The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-08
THE BATTLE OF HAFIR.
A Fight of Artillery and Gunboats
with the Dervishes.

A detailed account is given in the London
Times of the combat in Egypt which pre-
ceded the occupation of DOngola. 1t was
an easy affair for the Anglo-Egyptian
troops, presumably not disclosing the full
strength of the Mahdis forces. yet it has
an interest N several respects.
Hatir is on the left bank of the Nile, thir-
ty miles below Dongola. The Anglo-Egyp-
tan forces moved forward with the cavalry
and horse artillery, covering the front and
the camel corps on the left flank. The -four
brigades were very mobile. heavy baggage
having been left behind and only hospital
tents carried. The march was in as ex-
tended a formation as the ground allowed.
The column traversed a land of palms and
bush and lush pasture, with fields OF cot
ton. beans and ripening maize around each
village. TIL ragged Inhabitants greeted
the troops with shrill cries of delight.
across the desert fer ten miles. avoiding a
deep bend in the Nile, and on approaching
the river again found the steamers await
mostly through soft sand, and when Hafr
was reached a unique engagement resulted.
The Nile is there from 1000 to 5000 yards
wide. and the Egyptian force of 10, 900 men
sat in the sands under the sun. their artil-
lery alone In action, while the gunboats
also fired at the foe.
Wad ell Bishara. the Deryish commander.
had fortified Hafr very well with a low
line OF shelter trenches along the river
bank. having a morass at each end. But
pieces. captured at Khartum, and two
Nordenfeldt runs. and the latter were in
action only a short time; perhaps being
could not reach the British troops, while
the rifiemen in the trenches. with their
Remingtons and Martini-Henrys. could do
little or no damage at that long range.
With the gunboats. however. the Dervish
rife pits were able to sustain a prolonged
Kiea. and the Metemmeh each
steamed up successfully abreast of
f sPs a, sn : Gisian works d5 ah and ,e . Sliy S,Sdred e
yards from her Krupps. Nordenfeldts and
Maxims. then dropping down stream till
practically out Of range. This process was
resorted TO so as to save the vessels from
being sunk, as they probably would have
been had they remained constantly under
the enemy's fire. h bullets from the
small arms damaged the woodwork. ard
one shell. which struck the Abu Klea be-
tween wind and water entering her maya
burst. The Metemmeh received enc she'll
through her smokestack, another through
her cabin, and a third through the gun
killed. and Commander Colville and twelve
others were wounded.
Three hours of this sort OF work with
the gunboats having failed to silence the
enemy. Colonel Parsons was ordered To
cross from the further side of the river
with two field batteries. a horse battery and
panies of the Tenth Soudanese battalion.
20 the island or Artaghasi. in midstream.
The guns were easily transferred. as the
subsistence of the Nile had left a narrow
bar or isthmus between the bank and the
island. These batteries. being much nearer
than the others. were more effective
against the Dervish forts. but the rifemen
still stuck to their trenches They did little
damage. however. for the reason. IL is said.
that they had shortened their rifles to
diminish the weight, and had put no for
ward sights on them. so that they constants
ly fired too high. On the other hand. the
single small gunboat which the Dervishes
had was struck by a shell below the water
line. and sank in the stream
EmbolGened by the aid OF the batteries on
the island and by the silencing OF the
enemy's redoubts. perhaps because OF the
dismounting of the guns. the three gun
boats steamed in line past the enemy's
works. delivering a final fire against them.
which was answered by musketry. and pro-
ceeded up the river toward Dongola- 1t
was then evident hat Bishara would have
10 look out for the safety of the latter
place. He first tried. however. but unsuc-
cessfully, 20 save about two dozen sailing
vessels. laden with the grain which he had
brought down for his troops. When this
could not be accomplished. he crossed the
river before the following morning. being
under the impression IL is said. that the
British would continue their march TO Dom
COLA on their side OF the stream. But when
the English commander learned tina this
had been done he crossed in turn TO HAIR,
and marched Up on that side. and before
long Dongola was In his banda