SIR A. ALISON’S RECONNAISSANCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6696, 3 October 1882, Page 4

SIR A. ALISON’S RECONNAISSANCE.

Sir A., Alison telegraphed to the War Office the following account of the action on the sth August last; — Alexandria, August 6, 1.35 a.m.—Persistent Native reports existing for the last two days that Arab) was retiring from Kafr-dawar upon Damanhour, I determined to make a reconnaissance which would ascertain clearly , whether Arabi still held his original position strongly. For this purpose I directed a halfbattalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and a half-battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, with one 9-pounder gun, and the whole of the mounted infantry, to advance along the east bank of fthe Mahmoudieh Canal. The GOth Rifles, with one 9 - pounder gun, were to advance along the west bank. This constitutedmy left attack. They were to follow the line of the canal till they reached a house in a grove of trees towards the point where the railway coming from Cairo approaches nearest to the canal. Along this line of rail a strong battalion of marines was to come up in a train to the Mahalla Junction, preceded by the navalarmored train carrying one 40-pounder, and two 9-pounders, a Nordenfeldt, and two Gatlings. The train was to stop at Mahalla Junction. The marines were to detrain there, and advance by the railway line, accompanied by the two 9-pounder guns, and covered by the lire of the 40pounder from the train. The left column commenced its advance at a quarter to 5 in the afternoon from the outpicket station of the Ramleh lines, moving by both banks of the canal. It soon came into action with the enemy, who were strongly posted in a group of palm trees on the eastern side, and a strong defensible house and gardens upon the other. These positions were carried. At this time Lieutenant Howard Yyse, of the Rifles, attached to the mounted infantry, and a soldier of the corps, were killed. The enemy then took up a position half-a-mile in rear of the first, upon the east bank of the canal, among high crops and houses, and behind the irregular banks of the canal. From this position also the enemy was driven with great loss. I accompanied the right column myself, which followed what was somewhat the chord of the arc upon which the left column was moving. I placed the marines and 9-pounder guns dragged by blue jackets to the west of and under cover of the railway embankment, and moved them forward as rapidly as possible and quite out of sight of the enemy engaged with Colonel Thaekwell, with a view of cutting off their retreat. After a time our movement was perceived ; the enemy opened upon us with arlil-' lery. I pushed on as rapidly as possible till I came to the point where the railway approaches nearest to the Mahmoudieh Canal. I then opened fire with musketry from the railway embankment upon the enemy lining the banks of the Mahmoudieh Canal. The two 9-pounders were dragged up on to the embankment, and came into action against the enemy’s guns, the 40pounder firing over our heads against the point were the enemy’s forces were beginning to appear. Fixing my right upon both aides of the embankment, I now threw forward two companies to carry a, house near the canal, and followed up this movement by throwing some four companies still more to my left upon the banks of and across the canal. I had now attained the position I wished, and formed a diagonal line across both the canal and the railway. The enemy fell back slowly before us._ The fire of their 9-pounders and 9-centimetre guns which they shortly after brought into action was speedily got under by the fire of my artillery. The object of the reconnaissance upon my part was attained. Desirous of inducing the enemy to develop his full power before withdrawing, I held my position for about threequarters of an hour, until dusk was rapidly drawing on. I determined npw to withdraw. This movement was carried out with the most perfect regularity and precision by the marine battalion under Colonel Tuson. They fell back by alternate companies with the regularity of a field-day. Every attempt of the enemy to advance was crushed by the beautiful precision of the 40-pounder and the steady firing of the 9-pounder naval guns. The losses of the enemy seem to have been very great, and they were so dispirited that, contrary to the usual practice of Asiatics, they made no attempt to follow up oui withdrawal. The guns and troops were quietly entrained at the Mahalla Junction, and slowly steamed back to Alexandria. At the same time the left column withdrew along the banks of the canalto the Ramleh lines unmolested. , As a reconnaissance, the success of the movement was all that I could wish. I regret to state that our loss has been somewhat heavy. It was especially so in the marine battalion and seamen under my immediate direction, who, I fear, have lost one man killed and some twenty wounded. In the left attack, so far as I have yet heard, there has been one officer, one private killed, and six or seven privates wounded. The other killed is, I grieve to state, Lieutenant Howard Yyse, of the Rifles. He was one of the most promising officers I have ever met. Detailed lists of the killed and wounded will be telegraphed as soon as received.