GRAPHIC NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE AT HASHEEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

GRAPHIC NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE AT HASHEEN.

Suddenly there was a great cry of alarm, rising loud above the din of the fatigueparties and the accompanying bustle of a great camp, and then hoarse cries from the officers, "Stand to your arms, men." Never was word of commsad more promptly obeyed. The men were scattered, many of them a considerable distance from their aims, but the brave fellows did their best to get into their allotted positions, As the square formed, the eighteen cavalry scouts came rushing in, crashing through our own lines, and then we saw and heard the leaping, roaring, fantastic, yet terrible-looking wave of black forms, whioh we knew was the enemy in strong and overwhelming force. Then came that terrible stampede of baggage animals, horses, camels, and mules, in one struggling, screeching, helpless, confused mass. The uproar was terrible, and must have been demoralising to any but most highly trained troops. I should think some fifty or sixty rebels got inside the squares in the first terrific rush, but not one lived to recount the exploit, everyone being either shot or bayonetted. Outside, away from the squares, a number of men on various fatigue duties, suoh as cutting brush for the zereba makers, were cut off from the main body. Undaunted, resourceful, they quickly improvised a square hard by the field kit* ohens. Their promptness saved their lives. Conspicuous amongst them were to be seen Major Alston and the Rev. Mr. Collins, one of our chaplains, fighting baok to back, the reverend combatant having seized the first available weapon, whioh he wielded as if to the manner born. Here, lam sorry to say, I must somewhat qualify my previous praise of the 17th loyal Poorbeahs, not, however, in respect to their actual fighting, which, as I have said, is splendid; but they were sadly unsteady, and in their excitement not amenable to that discipline, the display of which was so conspicuous by the Marines. The bugles were repeatedly sounded for them to cease firing, but they did not heed the command, and continued firing at perilous random, especially to the little square. As the bugles were ineffective, the Rev. Mr. Collins volunteered to cross the bullet-swept ground intervening, and convey the orders to cease firing. Stepping forth, calm and collected in demeanour, the chaplain walked, his life in his hand, across to tbe Indians, to whom he gave the necessary orders, and then returned as calmly to the little square which he had just left. His reception must have been soma compensation to the risks he had run. The men, struck with his heroism, raised cheer after cheer; and, sticking their helmets on their bayonets, frantically waved them in their enthusiasm. Meanwhile fearful havoo was being wrought amongst the camels; scarcely one transport camel or mule outside the squares escaped. Scores and scores of them were hamstrung by the enemy, and many more were killed by the fire from our own squares. The Berkshire square all this time had its hands full. Double as many rebels managed to get inside as was the case at the Marines' square, and there was some desperate hand-to-hand fighting, but the result was the same, and that afternoon, after the fight was over, we found 120 corpses on the ground enclosed by the flimsy brushwood parapets. The Berkshire men deserve and have reason to be proud of the praise unstintingly lavished upon them for their splendid courage and steadiness. Elvey fought under the eye of General M'Neill, who himself had the narrowest possible escape from death when the alarm was first raised. He was on horseback just outaide the zereba. As soon as be saw the enemy he gave the necessary orders, and then attempted to jump the brushwood barrier, an easy enough feat, but his horse shied and backed from the zereba. It waa a critical moment, for the rebels were rushing down at full speed, and were close upon him. Fortunately, the General's aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Charteris, saw the peril of his chief, and gallantly rushed to his rescue, and not a moment too soon, for the rebels were at close quarters. One Arab bad his gun pointed straight at the General, but Charteris turned the shot, and then, quickly turning, cut down another assailant with his sabre. Aβ Charteris was thus engaged he was attacked with the greatest fury by a little, young Arab, a mere boy in fact, not more than ten years old, The youngster fought like a tiger, and succeeded in spearing Charteris through the arm before he himself was shot. He was a gallant little follow ; he fought with all the courage of a man, and suffered a man's fate. I fanoy Lieutenant Charteris will bear more of that little incident, for he saved his General's life. About the middle of the fight there was some further trouble with the loyal Poorbeahs outaide the first square. They were ordered to retire, but the order seems to have been misunderstood, for Major Drurv, commanding the left battalion, halted bis men, and they gallantly kept the enemy at bay. The order to retire was repeated, and this time only too literally obeyed, for the Poorbeahs not merely retired, but rushed madly into the square, Major Drury, who vainly strove to stay the mad rush, was left somewhat in the rear, and, seeing one of his men drop, stopped and attempted to save him, although the enemy were close npon them. In another moment, indeed, they were hacking and thrusting at the heroic officer with their spears and swords. Grander heroism was never shown on a field of battle. For several minutes Drury fought with at least twenty rebels, and with his single sword kept them from their prey, nor did he abandon hie efforts to save his comrade until a spear wound in the neck and the danger of being hopelessly surrounded compelled him reluctantly to retire. No officer, perhaps, worked harder or was more conspicuous in the fi ; jht than Major Kelly. He seemed to be übiquitous, turning up at the nick of time whenever wanted, and cheerily rallying the men when it was needed. Bβ eves went outside the zereba, and nearly pwd for bis daring by his death. Several rebels rushed at him, and one struck him in the arm w ; th a spear. It seemed ' npossible Shat he could escape, but he was splendidly rescued by Lieutenant Dowville, 8.N., r.nd brought safely into tbe square, ,