The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-08
DERVlSHES ROUTED.
The First Engagement Of the
Nile Campaign.
n TOOK PLACE At r,eaxEr.
The Khalffa Lest Nearly . Thousana
Msn, aaa Fled, PursaeA
~ Cavalry.

FIerket, Egypt. June This point was
taken by Egyptian troops at an early hour
this morning. and their manner OF acquft-
ting themselves IN this. the first engage
ment OF the Nile campaign. has given
great satisfaction to the British Officers
in command OF them. The Egyptian forces
left Akasheh last evening. June &. The
force responded promptly TO orders, and
was soon under way for this point. The
distance is twenty miles. and 1t took the
whole night TO accomplish the march.
The greatest secrecy had been main
tanned and all ths preparations were taken
20 prevent the news Of the advance from
leaking out. The long night march was
pursued In absolute silence. in consequence
OF which the arrival Of the Egyptians at
the dervishes' camp took the enemy con-
pietely by surprise. They quickly rallied.
however. and rushed to their arms Far
from being routed in the first skirmish Of
the attack. they stood TO their positions
anc made a stubborn defense of the camp
for an hour and a half. during which there
was hard fighting.
The deryishes were finally put 10 rout
by flank movement executed by the cav
airy. Seeing themselves in danger OF be-
ing surrounded. the forces of the Khalifa
took flight southwark toward Suarda.
pursued by the cavalry. Suarda is nearly
100 miles south OF here, but is strongly held
by a force Of several thousand dervishes.
Reports received indicate that the loss to
the dervishes will amount TO loo men.
Among those killed il the Emir Hammu-'
da, who was their commander. besides
many important chiefs. Hammuda was In
command of the largest force at Suarda-
He was or the tribe OF Habbania and WAS
well known TO Slatin Pasha, while the lat
ter was a captive OF the Khaifa in the
Soudan. Hammuca was a great favor
ite with the khalifa, who promoted him
TO the rank OF emsr because ne left his
own tribe when the insurrection first broke
out TO serve the Kahlifa personally.
il is believed the taking of Fferket was
decided upon owing 10 the double strength
OF Akasheh as an outpost. surrounded as
It is, by low hills, the taking of which
would make Akasheh a death trap. The
finishing OF the railroad line from Arras
has been rapidly pushed since the expedi-
ton was decided upon. BY extending II to
FSerket the worst cataract will be turned
and early advantage can thus be taken Of
the rise in the Nile at the end Of July for
water transport to Dongola-
The officers In command OF the Egyptian
force express great qualification at the
conduct IN this mornings fight OF the
Egyptians. about which some doubts have
been felt and OF the Soudanese. who have
been depended upon for good fighting.
They displayed great steadiness and dash.
The Egyptian loss was twenty killed and
eighty wounded. Hundreds OF Dervishes
were taken prisoners.
London. June IA Chronicle dispatch
from Fierket. Egypt, says that the Der
wishes made hard fight with large
force OF rihemen. and not only held their
ground, but attempted to advance with
a perfect roar OF musketry. which was re-
pulsed by shrapnei. Maxim hail and stea-
dy covering volleys, which shattered the
them udhouses of F'ierket