Page:1902 Encyclopædia Britannica - Volume 27 - CHI-ELD.pdf/767

 MILITARY OPERATIONS.]

EGYPT 713 want of homogeneity of the force, and the unaccustomed be sent to Suakin, and that “ marines in red coats should tactics imposed upon the cavalry, somewhat hampered be frequently landed and exercised.” Lord Hartington the defence, and the square was broken at the left rear replied that the Government did not consider that a corner. Driven back upon the camels in the centre, the demonstration of this kind could be effective, and again troops fought hand to hand with the greatest gallantry. suggested stronger measures. On 8th January 1885 Lord Order was quickly restored, and the attack was repulsed Wolseley repeated that “the measures you propose will with a loss of 74 killed and 94 wounded. At least 1100 not assist my operations against Khartum,” adding:— of the enemy were killed. The wells being occupied I have from first endeavoured to impress on Government that I and a zenba formed, the column started on the evening am strong enough to relieve Khartum, and believe in being able to of the 18th. The wrong road was taken, and great send a force, when returning by way of Berber, to Suakin, to open confusion occurred, during the night, but at dawn this was road and crush Osman Cigna. rectified; and after forming a rough fort under fire, by On this very day the small Desert Column started from which Sir H. Stewart was fatally wounded, an advance Korti on its hazardous mission to the relief of a town was made at 3 p.m. The square was again heavily fully 270 miles distant, held by a starving garrison, and attacked, but the Arabs could not get to close quarters invested by 30,000 fighting men, mostly armed with good and in the evening a bivouac was formed on the Nile! The British losses on this day were 23 killed and 98 rifles. Before reaching the Nile the Desert Column had lost 300 men and was unable to take Metemmeh, while wounded. The Desert Column was now greatly its transport had completely broken down. On the 8th exhausted. On the 20th the village of Gubat was February Lord Wolseley telegraphed, “The sooner you occupied; and on the following day Sir C. Wilson, on can now deal with Osman Digna the better,” and recomwhom the command had devolved, advanced against mended the despatch of Indian troops to Suakin, to “ coMetemmeh, which was found too strong to assault. On operate with me in keeping road to Berber open.” On this day General Gordon’s four steamers arrived; 11th February, the day on which Sir R. Buller most and on the morning of the 24th Sir C. Wilson, with 20 wisely decided to withdraw the Desert Column from a British soldiers in red coats and about 280 Sudanese, position of extreme danger, it was determined at Korti started in the Bordein and Telahawiyeh for Khartum! that the River Column should proceed to attack Berber, The Bordein grounded on the following day, and again on and Lord Wolseley accepted the proposal of the Govern! the 26 th, by which twenty-four hours were lost. At ment to make a railway from Suakin, telegraphing 11 a.m. on the 28th Khartum was sighted, and it soon to Lord Hartington :— became clear that the town was in the hands of the By all means make railway by contract to Berber, or as far as enemy. After reconnoitring farther, the steamers turned can, during summer. It will be invaluable as a means of and proceeded down stream under a heavy fire, the you su and I recommend it being begun immediately. Contract Sudanese crews showing signs of disaffection. ’ The to Pply, be, if possible, for so much per ton military stores and supplies and men carried, per mile. Telahawiyeh was wrecked on 29th January and the Bordein on the 31st, Sir C. Wilson’s party being rescued on Every effort was now concentrated upon sending an 4th February by Lord C. Beresford in the Safieh, which had expeditionary force to Suakin, and before the end of come up from Gubat on receipt of news carried there by March about 13,000 men, including a brigade from India Lieutenant Stuart Wortley in a row-boat. Khartum had and a field battery from New South Wales, with nearly been taken and General Gordon killed on the morning of /000 camels and 1000 mules, were there assembled. 26th January 1885, having thus held out thirty-four days Lieutenant-General Sir G. Graham was placed in combeyond the date when he had expected the end. The mand of this force, with orders to break down the power garrison had been reduced to starvation; and of Osman Digna and to press the construction of the relict ex- the arrival of twenty British soldiers, with railway towards Berber. The troops at Suakin, on arrival, pedition. or(lers to return at once, could not have affected were much harassed by small night attacks, which ceased the situation. The situation of the Desert as soon as the scattered camps were drawn together. On Column and of its transport was most imperfectly under 19 th March Sir G. Graham, with the cavalry brigade and stood at Korti, where impossible plans were formed. the infantry of the Indian contingent, reconnoitred as far Fortunately Major-General Sir R. Buller, who arrived at as Hashin, finding the country difficult on account of the Gubat on. 11th February, decided upon withdrawal, thus dense mimosa scrub. The enemy occupied the hills and averting impending disaster, and by 16th March the fired upon the cavalry. On the 20th Sir G. Graham, with Desert Column had returned to Korti. about 9000 men, again advanced to Hashin, and The advance from Korti of the “River Column,” under Dehilbat Hill was taken by the Berkshire Regi- BattIe of Major-General Earle, began on 28th December, and great ment and the Royal Marines. A squadron of Hashindifficulties of navigation were encountered. On 10th the 9th Royal Lancers, which was dismounted in the thick February an action was fought at Kirbekan with about bush, was driven back with the loss of 9 men; but else800 of the enemy, entailing a loss of 10 killed, including where the Arabs never succeeded in closing, and the troops Major-General Earle, and 47 wounded. The column, now returned to Suakin in the afternoon, leaving the East commanded by Brigadier-General Brackenbury, continued Surrey Regiment in a zeriba covering some low hills near its slow advance, and on the morning of 24th February Hashin village. The total British loss was 9 killed and it was about 26 miles below Abu Hamed, a point where 39 wounded. the Korosko desert route strikes the Nile, 350 miles On 22nd March a force, consisting of two British and from Khartum. Here it received orders to retire, and three Indian battalions, with a naval brigade, a squadron it reached Korti on 8th March. of Lancers, two companies of Engineers, and a The verbal message received from General Gordon large convoy of camels carrying water and sup- McNeill’s on 30th December 1884 rendered the extreme danger of plies, under Major-General Sir J. McNeill, started Suakin ^ie Posifi°n at Khartum painfully apparent, and from Suakin for Tamai, with orders to form a half-way operations. t^ie English Minister for Wrar, acting on Sir E. zeriba. The advance was much impeded by the dense bush, Baring’s advice, offered to make an active and the force halted at Tofrik, about 6 miles out, at 10.30 demonstration from Suakin. To this proposal Lord a.m. A native had brought information that the enemy Wrolseley demurred, but asked that ships of war should intended to attack while the zeriba was being formed, and S. III.— 90