New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10
ROUTING THE DERITSHES.

The aggressive movement Of the DcrviShes
has ended in hopeless ruin. few weeks ago,
il will he remembered, the khafa became dcs-
pcrate at the prospect Of an attack upon his
last stronghold 10y the Anglo-Eeyptan Army,
and resolved TO check the latter'S advance by
sending against 1t the most powerful force he
could muster. Accordingly. he sent for Osman
Digna, with whom he had not for long time
been on good terms, and patched up peace and
another alliance with him. Then he sent his
best general, the fcrocious Mahmoud. with OS-
mau at the head Of picked army of nearly
twenty thousand men, 10 cross the Athara and
cut the Suakim-Berbcr road and attack Bcrbcr
on the east flank II was bold and clever
movement, but IT has failed because II has been
met with still greater boldncss and skill
A minor expedition. sent by the Dcrvishcs
down the Milo 10 engage attention there and
withdraw 1t from their main movement. was
disposed OF In shor, order by the native Sou
danese themselves Then the Sr'lar hurried
ont from Berber. up the Atbara. to meet The
Derv!sh advance The natural advantag"
seemed to be with the latter. The railroad was
not finished up 10 Berber md the Slrdar had
difficulty in keeping his army we'll supplied.
The Nile was low and the Athara almost dry,
50 that fording at almost any point was easy.
But these things could not overcome the per
sonal and racial factors. The British. Egyptian
and Soudanese troops were eager for The fray.
and were managed with consrmmate ability.
few days ago they made a reconnaissance In
force upon the Dcrvsh camp. on Friday last
they attacked the camp and overthrow II nj
terly IN one Of the most brilliant battles ever
fought IN the Soudnn.
The forces were about equal In numbers
The Dcrvlshos had the advantage OF being on
the defensive in strongly fortified camp. But
the Anglo Egyptian Army came on with all
the spirit and manner OF hos; 70 which vic
tory was assured. There weird might
march across the IIadendowa desert. IN perfect
silence and darkness. not even The rudy spark
OF a lighted cigar being permitted To disclose
the movement In he early morning Ia.
enomy's camp reached. apparently desert
ed, but really crowded with desperate men fully
prepared for desperate defence. There was an
hours bombardmcni. Them in the face ~ a
perfect sect Of bullets from the Dervlsh lccions
the thrcefold force rushed 10 the attack with
steel Englshmen and Scotchmcn swart sons
Of ancient Egypt and black and woolly negroes
WED each with each in zeal first 10 scale the
breasiworks and spring into the trenches.
few minutes and il was all over. \ thousand
or more Dciylshcs were captured. Other thou
sands lay dead in the trenches. The rest We're
scattered and fleeing for their lives across The
wastes Of the desert. Osman himself was lead
ing in the flight. and the savage Mahmoud, ig-
ANONYMOUSLY dragged from hole beneath n
bed. was a captive. And the victors. white ard
brown and black. We're making the wild banks
Of the Atbara ring again with shouts OF tri
umph
There IS little left 10 he dore. la couple OF
months AT most the railroad VIII be finished
far a. Bcrbcr When high Nile comes the gun
boats will be able 10 pass The Sixth Cataract
with ease and safety. Then Omdurman and
the ruins of Khartoum will lie beneath the
muzzlcs Of avengng guns. 1t Is exactly four
teen years this month since the British Govern
mcnt made the awful blunder OF refusing to
send aid TO Gordon M KhartOnm That Immor
tai hero then said they would have some day
TO come In and smash the Mahdl'' n far great
or cost. For nearly thirteen years his blood has
cried for vengeance AZ KhartOum. But now
vengeance Is at hand and his prophecy Is on
the verge Of fuilm.nt. The Mahd Is being
smashed though nj such cost never nation
paid before for such Job.