The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-11
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT OF THE
NILE CAMPAIGN TAKES
PLACE.
DERV|SHES DRIVEN FROM F|RkET.
Leaving Il Thousand Dead-British
Officers Proud of the Egyptian
TroOps-The Dervishes Were Sur
prised, but Fought Stubbornly.

Firket, Egypt, June This port was
taken by Egyptian troops at an early hour
this morning, and their manner of ac-
quitting themselves in this the first en-
gagement of the Nile campaign, has given
great satisfaction to the British officers
in command of them. The Egyptian force
left Akasheh, the Egyptian outpost, last
evening, June 6. The movement was II
surprise, as it seemed to have been deter
mined upon to hold Akasheh as an out
the period arrived for the advance upon
Dongola in the latter part of August or in
September The force responded prompt
ly to orders, however, and was soon I'M
twenty miles, and it took the whole night
to accomplish the march.
The greatest secrecy had been main
tanned as to all the arrangements, and
precautiOn was taken to prevent the news
of the advance from leaking out. The
nights long march was pursued in abso-
lutte silence. In consequence the arrival
of the Egyptians Mt the dervishes 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
to their positions and made stubborn
defense of the camp for an hour and II
half, during which there was hard fight
ing. The dervishes were finally put to
route by II flank movement executed by
the cavalry.
Seeing themselves in danger of beii..
surrounded the forces of the khaifa took
fight to the southwark towards Suarada.
pursued by the cavalry. Suarada is near
ly 100 miles south of here, but it is strong
ly held by force of several thousand der
wishes.
Reports received Indicate that the loss
to the dervishes will amount to 1000 men.
Among those killed is the Emir Hamuda.
who was their commander, besides many
important chiefs.
Hamudu was in command of the large
force at Suarada. He was of the tribe
Of Habbania, and was well known tC
Slatin Pasha while the latter was cap
tive of the khalfa in the Soudan. Slatin
has described him as a great favoritt
with the khalfa, who promoted him to
the rank of emir because he left his own
tflDe Wnen tHc lllSUfrecllOn HfSl DfOHt
out to serve the khalifa personally.
1t is probable that the taking of Firkct
was decided upon owing to the double
strength of Akasheh as an outpost, sur
rounded, as it is, by low hills, the taking
of which would make Akashch Il death
trap.
The finishing of the railroad from Sara
has been rapidly pushed since the eXpe-
dition was determined upon. BY extend
ing it to F'irket the worst cataract will
be turned and early advantage can thus
be taken in the rise of the Nile at the end
of July for water transports to Dongola
The officers in command of the Egyptian
force express 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 Egyptians and Soudanese dis
played great steadiness and dash. The
Egyptian loss in the fight was twenty
killed and eighty wounded. Hundreds of
dervishes were taken prisoners.