The great battle in the Soudan.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 3684, 13 April 1898, Page 2

The great battle in the Soudan.

London, April 9.— Advices to hand state that Sir H. H. Kitchener, the Sirdar of the Egyptian army, with 13,000 men, 24 guns, and 12 Maxims, after a weird night march conducted with perfect silence, halted a quarter of a mile from Mahmud's position on Friday morning, as the dawn broke. Fourteen thousand Dervish troops were located behind the zariba, "which was concealed by a labyrinth of earthworks and trenches. The British immediately opened a fierc-3 bombardment, which destroyed the zariba, killing many of the enemy. Then three brigades, with the Cameron and Seaforth High-% landers leading, and the pipers playing, charged the earthworks in the face of a leaden hail. They succeeded in carrying the camp at the bayonets' point without check. The Dervishes, who displayed conspicuous gallantry, lost over 2,000 men, ultimately breaking into a headlong rout, losing all their standards, 10 guns, and ammunition. Four thousand prisoners were taken, and the Soudanese captured Mahmud hiding in a hole, Osman Digna, however, fled early in the engagement. The British and Egyptians displayed extraordinary steadiness. Captain TJrquhf\rt, of the Cameron Highlanders, and Lieutenant Gore, of the Seaforth Highlanders, were killed, and 14 British officers were wounded. Ten British privates were killed, and 90 wounded. Fourteen Egyptian officers and 51 privates were killed, and 319 wounded. The army gave Sir H. Kitcheder a tremendous ovation at the conclusion of the battle. London, April 12. — The troops under General Kitchener, who took part in the recent battle, are returning to quarters. The wounded have been sent to Gennanette Hospital. As an illustration of the heavy fire which confronted the attacking army, the body of Piper Stewart, of the Cameron Highlanders, killed on the way to the Dervish Zareba, had no fewe^ than seven bullet wounds. The British brigade was fully 28 hours afast. Many Dervish fugitives have surrendered. Pahis, April 12.— Le Temps says that it shares the English rejoicing over General Kitchener's victory in common with the civilised world.