Chapter XXV: Part 25

On his arrival at Cairo the General formed a camel corps from volunteers from the Guards and Cavalry, consisting of over one thousand two hundred officers and men, divided into three bodies, called, the Guards, Heavy, and Light camel regiments. These chosen men sailed from England on September 26th., and by their conduct in the desert march to the Nile, in January following, amply justified their organization. For nearly four months a British army of nine thousand men, with their baggage and _matériel_ were toiling hundreds of miles up the broken and tortuous course of the Nile, tugging at the oar, transporting stores, and dragging boats by main force through rapids and over cataracts.[223] On November 3rd. Lord Wolseley and his Staff reached Dongola, and on December 16th. arrived at Korti, one thousand two hundred and fifty miles from Cairo. The situation of Khartoum was known to be critical, and on December 30th., 1884, General Sir Herbert Stewart was despatched, with about one thousand six hundred men and two thousand camels, across the desert to Metammeh, on the Nile, one hundred and seventy miles from Korti; from whence he was to proceed in Gordon’s steamers to Khartoum, one hundred miles further up the river.

Sometime previous, Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power had been sent by Gordon down the Nile to Dongola, to endeavour to open communications with the British, but their steamer was wrecked near Berber on October 6th., and the two Europeans with most of their party were massacred by the natives. Two days before Lord Wolseley reached Korti, on December 14th., Gordon wrote in his diary—“Now mark this: If the Expeditionary Force—and I ask no more than two hundred men—does not come in ten days, the town may fall, and I have done my best for the honour of our country. Good bye.”[224]

ABU KLEA.
JANUARY 17TH, 1885.

Sir H. Stewart, after a long and waterless march, reached Gakdul, about one hundred miles from Korti, on January 2nd. Here, water was found in abundance, and a halt of some days was made. On the 14th. the march to the Nile was resumed, but on approaching Abu Klea, two short marches from Metammeh, the scouts of the 19th. Hussars reported the enemy to be encamped in force near the wells. The troops were in need of water, but formed a zareba about four miles from the Arab camp, and slept on their arms, exposed to a desultory fire all night, by which five or six men were wounded and several camels killed. As soon as it was daylight, on the morning of January 17th., General Stewart began his preparations for an advance, his object being to drive the enemy from the wells of Abu Klea. A strong body of skirmishers with the guns were sent out, who engaged the enemy at long range, but failed to draw them from their position, though a brisk fire was kept up for some time by both sides. At about half-past eight o’clock, leaving most of the camels and the sick and wounded in the zareba, with a guard of Mounted Infantry, and one hundred and twenty-five men of the 35th. regiment, the troops advanced against the enemy in a square, which was formed as follows:—“Left front face, two companies Mounted Infantry; right front face, two companies Guards, with the three guns Royal Artillery in the centre; left face, two companies Mounted Infantry; one company Heavy Camel Regiment; rear face, four companies Heavy Camel Regiment, with Naval Brigade with Gardner gun in the centre.” The 19th. Hussars, numbering one hundred and twenty men, under Colonel Barrow, were stationed on the flanks. The square moved towards the left flank of the enemy, under a hot fire from the sharpshooters, and was nearly abreast of their position, when several thousand Arabs, with loud yells and beating of tom-toms, rushed down on the left and left rear of the square. The three guns of Captain Norton, and a heavy rifle fire was opened on them, but did not check their advance; the British skirmishers came racing for life into the square, while with waving flags the enemy rushed on like a vast black wave of surf. “By twos and threes our skirmishers had now reached our lines, and the left face being nearly clear, a volley was sent into the enemy at one hundred and fifty yards, as they rose over the last crest between our opposing fronts. A hundred or more Arabs dropped, and for a moment I saw the force waver and halt, as a man stops to gasp for breath. Had that volley been promptly repeated, there would have been little more of the battle to tell.” The Gardner gun of the Naval Brigade[225] was brought into action at the left flank, but after a few rounds had been fired, the gun jammed, and was rendered useless, and Lieutenants Piggott and De Lisle with several seamen were killed. Many of the rifles were also rendered temporarily useless from the same cause, the jamming of the cartridges. Colonel F. Burnaby, who had arrived a few days before from Korti, called on the Heavies to meet the Arab charge, and riding out to assist two or three skirmishers, was surrounded and slain, and the enemy closed in upon the square, throwing its left face into confusion. So furious was their rush that many of them penetrated to the middle of the square, where they killed the camels and slew the wounded in their litters, but none of them returned, being all slain to a man. Meanwhile the Guards and Mounted Infantry poured such a heavy fire into the dense crowds of the Arabs, that after a few minutes they began to waver and recoil, and at length took to flight, under a fire of rifles and shell from the guns; and followed by the Hussars and Mounted Infantry.

The hard-fought battle was won, the square re-formed and presently advanced, while the Hussars pushed on and took possession of the wells at Abu Klea, at which place, the whole force, with the wounded, arrived at the close of the day.

The British loss was Colonel Burnaby, Major Carmichael, 5th. Lancers, and seven other officers killed; nine officers wounded (Lord St. Vincent and another, mortally); sixty-five non-commissioned officers and men killed; and eighty-five wounded. The total Arab force was estimated at over twelve thousand men, and of these more than two thousand were killed and wounded. “Five or six hundred of the enemy lay heaped in front of, and around our dead camels.”

The troops present at Abu Klea, were detachments of 19th. Hussars; Royal Artillery, with three seven-pounders; the Guards, and Heavy Camel Corps; Mounted Infantry; 35th. Regiment; a detachment of Royal Engineers; Naval Brigade of fifty-two officers and men, under Lord C. Beresford; and Departmental Corps.

At four p.m. on January 18th., the column pushed on for the Nile, marching all night, and found at daybreak it was still six miles from the river, with the enemy, in force, barring the way. Sir H. Stewart halted near Abu Kru, and formed a zareba under a continual fire, which caused many casualties. The General himself fell, severely wounded, and the correspondents of the _Standard_ and _Morning Post_ were killed.

Sir Charles Stewart then took the command, and it was decided that if the Arabs did not attack by two p.m., to march out and cut a passage to the Nile. About three hundred men with the guns were left in the zareba, under Lord C. Beresford and Colonel Barrow; and the rest of the column, in square, pushed on for the river, under a heavy rifle fire from the scrub. The accurate fire of the British guns scattered the masses of the enemy, and prevented many from joining in the attacks; but a body of several thousands made a furious rush on the square, about two miles from the zareba, and were repulsed with fearful loss. The Arabs then retreated to Metammeh, and the wearied troops reached the Nile at about five in the evening.

The British losses in the battle of Abu Kru, or Gubat, were two officers and twenty-two men killed, and nine officers and ninety-two men wounded, many severely. Next day the bulk of the column returned to the zareba, the dead were buried, the wounded removed, and at night the whole force was encamped on the bank of the Nile.

On the following morning, January 21st., a reconnaissance in force was made towards Metammeh, the column being joined by two hundred and fifty of Gordon’s men, with four guns. These, with four steamers, had been waiting the arrival of the relief force for some weeks on an island a little way above Metammeh. The place was cannonaded with little effect, and being considered too strong to be taken by assault, the troops retired. On the 24th., Sir. C. Wilson started for Khartoum with two of Gordon’s steamers, but on approaching the town he was met by so heavy a fire from rifles and Krupp guns, that he was compelled to return, with the knowledge that the expedition had failed in its object, and that Khartoum was in the possession of the Mahdi.

Information was soon received that on the night of January 26th. the place had fallen through treachery, and the heroic Gordon, with many of his followers, had perished. On his return down the river the two steamers of Sir Charles were wrecked by the treachery of the pilots, about thirty miles from the British camp, and Sir C. Beresford was sent with another steamer to rescue him and his party. In this service Beresford’s steamer was for a time disabled by a shot from the enemy, but after many dangers and difficulties, Sir C. Wilson and his men were taken on board, and all reached Gubat in safety. As the recovery of Khartoum was impracticable, General Sir Redvers Buller was dispatched by Lord Wolseley to withdraw the troops from Gubat to Korti. On February 14th. the return commenced, and after a smart skirmish at Abu Klea, the column reached Gakdul without further opposition. Here many of the sick and wounded died, among them, on February 16th., the gallant Sir Herbert Stewart, to the unfeigned regret of every officer and man. By March 9th. the whole of the troops returned to Korti, and a few weeks after, the expedition was broken up.

Khartoum had fallen after a noble defence of over ten months, maintained by the pluck and endurance of a single Englishman, who scorned to desert his post; and the efforts and lives of his countrymen who bravely struggled in the face of countless perils and difficulties to effect his deliverance, were fruitlessly thrown away. As Gordon had written months before, the expedition was “just too late.”

KIRBEKAN.
FEBRUARY 10TH, 1885.

While the fate of Khartoum was trembling in the balance, and the battles of Abu Klea and Gubat were being fought, another column was dispatched up the Nile, under Major-General Earle, C.B., to punish the Monassir tribe for the treacherous murder of Colonel Stewart and his companions in the preceding September. As already stated, Stewart was sent by General Gordon from Khartoum to Dongola, but his steamer was wrecked near Berber, and most of the party massacred. General Earle was also ordered afterwards to push on to Berber, and after capturing it, to take part in any further operations at, or beyond Khartoum. Leaving Korti, Earle concentrated his troops—consisting of the 38th. and 42nd. Foot, a squadron of 19th. Hussars, and the Egyptian Camel Corps, with two guns—at Handab. On January 24th. he began his advance, but the difficulties of the river were many, and his progress slow, so that he did not reach the vicinity of Kirbekan, near Dulka Island, seventy miles from Merawi, till February 9th. The enemy had fallen back as he advanced, but now, reinforced by a body of Dervishes from Berber, were encamped on a rocky range of hills near the Nile, and prepared for an obstinate resistance. The front of their position was very strong, and fortified in places with loopholed walls. At sunrise on the morning of February 10th. the assault commenced. Leaving two companies of the 38th., with his two guns in front, to make a feigned attack, the General with the bulk of his troops made a detour, and turning the left of the enemy’s position attacked them in the rear. The Arabs, being taken by surprise, but having the advantage of the ground, fought most desperately, and contested the possession of every rock and boulder, till the British by rushes gained fastness after fastness, and dislodged the defenders at the point of the bayonet. A determined band of the enemy made a frantic charge on the 42nd., but were all killed or driven into the Nile, save some who took possession of a stone built hut. General Earle, though warned that the building was full of Arabs, attempted to enter it, and was immediately shot dead by one of them. The door of the hut being strongly barricaded, it was set on fire, and all the enemy within were shot down or burned alive. Another steep hill, on which the Soudanese made their last stand, was stormed by the 38th., and in the meanwhile the Hussars had captured their camp, three miles in the rear. This ended the battle of Kirbekan, after a contest of five hours.

The loss of the British, besides their General, was Colonel Eyre, of the 38th.; Colonel Coveny, V.C., of the 42nd.; and seven men killed; and about fifty of all ranks were wounded, some severely. The loss of the enemy was heavy. Many were drowned in the Nile, and, as Lord Wolseley wrote, “Scarcely any can have escaped.” Their force was estimated at above two thousand men.

General H. Brackenbury assumed the command on the fall of General Eyre, and pushed on towards Abu Hamed, in the direction of Berber, but was recalled to Korti by Lord Wolseley, acting on orders from England. Soon after, the force returned to Cairo, with the exception of a detachment left on the frontier of Egypt proper.

SUAKIN.
1885.

The news of the fall of Khartoum and the death of General Gordon caused a profound impression in England, and the Government, influenced by public opinion, resolved on another campaign for the recovery of the Soudan. Troops were dispatched from England, Cairo, and India, to Suakin, to break the power of Osman Digma; and it was determined, at an enormous expense, to construct a line of railway in the face of the enemy, from Suakin to Berber, a distance of two hundred and eighty miles. From this place it was contemplated to operate with Lord Wolseley, in his projected march from Korti to Khartoum; which, owing to a change of purpose of the Government, was never carried out. The force collected at Suakin, consisting of a brigade of Guards and an Indian contingent, was commanded by General Sir G. Graham. The Engineers having selected some hills near the village and wells of Hasheen, about fourteen miles distant, as the site of an entrenched camp, after a reconnaissance, March 20th., General Graham moved out of Suakin to occupy the place in force. He advanced in a square formation, the 49th. and 70th. regiments and Marines, in the front, on the right the Guards, on the left the Indian Contingent, with the guns and camels in the centre. The cavalry scouted in front and on the flanks.

The first ridge of hills were reached without opposition, the outposts of the enemy falling back as the troops advanced, and the sappers began to throw up redoubts on two of them. The square pushed on through a pass, into a plain surrounded by rugged bills, on one of which, on the left, the enemy were seen to be posted in strength. Their sharpshooters opened a hot fire from among the rocks and scrub; the Marines and 49th. were sent against them, and climbing some hills on the right, after a smart contest dislodged the Soudanese, who in their retreat were charged by the Indian Cavalry. But the Arabs being reinforced, rallied, and closed in upon the Indians, to whose movements the broken ground was altogether unfavourable, and forced them to retire upon the Guards, formed in square. Over two thousand of the enemy, in pursuit of the cavalry, led by a youth on a white camel, rushed with loud yells straight on the square, but were received by such a withering fire, that not an Arab was able to reach the outer line of levelled bayonets by several yards. The cavalry having re-formed, again charged the now disordered enemy and scattered them in all directions. Another body of Arabs then came round on the right, with the most daring bravery, but were received by such a hot fire from rifles and the artillery that they were unable to concentrate for a charge, and withdrew in confusion, followed by the British.

At half-past ten a.m. all the hills had been cleared of the enemy, and about one o’clock the force was on the point of being withdrawn, but the Soudanese made another furious onset on the 17th. and 28th., but were driven back after a hotter contest than any during the day, and pursued by the 5th. Lancers. The 70th. Regiment was left to hold the redoubts in the hills, and the rest of the troops returned to Suakin, after an engagement which lasted nearly seven hours. In this affair Captain Dalison, Scots Guards, and twenty-two non-commissioned officers and men were killed, and about fifty officers and men wounded.

Four thousand was the estimated strength of the enemy, and of these, three hundred were killed. After the battle, the bulk of them retreated southwards in the direction of Tamaai.

Little more than a week afterwards the New South Wales contingent, of about eight hundred officers and men, landed at Suakin, and were welcomed with enthusiasm. The railway was pushed on to Otao and Tambouk, about fifteen miles on the road to Berber, but the enemy made almost nightly attempts to destroy it, and, by orders from England, it was presently abandoned.

Osman Digma being reported to be again occupying Tamaai in force, on April 2nd., General Graham, with about eight thousand men, including the Australian contingent, marched from Suakin to meet him. After a fatiguing march of five hours Tesilah was reached, where a zareba was constructed, and on the following morning the troops advanced to Tamaai, which they found to be unoccupied, and which they burnt. During the advance some skirmishing took place, in which two men were killed and fourteen men (including two Australians) wounded; but on its return to Suakin the column was not molested by the enemy. A strong body of Arabs having taken up a position at Dhakdul, with the intention of harassing the British outposts and destroying the railway, two flying columns were despatched from Suakin and Otao to disperse them. The columns, consisting of the Camel Corps, Lancers, Hussars, and Mounted Infantry, left Suakin at midnight, and, marching all night, reached Dhakdul at daybreak on the morning of May 7th. The troops advancing upon the place from two directions, the enemy were completely taken by surprise, and after a running fight fled to the hills, abandoning their flocks and herds, pursued by the cavalry. The expedition was well planned and executed; about one hundred and fifty Arabs were killed, and above two thousand cattle, horses, camels, and sheep captured; the casualties of the British being only two or three men wounded. Dhakdul was destroyed, the wells there blown up with gun cotton, and the force returned to Suakin. The heat now became almost unbearable, and the troops suffered much from sickness.

On May 2nd. Lord Wolseley arrived at Suakin, and on the 7th. proceeded with his Staff to Otao and Handoub, and inspected the troops. A few days afterwards he inspected and thanked the Australian contingent, and on May 16th. he issued his last general order to the “Soldiers, Seamen, and Marines of the Army of the Soudan,” at Suakin. The place was then evacuated by the British troops except the 53rd., a battery of Artillery, and some Engineers, which, with the Indian contingent of three regiments of Infantry and one of Cavalry, held the place till May, 1886, when they were replaced by an Egyptian garrison, under Watson Pasha (Major Watson, R.E.).

The troops engaged in the operations at and around Suakin, were a battalion each of the Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Guards; Royal Artillery; 5th. Lancers; 19th. Hussars; Engineers; 49th., 53rd., and 70th. Foot; the New South Wales contingent; the Indian contingent, comprising the 9th. Bengal Lancers, three battalions of Native Infantry, and a company of Sappers; Mounted Infantry; Royal Marines; and Naval Brigade.

TOFREK.
MARCH 22ND., 1885.

Two days after the engagement at Hasheen, Major-General Sir John McNeill, V.C., an officer who had served in India, New Zealand, and in the Ashantee Expedition, moved out of Suakin at daybreak, with a squadron of the 5th. Lancers, the 49th. Regiment, a battalion of Marines, the three Infantry Regiments of the Indian Contingent (under Brigadier-General Hudson), a detachment of Engineers, and a Naval Brigade, with four Gardner guns, in the direction of Tamaai. His purpose was to construct some zarebas, about six miles out, to be garrisoned by the 49th., while the other troops were to return to Suakin. Though the enemy were seen to be in force on the hills, and spies and prisoners had reported the intention of Osman Digma to attack the British advanced zarebas, no intimation of this seems to have reached General McNeill.

Between ten and eleven o’clock in the morning the troops commenced making their zarebas, a large one in the centre for the camels, and two on the angles of this, each to contain a battalion, and two Gardner guns manned by the Naval Brigade. So little was an attack expected, that one zareba being completed, with the guns mounted, and the others in progress of formation, the camels and baggage animals which brought the supplies, were beginning to slowly to move off on their return to Suakin, and a portion of the troops were at breakfast. The working parties were in the bush hacking at the tough underwood, with a picket or two and a few cavalry scouts thrown out, but none more than about thirty yards in advance, when suddenly the outposts came rushing in, breaking through the working parties, with the enemy at their heels uttering the most frightful yells. “Stand to your arms” resounded on all sides, but the men were scattered, many working at a distance from the piles of arms, but all did their best to get into proper position and to form in squares. Everything was in favour of the enemy, before whose furious onset the whole assemblage of transport animals plunged forward upon the zareba. “There was a multitude of roaring camels heaped one upon the other, with strings of screaming mules entangled in one moving mass. Crowds of camp followers were carried along by the huge animal wave—crying, shouting, fighting. Mingled with this mass of brutes and terrified natives, which swept all before it, were the Arab swordsmen, hewing and slashing at men and animals with the ferocity of demons. They hamstrung every animal they could reach and cut the helpless camp followers to pieces, amidst a shower of bullets from all sides, and there can be little doubt but that many men and camels were killed by our own fire in the confused _mêlée_.” The British force found itself suddenly engaged in a most desperate hand to hand conflict with masses of a fanatical and fearless enemy. The 17th. Native Infantry gave way before the terrific rush of the Arabs, their commanding officer, Major Von Beverhoudt, being killed in an attempt to rally his men; and sixty of the enemy got inside the square of the Marines, to be all shot or bayonetted. Half of the 49th. were in the zareba, and the remainder in a rallying square outside. On the first rush of the enemy about one hundred and twenty of them entered the zareba at the corner, and were all killed after a desperate conflict. The Gardner guns, under Lieutenant Paget, now came into action, and checked the advance of the enemy by a rain of bullets, while a steady fire from the zareba and the squares outside, mowed down the charging masses of the Arabs like grass. The Soudanese saw that their attack had failed, and sullenly withdrew, vanishing into the bush from which they had so suddenly burst forth.

In this brief but furious action the 49th. had Lieutenant Swinton and twenty-five men killed; the Naval Brigade, Lieutenant Seymour and six men; the Engineers, Captain Romily, Lieutenant Newman, and thirteen men killed; the total casualties (exclusive of the loss of the Indian contingent) being five officers and ninety-four men killed; six officers and one hundred and thirty-six men wounded; and one officer and seventy men missing. The Indians had about one hundred and twenty men killed and wounded, and the Departmental Corps and camp followers suffered heavily. Upwards of eight hundred camels and transport animals were also killed.

When the clouds of smoke and dust had cleared away, the ground in and around the zarebas was seen to be thickly strewn with the bodies of the enemy, in every conceivable attitude. It was computed that nearly one thousand five hundred Arabs lay there, for the most part dead.[226] Outside the zareba the dead and wounded camels and baggage animals lay literally in heaps. The enemy still swarmed in the bush, and were active all night in removing their slain and wounded, and searching for their standards, of which three were captured[227] during the fight.

The next morning General Graham arrived from Suakin, with the Guards and Mounted Infantry, and a new zareba was constructed away from the vicinity of the reeking battle-field. The wounded were sent in the afternoon to Suakin, escorted by the Grenadier Guards and Indians, and were taken on board the hospital ship “Ganges.”

The withdrawal of the Nile expedition commenced in May, 1885, and on the 25th., the advanced post of Merawi was evacuated by the 42nd. Regiment. Garrisons of British troops and Egyptians however held various places in Upper Egypt, which presently were attacked by the Dervishes. In December, three thousand of them attacked Mograkeh, occupied by the 79th. and two hundred Egyptians, but were repulsed with heavy loss. On the 30th. of the same month, General Sir F. Stephenson, with a force of British and Egyptian troops, consisting of about four thousand five hundred men, moved out early in the morning and attacked the Arabs, about six thousand strong, who were entrenched at Ginnis. With General Stephenson, were Generals Grenfell, Butler, and Huyshe, and Colonel Ardagh. The action commenced at six a.m., and by nine o’clock the enemy were totally defeated and their position captured, with four guns and twenty banners.

The British loss was trifling. Lieutenant Soltau, of the 49th. Regiment, was killed; and one officer and twenty-one men wounded; and of the Egyptians about twenty men were killed and wounded. The loss of the Arabs was computed to be about six hundred killed. In these operations the 19th., 38th., 49th., 79th., and 106th. Foot, were engaged.

GEMAIZAH.
DECEMBER 20TH., 1888.

The Arabs having again advanced in force on Suakin, and preparing by the construction of trenches and redoubts to invest the place, General Grenfell, commanding the British and Egyptian troops there, resolved to attack them. The men were under arms before dawn on December 20th., and at half-past five the action commenced by H.M.S. “Racer” opening fire on the trenches of the enemy. The garrison batteries and forts also poured a heavy fire on the enemy’s redoubts, which was hurriedly returned. General Grenfell and his _aide_, Captain Maxwell, then rode to the front, and having made a hasty inspection, ordered the troops to advance. The first brigade, under Colonel Kitchener, of three regiments of Soudanese, was on the right, and the second, under Colonel Holled Smith, consisting of Soudanese and two Egyptian regiments, were on the left. The cavalry, comprising the 20th. Hussars, and Egyptian Mounted Infantry, numbering about three hundred men, with the 25th. and 41st. Regiments, were held in reserve about five hundred yards in the rear. The advance was made about seven o’clock, the British Infantry opening fire to cover the Soudanese, who rushed on the Arab entrenchments. They were received with a hot fire, and the enemy brought a heavy gun to bear on them, but the Soudanese dashed at the gun, and drove the Dervishes out of their trenches. At the same time the redoubts in spite of a determined resistance were carried, and the Arabs were completely routed, and pursued by the Hussars. H.M.S. “Starling”[228] and the Egyptian steamers then shelled the wells. At half-past eight the fighting was over, and the enemy dispersed, with the loss of about four hundred men, all their _matériel_, and camp. The British casualties were four men of the 20th. Hussars killed, and two officers and three men wounded. The loss of the Egyptians was also trifling.

TOSKI.
AUGUST 3RD., 1889.

The Nile Expedition having been withdrawn, and the Soudan, with the exception of Suakin, practically abandoned by the British and Egyptians, the Dervishes resolved on an invasion of Egypt proper. In June 1889, an army of them, about fourteen thousand strong, crossed the frontier, and steadily advanced northwards. Near Wady Halfa they were met on the first of July, by an Egyptian force under Colonel Wodehouse, R.A., and, after a smart action, defeated with the loss of five hundred men.

This failed to stop their progress, but Wodehouse’s column harassed them by constant attacks during their advance of fifty miles in the Egyptian territory.

On the morning of August 3rd. they had pushed on to within six miles of Toski, a place about three miles from the Nile, occupied by Sir F. Grenfell, Sirdar, or Commander-in-Chief, of the Egyptian army. The General sent out his mounted troops, consisting of the 20th. Hussars, the Egyptian Cavalry, and the Camel Corps, to skirmish with the enemy, who rapidly advanced, their riflemen driving back the mounted troops, who slowly withdrew in the direction of Toski, keeping up an incessant fire. The enemy were drawn on step by step till two guns came up at a gallop, and opened fire on them with great effect, giving time for the infantry to arrive and take a position on a ridge of hills lying almost due east and west, completely checking the movement of the Dervishes northwards. Thus out-manœuvred, they formed in order of battle on several small hills, which they covered with waving flags and thousands of spears glittering in the morning sun, their riflemen being extended in an attempt to turn the Egyptian right. A hot fire was kept up on both sides, but the enemy finding themselves enfiladed on their left, charged down the hill, and were literally mown down by the volleys poured into them. The first brigade was then ordered to advance direct on the hillocks held by the Arabs, and at the same time the second brigade advanced on the extreme left, and took their position in flank. The enemy for a time held their ground with the utmost bravery, and though driven from post to post, charged again and again in the most fearless manner. But they were beaten from the hills in disorder to the plain below, where they were repeatedly charged by the Hussars and the Egyptian Cavalry.

Their chief, Wadj-el-Njumi, and every Emir of importance but one was killed, and the Dervishes, completely overwhelmed, fled in confusion, closely pursued by both infantry and cavalry for some miles. The enemy’s force was entirely broken up, upwards of fifteen hundred of them being killed, and nearly three thousand spears and swords, one gun, one hundred and fifty rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and over three thousand prisoners being taken.

The British loss was one private of the 20th. Hussars and sixteen Egyptians killed; and one hundred and thirty men wounded, including six British.

This action closes the long list of the generally useless, and almost profitless fields of bloodshed and slaughter which crimsoned the sands of Egypt and the Soudan.

THE NORTH WEST CANADA MEDAL.
1885.

This medal was given by the British Government to the Canadian Militia, Volunteers, and Mounted Police, for the suppression of the rebellion of Louis Riel in the North West of Canada, March to May, 1885. The obverse of the medal is the same as the medal for Egypt, and on the reverse are the words “North West Canada, 1885,” within a wreath of maple leaves. With the medal was given a clasp inscribed “Saskatchewan,” to all those who had been under fire. The medal without the clasp, was given to the troops called out to suppress the revolt, but who were not present at any of the engagements. It was issued without names. Ribbon, dark blue, with two red stripes. No English troops were engaged in the operations. The rebels were mostly French half-breeds and Indians. The force which suppressed them numbered about five thousand men, under the command of Major-General Sir F. D. Middleton. Battleford was besieged by the Indians, and relieved by a force under Colonel Otter, who routed the rebels with a loss of 150 killed and wounded. Riel entrenched himself at Batoche, where he was attacked and defeated by General Middleton on May 11th., and this action virtually ended the rebellion. Riel was afterwards tried and executed.

THE INDIAN GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL.
1891.

Since the pages of this work describing the actions for which the Indian General Service Medal and Clasps have been given, were written, three additional clasps have been granted, inscribed “Hazara, 1891,” “N. E. Frontier, 1891” and “Hunza, 1891”—making a total of fifteen clasps issued to the present time (1892). Officers and men who already possessed the medal received the new clasps only; and a bronze medal and clasp of similar pattern was given to all authorised Government followers.

The force operating against the Hazara tribes, under Major-General Ellis, advanced from Derband, on March 12th., and defeated the tribesmen at Dilari on March 23rd. All active operations ceased by May 16th., and before the end of the month the tribes surrendered unconditionally, and their chiefs accepted the terms imposed on them by General Ellis. The 78th. Highlanders, and 23rd. Welsh Fusiliers, were the British regiments engaged in this affair.

The clasp inscribed “N. E. Frontier,” was given to the native troops employed in the Manipur Expedition, between the dates of their advance from Tamu, March 28th.; Silchar, April 15th; and Kohimar, April 20th.; to May 7th., 1891; when the operations were ended, by the submission of the Rajah, and the punishment of the officials who had incited the attack on the British Resident.

The clasp for “Hunza, 1891,” was granted to all troops employed in the Hunza-Nagar Expedition, between the 1st. and 22nd. of December, 1891, both dates inclusive.

The Hunzas are a nation of robbers and slave dealers, inhabiting an almost inaccessible country. The expedition against them was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Durand, who, after some sharp fighting, stormed the strongly fortified fort of Nilt, on the Hunza river, December 2nd. In this service he was severely wounded. Only Indian troops were engaged in these operations.

MEDAL FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT.

This Medal was first instituted by King William IV., on July 30th., 1830, for non-commissioned officers and men who had been discharged in receipt of gratuities, under the provisions of the Royal Warrant of November 14th., 1829. The men recommended must have served twenty-one years in the Infantry, Artillery, or Engineers, or twenty-four years in the Cavalry, with irreproachable characters. A gratuity not exceeding £5 for a European soldier, or £3 for a black soldier, is given to each recipient. On the obverse of the medal is a military trophy, with a shield bearing the royal arms, with a smaller shield in the centre bearing the arms of Hanover. The reverse has the inscription “For long service and good conduct.” Ribbon: crimson, suspended by a steel loop. The name and regiment of the recipient, with the date, were indented on the edge of the medal. After the accession of Queen Victoria the arms of Hanover were omitted on the medal, and some years subsequently, but before the Crimean War, the steel suspender was replaced by a silver clasp, similar to other medals.

By a Royal Warrant of January 16th., 1860, the medal, _without gratuities_, was in future to be given to such soldiers as might fulfil the conditions previously required, but who were precluded from becoming recipients of the medal with a gratuity, in consequence of the aggregate amount to be annually awarded having been already appropriated. No soldier is entitled to the medal unless he has specially distinguished himself, or has, at least, three good conduct badges. A record of the recipients of these medals is kept in the office of the Secretary of State for War.

Meritorious Service Medal.

The Cape Medal.
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THE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

By a Royal Warrant, dated December 19th., 1845, it was ordered that a sum, not exceeding £2000 per year, should be distributed in annuities, as rewards for distinguished or meritorious service, to Sergeants recommended by the Commander-in-Chief, either while serving, or after discharge, with, or without pension, in sums not exceeding £20 in each case.

By a Warrant of June 4th., 1853, the sum to be distributed was increased to £4000 per annum; and by another Warrant dated December 4th., 1854, it was ordered that one sergeant of each regiment of Cavalry and Infantry, and one from each battalion of Foot Guards and Rifle Brigade, should be selected for the annuity, as a reward for their services in the Crimea. The obverse of the medal bears the Queen’s head, crowned, with the legend “Victoria Regina” and date of issue. The reverse has the inscription “For Meritorious Service,” surrounded by laurel, with a crown above. Ribbon: crimson. The name and regiment of the recipient are engraved on the edge of the medals. The annuity and medal are also given to Sergeants of the Marines, and worn with a blue ribbon. If an annuitant is promoted to a commission the medal may be retained, but the annuity must be relinquished.

A sergeant on becoming an annuitant, is required to relinquish the gratuity of which he may be in possession, making a declaration in writing that he does so voluntarily. The medal inscribed for “Meritorious Service” cannot be held together with that for “Good Conduct and Long Service;” but the latter must be surrendered on receipt of the former. Neither can two medals for “Distinguished Conduct” be held by the same individual, but a sergeant, on becoming an annuitant, must relinquish one of them. An annuitant may, however, hold the “Meritorious Service” medal, or that for “Good Conduct and Long Service,” together with the medal for “Distinguished Conduct in the Field.”[229]

EAST INDIA COMPANY’S MEDALS.
1848.

By a General Order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India, dated “Fort William, May 20th., 1848,” medals for Long Service and Good Conduct, and for Meritorious Service, were granted to the troops of the East India Company. On the obverse of the medal is a shield bearing the Arms of the East India Company, surrounded by military trophies; and on the reverse, the words “For Long Service and Good Conduct” in a circle, within which is engraved the name, rank, and regiment of the recipient. Ribbon, red. The medal for Meritorious Service was given to non-commissioned officers, with an annuity not exceeding £20 in any case. On the obverse is the head of the Queen, with the words “Victoria Regina,” and the date “1848.” On the reverse are the Arms of the East India Company, surrounded by the words “For Meritorious Service.” The name and regiment of the recipient are engraved on the edge of the medal. Ribbon, red. A medal for Long Service and Good Conduct was struck with the intention of giving it to the men of the Company’s Navy, but it was never distributed. A few were issued by mistake to the Army. On the obverse is the head of the Queen, and on the reverse the words “For Long Service and Good Conduct,” with a crown and anchor, surrounded by oak leaves. Ribbon, red.

THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER.

Was instituted by Royal Warrant, dated September 6th., 1886. It is given to officers of the Navy, Land Forces, Marines, and Indian and Colonial Naval and Military Forces, who have been specially mentioned in despatches for meritorious or distinguished services in the field before the enemy. This Order ranks next after the Order of the Indian Empire. The badge consists of a gold cross, enamelled white, edged with gold. On the obverse in the centre, within a wreath of laurel, enamelled green, is the Imperial crown in gold, upon a red ground. On the reverse, within a similar wreath, and on a similar red ground is the Imperial and Royal cypher—V.R.I. It is worn on the left breast, with a red ribbon, edged with blue.

THE INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT.

A similar decoration to the Victoria Cross, called the Order of Merit, is given to native officers and men of the Indian Army, for personal bravery only. It is an eight-pointed star, having, on a blue enamelled ground, two crossed swords, surmounted by the words “Reward of Valour,” within a gilt laurel wreath. It is divided into three classes: the first, or senior star is gold; the second silver; and the third also silver, without the gilding. Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. The third class is to be obtained by any conspicuous act of gallantry on the part of any native officer or soldier in the field, or in the attack or defence of fortified places. The second class is to be obtained by those only who already possess the third, and for similar services. The first class is to be obtained in like manner, only by those who already possess the third and second classes. Every member of the Order of Merit is entitled to additional pay, and on his death his widow receives this allowance for three years.

MISCELLANEOUS MILITARY MEDALS.

A medal was struck by the Scottish Darien Company in 1700, to reward the services of Colonel Alexander Campbell, of Finab, and his surviving companions, for their services against the Spaniards in that unfortunate settlement. Campbell was an old soldier who had served in Flanders under William III. On learning the distressed state of the new settlers, Campbell was sent to Darien to take the command there. With two hundred men and forty Indians, he attacked and totally routed a body of one thousand six hundred Spaniards, at a place called Toubocanti. In spite of this success the colonists were compelled to surrender to the enemy, and Campbell, with a few others, were all that ever returned to Scotland. The Darien Council ordered a gold medal of the value of £16 to be struck for Campbell, and silver ones of the value of ten shillings for his companions. The medal was designed by M. Smeltzing. On the obverse, is Campbell with sword and shield, advancing to storm a fort in the distance, on a scroll above are the words “Quid non pro patria,” and in the exergue, “Toubocanti—Ubi 1600, Hispan. fudit, Dux Alexander Campbell, MDCC., 8 Feb., M.S.” Reverse, a shield with the arms of the Scottish African Company, above—on the scroll the words “Qua panditur orbis,” below, “Vis unita fortior.”

The Caribs, or natives of the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies, instigated by the French settlers, rebelled against the English in 1772, but, after a severe struggle, were reduced to submission by Major-General Dalrymple, Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, in February, 1773. The troops engaged in this campaign were the 14th., 31st., and 70th. Foot, and a strong force of local Militia and Volunteers. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Legislative Assembly voted that silver medals should be given to the local troops as a reward. The medal is of large size, having on the obverse the bust of George III. in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III. M.B. Rex.” and on the reverse, Britannia standing, with her right hand on her shield, and offering with her left an olive branch to a Carib, who has laid his gun and bow and arrows at her feet. Above are the words “Peace and prosperity to St. Vincents,” and in the exergue the date 1773. Worn with a red ribbon. For a subsequent war in the same island, in 1795, with the French and Caribs, a bronze medal was given to the native troops who took part in it. This has on the obverse a figure of Victory, with the legend “St. Vincent’s Black Corps,” and on the reverse a negro soldier with a musket.

During the American War of Independence, large and handsome medals in silver were struck and presented to the chiefs of the North American Indians, as rewards for their loyalty and good service to King George III. They were of various sizes, and with some were given silver chains for suspension. One of the largest bears on the obverse a laureated bust of George III., in a cuirass, with the legend “Georgius III., D. G. M. Bri. Fra. et Hib. Rex. F. D.” Reverse, an Indian and European sitting under a tree, with their hands clasped, and the Indian offering his pipe to his companion as a token of friendship. In the background are wigwams, and above, the words “Happy while united.” The loop for suspension is formed of the wing of an eagle and the calumet of peace, placed crosswise. Another specimen has on the obverse the bust of the King, and on the reverse the arms of Great Britain[230]; and another, of large size, with an obverse almost similar, bears on the reverse the British lion—reclining, watching a snarling wolf (America); in the background, is a church with trees.

To commemorate the long and successful defence of Gibraltar, 1779–1783, against the combined forces of France and Spain, a large medal was struck in silver. On the obverse is a bird’s-eye view of Gibraltar, with the words “Battering ships destroyed” in a scroll above, and in the exergue, “September 13th., 1782.” On the reverse is inscribed “By a zealous exertion of patience, perseverance, and intrepidity, after contending with unparalleled succession of dangers and difficulties in the defence of Gibraltar during a blockade and siege of almost four years; the Garrison, under the auspices of George III., triumphed over the combined powers of France and Spain”; surrounded by a wreath springing from a pedestal, on which reclines the British lion, holding a shield charged with a castle and key, and below which, in the exergue, is the inscription “Blockade commenced June 21st, 1779; siege terminated Feby. 11th., 1783.” This medal was not worn as a decoration, but another of smaller size was struck in silver by General Elliott, and given to the officers and men of the Hanoverian Brigade who took part in the defence. The English troops did not receive this medal, but specimens in gold were struck for George III. and the Royal Family. Obverse, a view of Gibraltar, besieged, with the Spanish fleet in the fore ground; above are the words “Per tot discrimina rerum,” and in the exergue “13th. September, 1782.” On the reverse, within a laurel wreath, are the names of the principal officers “Reden, Lamotte, Sydow, Eliott,” surrounded by the German motto “Bruderschaft.” This medal was designed by L. Pingo.

In 1794 a gold medal was given by Pope Pius VI. to twelve officers of the 12th. Light Dragoons (now 12th. Lancers) as a mark of his approbation of their conduct while stationed at Civita Vecchia. On the obverse is a bust of the Pope, with the legend “Pius Sextus Pont Max. A. XVII.” Reverse, a figure of Ceres, seated, with a cornucopia in her right hand, her left arm extended, and a wreath on her head; above are the words “Aero Pomptin Colonis Rest,” and in the exergue, the date “1791.” Two or three Naval officers also received this medal, which was originally struck to commemorate the restoration of the harbour of Civita Vecchia by the Pope, and not specially as a reward to the British officers.

A large and handsome gold medal and chain was presented by the Emperor of Germany, Francis II., on May 1st., 1798, to eight officers of the 15th. Light Dragoons, for the gallant conduct of the regiment at the action of Villiers-en-Couché, near Cambray, April 24th., 1894; by which the Emperor was preserved from being taken prisoner by the French. There were but two squadrons of the 15th. engaged, but they, with a small body of German Cavalry, attacked and routed several thousands of the enemy, and captured three guns. The medal weighs 4 ozs. 7 dwts., with a gold chain of the same weight. On the obverse is a laureated head of the Emperor, with the words “Imp. Caes. Franciscus. II., P. F. Aug.”; beneath the head is the name of the engraver, J. N. Wirt, F. On the reverse “Forti Britanno in Exercitu. Foed. ad Cameracum, XXIV. Apr., MDCCXCIV.,” with laurel branches beneath.

The officers who received the medal were, Major William Aylett; Captains Edward Pocklington, and Edward M. Ryan; Lieutenants Thomas G. Calcraft, Wm. G. Keir, and Thomas B. Blount; Cornets Edward G. Butler, and Robert Wilson.[231] Only nine medals were struck in gold, and one of these was deposited in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna.

In 1835 a body of English Volunteers, called the Anglo-Spanish Legion, commanded by General Sir de Lacy Evans, was raised by permission of the Government, for service in Spain, on the side of the Queen, Doña Isabella, against Don Carlos. A Naval force of seamen and Marines, under Lord John Hay, also took part in the operations on the north coast of Spain. A medal was given by the Spanish Government to the officers and men of the British Volunteers present at the action near San Sebastian, May 5th., 1836. The medal was made of white metal, or pewter; but the officers, on their return to England, in 1837, had a similar medal struck in silver for themselves, by Messrs. Loewenstark, of London. On the obverse is a lion, statant, surrounded by the collar of the Golden Fleece. Reverse, a Maltese cross, with crowns in the angles; in the centre within a wreath, the words “San Sebastian, 5 de Mayo, 1836.” It was worn with a dark purple ribbon with two yellow stripes.

About twenty officers and men of the Royal Artillery were given a small gold cross for their services at Bilbao in 1836, and a detachment of Royal Artillery and Marines received the Order of Maria Isabella Luisa.

The East India Company, in 1837, gave a medal to the chiefs of the loyal Coorgs, who had suppressed an insurrection in the Canara country. The two principal Dewans each received a gold medal and chain, valued at 400 rupees; twelve Subadars, medals valued at 200 rupees each; twenty medals, without chains; and ten, valued at 50 rupees each, were given to leaders who had distinguished themselves; and two hundred silver medals, without chains, of the value of 10 rupees each, were bestowed on the inferior leaders and distinguished Ryots. On the obverse is a Coorg warrior in a fighting attitude, surrounded by an inscription in Canarese, “For a Memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East India Company, in suppressing disturbances during the months of April and May, 1837.” Reverse, a trophy of Coorg arms, suspended in a laurel wreath, surrounded by the words “For distinguished loyalty to the British Government, Coorg, April, 1837.” The medals were struck at the Calcutta Mint, and are two inches each in diameter, but of varying thickness.

General Sir H. G. Smith, commanding the troops in South Africa, in 1851, to express his approbation of the conduct of a detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles and colonial levies, presented each man with a silver medal. On the obverse is a lion, statant; above, a wreath of laurel; and below, in the exergue, the date “1851.” On the reverse, in raised letters, “Presented by His Excellency Sir H. G. Smith, G.C.B., to —— for gallantry in the field.” Ribbon: dark blue, with red edges. Only about thirty of this medal were issued.