THE BATTLE ON THE NILE.
A DESPERATE FIGHT.
The long expected battle with Wadel N'jumi and his Dervishes has come off. General Grenfell (says the special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle) waa deliberate in his preparations, but when the decisive moment came he showed him<elf as masterful in action as he had been cool in judgment. General Grenfell left Toskl half an hour before daybreak for the double purpose of reconnoitring Wadel JT’jiimi's camp and of drawing him into more open country. The Sidar took with him one squadron of the 20th Hussars, under M-jor Irwin, the Camel Corps, manned by Egyptians, the Egyptian cavalry proper, and the mounted infantry. The horsemen moved quietly and quickly, and soon covered the intervening ground, the enemy being sighted by 6 o'clock, The Dervishes were in the aot nf striking camp, and great confusion prevailed within their lines. Several hundred men were already on the march northwards, and they were quickly brought into line of battle as soon as the Anglo Egyptian forces were discovered so ne.r. The Sirda-and hisst 'ff, meanwhile, were calmly using their field glasses and taking careful note of the streng h and disposition of the enemy. But matters very soon became lively, for the dervishes, without waiting to be attacked, opened a vigorous fire upon our horsemen, but without inflicting any serious d -mage. By this time the enemy had recovered from their surprise, and their chiefs could be seen moving about, giving orders and encouraging their men, Soon a body of Arab spearmen moved down upon our little force, and the Sirdar, satisfied tnat Wadel N'jumi was willing an<J prepared to tight, moved off out of rifle range, having previously despa-ohe i orders toToski for his entire infantry and artillery force to be moved up in readiness for a general engagement*
A STRATEGIC MOVEMENT* ' Me* -Ijvalrv had struck the enemy’s camp to the south Gt the low hills, and they now moved in a northerly direction towards the riyer just above Tos'ki. The enemy, too readily mistaking this admirable strategic movement for a retreat, followed In hot pursuit, wasting a good deal of ammunition at impracticable ranges. They had with them a small cannon, whioh, however, was of very little use to them. The cavalry moved slowly, and several times the enemy’s spearmen nearly got within striking distance, the firing at times becoming quite brisk. But the Sirdar, avoiding actual contact, moved adroitly from one ridge to another, luring the unsuspected Dervishes to their doom. North-west ofT-wki the desert rises, and upon the high ground thus afforded Grenfell's two infantry brigades and the mule battery took up a commanding position, ths
-nemy, about 3000 eff-c’fves, n) imately f -rmingup on ground almost as ad vant .genus aid almost facing our forces. Our infantry n-w barred Wade’ N jumi's northward march, and, our cavalry being well on bis fl ink. there was nothing left for him to do but fight The battle ground wa, about four miles from the river, in the neighborhood of Toski. Colonel Wodehouse commanded th« infantry, with Major Hunter, of the Yirk and Lancaster R*-gi-nent, as second in command ; Colonel Kitchener h id charge of the cavalry brigade, with M j ir Irwin in command of the 20th Hussars; Major Beech commanding the Egyptian cavalry, and Major Rundle Bey the Egyptian artillery* All these officers rendered splendid service.
EEFSCTIVE TIBS. The battle was opened with infantry firing, to whioh the roomy teplied with vigor Few f th« Dervishes' shots told at this point, but our fire was very effective, and several of the Arab warriors bit the desert sand at the first volley. The murderous firs continued for some time, and the first variation occurred in a futile attempt by the Dervish spearmen to cnarge up to our positions. Very gallantly the brave fellows came on, brandishing their spears and shouting defiance at their foe. But their force was spent long ere they could have crossed spear with bayonet, and when at length they turned suddenly back >o their lines scores of du<ky bodies dotted the bloodstained sands. The charge waa reckless to the point of madness, for onr men, black and white alike, remained steady as rocks, maintaining a pitiless and well directed fire, against which trained British infantry could not have stood for long. But reckless or mad, the attempt was made again and again, and always with the same result. The day was now getting well advanced, and the enemy had not reached our men hand to hand save on the right, where, with Wadel N’jumi in personal command, they made a supreme effort to turn our position. That position, however, was too important to be neglected in the Sirdar’s calculation, and the Black regiment which held it was stiffened with a squadron of cavalry.
The final Dervish charge was superb, but it nas met by such a fire from our rifles and artillery that the spearmen never half covered the intervening ground, and from this moment the gallant enemy seemed to lose heart. Their fighting grew feebler; our artillery gave them no time to rest or re form, and finally Dervishes turned and fled. Our oavalry pur« sued them mercilessly, compelling the fugi« lives to seek safety in the desert. Not a few refused the dreadful alternative, and turning, anmetimes in group and sometimes indivi* dually, stood and fought ths horsemen until out down, declining equally to give or to accept quarter. But it was a wretched remnant which sought safety in flight, and 1500 Dervishes were killed on the wide battlefield, A few were taken pri-oners, and many others wounded. Wadel N’jumi, the Dervish leader, fought while there was any life in him, and finally fell pierced by a rifle bullet. Abdel Halem and all the principal Emirs died at their pnsts like men. Fifty standards, some tiken at the bayonet point, fell into our hands, together with thousands of weapons, ammunition and stores, and one small cannon, On our side, considering the work accomplished. the loss wag trifling indesl. The Derviehes were over-matched even in their favourite method of warfare, and they retreated upon and beyond the position whence they came. It was a retreat, not a flight, although our oavalry rode on and among the Dervishes, and did terrible execution., Frequently the gallant Arabs turned at bay and hacked at horses' legs and riders* bodies, regardless of sabre outs and bayonet thrusts. Driven from their first positions, the enemy took up fresh ground, but our infantry, after a slur breathing space, fired vollev after volley and then charged. Again the Dervishes disdained to await their enemy, and rushed to meet them, and again there wag fierce fighting, followed by retreat. Then our men drove the enemy out of their last pngj. tions, and the fisjhc was nearly over,
AFTER TME BATTLE, The cavalry continued tbe pursuit of the fugitives until sundown, and then returned into camp amid the cheers of their comrades. The gunboats also took part in the chase, and captured a number of exhausted camp followers and some Dsrvi.hes who had found their way to the river oa k. The cavalry brought in some prisoners also, and what with prisoners, deserters, camp followers, women »n I children' i be commissarlatoffloirs, and provost-marshals had their hands full. The body of Wadel N’jumi was brought Into camp on Saturday evening, and was fully identified by scores of people. It will ba accorded the honotable interment due to a brave enemy. There is some talk ia camp of a forced march on Sarras. A considerable number of camels were captured from the enemy. The battle lasted a little over seven hours, and every arm behaved well. The majority of the Dervishes stain were killed by rifle bullets or fragments of shell, the Egyptian light brigade having been used with great precision and effect, Nevertheless, a good many bodies have bayonet and sabre wounds, more, perhaps, than the usual proportion in a Soudan battle. The Sirdar is greatly pleased with the behaviour of his men. He thinks the campaign ia npw over, and that mqst qf the troops may be at once withdrawn to Egypt. It is, in truth, reasonable to believe that the fighting power of the Mahdi has been crippled for a very long time to come. It is certain that all fear ot attempted invasion this year may be dismissed. A few nf the retreating enemy have s irrendered, and most of the women and children and camp followers havs ooms within our lines. The fugitive warriors driven into the desert most die of thirst and hunger. This Is not our fault, but is due >0 s ern n-cessity. All men who surrender t > the British will be well treated, but it is almost impossible to make a Mahdist Understand thi*. The weather ie terribly trying, and everybody is glad that the camp ugn is over. The following telegram has bsen reeslvsd st the War Office from tbe Sirdar tn the Seore. terr of State for War;— Toski. 4th August, 9.34 p.m.—Our loss is as follows: —Killed, 17; wounded 131. Details as follows:— Ki led. 2757 Private Wasbbrook, SQtb and 16 Egyptian soldiers. Wounded; AregHl Major A. Hunter, Lancaster Regiment, tian Army; Lieut. B. Cotton, Shropshire L’cht JnUntry, Egyp'ien Army, dangerously; 20th Hussar*, 2469 Private J. Lindnp, severely; 2545 Lance Corporal H. Hatcher, s»verelv; 2557 Private F. Knowles, slightly j 2541 Private W Barnett, elightlv. Egyptian Army Cavalt'y: Lieutenant Abdalla Fikrl, severely; 10th Battalion, Captain Mohamed Cadhur, slightly; Lieutenant Mohamed Kamil, severely; and 12S non<oomatUiwasd officers and men. Reconnoitred with mounted troops at daylight this morning; found Dervish force completely broken up; cavalry following np tbe few fighting men that remain. I have now over 1000 prisoners and wounded Dervishes here, and refugees are oomingin fast. Gunboatspatrolling I have sent Wodehouse's column south to Abu Simbel, to bead retreating Dervishes, Ivory Emir but one unimpo'rtsnt one killed. •
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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 359, 3 October 1889, Page 2
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1,661THE BATTLE ON THE NILE. Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 359, 3 October 1889, Page 2
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