The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-08
Part Of the Khalifa's Army Surprised
by the Invading Force After an
All-Night March.
OVER AN HOURS FIGHTING
LOSS OF THE DERvIsHES REPORTED
TO BE ONE THOUSAND MEN.
Bomb Thrown Into q Religious Pro-
Killed and Forty Wounded.

FIRKET, Egypt, June This point was
taken by Egyptian troops at an early hour
this morning, and their manner of acquit-
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 Axasheh, the Egyptian outpost, last
evening, June 6. The movement was a
surprise, as it seemed to have been de-
termined to hold Akasheh as an outpost
until the season is past. and the period ar
rived for the advance upon Dongola in the
latter part of August or in September. The
force responded promptly to orders. how
ever, and was soon under way for this
point The distance is twenty miles. and it
took the whole night to accomplish the
march.
The greatest secrecy has been main
tanned as to all movements and arrange
ments, and precaution was taken to pre-
vent the news of the advance from leaking
out. The night-long march was pursued
in absolute silence. In consequence the ar
rival of the Egyptians at the Dervish camp
took the enemy completely by surprise.
They quickly rallied, however, and rushed
to their arms. Far from being routed in
the first skirmish of the attack. they stood
defense of the camp for an hour and a
half, during which there was hard fight
ing. The Dervishes were finally put to
rout by flank movement executed by the
cavalry. Seeing themselves in danger of
being surrounded, the forces of the Khalifa
took flight to the southwark. toward Suar-
da, pursued by the cavalry. Suarda is near
ly a hundred miles south of here, but 1t
is held by force Oh several thousand Der
wishes.
Reports received indicate that the loss
to the Dervishes will amount to a thousand
men. Among those killed is the Emir Ham,
muda, who was their commander. besides
many important chiefs. Hammuda was In
command of the larger force at Suarda-
He was of the tribe of Habbania and was
we'll known to Slatin Pasha while the lat
ter was a captive of the Khalifa in the Sou
dam Slatin has described him as great
favorite with the Khalifa, who promoted
him to the rank of emir because he left
his own tribe, when the insurrection first
broke out, to serve the Khalifa personally.
1t is probable the taking of Firket was
decided on owing to the double strength
of Akasheh as an outpost, surrounded as it
is by low hills, the taking of which would
make Akasheh death trap. The finish
ing of the railroad from Sarras has been
rapidly pushed since the expedition was
determined upon. By extending it TO Fir
ket 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 transportation to Dongola.
The officers in command of the Egyptian
force expresses great qualification at the
conduct in this mornings fight of the
Egyptians, about whom some doubts have
been felt, and the Soudanese, who have
been looked to with confidence for good
fighting. Both the Egyptians and Soudan-
ese displayed great steadiness and dash.
The Egyptian loss in the fight was twenty
killed and eighty wounded. Hundreds OF
Dervishes were taken prisoners.