Chapter XXIV: Part 24

Magdala was now almost reached. It stands among a sea of hills, its sides frowning and precipitous, at a height of more than 9,000 feet above the level of the sea, on the eastern part of a crescent; of which the hill called Fahla is the western extremity, while midway between the two rises the peak of Sellasye, looking in the distance like a triple topped mountain. Sellasye and Magdala are connected by a saddle about a mile long, flanked by precipices sloping down to ravines 3,000 feet below the level of the stronghold. On April 8th. the British Army encamped on the Talanta plateau, in full view of Magdala, and by the close of the next day the preparations for storming the fortress were complete. The army of Theodore, with his heavy guns, were posted on the flat-topped hill of Fahla, behind which rose his stronghold, towering on three sides precipitously from the plain. Between these hills and the British camp was a deep ravine, through which flows the muddy stream of the river Bashilo. While waiting for the arrival of the 2nd. Division, in the afternoon of April 10th., a reconnoitring party, with a mountain battery, under Colonel Milward, crossed the Bashilo, and advanced up the pass. The head of the baggage train was just reaching the plateau from the ravine below, when suddenly Theodore’s guns on Fahla opened fire on Colonel Milward, and several thousand men yelling defiance, led by chiefs on ponies, rushed furiously down the slopes of the hill. Part advanced across the plain but a large body hastened to attack the baggage train. Sir R. Napier sent the Punjab Pioneers to the assistance of Colonel Milward, and the Naval Brigade sent rocket after rocket among the Abyssinians, which for a time checked their progress, the missiles being new and strange to them; which enabled the 4th. regiment to get into line, and open fire with their Snider rifles, here for the first time used in actual warfare. The fire of the 4th. made terrible havoc in the ranks of the enemy; their General—Gabri[209]—fell, shot through the head, and the shattered remnant of his troops fled in confusion. In the ravine, the attack on the baggage train was more serious. The baggage guard defended themselves gallantly, but the Abyssinians pressed forward till the Punjaubees took them in flank, and after firing volley after volley into them, charged with the bayonet, and drove them back with a loss of more than 500 in killed alone. As the enemy retreated, the Naval Brigade again plied them with rockets, till they fled in all directions, few returning to Magdala. The blue jackets then turned their attention to the guns on Fahla, near which stood Theodore himself, and sent a shower of rockets among them with so accurate an aim that they were speedily deserted, and were quietly taken possession of a day or two afterwards by six men of the 33rd., two artillerymen, and three officers. The action only lasted about half an hour, and ended in a tempest of rain and thunder.

After this defeat Theodore made overtures for peace, and on the morning of the 11th. Mr. Flad and Lieutenant Prideaux were sent into the British camp to propose terms. None could be offered but those of unconditional surrender, with honourable treatment for himself and family. With this answer the envoys returned to Magdala. Great fears were entertained for their safety, as only two days before Theodore had butchered over three hundred native political prisoners, slaying some with his own hand, and throwing their bodies half-way down a precipice. The tyrant refused to surrender, but in the evening the captives were released and arrived in the British camp. Theodore then sent in a present of cattle, but finding no better terms could be obtained, gave way to despair, and attempted to escape from his stronghold. But the British were in front, and the Gallas, his most inveterate enemies, encircled Magdala on all other sides, rendering escape impossible. The greater part of his followers had also disbanded, or refused to obey his orders. On Easter Monday, April 13th., Magdala, naturally one of the strongest fortresses in the world, was carried by storm. The 33rd. regiment led the assault, and gained the top of Fahla, where some thousands of natives were found, who tendered their submission without a shot being fired. The men were disarmed, and all then allowed to depart, while the troops marched on over the shoulder of Sellasye towards Magdala. About two o’clock a fire of shot, shell, and rockets was opened on the huts and gateway of the fortress, and the 33rd., with a company of Engineers and Sappers, advanced to the attack. The ascent was by an extremely steep and narrow path, crowned by a rude gateway which had been filled up with stones; the approach to which was defended on both sides by a thick hedge, with stakes. A few determined men could have held the position against the assault of an army. The column reached the gate keeping up a continuous fire with their sniders, receiving but a few scattered shots in reply, by which not a man was killed, and only ten wounded; when the right hand companies planted their ladders, broke through the bushes, and entered the place. A few dead bodies were lying near the gate, which after some trouble was opened from inside, and the rest of the stormers rushed in. All resistance then ceased. Theodore was found about fifty yards from a second gate, lying shot through the head. In the moment of his utter defeat, resolving never to be taken alive, he had discharged a pistol into his mouth. His body was buried in a church within the precincts of the fortress, the huts of which were burnt, the gates blown up, and all the guns burst and destroyed. Theodore’s Queen, with her son, placed herself under the protection of the British, but the Queen died during the return march. Her son was brought to England, when he was carefully educated, but died a few years after of consumption. The return of the expedition was as successful as its advance, and before the end of June, the last man had left Annesley Bay.

For his services Sir R. Napier was raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Napier of Magdala, with a pension; and a large number of Commanderships and Companionships of the Bath were distributed among the other officers who took part in the operations. The total expense of the expedition was between eight and nine millions.

The following regiments received the medal:—3rd. Dragoon Guards; Royal Artillery and Engineers; the 4th., 26th., 33rd., and 45th. Foot; the Naval Brigade; Scinde Horse; 3rd. Bombay Cavalry; 10th. Bengal Lancers; 12th. Bengal Cavalry; Bombay and Madras Sappers and Miners; 1st., 2nd., 3rd., 10th., 18th., 21st., 25th., and 27th. Bengal Native Infantry.

THE ASHANTEE MEDAL.

This Medal was granted by a General Order of June 13th., 1874, to all officers and men who had served on the Gold Coast between the 9th. of June, 1873, and February 4th., 1874. Obverse, head of the Queen, veiled and crowned, with the inscription “Victoria Regina.” Reverse, a bush fight, in relief, from the design of E. J. Poynter, R.A., the name and regiment, or ship, of the recipient, with the date, “1873–4,” are engraved on the edge of the medal. A clasp inscribed “Coomassie” was added. Ribbon, alternate stripes of yellow and black. Given to both services. About eleven thousand of this medal was issued.

THE ASHANTEE MEDAL.
]

THE ASHANTEE WAR.
1873–74.

Cape Coast Colony is situated on the west coast of Africa. The town, called Cape Coast Castle, has been in the possession of the British since the 17th. century, and a tract of country extending back eighty miles from the coast to the river Prah, is under their protection. To the west of Cape Coast Castle is the Dutch post of Elmina. North and west of the river Prah, is the country of the Ashantees, a fierce and warlike tribe, who had conquered or driven out all their neighbours, and founded Coomassie as their capital, about one hundred and forty miles to the north of Cape Coast Castle. Their religion is the most degraded fetishism, and hundreds of human beings were slaughtered yearly as sacrifices by their king.

The Ashantees had a communication with the sea through Elmina, and the Dutch were in the habit of sending their king an annual present—or tribute as he considered it—but the Dutch having exchanged Elmina with the British for some ports higher up the coast, in 1868, the transfer gave great offence to the black potentate, who asserted that the place belonged to him, and that the Dutch had no right to dispose of it.

The unwarlike Fantis inhabiting the country between Cape Coast Castle and the Prah, were regarded with utter contempt by the Ashantees, who also held the fighting powers of the British in no high estimation, for in the year 1824, Sir Charles Macarthy, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, crossed the Prah with a small force, against them, and being deserted by the Fantis, was surrounded and completely destroyed—three white men only escaping. This defeat had never been avenged, and encouraged the Ashantees, in 1873, to cross the Prah with the intention of capturing Elmina. A small force comprising seven companies of the 2nd. West India Regiment, with a large body of Fantis under Lieutenant Hopkins, endeavoured to stop their advance, but after a short skirmish the Fantis fled, and the Lieutenant was obliged to retreat. The Ashantees took possession of Dunquah, and threatened to attack Elmina and Cape Coast Castle, and had they pushed on, both places would probably have fallen into their hands. At this juncture H.M.S. “Barracouta,” Captain Fremantle, arrived on the coast, having on board a detachment of one hundred and ten marines, commanded by Colonel Festing, R.M.A. The marines landed at Cape Coast Castle June 9th.; Colonel Festing took command of the troops, and martial law was proclaimed.

The native inhabitants of Elmina joined the Ashantees, a strong body of whom advanced on the town, which was bombarded and burnt by the “Barracouta.” Colonel Festing, with the marines, a detachment of the 2nd. West India Regiment, a body of Houssas, a party of sailors from the “Barracouta,” “Druid,” “Seagull,” and “Argus,” under Capt. Fremantle, attacked the enemy, and drove them back with a loss of two hundred men.

More skirmishes followed; the “Simoon” arrived with a strong body of marines, also Commodore Commerell in the “Rattlesnake” from the Cape of Good Hope, who assumed the command of the marine forces; but shortly after in an advance up the Prah with the boats of the squadron, he was fired upon by the enemy concealed in the bush, and so severely wounded that he was ordered at once to return to the Cape.

On October 2nd. Sir Garnet Wolseley landed at Cape Coast Castle, with some twenty British officers, but no troops, having called at Sierra Leone _en route_, and made arrangements for raising men from the tribes on the coast. Efforts were immediately made to form an army of Fantis, but after a month’s experience, Sir Garnet gave up the attempt as hopeless, and wrote to England for a force of disciplined troops. A body of Houssas were trained as gunners by Captain Rait and Lieutenant Wilmot, R.A., who performed their duties admirably throughout the expedition, and two regiments of natives from the bravest tribes, of about four hundred men each, were raised and well drilled by British officers. One of these regiments was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Evelyn Wood, the other by Major Russell, and the men on all occasions behaved well and courageously.

Captain Glover, formerly of the Royal Navy, also raised a large Native force, with which he prepared to make the river Volta his base of operations, and to march on Coomassie from the east. Glover had been administrator at Lagos, and possessing a thorough knowledge of the native tribes on the coast, his undertaking proved to be completely successful.

In the meantime, Sir G. Wolseley, with a body of marines, sailors, and Houssas, made an attack on the Ashantees occupying villages near Elmina, and put them to flight. A camp had been formed at Abrakampa, a place of much importance, which had been a missionary station, surrounded by thick woods. It was garrisoned by Major Russell with his black regiment, and a body of seamen and marines, who totally defeated a determined attack made on the position by the enemy, who after this repulse began to retreat across the Prah.

The invasion of the Protectorate had failed, and the invaders were driven across the frontier, by native levies, “admirably conducted by British officers, without the assistance of any English troops except the marines and blue jackets who were on the station.”

Major Home, R.E., now commenced a road twelve feet in width, towards the Prah. A camp was formed at Prahsu to accommodate two thousand European troops, with a hospital and storehouses, which on January 3rd., 1874, was occupied by a Naval Brigade of about two hundred and eighty men, under Commodore Hewett and Captain Grubbe.

On new year’s day, the 42nd. Highlanders, the Rifle Brigade, with detachments of the 23rd. Fusiliers, Royal Engineers, and Royal Artillery disembarked at Cape Coast Castle, numbering in all two thousand five hundred and four men. Early in January the whole of the British troops reached Prahsu, and on the 20th., a bridge across the Prah being completed by the sailors and engineers, the march on Coomassie began.

Lord Gifford, in command of a party of native scouts, led the advance, and was followed by the two regiments of natives, under Colonels Wood and Russell. The country through which the troops marched was almost entirely covered by trees, with an undergrowth of dense scrub and creepers, through which it was impossible to pass, unless where natural paths existed, or a way had been cut by the pioneers. Marshes also lay in every direction, which emitted exhalations destructive to the health and lives of Europeans exposed to their noxious influence. Fommanah, a village thirty miles from Coomassie, was entered without opposition, January 24th.

Koffee Kalkalli, the Ashantee king, alarmed by the British advance, sent in some German missionaries, whom he had kept for some time as prisoners, and dispatched letter after letter asking for peace. His object being only to gain time, and the demand of Sir G. Wolseley for hostages being disregarded, the troops continued their march, and the reply sent to the king was, the British meant to go to Coomassie.

Information that the Ashantees were posted in great force in the villages of Amoaful and Becquah, being received by the General, he resolved to attack them immediately. On the morning of January 31st. was fought the battle of Amoaful, about twenty miles from Coomassie, where Amanquatia, the best Ashantee General, had concentrated an army of twenty thousand warriors. The British force consisted of the 42nd. Highlanders, under Major Macpherson; 2nd. Battalion Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Warren; and a detachment of the 23rd. Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mostyn. These regiments formed the “White Brigade,” commanded by Brigadier Sir A. Alison. The other troops consisted of the Naval Brigade, under Captain Grubbe; a detachment of the 2nd. West India regiment, under Lieutenant Jones; the Houssa Artillery, under Captain Rait, R.A.; and the native regiments of Russell and Wood. The 42nd. led the attack, with the Naval Brigade and Russell’s and Wood’s natives on the flanks; the Rifle Brigade being held in reserve. The enemy fought most stubbornly, and the thick bush favouring their mode of fighting, for some time but little advance was made. Though the village of Agamassie had been carried, the Ashantees still held the bush not two hundred yards from it, and made desperate efforts to retake the place, while so heavy was the fire they maintained that the air seemed literally alive with slugs. Two companies of the Rifles were sent up as reinforcements. Rait’s Artillery poured round after round of grape into the bush, till the fire of the enemy slackened, and they fled before the rush of the 42nd. At the top of the hill they again made a stand, and contested every foot of ground, but gave way at another charge, and the British gained the open clearing in which the village of Amoaful was situated. A fire was opened from the houses, but the 42nd. drove the Ashantees out of the place, and all resistance in that quarter was at an end. But the enemy were not yet beaten. When the battle seemed to be over they made a final and furious attempt to turn the flank of the British, and retake the village of Agamassie. The Rifle Brigade marched back and met them, and after a sharp contest of an hour the Ashantees rapidly retreated, and the day was won. The action altogether lasted twelve hours, the British casualties being Captain Buckle, R.E., and three men killed, and twenty-one officers and one hundred and seventy-three men wounded. Nearly every fourth man of the 42nd. had been hit, among them being Major Macpherson. The loss of the enemy was estimated at between two and three thousand, including their General Amanquatia. The troops took up their quarters for the night at Amoaful.

Next day the village of Becquah was taken, and the advance continued to a place called Aggemamu, fifteen miles from Coomassie. The General now stated his intention of making a dash on the capital, and the men were asked if they would make their rations for four days last for six, if required. Their answer was “Most willingly.” Over streams and through swamps they pushed on, disregarding a message from King Koffee, without hostages, and reached the river Ordah, over which the Engineers at once commenced to make a bridge. By daybreak on February 4th. the bridge was finished, and the troops passed over, the Naval Brigade being left to guard the passage. The enemy immediately fired on the advance, but with a dash the village of Ordashu was carried by the Rifles, and held in spite of repeated efforts of the Ashantees to retake it. About noon, the 42nd., supported by the Rifles and Rait’s Artillery, moved direct on Coomassie, and disregarding repeated flank attacks and ambuscades, carried position after position; till the enemy finally broke and fled in complete disorder, leaving the ground strewn with umbrellas, war-chairs of chiefs, drums, muskets, and killed and wounded. An halt of about an hour was then made, when the whole force again advanced, crossing the pestilential swamp which surrounds the town, and entered Coomassie without opposition about half-past five p.m. A party was sent to the palace, who found the King and Princes had fled. To remain at Coomassie was impossible, owing to the lack of supplies, and the rains having commenced the rivers would soon become impassable. Sir G. Wolseley therefore determined to destroy the town and palace, and return to the coast.[210]

Next morning the return march began. The King’s palace was blown up, and the town set on fire and destroyed. So thorough had been the defeat of the Ashantees that the troops were not molested on their return, and on February 12th., during a halt at Fommanah, ambassadors from King Koffee overtook the army, bringing with them one thousand ounces of gold, as a portion of the indemnity of the fifty thousand ounces demanded, and returned with a treaty of peace which the King eventually signed. The chief terms dictated by Sir G. Wolseley were, besides the indemnity, the abolition of human sacrifices, and perpetual peace. So salutary has been the effects of this successful expedition on the Ashantees, that they have never since disturbed their neighbours across the Prah. About a week after Sir G. Wolseley had left Coomassie, Captain Glover, at the head of nearly five thousand natives, entered the town, having marched from the Volta river. King Koffee sent him by an ambassador, a plateful of gold as a sign of submission, and Glover then proceeded southwards with his forces into friendly territory, having performed his arduous undertaking with the utmost daring, judgment, and success. A day or two before, Captain R. Sartorius, of the 5th. Bengal Cavalry, was dispatched by Captain Glover[211] to report to Sir G. Wolseley that he was within eighteen miles of the capital. He started on his adventurous errand with forty natives, but without provisions, as he expected to meet the General at Coomassie. At the close of the first day he halted at a village, seven miles from the capital, when he heard that the place was burnt and the English gone. Fully aware of his danger he determined to push on, and the next morning rode through Coomassie, which he found destroyed and deserted. Night found him at Amoaful, and the day following he reached the head-quarters at Fommanah, having travelled fifty-five miles through the heart of the Ashantee country. Not a shot was fired at him throughout his journey, and he saw but few Ashantees, who fled at his approach.

For this and other services, Captain Sartorius deservedly gained the Victoria Cross. The troops, with the Major-General and his staff, reached Cape Coast Castle on February 19th. In the actions during the march on Coomassie the total number of officers and men killed and wounded was two hundred and sixty-nine. Eight only were killed, and about one hundred and sixty were but slightly wounded, but many of the troops and Naval Brigade died of fever.

Thirty-three officers engaged in the expedition received the Order of the Bath; Lord Gifford received the Victoria Cross, and Captain Glover was made a Knight of St. Michael and St. George. Sir G. Wolseley, who declined a baronetcy offered him, was voted a sum of £25,000 in recognition of his services.[212]

The cost of the war was estimated at £900,000.

The troops who served in this campaign were the 23rd. and 42nd. Foot; 2nd. Battalion Rifle Brigade; 2nd. West India Regiment; the Houssa Artillery; and Naval Brigade.

THE EGYPTIAN AND SOUDAN MEDALS.

By a General Order in October, 1882, a medal was granted to all troops who landed in Egypt, and served there, between July 16th. and September 14th., 1882. Obverse, head of the Queen, veiled and crowned, with the inscription, “Victoria Regina et Imperatrix.” Reverse, a Sphinx, on a pedestal, above which is the word “Egypt” and the date “1882” below. The name and regiment, or ship of the recipient, are engraved on the edge. Ribbon, alternate stripes of blue and white. Two clasps were issued with this medal, “Alexandria,[213] 11th. July,” and “Tel-el-Kebir.” The first was given to the seamen and marines engaged in the action of July 11th., and who landed in Alexandria after the bombardment; and the other to all who were present at Tel-el-Kebir—soldiers, sailors, and marines.

At the end of the first Soudan War, 1884, a similar medal, but without a date, was given to all men of both services who took part in the operations against the Arabs in the neighbourhood of Suakim, from July 19th. to March 26th., 1884. Ribbon, blue and white. Four bars were issued with this medal:—“Suakim, 1884”; “El Teb—Tamaai”; to those who were present at both these battles; “El Teb,” to those present there only; and “Tamaai,” to those who were only in that action.

The Egyptian Medal.
]

By a General Order in 1885, at the close of the second Soudan campaign, the same medal was granted to the troops and Naval Brigade, with five additional bars. Ribbon, the same. The order specified that—“Individuals already in possession of the decoration will only be eligible to receive such of the clasps specified hereafter, as they may be entitled to. All officers and soldiers who served south of Assouan on or before March 7th., 1885, will be held entitled to the medal, except those who are already in possession of it. All officers and soldiers who were on duty at Suakim between 27th. March, 1884, and 14th. May, 1885, will also be entitled to the medal, except those already in possession of it. Her Majesty has further approved of clasps being issued as follows: a clasp, inscribed ‘The Nile, 1884–85,’ to those officers and soldiers who served south of Assouan on or before March 7th., 1885. A clasp, inscribed ‘Abu Klea,’ to those officers and soldiers who took part in the action fought there on 17th. January, 1885, under the late Major-General Sir H. Stewart, K.C.B. A clasp, inscribed ‘Kirbekan,’ to those officers and soldiers who took part in the action fought there on the 10th. February, 1885, under the late Major-General Earle, C.B. A clasp, inscribed ‘Suakim, 1885,’ to those officers and soldiers who were engaged in the operations at Suakim between the 1st. March and 14th. May, 1885, both inclusive. A clasp, inscribed ‘Tofrek,’ to those officers and men who were actually present at the action fought there on the 22nd. March, 1885.” No medals were issued with single clasps for Tofrek, Abu Klea, or Kirbekan, as all who were present at Tofrek received also the clasp for Suakim, 1885; and all present at the other two actions, were given the clasp for the Nile, 1884–5. The medals without a bar, dating from 1882 to 1885–86, were also given to the captains of all ships employed as transports, and to others who shared in the campaign, not belonging to the service. The whole number issued was forty-four thousand. The medal, without clasp, was also given to all officers and soldiers who served at, and to the South of Wady Halfa, between November 30th., 1885, and January 11th., 1886, under Lieutenant-General Sir J. Stephenson, if they had not received it for any previous campaign.

A General Order of January 2nd., 1890, granted a further issue of the Soudan medal, with a clasp, inscribed “Gemaizah, 1888,” to all troops who were at Suakim before December 20th., 1888, and who were present at the action on that day. By the same order, the medal was given to all troops who were employed on the Nile, at, and south of Korosko, on August 3rd., 1889, and a clasp, inscribed “Toski, 1889,” was given to all who were present at that action on August 3rd. of the same year. The total number of clasps already issued with this medal is thirteen.[214]

The Khedive of Egypt gave a bronze star, to every officer and man of both services who was entitled to the English medal. The star is five-pointed, and suspended by a ring and bar, on which is a small star and a crescent. On the obverse is a Sphinx, with the Pyramids in the background, surrounded by a band, with the word “Egypt,” and the date 1882, 1884, or 1884–6 above, and the same in Arabic below. On the reverse is the Khedive’s monogram in a circle, surmounted by a crown. Ribbon, dark blue. The decoration was issued without names, but some of the recipients had their names and regiments engraved on the reverse at their own expense.

THE EGYPTIAN WAR. BOMBARDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.

JULY 11TH., 1882.

Early in the year 1882, what may be styled a revolution took place in Egypt. The army, headed by Arabi Pasha, set aside the authority of the Khedive, and assumed the supreme power, with the intention of emancipating the country from all foreign control. Arabi had entered the Egyptian army, and had risen from the ranks to the position of colonel. Being the idol of the ignorant soldiers, he imprisoned the Khedive in his own palace, and compelled him to bestow the post of Minister of War on himself. He next made himself Pasha, and the bulk of the Egyptian people supporting the army, Arabi became the head of the national movement, and inscribed on his banners: “Egypt for the Egyptians.” These proceedings were viewed with apprehension in England. The Khedive had always been favourable to British interests, and the support afforded him by the British so excited the hostility of Arabi and his party, that they threatened to seize the Suez Canal, and so block the highway to India. The Egyptians beginning to show the greatest animosity towards all foreigners, an English and French fleet appeared before Alexandria, to give moral support to the Khedive, and to protect the European inhabitants. In June, serious riots broke out in the city, many Europeans were killed and wounded, and the remainder driven to seek shelter on board the ships in the harbour. Preparations for war were made on both sides. The fortifications of Alexandria were strengthened, new batteries constructed, and the garrison increased. Sir Beauchamp Seymour, the British Admiral, ordered the Egyptians to discontinue these operations, with no effect; upon which he sent in an ultimatum threatening an immediate bombardment, unless the working on the fortifications was suspended, and the forts surrendered to him. No attention was paid to this demand, and the fleet prepared for action.

The Khedive’s Star.
]

The French fleet had already left Alexandria; all neutral vessels were warned to leave the harbour, and the British fleet steamed out and took its position opposite the outer forts. On the evening of July 10th., the “Invincible” (10), “Monarch” (6), and “Penelope” (10), anchored to the west of Fort Mex, and by daybreak on the 11th. all the other ironclads were in the positions assigned to them. At 6.30 all the ships cleared for action, which was begun by the “Alexandra” pitching a shell into Fort Ada. It was immediately replied to, upon which all the ships and the forts opened fire, and the engagement became general. The “Sultan” (13), “Alexandra” (12), “Superb” (4), and “Inflexible” (4), were opposed to the forts at Pharos Point and Ras-el-Tin, and the “Téméraire” (8), supported the Invincible, Monarch, and Penelope, in the attack on Fort Mex, and the adjoining batteries. The gunboats “Bittern,” “Condor,” “Decoy,” “Cygnet,” and “Beacon” were placed in a second line behind the ironclads, with orders to hold themselves at the disposal of the Admiral.

The wind was favourable to the Egyptians, and after the first broadside or two a thick cloud of smoke enveloped the ships, making it impossible to see the effects of their firing, which could only be directed from the tops.

The gunboats were not willing to remain idle spectators, so, without orders, the “Cygnet” opened fire, and the “Condor,” with two 64-pounders, and one 7-inch rifled gun, steamed away to the west, and alone engaged the Marabout Fort, armed with two 18-ton, and two 12-ton guns, twenty 32-pounders, and five mortars; for nearly two hours. Sir B. Seymour, seeing the disproportion of force, signalled the “Bittern” and “Beacon” to join her, and the other gunboats also moved off to assist the “Condor.”

About 8.30, Fort Marsa-el-Kanat was blown up by shells from the “Invincible” and “Monarch,” and by nine o’clock, the “Téméraire,” “Monarch,” and “Penelope” had disabled all the guns but four, in Fort Mex. It was difficult through the smoke to hit on the locality of these guns, but by 11 a.m. the Fort was almost in ruins, and silent. About the same time the gunboats had silenced Fort Marabout, and joined the ironclads before Fort Mex, which was entered by a small party of volunteers from the “Invincible,” covered by the “Bittern” and “Condor,” and found deserted by all but the dead. The guns in the Fort were blown up and destroyed, and the party returned to the ships without loss.

The Egyptians stood to their guns well, but before five o’clock all their guns were disabled, and soon after all firing from the fleet ceased, and the ships drew off the shore. The “Alexandra” suffered the most, she was hit fourteen times in her hull, and a shell burst in the captain’s cabin. All the ships except the “Monarch” were struck more or less, but none of the projectiles of the enemy pierced the armour of one of them. The casualties of the British were five men killed and twenty-seven wounded, those of the Egyptians were estimated at nine hundred or a thousand.

During the night Alexandria was seen to be in flames. The convicts had been liberated, and with the Arabs, had set fire to, and plundered the European quarter, and massacred all the Europeans they could find.

Next day, a force of six hundred seamen and marines landed, and found that Arabi with his troops, and most of the inhabitants, had left the town. Captain Lord C. Beresford, of the “Condor,” was appointed chief of the British forces acting as police in Alexandria, the streets were cleared of rioters, all incendiaries shot on the spot, and natives entering the place, disarmed[215] For his services, Admiral Sir F. B. Seymour received the thanks of both Houses, and was raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Alcester, with a grant of £25,000.

TEL-EL-KEBIR.
SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1882.

Sir Archibald Alison commanded the troops at Alexandria, and kept the Egyptians at bay till the arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley from England, on August 15th., who at once changed the base of operations from Alexandria to the Suez Canal. Leaving a division of troops under Sir E. Wood to protect the town, on August 19th. the fleet and army sailed for Port Said,[216] and proceeded up the Suez Canal to Ismailia, which place was occupied without resistance, and the army disembarked. Owing to the difficulties of transport there was considerable delay before the troops were able to advance, and in the meantime Arabi had collected a large army at a strongly fortified position at Tel-el-Kebir. On August 28th. a most determined attack was made on the British advanced force at Kassassin; consisting of under two thousand men, including the Marine Artillery, commanded by General Graham, by about ten thousand of the enemy, with twelve guns; but after a day’s hard fighting, the cavalry, under General Drury Lowe, charged the Egyptians in the rear, and routed them with loss. By September 11th., the whole expeditionary force, including the Indian contingent,[217] commanded by General Sir H. Macpherson, was assembled at Kassassin, and the next day General Wolseley having carefully reconnoitered the enemy’s position, explained to his officers his plan of attack. This was, to move with his whole force at nightfall, and marching eight miles through the desert, to attack the Egyptian entrenchments with the bayonet at daybreak.

The enemy’s position was defended by sixty guns, and a disciplined force of about twenty thousand men, besides several thousand irregular troops. The British army consisted of eleven thousand infantry, two thousand cavalry, and forty-two guns, including the Indian contingent. In the evening the camp was struck, and the troops moved out, piled their arms, and lay down on the sand till one o’clock in the morning, when they silently fell into rank and advanced. Marching across the desert, guided by the light of the stars, with occasional halts; as day began to break the dim outlines of the entrenchments of Tel-el-Kebir became visible. On the extreme right were the Cavalry and mounted Infantry, with two batteries of Horse Artillery; next was General Graham’s Brigade, with the Guards in support; in the centre was massed the Artillery, forty-two guns, and on the left the Highland Brigade, supported by the 46th., 3rd. Battalion 60th. Rifles, and a Battalion of Royal Marine Artillery; on the line of railway was the Naval Brigade, with a forty-pounder on a truck, and on the other side of the canal the 72nd. and the Indian troops. So silent was the advance of the assailants in the early dawn that they were not perceived by the enemy till they were within three hundred yards of the works. Then suddenly a terrific fire flashed along the line of sand-heaps, and a storm of bullets swept over the heads of the advancing troops. Not a shot was fired in reply, but a wild cheer broke from the Highlanders as they dashed at the enemy’s trenches. The first line of entrenchments was carried, but from a second line the enemy opened a heavy fire. For a few minutes the Highlanders replied, and then, making another rush, a hand to hand contest followed, till some of the force penetrated between the redoubts and opened a flank fire on the Egyptians, who soon broke and fled. Graham’s brigade was vigorously opposed on the other flank. The enemy here were not taken by surprise, and for a while held their ground stubbornly. The 18th. Royal Irish were sent to turn their left, and with a yell they went straight at the works, and carried them at the bayonet’s point. The 18th. were followed by the 84th. and 87th., but the Egyptians, though outflanked, clung to an inner line of trenches, and at every angle and redoubt, rallied and sustained the fight. But they fell in scores before the bayonet charges, the inner entrenchments were won, the Highlanders were in the midst of their camp, and the enemy, losing heart, fled in confusion, pursued by the cavalry.

Within an hour from the commencement of the attack the Egyptian army was in complete rout. The whole of their guns (sixty-six) and military stores, several trains of ammunition, and other _matériel_, fell into the hands of the victors. The British pressed on in pursuit. Zagazig was occupied in the afternoon, and the next day, General Drury Lowe, with fifteen hundred Cavalry and a battery of Horse Artillery, entered and took possession of Cairo, containing twenty-seven thousand fanatics and its citadel garrisoned by ten thousand men. At ten o’clock the same night, Arabi surrendered himself to General Lowe, and on September 15th., Sir Garnet Wolseley, with a portion of his infantry, entered the city,[218] and telegraphed to London—“The war is over, send no more troops to Egypt.” The British loss in this battle was nine officers and forty-eight non-commissioned officers and men killed[219]; twenty-seven officers, and three hundred and fifty-three non-commissioned officers and men wounded; and twenty-two men missing; total of casualties, four hundred and fifty-nine. The loss of the enemy, exclusive of prisoners, was over two thousand killed and wounded.

The regiments which shared in this decisive victory were detachments of 1st. and 2nd. Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards; 4th. and 7th. Dragoon Guards, and 19th. Hussars; a battalion each of Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards; the 18th., 42nd., 46th., 60th., 72nd., 74th., 75th., 79th., 84th., and 87th. Also a Naval Brigade of about two hundred men; a battalion of Marine Artillery and Light Infantry, and the Indian Contingent.

THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN. BATTLE OF EL TEB.
FEBRUARY 29, 1884.

The Khedive, Tewfik, had been reinstated in Egypt, the English army of occupation had been reduced, and preparations made for the evacuation of the country, when in 1883, a formidable insurrection against the Egyptian rule broke out in the Soudan. It was headed by a fanatic who assumed the title of the Mahdi, or Messiah, and who was regarded by the Soudanese as the successor of Mahomet, and their deliverer from the yoke of the Egyptians. An Egyptian army sent against him under Hicks Pasha, was almost annihilated on November 3rd., and his followers then overran the Soudan, and besieged the Egyptian garrisons in the towns they occupied. One of the chiefs of the Madhi, called Osman Digma, had invested the towns of Sinkat and Tokar, and was threatening the port of Suakin, on the Red Sea. Admiral Sir W. Hewitt was ordered to protect Suakin, and with the “Ranger,” “Spynx,” “Decoy,” and “Euryalus,” took his station off the town, landed a body of seamen and marines, and effectually defended it against Osman Digma and his followers. Valentine Baker Pasha, with an ill-disciplined force of 5000 Egyptians, was then sent to relieve the beleagured garrisons. He landed at Trinkitat, and marched towards Tokar, but was attacked by the tribesmen of Osman Digma at El Teb, on February 1st., and disastrously defeated, with the loss of more than half his men; nearly all the British officers accompanying him being slain.

The Egyptian garrison of Sinkat, finding themselves without hope of relief, and their provisions exhausted, then gallantly marched out, and endeavoured to cut their way to the coast, but were surrounded, and exterminated, not a man escaping to tell the tale.

English troops were then sent from Egypt and Aden, and a force was assembled at Suakin under Major-General Graham, which proceeded by sea to Trinkitat, and disembarked there February 23rd. A day or two before, the garrison of Tokar surrendered and joined the enemy. By February 26th., most of the stores being landed, the bulk of the troops marched out of Trinkitat and encamped at Fort Baker, about two miles on the road towards Tokar, where a supply of food and water for three days had been provided. The 65th. regiment having arrived from Aden, the next morning, February 29th., the advance towards Osman Digma’s position at El Teb began in earnest. Numbered roughly, the column consisted of about 4000 men. The advance was made in a hollow square, the transport animals and hospital equipment being in the centre. In front was the 75th. Highlanders; in rear the 42nd.; on the right the 89th. and 60th. Rifles; on the left the 65th. Royal Marine Artillery, and Light Infantry. Intervals were left at the angles for the guns and gatlings; the Naval Brigade of one hundred and sixty-two men, under Commander Rolfe, of the “Euryalus,” occupying the front and the Royal Artillery the rear angles. Two squadrons of the 10th. and 19th. Hussars were in the front and on the flanks, the rest of the cavalry in the rear, under Colonel Stewart. With the troops were Admiral Sir W. Hewitt, General Baker Pasha, in charge of the Intelligence Department, and Colonel F. Burnaby. The square advanced over the track taken by Baker’s ill-fated troops a few weeks previously, whose bodies lay about in hundreds, polluting the air. The position of the enemy was on a low ridge, marked by a number of banners, and at several points along the line, which extended nearly a mile, guns could be seen placed. As the troops neared the enemy, who were seen to be in great strength, General Graham determined to turn their position and take it in reverse. The square continued to march obliquely past the left front of the enemy, when a sharp fire of musketry broke out, and two Krupp guns opened upon it with case shot and shell. This was about 11 o’clock. The square halted, the men ordered to lie down, and four guns of the Royal Artillery and the machine guns were brought into action. The Krupp guns which had been captured from Baker’s force, and were now worked by Egyptian artillerymen from Tokar, were well handled, many men were struck, and General Baker wounded in the face by a piece of a shell; but the machine guns of the Naval Brigade poured such a stream of bullets upon them, that the two guns were silenced, being taken in reverse, and the gunners killed, or driven from them. Then the order was given to advance, the bagpipes struck up, the men sprang to their feet with a cheer, and went straight at the enemy’s position. From every bush and pit the Arabs leaped up, and rushed on the advancing troops. The brunt of their attack fell on the 42nd., the 65th., and the Naval Brigade. Swept away by the deadly fire of the machine guns and rifles, the Soudanese came on again with their spears and cross-hilted swords, in groups of twenty and thirty, and sometimes alone, but not one broke through the line of bayonets. The Cavalry then swept round the right flank of the square, and charged in three lines, over the broken ground, swarming with Arabs; who crouching among the scrub, hamstrung the horses as they passed over them, and then speared the dismounted troopers.

In this conflict Major Slade, Lieutenants Probyn and Freeman, were killed; and Colonel Barrow, commanding the 19th. Hussars, severely wounded, and his life only saved by the gallantry of three of his men. The position of the enemy was carried, their guns captured and turned against them, but they still fiercely contested every foot of ground till the village of El Teb, with its wells, were taken by the Highlanders; when they gave up the contest and sullenly retired in the direction of Tokar. The British loss was thirty killed, including four officers, and about one hundred and sixty officers and men wounded, several of whom, including Lieutenant Royds, of H.M.S. “Carysfort,” afterwards died. Colonel Burnaby had his horse shot under him, and a bullet through one of his arms. The loss of the Arabs was over two thousand, and four Krupp guns, two brass howitzers, and a Gatling gun were captured. The next day, Tokar, eleven miles distant, was occupied without opposition, and a quantity of rifles and ammunition destroyed. The force then returned to Trinkitat, and re-embarked for Suakin.

The troops engaged at El Teb were the 10th. and 19th. Hussars; 6th. Battery First Brigade Royal Artillery; 26th. Company Royal Engineers; the 42nd., 65th., 1st. Battalion 60th. Rifles, 75th., 89th. Foot; a Battalion of Royal Marine Artillery and Light Infantry; and the Naval Brigade.

TAMAAI.
MARCH 13TH, 1884.

The power of Osman Digma, though shaken, was yet far from destroyed. The victors of El Teb, had scarcely reached Suakin, when they were again put in motion against a strong body of Arabs, reckoned to be about eight thousand, which he had collected at a place called Tamaai, and with which he threatened utter destruction to all unbelievers. On March 11th. General Baker marched out to Baker’s zareba, seven miles from Suakin, and the next day continued his advance towards Tamaai. At nightfall the troops bivouacked in a hastily constructed zareba, within two miles of the enemy’s position, which Commander Rolfe, R.N., after darkness had set in, alone set out from the zareba to reconnoitre, and saw the Arabs asleep around their fires. About one o’clock the enemy opened a random fusilade on the British camp, which they kept up the remainder of the night, but fortunately with little effect. At eight on the morning of March 13th., the troops formed in front of the zareba in two brigades. On the left was the 2nd. Brigade, commanded by General Davis, consisting of the 42nd., 65th., Marines, and Naval Brigade, with machine guns. Then came the Artillery, under Major Holley, and on the right the 1st. Brigade, commanded by General Buller, comprising the 75th., 89th., and 60th. Rifles, with a battery of Artillery. Two squadrons of cavalry were sent to the front as skirmishers, and a brisk fire began on both sides; but the enemy advancing, the cavalry fell back, and the brigade opened a heavy fire of rifles and machine guns on the Arabs. The 42nd., who were in front, with a cheer charged the enemy at the double, but this movement leaving a gap between them and the 65th., the Arabs seeing their advantage, rushed like a torrent on the right side of the square, and for a time all was confusion.[220] The 65th. wavered, and fell back on the Marines, and the Naval Brigade surrounded by a mass of soldiers mixed in a wild _mêlée_ with the foe, were unable to use their guns and compelled to abandon them, with the loss of three officers and many seamen. But Buller’s brigade advancing on the right rear in perfect order, by its terrible fire prevented the enemy from coming to close quarters,[221] and the 42nd. and the Marines fighting back to back checked further disaster, and the brigade was re-formed. The two brigades now advanced abreast, the captured Gatlings were recovered, and turned by the seamen with great effect on a fresh body of Arabs, who charged out of a deep ravine in force, till their masses seemed to melt away under the tremendous fire poured into them. The ravine was carried, and a ridge beyond it; the bravest men of the enemy had fallen, and the rest lost heart and fled. After a brief halt General Graham pushed on to the wells of Tamaai, three miles from the battle-field, and occupied the camp of Osman Digma. Next day, the camp, with the village of Tamaai, was destroyed, and the troops returned to Suakin.

The British casualties were five officers—Lieut. Montressor, H.M.S. “Carysfort”; Lieut. Almack, H.M.S. “Briton”; Lieut. H. Stewart, H.M.S. “Dryad”; Major Aiken, 42nd., and Capt. Ford, 65th. regiment; and one hundred and four men killed; and eight officers and one hundred and twenty men wounded and missing. The 42nd. had no less than eight sergeants killed. The loss of the Arabs was estimated to be at least three thousand in killed alone.

The troops present at Tamaai were—10th. and 19th. Hussars; Royal Artillery; the 42nd., 60th., 65th., 75th., and 89th. Foot; Royal Marines; and Naval Brigade.

SUAKIN.
1884.

After his defeat at Tamaai, Osman Digma was reported to be occupied in the Tamanieb Valley, about four miles from the last battle-field, in collecting more tribesmen to oppose the British. A party of the 75th. and 19th. Hussars were sent to occupy Handoab, on the road to Berber, and native spies brought the information that Osman was encamped near Tamanieb with two thousand men, who were all willing to fight again. On March 25th. General Graham, with the 10th. and 19th. Hussars, 42nd., 60th., 65th., 75th. Mounted Infantry and Marines, marched out from Suakin once more against the Lieutenant of the Mahdi; Admiral Sir W. Hewitt landing two hundred seamen to hold the town in the absence of the troops. The heat was intense, causing the men much suffering, and there were many cases of sunstroke. The troops bivouacked at night in an oblong square, and slept in all their accoutrements. In the morning the cavalry and mounted infantry were sent out in advance, and two or three skirmishes took place during the day, but the enemy fired at a distance, and did not come to close quarters. At half-past four a.m. on March 27th., the troops fell in, and at six, advanced up the valley, the cavalry being out all round as scouts. At seven the enemy showed themselves, but were driven back by the mounted infantry, and they were dislodged from a height on which they attempted to make a stand, by the fire of the artillery. Osman’s camp, or the remains of it, was committed to the flames, and the column returned unmolested to Suakin on March 28th. Soon after, Sir G. Graham and the bulk of the troops, sailed for Cairo and England.

THE NILE,
1884–85.

The British Government having decided to abandon the Soudan, General Gordon, C.B., R.E., of Chinese celebrity, and who had been Governor of the equatorial provinces of Africa, under the Khedive, was sent to Khartoum to withdraw the Egyptian garrisons from the country, and to make the best arrangements he could for its future government. He had no connection with the Egyptian Government, which he declined to serve under any circumstances. He was accompanied by Colonel J. D. Stewart, who had been at Khartoum in the preceding year. On February 18th. they reached Khartoum, where they were received by the inhabitants with the greatest joy and enthusiasm. But General Gordon soon found that his mission to carry out the evacuation of the Soudan by the Egyptian garrisons, numbering about thirty thousand men, was impracticable. In March, the whole country south of Berber declared for the Mahdi; in May, Berber was taken by the enemy, and Gordon, with Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power, the British Consul, was closely besieged in Khartoum. For months he defended himself with the greatest skill and valour against overwhelming odds, but it was not until August that the British Government decided to despatch an expedition for his relief, under the command of General Lord Wolseley.

Regiments were then ordered from India, Malta, and other places, to Egypt; eight hundred boats, at a cost of £75 each, were built in England for the conveyance of the troops up the Nile; steam pinnaces and light steamers were provided for towing purposes; and five hundred Canadian boatmen, and three hundred Kroomen, were engaged to navigate the boats and steamers over the cataracts of the river. British troops were pushed on to Wady Haifa, and on September 10th. Lord Wolseley reached Cairo,[222] with instructions to advance up the Nile and bring away General Gordon and Colonel Stewart from Khartoum, and to undertake no further offensive operations of any kind.