New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
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THE BATTLE OF ATBARA.
HOW THE BRITISH AND EGffrlAN
TROOPS ROUTED THE DERVIsHEs.
-rpvrr-c ARTILLERY FIRE THAT DID GREAT
ryEct;TlON- SPLENDID CHARGE
on THE zAREBA.
From Tho London Telegraph.

From Tho London Telegraph.
AT 80. when dawn was already tnting ,he
east the troops advanced. / accompanied inc
Drltish force. marching with the Camerons ana
keeping on the river front Through my heIa-
glasses plainly saw tho Zareoa. the EIhNS NUS
ard tho caup forts The Dcrvish horse were
watching us outside the works. within when d
hundred colored banners were waving. the enemy
atandluC grouped upon the parapet in hundreds
The smoke OF many fires indicated tha' Si""
moud's troops were busy cooking.
Our cavalry and horse artillery moved 20 the
left steadily. and the infantry went iotWaiu
the enemy not firing At 6.lj we reached n point
I'm the desert about eight hundred yards from
the zareba. slightly overlooking the edge OF .he
enemys position; but the defences hsn,na me
zareha were hidden By bush and nuts tie
ground being slightly hummocky.
II was broad daylight. and the rising sun
shone brightly when our batteries. estaoished
upon two or three sandy ridges. opened fre rom
the right OF our position, effectively rahinS me
pervish camp. Even before the cannonade ne.
gan most Of the enemy within the zdrepa hao
taken cover. and thousands or the Dervish cav
airy galloped out at the south end OF the works.
making FOR the extreme left OF our position.
Lieutenant Beatty. r. n. opened hre win
% pounder rocket-tub TO the left OF the Came
rons and from a battery of l2-pounders
shower " common and shrapnel shot was hurled
into the zareba. The forts and stockade were
severely knocked about. and the bush ana PAIN
clumps thoroughly searched. Colonel Longs fire
was never hurried. but regular and accurate
one rocket ten into Mahmoud's central FORT
90
tanned silence FOR an hour under terrific pound,
ing which, as was afterward. dismantled
four guns and killed probably over thousand
cames. horses and donkeys and several nun
drods OF Dervshes. although all this slaughter
was screened by pits and trenches at the time
1t took place.
throughout the whole action the Egyptian
gunners behaved srendIdly. later on advancing
their guns step by step until within forty yards
OF the stockade. Their laxims, actually keep
ing down the inside artillery fire. were Of the
all N n
their shot made great gaps In the zareba.
so that the ladders carried by the stormerS were
not needed by our men.
About o'clock a few rounds from the enemy's
Remingtons battered about. but General CAT
acres Maxims went forward to the left of tho
CamerOns. and soon quieted the sharpshooters
The Dervsh horse also got near our cavalry.
whercupon our Maxims again ratified out send
Ing the enemy flying.
proceeded until 40 when the Sirdar gave his
direction to the brgadiers. and all arranged
for the assault
THE ASSAULT BEGUN.
Shortly after s o'clock the bugles and drums
of the brigade started playing General t;atacre's
pipers struck up CHEEKY hit and the whole
force advanced. There was n necessary lul In
the artillery fire while the guns shifted posi-
ton 70 the right and left and moved forward.
The horse battery had joined the others at
in the morning. making four batteries in action.
besides the Maxims.
Macdonald's and Maxwelrs men shouted up
roariously. shaking their rifles aloft, and step
ping ahead with great alacrity. Instantly
numerous Dervish heads bobbed out OF the
trenches. their owners opening sharp and
venomOus fire. Onc-third of our total losses was
sustained before the Zareba was reached The
British moved forward with the utmost debera-
ton. sweeping slowly across the lumpy ground.
Their firing discipline was perfect. the Camerons
delivering occasional section volleys. but more
frequently firing Independently, and not using
the contents OF their magazines. The Khedivial
troops were moving twice as fast as the British.
Major General Hunter. on horseback. leading
them and waving his helmet
As the brgades closed up / thought the
Egyptians would surely be In first. for we were
100 yards away from the enemy's works. while
they were less than half that distance. 1t was
Inspiring to observe the care and GOODNESS OF the
Cameron men, only firing when they some
to hit
Oulckening their step we descended the last
ffty yards OF sloping ground. the Camerons
reached the zareba hedge nearly as SOON II not
quite as the other brgades. without halting to
fire Plucky they sprang at the stockaded
cover trench. Five yards beyond 1t were three
10 I'VE rows Of trenches and innumerable rifle
pits and on the British front three Enclosed field
works covered one gun. By which Colonel Muir
raw had been shot arly In the fray.
A line Of Highlanders planted their feet upon
the ends Of the palm-tree butts and sprang
across q trench. saw few OF them shot down