DERVISH HEROISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6138, 26 March 1898, Page 2

DERVISH HEROISM.

In the recent operations in the Soudan " Fuzzy Wuzzy " though defeated, proved himself, as he did a decade ago, a £ oeman worthy of the British soldier's steel. The story of the defence of Osobri, an important post between Kassala and Khartoum, which was captured during the last week of December, is as heroic as that of the famous stand made at Orakau by Rewi and his Maoris, and, indeed, resembles it in some particulars. Th c Baggara E mir in command, Abd el Raim, persisted in his refusal to surrender to the infidels, though he was offered quarter. The garrison must have suffered great privations. The animals within the fort were heard " ever raising cries of thirst, while the defenders, who during the first few days beat tomtoms and shouted defiance, became quite silent." After six days the end came after desperate fighting. The account given by the special correspondent of the Times says : —

"After dark fifty Dervishes from the post of Safir, one day's journey west of Osobri, on the Khartoum Road, where dhurra is cultivated, attacked the investing force, making a brave attempt to relieve the garrison by carrying them food and water. One company of the besiegers, engaged them, killing many, but, having exhausted their ammunition, retired on the next company for more, when the Dervishes rushed through the gap thus left in the cordon, entered the fort, and joined their comrades— a most heroic performance. At this moment the besiegers were opportunely reinforced by Aroda and 200 men, who had been ordered by Colonel Parsons to march from El Fasher, leaving 100 men watching Ghedaref. This raised the force to nearly 500, making the cordon more complete. Thus, when, later that night, twenty Dervishes made a rush from the fort to procure water, all, including an Emir, were killed. -- A . f ew. ; . hours later, when it was very dark,; twelve mounted Dervishes, who, avoiding -Jli Fasher, had. come from Ghedaref, arrived and attacked the men guarding the road from Safir, while at the same time the garrison, making a feint, opened a very heavy fire in the direction of the wells. On this the besiegers closed in to keep the Dervishes off the water, when the latter, eßcapingontheoppositesideofthefort,fledin the direction of Safir, the horsemen covering their flight, leaving their food and powder and all their property behind them. Their losses were .severe and six Dervish prisoners were taken.