The British Army in the Soudan.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 233, 29 August 1884, Page 2

The British Army m the Soudan.

Mr John M'Donald has contributed an interesting paper to the Mneteenth Century, entitled v With Baker and Graham m the Eastern Soudan." He tells m offoctive language the deeds of heroism and bravery that took place at the different battles m the Egyptian campaign. Of the British, knack of making the best of every* thing, we give a notable fact. " The artillery-men from India had neither horses nor guns ; this was an unavoidable accident of the situation. They got guns from the fleet, they made mules do the work of horses, and some* how they picked up all the necessary accoutrements. The 10th Hussars, also from India, hud no horses ; they took over the horses of Baker's Egyptian cavalry. The saddlery, was rotten — there were not even hoelropes; the horses were badly shod and mo.sbj wretchedly trained. In a few. days: horses and saddlery looked so smart that one could scarcely recognise them," The Highlanders are described as passing through ihi» trying campaign without a murmur, and with the utmost good humor. The British soldiers contempt for the Egyptians is perfectly genuine ; ; hit admiration for the enemy can be readily conceived when we quote a common saying m the camp, "The pity of killing such splendid fellows who, after all, are only rebelling against chose rotteu Egyptians." So much has been said against oitr army, its weakness, the want of military skill shown by its officers, and the slurs cast upon the courage of privates, that it is a pleasure to chronicle, from an acknowledged authority such glowing deeds and gallant bravery as the following : — " Swarming out of the ravine close to our right front and right flank, and awifty running, like so many packs of hounds, the Arabs fell upon the right front and fight flank of the square. On they dashed, m spite of the fire which mowed them down by scores. Their myriad S|>earblads glittered amid the smoke and ! the dust. I sac on horse-back near the front line between the half-batal-lion of thej Highlanders. Viewed from that point, the recoil of the 42nd half-front somewhat resembled the slow swing of a door on its hinges . . . He stood out alone, that handsome Highlander, as? with his left leg extended, head turned slightly rightward, levelled ritle, he picked out his TLctinw ! Six yards m front of him a tall Arab, with upraised aim, was poisoning hia spear, about *to throw or rush. A puff of blue smoke, and the Arab bounded into the air, fell forward on his face as he had been shot through the heart. In a moment down went another l»y a bullet from the same weapon." Captain Scott-Stevenson had no elbow room to use his claymore, but being an accomplished boxer.Jie dealt his Arab foes crashing blows with the 'basket,' which sent those within his reach down like ninepins. Nor was his left arm idle. Colonel Byman, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, as he lay on the ground was assailed by four or five spearmen. Crack 1 craok ! crack ! went Byman's (revolver) weapon dropping or sufficiently maiming 1 an Arab at each touch of the trigger. The Colonel rose up, and while the main body of regiment was breaking pieces somed 30 of his mori rallied round. There they stood, those true heroes, back to back repelling with every bayonet thrust the repeated onslaughts of the Arab 3 who encircled them. Fifteen of Colonel Byman's men fell where they stood— their names are given m one of General Graham's Hispatches. All the 30 were very old soldieis, among the oldest m the regiment, and every man of the fifteen who perished bore three or four badges. Such; deeds of devotion might be seen m various parts of the field, showing that British valour is not quite dead.