene OF bloody battle nearly seven yesrs ago
between the dervishes under Osmau Diena and
the Turkish and Egyptian troops commanded
by Valentine Baker, In which the latter was
beaten.
The latter had started out from Trinkitat to
the RELIEF Of iTokar, wher he encountered the
derviAhes at the rising ground near tho wells
Of Ieo. about seven miles inland, on February
., 1854, and was Overwhelmingly defeated, his
losses reaching more than 9, 900 men, three
hrupp and two Calling guns. and 500 camels
laden with supplies and munitions. About
LOO OF the Egyptian force made their way
back TO Trinkitat and took refuge on the ship
ping In the harbor. The forces with which
Osmsn Digna destroyed this army, armed with
the deadiiest modern weapons and trained and
omcered BY Europeans, were estimated at be-
tween 600 and 1000 only. They were armed
only with heavy shovel-hsaded spears and short,
sharp swords.
roKAR FORCED 10 suRnRNDRh
An Anglo-Egyptian force under Gen. Graham
subsequently took the field, bu. Tokar was com.
PEELED to surrender to the dervishes before il
could be relieved. The enemy were finally
routed at the wells Of Teb on February 20 and
at Tamanieb on March Is. Since then, however,
Osman Digna has kept the British troops prac-
ticaliy at bay around Suakim, causing an i'm
mense expenditure Of blood and treasure. In
september, 1885, he laid formal siege to Suakim,
which was defended by force of British and
Egyptian troops $500 strong, under command
OF Ten. Sir Francis Grenfell. The siege con-
tnued until December 10, when the dcryish
force was finally routed with Q loss OF 400
killed. In February, 1882 the dervishes aban-
doned Handoub, eight miles north of SuaLim
and few miles inland from the Red sea, and
abandoned all further direct operations against
SuRkim.
BEAT THEM TO THE EARrn.
Later in the year, however, Gen. Grenfsll
marched against the dervishcs and made an
effort to drive them out of upper Egypt. After
several skirmishes, in which the Egyptian
troops were worsted, Gen. Grenfell finally, on
August 3. 1889. routed the enemy near Wada
Halfa on the Nile. with loss Of I 500 killed
aud wounded the leader Of the force, Wad-sl-
Jumi, being among the dead. The victory that
he gained on that occasion was the result Of
very simple tactics. quite unlike those followed
in the battle near Tokar. Gen. Grenfell posted
his infantry in favorable position and then
with his cavalry reconnoitered the enemy's
camp, making u feint Of retreating and Turing
the desert warriors toward the main body Of
his army. They were thus drawn into verita-
bic slaughter pen and when escape was impos-
sible, the cavalry and infantry, mounted on
eamels, swept down upon them and beat them
to the earth
Last year comparative inactivity reigned in
the eastern Soudan. About the middle of the
summer Osman Digna returned to Tokar. and
IN the fall made preparations to again attack
Suakim. His force, however, WAS seriously
demoralized, and he was unable to make any
advance until after the beginning Of the pres
ent year. Toward the close Of last month
Gen; Grenfell resumed operations by driving
preparations for the advance southwark, which
has resulted in the recapture of Tokar.
osMAS DIGNA's CAREER.
Osman Digna, the dervish leader. WHO seems
to have . charmed life and has again made his
escape from the scene of defeat, was the head
Of once wealthy family of slave dealers which
had been impoverished by the suppression of
the slave trade in Egypt. He lived az mer-
chant in Berber, on the Nile, visiting various
parts Of the Soudan to buy merchandise. In
July, 1883, he brought letters from the mahdi
to Egyptian officials and Arab she.ks in the
Suakim district. He then assumed hostile at
titude and collected a force with which he at
tackled Sinkat in August Of that year. but was
repealed with loss Of eighty men. This defeat
nearly destroyed the 1nnuence ne hed gained
over the Arab tribes, causing his adherents to
fall away to about seventy-fve. until, in Octo-
Der following, he almost annihilated two com
Panies Of Egyptian troops under Mai. Mo-
manned Khiil in a defile between Suakim and
Sinkat After this his prestige, enhanced by
several victories increased until he was the
master Of all the resources OF the eastern
SOudan and commander of formidable army.
His operations since then have been narrated
above. He is described az a man Of herculean
stature, with eyes of piercing blackness, shaggy
eyebrows and an immense beard. He has lost
his left arm in battle and contents himself with
- few as three wives, who, however. are
daughters Of the chiefs OF the most important
and powerful Arab tribes of the Soudan.