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THE DEFEAT !OF OSMAN DIGNA
AT ZAREBA.
By the Pacific Mail Company's steamer
Australia, which arrived from San Francisco
yesterday morning-, we have received the
fo'ilnwino' irranhin ftnftnnnt of ' the decisive
defeat which Osman Digna sustained at the
battle of Zarefca on March 15 at the hand of
the British forces under the command of
Majpr-General Graham : —
London, March 14.
f rAfter the battle of El Tib Major-General
Graham's army returned from Trinkitat to
Suakiiri, and on the 10th inst. the troop3
commenced a fresh advance against Osman
I)igna'a encampment, situated seventeen miles
inland at Zareba. Sofar, seven miles from
Suakim, was occupied without molestation,
and the attack was organized, and water
Btores lodged at that place. A general
advance from Sagar to Zareba was com
menced on the 12th at noon, and
late in the afternoon, when seven miles
had l( en traversed through scrubby country,
the furce halted within a mile or two of
Osntaii's camp, which was -situated in a deep
ravine. Before resting for the night the
British made another rough faraba of
bushes, and cleared the scrub for fifty
yards round. The enemy had been seen
in small numbers, and occasional shota
were exchanged during the day's march, and
now and then it was necessary to pitch a few
shells among the Arabs. With sunset the
British retired into their square, and
as darkness came on the fires in the
enemy'B camp, a mile and a half away,
were plainly visible. At 8 o'clock the
bugle was sounded, and grog served to
the soldiers, and shortly afterwards Com
mander Rolfe went by himself to reconnoitre.
This was a daring action, since no one could
say where the enemy were lurking among
the bushes. He went close to the enemy's
fires, and found the Arab pickets asleep.
He returned at 9 o'clock, and as it was
evident the enemy were not meditating
an attack the men were ordered to
get what sleep they could. At 1
o'clock a sudden fire was opened; the
troops at once stood to arms and pre
pared to repel the attack. The fire was
continued, but the aim was very bad. All
night the enemy continued to fire ; the bullets
swept over head thickly, and there was
nothing to do save to bear it quietly. In the
centre of the square were huddled camels,
horses, mules, and several of these
were Ihit as the men were lying. The
casualties were light, only an officer and two
men being wounded. Not a shot was fired in
return. A general feeling of relief was
experienced when day began ; sunrise, how
ever, brought no reb'ef from the enemy's fire.
£iine-pounders and Gatlings were brought
into play, and after a few rounds the enemy
retired. The men then breakfasted, and
while so employed the cavalry arrived from
Zareba, where they had passed the night.
The advance was resumed at 8 a.m. on the
13th, the force being divided into two brigade
squares as on the previous day's march.
Square No, 1 on the right was composed of
the 89th on the left and half of the front ; the
other half of the centre right side was com
posed of the 75th, and the 60th was on the
rear face. Inside the square was a battery of
7-pounders with Gatling and Gardiner guns,
On the left flank of the battery were 9
pounders. Square No. 2, on the left of
Square No. 1, was composed of the 42nd on
the left flank and half of the front line,
the other half of the front line and the entire
right flaDk being composed of the 65th. The
marines occupied the entire rear face. In
the centre of this square was the Naval
Brigade dragging the Gatlings and Gardiners.
Some marines acted as mounted infantry,
and with detachments from the 10th
and 19th Hussars acted as scouts.
The entire British force was about
40,000 strong, General Graham being
in supreme command. General Butler had
charge of Square No. 1 and General Davis
of Square No. 2. The latter advanced in
front, and gradually increased the distance
Irom Square No. 2 till the two were 70D yards
apart. Tbe Standard correspondent, who
was with General Davis, says :—' General
Graham and his staff joined us in Square
No. 2. As we advanced we saw the cavalry
falling back, and the enemy evidently
following in great force. The cavalry
cleared off to our left, and we could
see crowds of the enemy over the bush in
front. We halted, formed, and opened a
heavy fire from the Gardiner guns and rifles
upon the advancing mass, and thus checked
them ; but, encouraged by their Sheiks, the
Arabs steadied themselves again, and came
rapidly on. They heralded their advance
with musketry fire, and bullets pattered
thickly in the middle of the square. We
also advanced to meet the enemy, and
now the weak points of the square
formation {became visible; the companies
of the 65th and the Black Watch (42nd)
in front swept forward against the foe, but
the remaining companies of these regiments,
which formed the sides of the square, and
which were alBO expecting an attack, did not
keep up to the rapid forward movement of
the front face, and the consequence was that
many gaps appeared in what should have
been a eolid wall. As the front line ap
proached the foe the men began to
cheer, and with fixed bayonets ad
vanced at a double, thereby increasing
gap between them and the companions form
ing the sides. At this moment immense
hordes of Arabs were seen charging down on
the right face of the square. The front line
was halted ; the offiecs of the companies of
the 65th, which fronted the fresh foe, made
every effort to close up the gap and steady
the men to receive the charge. The line,
however, was too short. With a fierce rash
the Arabs burst on our right face ; the 65th
-wavered, and began to fall back on the
marines and the 42nd, and opened great gaps
in the square. Through the smcke dark
figures could be seen rushing on unchecked
by the hail of bullets. In another minute they
were upon us, and the fight became hand to
hand. The breaking-up of the square by the
recoil of the 65th threw the marines and the
Black Watch into confusion, and the square
no longer existed. . The enemy pressed upon
the front as well as the right flank, dashing
upon what was now a confused mass of troops,
spearing many and dying themselves on our
bayonets or by bullets. In spite of the efforts
of the officers the whole body now began
to retreat. The Naval Brigade^ surrounded
by our men, had no time to use the guns, and
as the mass fell back they had to leave these
behind. All thiB time General Buller's brigade
was 5C0 yards on our right rear. His men
were advancing to our assistance with
the Bteadine88 of troops on -parade. On
the ground in front were the guns of
the Marine Artillery. These opened fire
u] on the enemy, but without checking them.
Upon getting back into line with General
Buller's steady brigade, and covered by their
face DaviB(8 brigade rallied ; the men
speedily resumed their formation, and, as if
determined to retrieve the disorder, they
advanced sideby side with Buller's square. So
terrible was the fire which the united brigades
poured into the enemy that their advance
was checked, but there was no retreat for
the few impetuous Arabs who had surged
down upon us, all being swept away. On
reaching the point where the Arabs had
first charged the guns were recovered. Almost
at the same moment a fresh body of the
enemy was seen issuing from the broad deep
ravine in which they had been lying con
cealed, this time in even denser numbers
than before. Our troops met the onslaught
?with the greatest steadiness, and it was a
repetition of the Battle of El Tib, but the
charges -which we sustained were made by
larger bodies of men who were even fiercer
and more determined. Of the brave
natives who swarmed upon us none
went back. It was death or victory
with them. It was indeed pitiful
to see how the masses melted under
our fire, leaving a trail of bodies behind
them, till the last survivors fell close to our
ranks. At length the terrible fire of our
breachlcaders prevailed over valour as bril
liant and heroic as ever witnessed. As
no fresh assailants 'appeared from the ravine
we .marched forward to the edge.. There
were i numbers of the enemy still within
the ravine, and were now retreating rapidly,
some t^p the opposite Bide, others along the
bottom. A hot shell and rifle fire scattered
them still farther, bat there was no sign of
panic \a the retreat of these gallant savages.
They halted from time, to time with perfect
coolness. . . ? . ?
? The . battle was now virtually over, but
even when the fighting was concluded it wa3
dangeron8 to move about the battle-field,
owing to the wounded natives among
the bushes. These refused to accept
quarter, and continued , loading and
firing or thrusting their spears at those
who passed. In the bush, too, there were
many that were unwounded, who, when they
had an opportunity, leaped to their feet and
attacked the soldiers who came near. I saw
one man in charge of six hussars. After a
short rest the force moved on ,to Osman's
camp and found it deserted. Davis's Brigade
marched back to Zareba, Buller's brigade
remained to set tire to Osman's camp and then
followed Davis. Scattered groups of the
enemy again, made their appearance, and
fired at long distances; but they carefully
abstained from anv nearer approach.
-On the 7th, the British troops falling back
on Suakim, Admiral Hewett issued a procla
mation demanding the submission of the
natives. Osman Digna has fled. About 100
British troops were killed, and 150 wounded.
Accounts agree thatthenatives hardly lost less
than 4,000 killed, and many lay wounded in
heaps where they assailed General Davia's
brigade. All the natives and guides bolted
when the Arabs broke the square!
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