THE SOUDAN SITUATION.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6053, 9 February 1885, Page 3

THE SOUDAN SITUATION.

General Stewart's forces reached Howenjatt wells on the 10th January, obtained a supply of water, and resumed the march to GakduL A detachment of the Essex Begiment will remain at Howenjatt, where a fort and hospital have been erected. There are few natives in the vicinity of Howenjatt. We experienced the difficulty of a desert march. The immense column started at 2 aan., and the march continued the whole day. We are going to Gakdul via Abukalfa wells, where we hope to find sufficient water for men and camels. A email party left at Howenjatt was fired into one night, but otherwise we have not been molested. Small parties of Arabs wearing the Mahdi's colors are roaming the desert, yet some sell us sheep, and assert jthere are only A few rebels at Metemneh. The heat b very trying, and camels go sixty hours without water, and the men are allowed only two pints daily. The water resembles pea soup in thickness. The soldiers freely offer a crown a tumbler for it. If the Arabs had been in active hostility they would have rendered the desert route impossible, as it would have been necessary for us to carry every ounce of food and water for both men and <"n"»niß. A despatch from Gakdul, received in London January the 16th says, thirty camels dropped dead on the march from Howengatt. The troops suffered severely, and the majority of the water ekins leaked, and the men yielding to their thirst exhausted their rations of water prematurely. Very few fell out of line, and the condition of the soldiers under the circumstances was splendid. All bore their hardships bravely, as is evidenced by their singing as cheerily as their parched throats would permit. They are keenly anxious to fight.