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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 fr !: THE SOIDAN CAMPAIGN nv MAJOR DE ST. HUBERT D'ENTRAGUES II M. Heserve Forces Price : One shilling and nix pence. 1886 All rights reserved. tt ■I ^ i i ] I 'il C-*^ c 1 THE SODDAN WAieil BY MAJOR DE ST. HUBERT D'ENTRAGUES H. M. Reserve Forces / Price : One' shilling and six pence. / \ 1880 All fights reserved. ;; ? f -X^ CONTENTS .M'";'' "fth,. infor,„,. V. I ML ;• '^;;^c iMuio Of Tel) ' ' /., XT '^f ^^J)n Kloo • • • . ,'^0 v^ii.w---^^''^'^^^'" ^^'<-3 'S desj)a|,('/j ^- '^"PpJicvs ^iels Hevolt: 81 Sij J 04 J. 31 »» '*^^5~?i,#-x^ / I il 84 No ,» THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN I. The heroic defence of Khartoum for 317 days by Ihe illustrious General Gordon with a few men, against many thousand ferocious partisans of the Mahdi, is one of the most glorious exploits ever re- corded. What he did is unequalled in modern History, and will make him famous for all time. He perished at the very moment when the British troops were within a stones throw of him. Gordons brave resis- tance like that of the heroic Denfert Rochereau in Belfort, shows how much, in war, sometimes depends on one man, and what can be done, with inferior numbers, by a resolute and capable chief. He has added new honour and glory to the noble profession of arms, and his name like the famous hero Bayard, sans peur et sans reproche, will live forever in story and on the page of history. It was to save this great soldier that the Empress Queen Victoria sent her troops to Egypt. The orders for the expedition to Suakin in 1884 were received by General Stephenson on the 12th of February. By the 28th of February a force of 4500 men had actually disembarked at Trinkitat ; the battle of El Teb was fought, and Tokar, the object of the expedition, was reached on the 1st of March. Three >\, 6 THE 80UDAN CAMPAIGN days later the force returned, bringing back about 700 of the survivors of the garrison and inhabitants of Tokar. The battle of Tamai was fought on the 13th of March, and the expedition was concluded on the 28th. The military result of that expedition was that the power of Osman Digma was effectually crippled for a time by the two severe blows struck at him by the expedition, and to do more than this was not in the power of the general or the force intrusted with the expedition. THE BATTLE OP TEB According to previous arrangements, the whole army bivouacked round Fort Baker. The 65th pushed across the lagoon as soon as they were landed from the Serapis. The troops bivouacked in the same order as that in which they were to advance, and were, therefore, ready for instant action should the enemy attempt a night attack. The column consisted, roughly, of 3000 infantry, 750 cavalry and mounted infantry, 115 men of the Naval Brigade, and about 200 artillery- men and engineers ; 300 men were left at Fort Baker when the advance was made, and 150 at Trinkatat, under Colonel Ogilvie. ■ The force of the enemy was about 10,000 strong. The orders were that the troops should advance in a hollow square. The Gordon Highlanders were to form the front face, and were to advance in company column at deploying distance. The Irish Fusiliers were to form the right face in column, with the Rifles inside them in open column. The 65th were to cons- titute the left face, with the Marines inside in the same formation as the Rifles. The Black Watch were to march in line in the rear. Thus the whole were to form a square of about two hundred and fifty yards i ^ 1 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 7 broad by a hundred and fifty yards deep. In the cen- tre, between the Marines and Rifles, the transport animals, with reserve gun and rifle ammunition, hos- pital necessaries, stretchers, &c., were to take their place. The six machine guns were to be stationed at the left of the Gordon Highlanders, and the ei^ht seven-pounder guns belonging to the Fleet, which had been transferred to the camel battery in place of their own pieces, were to remain in the centre of the square, in reserve. The main body of the cavalry were to keep well in the rear of the square, and to abstain from action until ordered to pursue. Two squadrons of cavalry were to advance a mile in our front and on both flanks, extended as scouts, with orders not to engage the enemy, but to fall back on the infantry if attacked, sweeping round the flanks so as not to intervene between the infantry fire and the enemy. The infantry were directed to fire only in volleys by word of command, and the fire was to be held until the enemy were within three hundred yards. No other transport was taken save the mules, with the spare ammunition and medical appliances. Major Harvey, in accordance with instructions from England, went out with a flag of truce. He ap- proached very closely to the enemy's lines and then planted the flag well within their view, attaching to it a letter telling the enemy that we were going to advance, and that if they attacked us the responsibil- ity rested with them. The flag appeared to puzzle the enemy much, and was appai*ently regarded as a charm which might exert an evil influence ; at any rate, they kept up a brisk fire at it for some time. Fires were kept up all night, and gave a wild and picturesque appearance to the encampment. There were long lines of men sleeping as they were to march in the morning, w^hile many gathered round the fire and smoked their pipes, and discussed the coming fight. The men fully realised the rush with % THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN I which their wild toes were likely to attack them, and thoroughly understood the necessity lor meeting it with steadiness. Towards morning the rain fell hea- vily. Every one was glad when the n^veille sounded, the fires were piled higher again, and the men tried as hest they could to dry themselves. Breakfast was eaten, and at eight o'clock the Force stood in their ranks in the order above mentioned — silent and ready to move forward. The lirst move was a short one, as they only advanced a few hundred yards from the spot where they had bivouacked, into fresh ground free from litter and fires. Here they halted. A brief inspection showed that all was in order, dis- tances were taken up more accurately, and the ad- vance towards Teb began in earnest. Scarcely had the column begun to advance v/hen the enemy's scouts could be seeu faUing back, just as they had done when Baker Pacha's Force marched out from the same halting-place against them. With a good glass the enemy's strong position could be seen near the wells. A great many banners floated in the light air, a dark swarm of men could be made out, and, judging by the ground over which they were scattered there was no doubt that the force was a large one as its front extended over a mile. At various points along the line guns in position could be seen. To avoid their direct lire and attack in mass, the order was given for the column to change its direc- tion, and it accordingly swerved off to the right of the direct route to the wells originally followed by Baker. Frequent halts were made, and at each halt the men fell mto their fighting position, and the four sides of the square faced outwards, so as to accustom the men to the work they would have to do, and enable them to prepare to resist an attack quickly, and with- out the least confusion. Slowly and cautiously the British Army advanced, With the cavalry in a dark body on.the left rear, bid- THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 9 ing their time. The line of nuircii was across their front, nothing, less than A(MJ yards from their strong position. Suddenly the silence was broken by a hot lire of musketry, which spurted out from bush and earthworks, and the Krupp guns were also brought to play upon the British. * The brave (General Uaker was badly wounded, but was soon again in tfie saddle, ready tor any service. At a Mttle before noon our guns got Ihe^ mastery over those of the enemy. His fire slackened and grad- ually died out. The constant movement of tne black heads among the bushes showed that the position was strongly held. A consultation was held between Generals Graham and Buller, and the order was given for a move. The men sprang to their feet cheer- ing, the bag - pipes struck up again. It was not a charge, but a steady, solid movement in the formation which had all along been ol>served. It looked, however, all the more formidable, for enthousiasm and discipline were equally marked, as the whole of the troops cheer- ed while the siiuare swept down towards the enemy. A bloody battle now commenced. The Arabs ceased firing, put aside their rifles ai.d grasped their spears. They rushed out from their walls and flung themselves straight on the British bayonets. They charged almost simultaneously on two sides of the square, and as from the change of direction the flank of the square was now its front, the brunt of the onset fell on the Black Watch, the 05th, and the Naval Brigade. The enemy did not come on in masses, but in groups of thirties and twenties, sometimes of threes and twos, sometimes alone. They dashed for- ward against our ranks with poised spear, but not a man reached the line of bayonets, for one and all were swept away before the terrible fire of musketry which broke out as they rushed forward. For a mo- ment, on the other side of the square, the matter was in doubt. So hotly did the Arabs press for- 10 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN II' ward that the troops paused in their steady advance. It became a hand-to-hand fight, the soldiers meeting the Arab spear with cold steel, their favourite •weapon, and beating them at it. There was not much shouting, and only a short, sharp exclamation, a brief shout, or an oath as the soldiers engaged with their foes. At this critical moment, for the enemy rus- hed up thickly, the Gardner guns opened fire, andtlieir leaden hail soon decided matters. At this instant Admiral Hewett, who, with Mr. Le- vison, his private secretary, was present as a spectator, joined the Naval Brigade and led them on over the dead bodies of the Arabs, lying thickly strew^n in their front, into the work, which proved to be but a bank of sand. The gallant Colonel Burnaby had his horse shot under him, and a bullet passed through his arm. Still with the double-barrelled fowling-piece he carried he knocked over the Arabs who assailed him. But they pressed on, and he was only saved from being speared by one of the Gordon Highlan- ders bayonetting an Arab who attacked him when both barrels of his gun were empty. Several fierce personal encounters took place as the troops rushed into the entrenchments. The first feeling of nervousness had passed away, their blood was up now, and the enthusiasm of battle was on them. More and more shrill the pipes skirled out, and the men were eager to close with the foe. As single Arabs rushed down the brave soldiers stepped singly for- ward from the ranks and met, the bayonet to spear, in almost every instance vanquishing them by the bayonet alone, without firing. The Cavalry were very ably handled and made some dashing charges. The Cavalry moved round behind, and advanced towards a large mass of the enemy, who made off in the distance. They were manifestly quickening their pace. Faster, and faster they went ; their sabres flashing in the sunlight, and THE SOUDAN CAMPAION 11 they dashed into the mass of the enemy. Right through them they cut their way, and then turned sharp back again. The Arabs did not fly, but stood and fought stub- bornly and gallantly, displaying as much courage as against the Infantry. Agam and again they were dis- persed, but each time tney gatheied together as the horsemen came on. Our intantry were so confident that they ut last abandoned the square formation and attacked the enemy in line. By 2 o'clock after nearly three hours incessant fighting, the British Army passed over the entire position occupied by the enemy. Our forces entered it at the rear and emerged at the front. Every foot was contested by the enemy, who displayed a courage, a tenacity and a contempt for death such as only steady troops could have withstood. There is no doubt that had General Gra- ham's Force consisted of Egyptian instead of British troops, the former disasters would have been rep- eated here. The close of the fight was announced by a loud cheer from the Gordon Highlanders as they Eassed out at the front of the enemy's position, and y a triumphant peal from the bagpipes. The loss in killed on the British side was four of- ficiers, twenty-two privates, and two Marines ; in wounded, seventeen officiers and one hundred and forty-two soldiers and Marines. Ofiicers killed : Lieutenant Freeman n, 19th Hussars ; Major Sladc, 10th Hussars; Lieutenant Probyn, 9th Bengal Cavalry; Quartermaster Wilkins, 3d Battalion King's Royal Rifles. Officers Wounded — General Baker Pacha, seve- rely ; Lieutenant Colonel Burnaby, severely ; Lieute- nant Colonel Barrow, 19th Hussars, dangerously; Lieutenant Boyds, R.N., dangerously; Brevet Major Brabazon, 10th Hussars, slightly; Captain Kclilc, Royal Artillery, slightly ; Veterinary Surgeon Beech, slightly; Quartermaster Watkins, Irish Fusiliers, 12 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN slightly ; Surgeon Turner, slightly ; Major Dalgety, York and Lancaster Regiment , severely ; Captain Littledale, York and Lancaster Regiment, severely ; Lieutenants Gordon (Wolrige Gordon) and Mac- leod, Royal Highlanders, slightly; Captain Green, Royal Engineers, and Captain Wauchope, Royal Highlanders, Staff, slightly; Captain and Adjutant Poe, and Major Allen, Royal Marines, slightly; Staff Surgeon Martin, R.N., slightly. Our loss would have been tar heavier had the entrenchments been attack- ed in front. Captain Wilson, of the Hecla, gallantly rescued a Marine from the attack of three rebels. While strik- ing at them his sword broke off short at the hilt. Captain Wilson then dismounted, and killed all three of the Marine's assailants. ' All the guns d(;fending the enemy's works were cap- tured, together with a quantity of rifles, ammunition, and cattle. The enemy had two thousand killed and many wounded. The battle of Teb bore out the anticipations which were formed of what would happen when the brave fanatics of Osman Digna met a steady and disciplined foe. The former fought with supreme valour, but their efforts were but as wp ves upon the rocks, as in parties of twenties and tliirties they dashed against the solid line of the British infantry. The dispositions taken by General Graham were excellent. The ob- long square, with its long faces front and rear, was the best formation which could ht'ive been adopted against the expected rush of the Arab spearmen. That rush never came. Tiie garrison of Tokar, which had swelled the ranks of the enemy, had no doubt pointed out to them the immense value of entrench- ments, where they could remain under shelter until the English were close at hand, and whence they could use their newly-acquired rifles and guns until the moment came to dash forward with the spear. • i> THE SOUDA.N CAMPAIGN 13 Undoubtedly, the advice was sound, and might, had it been somewhat differently carried out, have given them a chance of victory. Had the mass of Arabs lain perdu behind their sand banks, maintaining their lire of rifle, Krupp cannon, and Gatlings until the last moment, and then, when the English Une was within a few paces, leaped to their feet with a terrible yell, and darted, ten thousand strong, upon us, the result might have been different. At least, such a plan would have given them a possibility of success, for their sudden charge might well have shaken the steadiest troops in the world. Ac it was carried out, the new tactics were fatal to them. Their main body was shouldered away from their camp by our 'march round their left, and took no part in the fight, save in resisting the charges of our cavalry. But fifteen hundred men remained in the lines round the wells, and these attempted no simultaneous rush such as proved fatal to the two forces they had before en- countered and overpowered on the same ground. They fought in little groups and parties, and attacks by such bodies as these on the solid phalanx of Brit- ish troops were as spray against the bows of a great steamer. The enemy met them piecemeal, and witli each success the self-confidence of the troops rose. Even the halt while the artillery silenced the enemy's guns had a good effect, for it tired the men's patience, and made them burn with a desire to get at their foes. The hand-to-hand contest, which they had before iioped to avert by their rifle fire, was now longed for, and when they rose and advanced, cheering wildly, the battle was virtually won , and even had the enemy charged in a mass, the English might have been trusted to repel them with empty rilles. Tlie heavy list of casualties among the ofllciers in compari- son to the total loss may be accounted for by the fact that in an attack the officiers lead on their men, and would therefore be the first to come in contact with 14 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN N 1 the enemy's spearmen. The courage with which the Arabs met the charges of the cavalry is even more remarkable than that which they displayed in the defence of their works, for it is rare indeed that un- disciplined troops will withstand cavalry. Their obstinacy cost us some valuable lives, among them, notably, that of C4olonel Slade, of the 10th Hussars. The gunners from Tokar appear to have worked their pieces steadily and well, and to have made fairly good pratice. lUe victory of Teb is one which we can regard with immense satisfaction as eminently creditable alike to the troops and to their General. The first ad- vance in hollow square was the best formation which could be adopted against attack. The turning move- ment by which the column avoided the loss that a direct assault upon the enemy's position would have involved was well conceived and executed, and con- tributed largely to the success of the day, as the great bulk of the rebel Arab forces at once fell back. Lastly, the abandonment of the square formation for an ad- vance in line, when the men had gained confidence in themselves, and were in full fighting humour, and when there was no longer a risk of attack, was a measure which was perfectly justified both by the circumstances and the results. All arms appear to have behaved alike with steadiness and gallantry. The execution of the flank movement under a heavy musketry and artillery fire without returning a shot was one which would have tried the calmness of veteran soldiers, and the enthusiasm with which the final assault was made and the men met the enemy, bayonet to spear, sometimes in single combat, speaks highly for the spirit of the troops. The fight at Teb is worthy of a place among the noteworthy deeds of arms of British soldiers. Her Majesty received the gratifying intelligence of the victory of Sir G. Graham over the rebel forces i. THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 15 near Trinkatat, and at once telegraphed her congra* tulations to Sir G. Graham through the General Commanding her forces in Egypt, as well as the ex- pression of her sorrow at tlie loss of brave officera and men, and her anxious inquiries after the wounded. II. THE BATTLE OP TAMAI The British Army advanced from the Zariba at 8 o'clock in the morning in 6chelon of brigades. Tha 2d Brigade was in advance. The front line was formed ny a half-battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), with the other half-battalion of each regiment in open column on the respective outer flanks, ready to wheel up into line. In rear, in a se- cond line, close to the flanks of the first line, were the Royal Marines, in line. A nine-pounder battery of four guns was in rear of the detachment of the York and Lancaster Regiment , having the half- battalion of that regiment in column on its right flank. The Gatling battery was in the same position on the left flank of the front line, so that on the word, "Halt", by the outward wheel of the half-battalion on the flank, square would be instantly formed. The 1st Brigade was in the same formation, with a halt-battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and a half-battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers forming the front line, the remaining half-battalions of these regiments being in column in rear of their flanks. The camel battery was in rear of the centre of the front line. The force advanced in echelon of brigades by fours from the right of companies. The morning was bright and clear, nut with no breeze to carry away tha smoke of the men's fire. 16 ::-.i THE SOUDAN CaMPMGN II Owing to there being no breeze heavy clouds of :smoke hung over the men to their immediate front, * entirely obscuring their vie^ of what was going on in front of them. As the tirst companies reached the edge of the incUne the rebels suddenly appeared in great numbers, leaping from behind the rocks, and made a wild charge upon the square. Our men could not see their enemy for the smoke, and so a species, of momentary panic arose. The re- bels were quick to profit by the confusion in ourranks. They crawled on their hands and knees beneath the bayonets and beneath the muzzles of the Gardners and Gatlings, and thus ^^ot into the square, when they commenced stabbing and slashing our men, I 18 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN With a cheer. One Galling, however, had been run down into the valley by the rebels, and this was not got up till about half-an-hour later. After a short halt, but not long enough to give the enemy time to rally, the 1st Brigade again advanced, taking with them this time the nine-pounder battery. The brigade descended slowly into the valley, and then took the opposite heights at the charge. Clearing the way before them with a steady fire, they then descended the next hill into a small valley, where Osman Digma's camp and the village of Tamasi lay. The rebels made here an attempt to hold their own, but by doing so only lost a few more brave warriors, and the village was taken. In the villages were found bags of money, Korans, talismans, and rebel property of various kinds, while on the outside of each hut was stored a considerable quantity of grain. The rebels had evidently not con- templated the possibility of our getting so far, and had been forced to leave everything in great disorder. Having burned the villages and all they contained, the 1st Brigade recrossed the valley and joined the 2d Brigade, which had meanwhile occupied the wells. From Tamasi the troops brought back Osman Dig- ma's standard and Tewfik Bey's standard, which was captured when his force was annihilated. The expedition was entirely successful. The rebels were shown that they are not able to do entirely as they choose when England wills otherwise. Their losses at El Teb and Tamasi may roughly be estimated at nearly 6000 men. Our losses were 70 killed and over 100 wounded. The naval Brigade, 42d, 65th, suffered most. Lieutenants Almack, Houston-Stewart, and Mont- resor, and ten seamen killed; two dangerously wounded. General Graham encamped at the wells, in Osman's camp, 18 miles off. Di( for of bee hei i\ A THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 19 Sir Gerald Graham and his gallant troops fought and won a battle which is worthy of a place among the recorded honours of the British Army. Osman DiGMA is not a great potentate wielding the organized forces of a vast Empire, yet many a field on the issue of which Imperial fortunes have been staked has been contested with less desperate valour and less heroic contempt of death than were shown by the enemy who poured out their blood like water in the vain attempt to check and hurl back the advance of General Graham. If our soldiers were insignificant in number compared v/ith those ussemblea on the battle-fields of modern Europe, their quality was none the less tested and, despite momentary weak- ness in one portion of the force, proved in an ordeal different from any familiar in civilized warfare, and not inferior to any in its effect on the spirit even of the bravest, the steadiest, and the most enduring. A desultory fire was opened on our lines in the early morning, and at half-past seven o'clock General Graham sent forward the cavalry to clear the way for the advance which immediately followed. Before noon the English commander was able to telegraph to the authorities at the War Ofiice from Osman Diei- ma's camp announcing his success " after hard fight- ing since eight o'clock. " The struggle was much more serious and obstin- ate than the battle of El Teb. The enemy did not wait to be attacked in their iutrenchments or on the rocky ridges, but apparently poured down in immense numbers and with impetuous ardour on the advanc- ing squares of General Graham's force. The signi- ficance of the desperate attacks made upon the Brit- ish squares, in spite of the severe lessons taught in the previous skirmishing, will be readily understood. After their experience of the effects of the weapons of precision handled by our troops and of the shell-fire of the night before, the insurgents were nevertheless k. _ 20 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN daring and determined enoiigii to throw themselves with the courage of despair upon the squares, some- times coming close enough in the teeth of the wither- ing blast from the rifles of our men to inflict deadly wounds before they fell. Under cover of the smoke they even succeeded in breaking into the foremost square, crawling on their hands and knees under the muzzles of the rifles and the Gatling and Gardner guns, and throwing our men into confusion by their murderous spear thrusts. The York and Lari caster Regiment was driven back on the Naval Brigade, and the enemy followed, until the cavalry checked the pursuit. The second square had done its work admi- rably, and the advance began again. The enemy never recovered their advantage. Our losses, if we hav»i re- gard to the proportions of the force, were indisput- ably heavy. The lighting qualities shown by Osman Digma's followers have not often been surpassed. It is impossible not to reflect that if the Arabs of the Eastern Soudan were among the vaUant native races we have brought under our rule in India, their subjection would be followed by the employment of their fighting qualities in the cause of peace and order. Perhaps the time may come when this undis- ciplined valour and this uncalculating devotion will not be allowed to run all to waste. III. THE ADVANCE ON KHARTOUM The Nile expedition started from Cairo in Septem- ber, 1884, and was able to advance from Korti on the 10th of Januarv, 1885. The Nile expedition has been marked by incidents, which have not had any complete precedent on any former occasion. The ascent of the Nile for a distance of 1,500 miles from what was practically the base ot A THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 21 the expedition at Alexandria by means which had to be improvised for the occasion, and means which depended altogether on the troops themselves for their efliciency, is a precedent altogether new in military annals. The conception and execution of that operation will form a new chapter in military history. Great credit is due to Lord Wolseley for the courage and self-reliance with which he formed the plan of that operation, and for the manner in which he staked his great military reputation on the success of measures which were hitherto untried and of which we had no knowledge. And not less credit is due to the soldiers and sailors who were engaged in that expedition for the manner in which they undertook new and untried duties, and for the perseverance and resolution with which they grappled and encountered all the difhculties and hardships entailed upon them. The duty which they were sent to perform was of singular dilFiculty and great danger, and surrounded by circumstances strange to the experience of the British Army, and calling forth some of the greatest qualities which that Army could display. The gene- ralship of Lord Wolseley in that campaign along the Nile has won the tribute of many high authorities among the most military nations of Europe, and while the work was going on it was watched with mingled solicitude and admiration by spectators from every country, and everybody must have felt that Lord Wolseley displayed singular and unusual qualities in lighting against the strange and unaccus- tomed ditilcuities with which he had to contend, and those qualities were more than emulated and seconded by the otlicers and men under his command. He had to send an expedition, mainly along a river torn with cataracts, among deserts in w^hich neither food nor water was to be had, and in the face of ene- mies fighting in their own country, skilled in their The SoDdan Campaign, bv lajor d'Eolragues. H. I. ResentlForcfT, 2 22 THE SOirOAN CAMPAIGN \ own warfjirc, and animated by that tremendous mix- ture of religions fanaticism and military spirit which the rehgion of Islam seems alone to have the secret of conferring upon its votaries. This tremendous task he performed in ap incredibly short space of time, and considering what he had to go through, with singularly little loss of life, and the men, whether they were forcing their boats up cataracts or whether they were engaged in the unpleasant duty of con- ducting camel convoys across the desert, or whether they were lighting with Arabs whose like they had never met before, showed throughout the peculiar qualities for which British soldiers have alway's been known. It was a campaign which must have been very trying to the spirit of any army, l)ut it made a special appeal to what may be called specially British qualities. There are armies which show as much fire and impulse in the middle of battle, in the inspiriting charge, in a pitched conflict, when foes are ranged face to face in the field, but there is no army which shows in an equal degree th . qualities of patient en- durance, of steady discipline, and of determination through long and exhausting and anxious service, to do all, to bear all, to dare all, and to fulfil the extieme demands of military fidelity and duty. The hardships A\^ere faced in a manner deserving the greatest praise. Courage in the presence of danger is one of the inci- dents of the English character. Generals and soldiers alike faced and conquered all the dilficulties and all the enemies that were op- posed to them. For more than 500 miles of river, cataract, and desert, the whole system of transport f for men, material, supplies, and stores, including .j medical stores — which were never better supplied ■j in any expedition which has left this country — had ■j to be organized, Whaleboats had to be forced up 190 .miles of most turbulent and dangerous water ; camels had to be taken across long stretches of waterless •i'-.- i*5,-/i ,»*_,•«■ .<) "#>* for tre be THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 23 desert by soldiers who knew nothing of the manage- ment of boats or of the camels which they had to ride. Yet, all this was successfully done witli hardly any loss of life, and with a willing cheeriness which in- sured the success of those most dillicult operations. Never in any expedition which ever left this country was everything that tends to the elliciency and health of the troops more completely cared for than it w;is in this Nile Expedition. When the force was directed to withdraw down the Nile the witlidrawal was etleo ted at the hottest period of the year, when the river was lowest and in the most dillicult condition to na- vigate, with the loss of only a single life. Not only that, but 14,000 refugees from Dongola were sent down in safety and in comfort. A study of the map ser- ves to bring out clearly the strategic' featiu'cs which governed the military situation. The vast northerly bend of the Nile, the cataracts which impede navi- gation, the caravan routes fixed by the positions of the wells, and the points at which these routes strike the river combined to impose hard-and-fast limita- tions upon military movements. With so many limi- tations and so small a choice of practicable routes, strategy was reduced to its simplest terms. The qua- drilateral formed by Korti, Abu Hamad, Berber, and Metammeh formed the strategic theatre of operations. Korti was the advanced base of the expedition, the main depot of the enormous quantity of stores which were forwarded up the Nile with so much labour, the cen- tre to which the resources of the surrounding country were drawn. Abu Hamad is important as the first point at which rapid communication with the ad- vancing expedition could be established and a lino of supply worked from Korosko. Berber had a strategic importance of its own, not only as being within 2(30 miles of an English force and English gunboats, but as a town of some size, the occupation of which might be expected to have political and military signiti- 24 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN cance. Mctammeh closes the desert route to Korti, guards the line of communications, and could become an etappeii sUiMon and an advanced dep6t of stores. IV. BATTLE OF ABU KLEA Sir Herbeht Stewart's camel brigade left Korti on Thursday, the 7th of January, and arrived at Gadkul on the 12th. General Stewart's force left Gadkul after two days' rest from the march across the Desert, on the 14th, for Metemneh, a distance ot about nincJy-live miles; across Bayuda Desert. The column was accompanied by Colonels Wilson and Burnaby, and comprised :. The Guards' Marines Camel Corps, 380 ; the Heavy Camel Corps, 360 ; Mounted Infantry, 400 ; a Squa- dron of the IDth Hussars, 90 ; a half-battalion Sussex Regiment, 175 ; Uoyal Artillery Camel Battery, three guns ; Royal Engineers, 30 ; Naval Brigade, 50, with one Gardner machine gun, making a total eflective force of 1475 men, with three guns. General Stewart arrived near the Abu Klea Wells on the afternoon of the 16th. The cavalry in advance of the force reported the enemy in strength, occupying a position in front of the wells. Wisely waiting to rest his command and to allow time for the serious work before him, the General bivouacked for the night, roughly protecting his position with earth and brushwood. As before Taniai, the Arabs did not attack, but contented themselves with keeping up a "harmless lire" as soon as darkness came on, at the same time moving a force to their left and throwing up works threatening the British right flank. On the 17th General Stewart endeavoured to draw his enemy on to attack without success. Leaving his baggage and camels behind in the hastily-formed zeribajguar- THE SOUDAN CA.MPAIGN 25 ded by a detachment drawn from the Sussex Regi- ment and the Mounted Infantry, he tlien advanced to the attfickwith his remaining force formed in square. The Mounted Infantry formed the left front angle, the Guards the right. Guards and the Sussex Uegi- ment formed the right face ; the Heavy Camel H(;gi- ment and Mounted Infantry the left. The Heavy Camel Regiment and the bluejackets closed the rear face. The artillery and the Gardner gun were in the centre. Following Sir G. Graham's tacti<;s at Kl Teb, Sir H. Stewart passed round the left flank of the ene- my's position, thus forcing the Arabs to attack or be enfiladed. Thus driven to bay, the enemy wheeled to the left and, advancing in two grand divisions, after some well-conceived mananivres, delivered a single headlong charge. As at Tamai, the s(iuare was partially broken at its left rear — the angle the well known weak point of a square — where the Heavy Camel Regiment stood ; but the same admi- rable steadiness and rallying power were evinced by the British soldier. A hand to hand liglit was now carried on, in whicli the gallant (>)lonel Rurnaby unfortunately lost his life. Meanwhile, tlie deadly lire of the breechloader was beginning to tell round the other faces of the square ; the Arabs were falling by hundreds and were tinally driven back on all sides. The cavalry at once pushed on tor tlie wells, which were occupied at 5 p. m. Thus the force was under arms the whole day, aud after marching followed by heavy fighting required rest and water. A strong post was established at the wells, and Genei'al Stewart on the 18th pushed forward to Melainmeh. A loss of nine ollicers and 05 non-commissioned officers and men killed and nine ollicers and 85 wounded is a heavy proportion out of a total fighting strength which was only about 1,500. The loss of two naval ollicers out of the small nunih<;r present is remarkable, and it may be that, as at Tamai, the mu- lAi™.. ,.4.-i_ /, — -• — a-i.i.:jta3ivr 26 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN chine gun in their charge was a special object of attack, and that, like their devoted comrades, they died beside it. The enemy's strength was estimated at 10,000. If the victory has been dearly bought at the price of so many gallant lives, it is most satisfactory to know that it was complete and crushing. It must not be for- gotten that General Stewart's men were called upon to fight after a trying desert march of 53 miles, and a night broken by the enemy's fire. To some of them, little accustomed to camel riding, the ordeal must have been severe indeed while all had to undergo for two days the privation involved in a limited water ration under circumstances where the craving for water becomes almost intolerable. General Stewart and his 1,500 have nobly earned the praise which Lord Wolseley bestows. They have shown that a comparatively small English force can, if necessary, go to Khartoum, and they inflicted a blow which the Mahdi's followers could hardly fail to understand. The completeness of General Stewart's victory is shown by the fact that he was able to leave his woun- ded at the Abu Klea wells and to advance to Metam- meh on Sunday. The whole available Arab force was doubtless concentrated at Abu Klea, and news of the heavy defeat suffered on Saturday spread through the surrounding country. Stewart's column, which until late in the morning of the 16th had advanced in somewhat straggling order, received warning from traces of the recent presence of the enemy's scouts that an engagement was probable. Halts were called and a regulated and compact advance was adopted. It seems to have been by this time expected that the Abu Klea wells would be held by the Arabs ; but that so large a force had been massed there was probably unforeseen. The British column had bivouacked at the southern end of a broad plain, with distant hills on either side and THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 27 a rough, broken ridge in front, over which the route lay. At noon information was sent back from the Hussar scouts, who were at some distance in front of the column, that the wells of Abu Klea were held by the enemy. General Stewart at once formed up his command for attack in a square formation, with all the baggage and water camels in the centre. The square was halted about 400 yards fi'om the foot of the ridge. The latter commanded a wide view, a val- ley rapidly broadening out into the fertile country bordering the Nile. The enemy's force could be made out among the clusters of mimosa at the narrow end of the valley, it was then too late to do more than make careful dispositions for the night. Small trees and brushwood were felled and formed into a rough zariba round the baggage. A little in advance of the zariba a stone parapet about 150 yards long was thrown up. The position chosen was about four miles from the enemy's camp, and General Stewart's pro- ceedings were watched by detached parties of Arabs from the hills on his left front. A few rounds from the three 7-pounders were fired at about 6 p. m. The night must have been a trying one to the whole force. Long-range fire was kept up by the enemy, and, though casualties were slight, bullets were constantly singing overhead and occasionally dropping into the square. A general attack at daybreak was expected, and the men were three times called to arms. Mor- ning showed that some stone parapets had been con- structed on high ground to the right and rear of the position, from which a desultory fire was opened, but soon checked by the Mounted Infantry. At 8 a. m. the enemy showed in force on the right front, moving over the ridges in good order in two long lines. A partial attack at the same time threatened the left front. The fire from the square began to grow hot. Still, however the Arabs appear to have declined to deliver a definite attack, and to have endeavoured T ;:^-ir infTTMt i'' - '■■■' — - "■ ■■-^■*"-— 28 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN to surround tho British force, doubtless hoping to induce a partial advance, which would lay bare a por- tion of Stewart's position, and enable them to close. So far, the enemy's tactics seem to have resembled those of the Zulus at Isandlana. At 10 a. m. General Stewart determined to bring on attack, and, leaving nearly all his camels and baggage under a guard only 150 strong, he formed his whole force, with the ex- ception of tlie Hussars and a few of the Mounted Infantry, into a single square, and advanced on foot towards the wells. Water and ammunition were car- ried by camels posted in the centre. A square formation is always unsuited for move- ment, and the advance was slow, frequent halts being necessary to preserve the proper distances. The po- sitions of the various regiments in the square were described. It will be noticed that each face, except the rear, was composed of a composite force, the object being, probably, to provide against a break of corps at the angles. Thus, the Guards held the right forward angle and the Mounted Infantry the left. The Heavy Camel Reo^iment held ttie rear face and the left rear angle. The Sussex Regiment closed the gap in the right face between the Guards and the Heavy Camel Regiment. Thus, there was a break of corps only at the right rear angle. Some loss was experienced from rifle fire during the advance, which seems to have continued for about two miles and to have been di- rected with a view of turning the left flank of the enemy's position. As at El-Teb, this manoeuvre suc- ceeded in forcing on an attack. The Arab idea of field fortication appears to be, not to build enclosed works, but, like the Egyptians at Tel-el-Kebir, to draw a line across tueir front and expect it to be directly attacked. Thus turned, it became necessary for the Arabs to charge General Stewart's square, or their position would have been enfiladed and taken in reverse. At 11 o'clock, according to one account, the square had '*»\ THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 29 A 'k brought up its left face opposite to the Arab position, about a quarter of a mile distant, when the charge wasdelivered with precisely the same headlong speed and reckless devotion which were shown at Tamai and with the same result. It is easy to make reflec- tions on this second breaking of a British square. Soldiers know, however, that a rush of masses of men utterly regardless of death and fired with the fanatical fury their religion supplies is infinitely more dangerous than a charge of the finest cavalry. The best cavalry in Europe would not liave reached Ge- neral Stewart's square. The horseman has two minds to control, and one at least is not inspired with a de- termination to close at all cost. The density of the cavalry attack is far inferior. In the space occupied by one trooper struggling with his half-maddened animal unable at best to do more than keep a straight course, there may be 10 or 12 Arabs lithe and active, all fired with the determination to close, able to dodge, cut and thrust, to creep along the ground and strike at their opponents' legs. And the soldier in his place in the square, instead of having one man and horse to deal with individually, finds himself faced by five or six savages dashing at him. close packed one be- hind the other, two perhaps able to slash or thrust at the same time. The analogy of the British squares at Waterloo fails utterly.These squares would have been broken with ease and annihilated by the men wlio charged General Stewart's force on Saturday. At Ta- mai the square was broken for obvious reasons. The right forward angle had been brought dangerously near to a nullah crowded with the enemy, and at this specially unfortunate moment the front face was or- dered to charge. It is stated tliat the Arabs followed close on the retiring skirmishers, which seems to in- dicate that the formation was not quite complete at the left rear angle. In any case, there was surely so- mething anomalous in placing heavy cavalry in an 30 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN I Infantry square, a formation altogether contrary to the spirit of their training and traditions. The beha- viour of their force in the wild m^Ue which ensued and the steadiness which enabled the square to be reformed under circumstances which rendered disas- ter possible were worthy of the finest traditions of the British Army. The Gardner gun seems to have jammed at the critical moment, as machine guns too often do, and the Naval Brigade who guarded it suf- fered severely. No real pursuit took place, for the Hussars seem to have come up too late to deal an effective blow. Moreover, they were only 90 strong and, in view of the experiences of El Teb, where the light cavalry sword proved a very ineffective weapon, it is doubtful if they could have inflicted any serious loss. They were able, however, to push forward and occupy the wells without resistance, a fact which goes far to prove the demoralization of the enemy. The British loss in proportion to the number of men engaged was almost exactly double that at Ta- mai. The proportion of killed and wounded, 74 to 94, at Abu Klea contrasts strongly with that at Tel-el- Kebir, which was only 54 to 342. On the other hand, the estimated loss of the Arabs, 800 killed at Abu Klea out of a nominal 10,000, falls far below the 4,000 out of 12,000 recorded of Tamai. Apparently Osman Digma's men were able to stand greater punishment. The following is the list of the casualties on the 17th: Officers Killed. — Colonel Burnaby, Royal Horse Guards ; Major Garmichael, 5th Lancers ; Major Ather- ton, 5th Dragoon Guards ; Major Gough, Royal Dra- goons ; Captain Darley, 4th Dragoon Guards ; Lieu- tenant Law, 4th Dragoon Guard's ; Lieutenant Wolfe, Scots Greys ; Lieutenants Pigott and Delisle, Naval Brigade. Severely Wounded. — Lord St. Vincent, Major Dickson, Royals ; Lieutenant Lyall and Guthrie, Ar- tillery ; Surgeon Magill. . f J vi THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 31 -^v Slightly Wounded. — Loid Airlie, Lieutenant Beech^ Life uuards ; Gostello, 5th Lancers, contusion ; Major Gough, Mounted Infantry. Among the list of the slain was Colonel Burnaby,. one of the most dashing and brilliant ollicers in the British Army. When the square was broken the he- roic giant Burnaby and other otiicers performed prodigies of valour. General Stewart carried out a diflScult and dangerous task with admirable skill, and all honour is due to him and to the brave troops ha led to victory. V. BATTLE OP METAMMEH General Stewart's force gained a brilliant victory^ at Metammeh on the 19th. The enemy were 7,00(> strong, with cavalry. Many of them were armed with rifles. The British loss was 20 killed and 60 wounded. The enemy lost 2300 killed and wounded. Sir H. Ste- warts force, much worn v i hard fighting, did not leave Abu Kloa till about 4 ^ m. on the 18th. Acting on orders from Lord Wolseley to establish himself on the Nile above Metammeh, the General diverged slightly to the right of the caravan track after passing: the wells of Shebacat. After marching nearly all night, the force halted for breakfast at 7 a. m. on the 19th, forming a " strong zariba " about five miles south of Metammeh and three or four miles from the Nile. The enemy appeared in force on the ridge in front, as if to bar the advance to the river. The troops were promptly dismounted, and the first care of the General was to form a zariba. The camels were unloaded and a fortification was thrown up, composed principally of the saddles and baggage. The hospital was placed in the centre, protected by All the while the mea Gardner and Gatling guns. ; ^0 i»i m il ' ■ *■ '^ THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN / / were constructing the zariba, a hot fire was kept up by the enemy's sharpshooters, who were concealed behind bushes and high grass on all sides. Tl»eir fire was, on the whole, well directed, and had most disastrous effect, General Stewart himself being severely wounded in the thigh. Altogether 12 were killed and 40 wounded here. Mr. Cameron, the correspondent of the Standard, and Mr. St. Leger Her- bert, representing the Morning Post, were also shot dead. When the Zariba was nearly completed, the force was formed into a square and the advance was sounded. The front of the square was composed of the Naval Brigade and Grenadiers, the right flank of the Goldstreams, Scots Guards, and part of the Heavy Corps, and the left flank of the Mounted Infantry ; while the Sussex Regiment and the remainder of the Heavy Corps brought up the rear. After the British force had advanced for about two miles, the enemy also began to move forward in two large bodies in echelon. They first directed their at- tack on our right front, towards which tUey charged, but our men stood perfectly steady, and delivered a terrific fire into their midst, mowing them down in heaps. So telUng was each volley that none of the at- tacking force could get within 60 yards of our front line. Our loss here was six killed and 23 wounded. The guns were worked admirably by Captain Norton of the Royal Artillery, and did immense execution. While one body of the enemy was thus fruitlessly attacking the square, anotlier body, mostly on horse- back, made for the zariba. The force garrisoning it was made up of detachments of every corps, under the command of Lord Charles Beresford, The attack on the zariba was sustained for two hours, when the enemy were compelled to retreat before the fierce fire kept up by the garrison from guns and rifles alike. One man was killed and three were wounded ^* -s* THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 3a: while they were helping to erect a small redoubt some 50 yards to the right of the zariba. This small - work, when tinished, was held by Lord Cochrane and; 40 of the Life Guards and Scot Grey's, who by their steady fire did much to repel the constant rushes of the enemy. At sunset the square reached the Nile, and then encamped for the night. Early next morning (Tues- day) parties were sent out to reconnoitre, and des- troyed some empty villages. The caravan track passes over a saddle, the highest point along the portion of the route and about 360ft». above the level of the Nile. No doubt the point selec- ted for defence by the Malidi's lieutenants was deter- mined mainly by the existence of the wells of Abu Klea — so large a force could not have been kept at a distance from its water supply for any time — but the eight miles of rugged country interposed between two nearly level tracts appear to have been well ad- apted for defence, just the place, in fact, at which an unskilful general might be lured into a trap. Leaving this hilly region, the route passes over an even tract sloping gently to the brackish wells of Shabacat. The ground now rises slightly, and then drops somewhat abruptly to the valley of the Nile. Metammeh is about one and a-half mile from the river, at a slight gap in the low ridge, probably just above the level of hig- hest Nile. There are other Arab villages in the neigh- bourhood. The plains in which the Shabacat wells lie have a considerable growth of small trees, mimo- sas, and £,rass, and support large flocks, which are watered at these wells and at Abu Klea. As far as can be judged there is no point between Abu Klea and Metammeh which offers any special advantages to an Arab defence. We paid a heavy price for victory in the death of that gallant officer and able commander Sir Herbert Stewart. Lord Wolseley describes him as one of iNMfel S4 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN the ablest soldiers and most d;isliin<][ comninndors he has ever known. The deprivation of his services must be rej^arded as a national loss. Seven or eight t)f the Mahdi's Emirs, or generals were killed in the last two battles. While constructing the zeriba the British force was much harassed by a well-directed lire from sharp- shooters concealed by bushes and grass, which caused nearly half the total loss. Here the General "was wounded, and the comniiind devolved upon Sir C Wilson. Having completed the extemporized de- fences and left the wounded under a guard, the ad- vance was sounded and the troops moved out in square at about 3 p. m. to the ridge overlooking the Is'ile, where the enemy was posted in force. It was intended, by drawing on an attack, to put an end to the galling tire of the enemy, and to clear the way to the Nile. After the advance had continued for two miles, the Arabs charged from the right front, but "were unable to reach the British scfuare, and were repulsed with a loss estimated at 2000 killed and wounded. Lord vVolseley says that the attack was not delivered with tue " same determination or cou- rage " which had been shown on the I7th ; but, that the square remained intact, was doubtless due in part to the experience gained and the sense of mutual reliance engendered by the previous fighting. It is probable, too, that the men had steadied down and fired with greater efifect, for Sir G. Wilson draws special attention to their admirable coolness, both under the heavy fire in the morning and the Arab charge in the afternoon. The 7-pounder guns of the Royal Artillery also seem to have done great execu- tion. During the fighting, Sir Gl arles Wilson, with great judgment and a self-renunciation only too rare in such a case, handed the command of the square to Colonel Boscawen, the training of whose previous career had perhaps better fitted him for this special THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN ^ 35 ■duty. In the eveninj^, ttic force reached the Nile, and encamped on the bank, entrenched itself near the village of Goul)at, and brouj][ht in the wounded and baggaf^e from the Zeriha. The 20lhwas spent in minor reconnoissances, in which some Aral) villages were destroyed ; and on the 21st, a rcconnoissance in force "Nvas made towards Metammeh, whi(^h was found to be strongly held and prepared for defence. On this day, ttie four steamers, which probably left Khartoum on the 18th or 19th, arrived, and Nusri Pasha, General Gordon's Lieutenant, landed men and guns to take part in the operations. Sir G. Wilson wisely deter- mined not to attack Metammeh at once ; since, al- ttiough the Arabs appeared to be unwilling to show themselves and the place could doubtless have been taken, a further loss would have been occasioned with no compensating advantage. On ttie 22d, a re- connaissance with the steamers was made down the river towards Shendy which was found to be weakly held by the enemy. On the 24tti, Sir C. Wilson, with two steamers and a detachment of the Sussex Regi- ment, which, as the pioneer force on tlie Nile, well earned the honour of being first at the goal, started for Khartoum. The principal features of the lighting of the 19th seem to have been that th.e Arabs made a greater use of rifle lire, and charged with less deter- mination than at Abu Klea, with the result that the proportion of killed to wounded — 22 to 94 — was much smaller, that they used artillery with little result — the shells never bursting, and ttiat the moral effect of General Stewart's victory of the 17th had told heavily. Officers Killed. 19th Hussars. — Quartermaster A. G. Lima. Commissariat and Transport Corps. — Conductor of Supplies A. C. Jewell. Also Messrs. St. Leger Herbert and Cameron, Cor- respondents. 36 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN /. IP. I? Officers Wounded. Staff. — Brigadier General Sir H. Stewart; Captaia Lord Airlie, 10th Hussars, slightly. Heavy Camel Hegiment. — Major Lord A. Somer- set, Hoyal Horse Guards. Guards. — Lieutenant C. Crutchley, Scots Guards. Mounted Infantry. — Lieutenant 'V. D. O. Snow^ Somersetshire Liglit Infimtry ; Lieutenant C. R Li- vingstone, Uoyal Highlanders, slightly. East Lancashire Uegiment.— Captain A.G. Leonard. Hoyal Navy. — Lieutenant Munro. Hoyal Marines. — Major W. H. Poe. Also Mr. Burleigh, Correspondent, slightly. We cannot but experience a sense of wonder when we consider the coolness with which General Ste- wart's square moved against an enemy ten times its- number, in an inhospitable country, with the natives in full revolt, and in a climate so different from their own — so enervating and so deadly. The effect of the intrepidity of the Englisti soldiers upon the mass of Arabs must have been immense. Notwithstanding the serviceable arms possessed by the latter, in the use of which they had been well trained, notwiths- tanding their superior position, their long experience of life in the desert, and their overwhelming nuL^bers^ they were completely put to flight. We see that . ;en a small army under commanders well trained in the art of war, and who are determined to conquer or die, may, when called upon, rout an adversary much superior in numbers ; as the Enghsh army has shown in all the wars fought by it during this century in Europe, in Asia, and at the two extremities of the African continent. With the English victory near Metammeh on the 19th ended one of the most dashing, most brilliant^ most heroic feats in the whole range of military history. This victory, unhappily, was not won without heavy cost. There was a heavy loss in killed THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN a? and wounded, heavy, considering,' the sniallness of tlie column. Too l;ite i)y only !i few djiys^ tiie sleainers with Sir Charles Wilson and the detaehnienl of the Sussex Regiment readied Kliartoum to liiid the town fallen Into ttie Mahdi's hands. They were tired upon from all sides. The boats were compelled to retire before (iordnn's fate could positively be learned. Fiv(; natives who were at Khartoum when it sur- reii lered declare that ttie rebels were admitted by the treachery of two IViclias, who had once been punislied by (General Gordon. The olllcer conmianding the tlu*ee steamers wliich remained at Khartoum is said to have taken the Mahdi's troops to the main gate of the city, where they were admitted after dark. Two of the natives atlirm that General Gordon was killed. On the way down the stetuners and our men nar- rowly escaped ctipture at the Sixth Cataract. During the hours of darkness the two steamers slipped past the rebels, stiot the rapids, and were within sixty miles of the fort, when one boat went aground. The other stranded near an island twenty miles lower down, where Sir Charles Wilson and the Sussex detachment remained. Major Stuart Wortley, with tliree English soldiers and natives from Khar- toum, came down in a boat. Lord Cliarles Beresford's steamer, with 20 picked marksmen of the Royal Rifles attached to the Moun- ted Infantry, went up to relieve them. The country has solid ground for gratification in the fact that Sir Charles Wilson was released from liis perilous position, and that, after a very rapid ride across the desert, lie reported himself to Lord Wolseley at Korti. The details of his rescue, and, indeed, of his whole adventure, are romantic in the highest degree. He approactied within 800 yards The Soadaa CaDpaigo, bj lajor d'Eotragues. i. I. RescfTc Furces. 3 III1*< ^ mm 38 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN of Khartoum, and on his return both his steamers were wrecked, by the treachery of the Arab pilots. It is gratifying to learn that these men did not escape. Their treachery offers a too probable explanation of the disaster which cost Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power their lives. Sir Charles Wilson, secured a tolerably safe refuge on an island, and the next step for the force at Gubat was to release him. The task was undertaken by Lord Charles Beresford, who performed it with characterisuc pluck and resource. His steamer engaged a battery of the enemy, and in the action which followed received a round shot through her boiler. Nothing dismayed, Lord Charles set to work to repair the damage under fire, and suc- ceeded so well that he was able after a while to re- commence hostilities, to the "consternation" of the natives. Sir Charles Wilson, seeing a vast cloud of steam arising from the vessel, imagined that she was blown up, or at least that she was rendered useless for his rescue, and consequently took measures to save himself. He landed on the right bank with guns and men, drew off some of the fire of the liostile bat- tery, which he returned with effect, and presently halted for the night. Next morning, no doubt to the infinite surprise and delight of the party, the steamer picked them up, and they arrived safely at Gubat. Edwin Car now, second-class petty ollicer, killed ; Lieutenant E. Van Koughnet, Royal Navy, wounded (fiesli wound in thigh) ; and two English and four natives wounded or scalded in engine-room when shot went through boiler. Lord Wolseley says I cannot speak too highly of the plucky manner in which Lord G. Beresford acted rn this occasion. Indeed, all his party, and that under Sir C. Wilson, behaved admirably, and with the usual determination of Englishmen. Nothing but the coolness and courage of our offi- cers and men saved our force from great disaster. il J ( THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 39 and secured to us a brillant succes, as the enemy to which we were opposed was supposed to number from ten to fifteen thousand. It is impossible to read, unmoved, the story of the battle near Metammeh on Monday. It is a story of the deepest pathos — just because it is a story of the ra- rest heroism. Try to realise for a moment what is implied in the description "our tiny square." It was *'tiny" enough-some fifteen hundred men strong — when it vanished silently into the haze of the desert at Korti, on its long march to the Nile. At Abu Klea the fifteen hundred were reduced for marching pur- poses to about on', thousand, for the casualties at the Abu Klea fight were about one in ten, and a de- tachment had to be left behind to keep the wells and take care of the wounded. Sir Herbert Stewarts thou- sand, after a brief rest, started off for the Nile. There was no time to be lost. A few hours' delay, and the Arabs, now scattered to the four winds, might rally, and dispute the passage of ttie "tiny" square to its haven of rest on the river banks. Sir rierbert started late in the afternoon of the 18th — Sunday — and like his distinguished chief, Lord Wolseley atTel-el-Kebir, made up his mind to try a night surprise. The uproar of our native drivers when tne column and its trans- port animals became entangled in the brushwood gave the Arabs warning, and when morning broke our men discovered the enemy waiting for them in their thousands — seven thousand according to one account on the crests of the sandhills which divided them from their destination, only three or four short miles away. Now, owing to the casualties the brigade had sustained while, under a hot, incessant lire, it threw up its temporary entrenchments in face of the enemy, and owing also to the detaolinieut of at least one hundred men to protect the spot, the "tiny" square which marche>. face every conceivable trouble, peril, and mischance, in order that England may not be kept waiting a mo- ment for full and accurate accounts of what has hap- pened to its sons in the storm and stress of battle. The career o: a War Correspondent has its attrac- tions, no doubt, to natures passionately fond of ad- venture. But they must needs be greatly enamoured of their task to confront its drawbacks. They have to live perpetually on the alert, and to subordinate the weakness of flesh and blood, hunger, thirst, weariness, to the one supreme object of ascer- taining accurately what has occurred, and of con- veying the information with the utmost speed to those who are waiting for it. When the tight is over those who fought rest. But the work of the War Correspondent then begins. For him there are no sweets of victory. He must collate facts, put them into shape, impart to them an appropriate and faith- ful colouring, and personally superintend the trans- mission of his despatch. In a word, a first-rate War Correspondent, a Correspondent like Cameron, must be all that a fighting man is, and be a man of letters into the bargain. He must have a good physique, a robust constitution, nerves beyond proof, and, on the top of all this, be as ready with his pen as with his person. In such campaigns as England has recently waged he must be a dashing horseman, whom no amount of riding, will weary, and must have a di- gestion that can defy bad food and Gcanty rations. M. Cameron had all these requirements,, and more. The calm courage with which Mr. Cameron him- self faced the chances of a Campaign, knowing full well that the path of duty might also be the path to death, is the inspiration that has nerved Englishmen in all ages in the hour of danger. We know full well that others will be forth- coming to take the place of those who fall. Yet the risks, it must be confessed, are growing apace* 46 THE SOUD\N CAMPAIGN The time was when a War Correspondent ran little or no chance of being killed, unless he took great pains to meet that fate. Colonel Pemberton, it is true, was shot at Sedan, but not in the mere performance of tils duty as a Correspondent. He was a soldier into the bargain, though not a combatant; and he volun- teered upon a service that was not obligatory. But it is clear that every Correspondent who accompanied General Stewart to Abu Klea, and thence on to Me- temneh, carried his life in his hands. If we are to wage such wars as those in which we have recently been engaged, the risk will recur, and perhaps the fate. How great are the services rendered by such men to the nation. It must be obvious to every one that they perform the most arduous, responsible, and dangerous duties, without any prospect of that public recognition which falls to hundreds of people whose risk is pot greater. Col. Kitchener in his "Notes on the Fall of Kharthoum'* says : The last accurate information received about Khar- thoum is contained in General Gordon's Diary, and dated the 14th December 1884. The state of the town was then very critical, and General Gordon states "the town may fall in ten days.'* The fort of Omdurman had been cut off from com- munication with Khartoum since the 3d of November; it was at that date provisioned for one month and a half, and the Commandant, Farag Allah Bey, had re- quested further supplies of ammunition. The garrison may tJierefore be considered to have been in great difficulties for food and necessaries after the 20th December. It may therefore, be considered that oven on redu- ced rations the supply in store must have been almost, if not quite, exhausted about the 1st January 1885, It has been estimated that only about 14,000 remai- ned in the town out of the total of 34,000 inhabitants, A 7xs:r-— ^ .^ III! I imtmmmm^^' THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 47 i 'i the number obtained by a census of the town in Sep* tember. General Gordon kept heart in the garrison by Pro- clamations announcing the near approach of the Eng- lish Relief Expedition, and praising them for the resistance they had made, as '.veil as by the example of his unshaken determination never' to surrender the town to the rebels. On the 20tti January the news of the defeat of the Mahdi's picked troops atAbuKlea created consterna- tion in the Mahdi's camp. A council of the leaders was held, and it is said a considerable amount of resistance to the Mahdi's will, and want of discipline* was shown. On the 22d the news of the arrival of the English on the Nile at Metammeh, which was thought to have been taken, led the Mahdi to decide to make at once a desperate attack upon Khartoum, before reinforcements could enter the town. It is probable that next day the Mahdi sent letters to Farag Pacha* commanding the black troops, who had been pre- viously in communication with him, offering terms for the surrender of the town, and stating that the English had been defeated on the Nile. Rumours were also prevalent in Khartoum of the fighting at Abu Klea, and the arrival of the English at Metammeh* On the 28d General Gordon had a stormy interview with Farag Pacha. An eye-witness states that it was owing to Gordon having passed a fort on the White Nile, which was under Farag Pacha's charge, and found to be inadequately protected. Gordon is said to have struck Farag Pacha on this occasion. It seems probable to me that at this interview Farag Pacha proposed to Gordon to surrender the town, and stated the terms the Mahdi had offered, declaring in his opinion that they should be accepted. Farag Pacha left the Palace in a great rage, refusing the repeated attempts of other olficers to effect a reconciliation between him and Gordon. 48 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN II .— — At about 3.30 a. m. on the morning of Monday, the 26th, a determined attack was made by the rebels on the south front. The principal points of attack were the Boori Gate, at the extreme east end of the line of defence on the Blue Nile ; and the Mesalamieh Gate, on the west side, near the White Nile. The de- fence of the former post held out against the attack, but at the Mesalamieh Gate, the rebels, having ftlled the ditch with bundles of straw, brushwood, beds, &c., brought up in their arms, penetrated the forti- fications, led by their Emir, Wad-en-Nejumi. The defenders of the Boon (labe, seeing the rebels inside the fortiiications in their rear, retired, and the town was then at the mercy of the rebels. . . Farag Pacha has b';en very generally accused of having either opened the gates of Khartoum himself, or to have connived at the entrance of the rebels ; but this has been distinctly denied by Abdullah Bey Ismail, who commanded a battalion of irregular troops at the fall of the town,as wellas by about 30 refugee soldiers, who lately escaped, and came in during the last days of the English occupation of Dongola. The accusations of treachery have all been vague, and are, to my mind, the outcome of mere supposition, ./ Hassan Bey Balmasawy, who commanded at the Mesalamieh Gate, certainly did not make a proper defence, and failed to warn General Gordon of the danger the town was in. He afterwards appears to have taken a commission under the Mahdi, and to have gone to Kordotan with the Emir Abu-Anga. In my opinion Khartoum fell from sudden assault, when the gavrison were too exhausted by privations to make proper resistance. The massacre in the town lasted some six hours, and about 4000 persons at least were killed. The black troops were spared, except those who resisted at the Boori Gate and ejlse where ; large numbers of the towns-people an*^ slaves were killed and wounded. I ■'-•" ^lu ii THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 49 TheBashiBazouksand the regulars, numbering 3B27» and the Shaiga irregulars, numbering 2330, were mostly all killed in cold blood, after they had surren- dered and been disarmed. The presence of Gordon as a prisoner in his camp would have been a source of great danger to the Mahdi, for the black troops from Kordofan and Fhartoum all loved and venerated Gordon, and many other influential men knew him to be a wonderfully good man. Tlie memorable siege of Khartoum lasted 317 days, and it is not too much to say that such a noble resistance was due to the indomitable resolution ard resource of one EngUsh- man. Never was a garrison so nearly rescued, never was a commander so sincerely lamented. 'f VI. BATTLE OP KERBEKAN The splendid victory of General Earle's column near Dulka Island, fifty miles beyond Merawi, in which nearly all the enemy were killed, was of the highest importance. On the 10th General Earle discovered the enemy occupying a strong position on a high ridge 75 miles above Merawi, and advanced to the attack. Leaving two companies of the Staffordshire Regiment and two guns to hold the enemy in front, Generals Earle and Brackenbury, whose name is in itself a suflicient guarantee of skill and promptitude in the conduct of operations, marched with six companies each of the Straffordshire Regiment and Black Watch round the ridge, thus completely turning the enemy's position. The Black Watch then advanced over the rocky ground, and stormed the position, driving the enemy back with great coolness. The Staffordshire attacked the high ridge over most difficult ground, and carried mmm 50 THE SOl'DAN CAMPAIGN ^1 that position. Meanwhile the IDth Hussars under Col. Butler swept round the enemy's rear and captured their camp. The rebels were almost entirely destroyed, and the succes of the British troops was complete. Ten of the enemy's standards were captured in the engagement. Three of the Mahdi's chief men were killed. General Earle was foremost in the attack when he fell, and Colonel Eyre was leading his regi- ment when he also was killed. By General Earle's death England has lost one of the bravest and most brilliant and popular soldiers. Our own loss was as follows : Major-General Earle ; Lieut.-Col. Eyre, South Staflfords ; Brevet Lieut.-Gol. Coveney, Royal Highlanders; one corporal and three privates Royal Highlanders ; three privates South Staffordshire, and two Egyptian Camel Corps. Mis- sing : One private Royal Highlanders. Wounded very severely : Brevet -Lieutenant -Colonel Wauchope, Royal Highlanders, Severely wounded ; Captain Hors- brugh, Stafford ; Lieut. Hon. J. G. R. Golborne, Staf- fords ; Lieutenant T. Kennedy, Royal Highlanders. Wounded : Twenty non-commissioned ollicers and men Stafford and eighteen Black Watch. Dulka, the scene of General Earle's victory, is situated about a hundred miles from Korti, which the column left the beginning of January, and is close to Kerbekan. It is about twelve miles ahead fron^ Berti, which General Earle, with the vanguard of his column, reached on the first day of the month, and from which, several reconnaissances were made by Colonel Butler, who, Dy the way, performed other valuable service of the same kind during the advance from Hamdab. The position is perhaps the strongest any- were on the Nile between Hamdab and Berber. At that point the Nile bank becomes broken and preci- pitous — it is, in f'lct, a labyrinth of low hills, crags, ravines, and ridges, which a small body of deter- . mined men could hold against almost anv odds. To THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 51 of IS -1 pass the narrow channel of the Nile there, without driving the enemy from this fastness — which ex- tends t> the river bank, completely dominating it — woul ^ have been impracticable. So it had to be car- ried at all hazards. To accomplish this, General Earle had only a portion of his force — namely, the South Strafifordshire Hegiment, about five hundred strong; the famous "Black Watch," also about live hundred; one squadron of the Nineteenth Hussars, say eighty men ; and two guns of the Egyptian Artillery — in all less than twelve hundred men. General Earle's total force amounted to 2,500 men. But the Duke of Cornwall's Hegiment, the Gordon Highlanders, the detachment of the Essex Hegiment, and a few "de- tails," were still on their way up the river. However, General Earle did not wait for them. He determined to attack with the "Statfords" and the Highlanders ; and, halting on Monday afternoon on a spot fifteen hundred yards from the enemy's entral position — a "fort" or entrenched and loopholed structure of some sort, about the middle of the ridg and over- looking the river — he surrounded his brigade with a zereba and rested there until ttie morning. To add to the natural strength of the place, the enemy threw up barricades on every point of vantage. The two or three thousand Arabs appear to have been armed with Remington rifles. In short, even with a handful of fair- ly good marksmen in front of the position of General Earle's force would have been in the highest degree critical. Lastly, indifferent marksmen as the Soudanis are at long and intermediate ranges, they may be formidable enough at close quarters; so that to attack them straight in front would have been an extremely risky proceeding. The battle, in short, had to be won, not only by the usual display of pluck and dash, but also by manoeuvring. The battle of Kerbekan was a masterpiece of cactics. For the first time in the history of the Soudan cam- a^ 1 1- H^MNPI ^^^^^ m 52 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 111 in paip^ns the Soudaniswere beaten at their game. They Wv ' ccmpletely surrounded even before the fight coil, onced, so comj,»letely that only one way of es- cape , as left to them — the river, where, it seems, numbers of them perished. To understand how this was, let the reader imagine a short line drawn east- wards from Kerbekan. Fifteen hundred yards to the south of that hne General Earle's force was posted. The line would represent the ridges on which the enemy were drawn up. Instead of marching right upon the middle of the line, the "Stafitords" and the Highlanders turned off eastwards. In other words, their object was to go round by the Arab left flank (the right flank rested on the river) and assault the Arabs in rear. And just before this flanking move- ment began, as also while it lasted, the two seven- pound guns, placed right in front of the ridge, and supported by two companies of the Staffordshire re- giment, fired away at the enemy, and fully occupied his attention. In the flanking movement, the infantry marched in two parallel columns, the Staffordshire men composing the inner column, the Black Watch the outer one. It will thus be easily seen that when the enemy's left flank was turned and the infantry advanced upon his rear the Highlanders occupied the side next the river. In this way the task of carrying the enemy's strongest position, that immediately do- minating the river, fell to the lot of the Forty-Second. The Hussars, too, had their share in this remarkably clever performance — for they swept round by the enemy's left flank, and occupied his camp, two or three miles ahead. The whole story bears a striking resemblance to that of Sir Gerald Graham's brilliant fight at El Teb. El Teb was won as much by skilful manoeuvring as by actual fighting. It consisted of a series of turning movements, beginning, as at Ker- bekan, with an advance round by the Arab left, and finishing, also as at Dukla, with a clean sweep, from m THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 53 back to front — to use an untechnical expression — of the enemy's entrenchments. The only diflerence, as regards a general comparison between the two battles, is that at El Teb the fight was fought over level ground, whereas at Kerbekan the ground must have somewhat resembled that of Tamai, where marching or riding was like an endless going up and down stairs. At Kerbekan — or, as the place is also called, Dukla — as at El Teb, one of the most striking incidents was the charge of the cavalry a long way ahead of the spot where the infantry were engaged in hand to hand conflict with their enemies. The Nineteenth Hussars, too, were at both fights. At El Teb they were under the chief command of Sir Herbert Ste- wart. At Kerbekan they were led by Colonel F. W. Butler, who is one of Lord Wolseley's most trusted olficers, and who has long since won distinction in more than one campaign between the Red River and the Nile. In superintending the preparations for the flotilla expedition and its subsequent progress up the river, Colonel Butler displayed the greatest energy, and a rare faculty of organization ; and the style in which, with his couple of squadrons of Hussars, he pioneered General Earle's column along some of the most difficult reaches of the Nile, is worthy of tlie highest praise. >t Tactically, the battle was won before the fight be- gan. But the fighting had to be done, and the severest portion of it appears to have fallen to the Highlanders, who found themselves at the conclusion ot the ma- noeuvring behind the enemy's right rear, that is to say, on the ridges immediately overlooking the river. They had to advance accross these ridges, from the loopholed walls of which the enemy poured a fusillade upon them. The Highlanders replied briskly with their Martini rifics. But they failed to dislodge the Arabs. And then came the order which ever sends a thrill through a British soldier— the order to charge. Tbc Soudan (lainpaign, bv Major (rEiitragues. H. M. Reser\f Forcer* 4k 54 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN The pipes instantly "skirled," for the first time in history, among the Kerbekan crags, and the High- landers, with the cry of their famous regiment, car- ried the ridge at the point of the bayonet. It was while leading this gallant charge that General Earle fell. His death will be deeply deplored. It has cost the army a most able, distinguished, and popular of- ficer. The Straffordshire regiment was as stubbornly opposed, for a time, as the Black Watch. But they cleared the ridges in splendid style, though at heavy cost, for they lost their gallant leader, Lieutenant- Colonel Eyre. The total loss in Tuesday's battle ap- pears to have been twelve killed and forty-two woun- ded — officers and men included. The two distinctive features, then, of the battle of Kerbekan are its completely successful manoeuvring, and the prominent part which bayonet charges played in it. It is also one of the most stubbornly-contested engagements since February, 1884. It lasted five hours. It shows to how large an extent Lord Wolseley's army was composed of crack shots. As the whole of the Arab force was armed with Remington rifles, and as it was so well sheltered, it should, after five hours' firing, have much more decimated the two <]ngUsh battaUons. On the other hand, the British troops appear to have almost destroyed the Soudani host. The rocks were covered with heaps of the Arab dead. They had advantages of position which in them- selves should have been worth an army, and such as •vere possessed by no Arab force which we had yet encountered. A small English brigade, won a brilliant and decisive victory under an entirely new set of conditions. VII. Second Suakin expedition. On the 8th of February 1885 it was decided to open up the Suakin-Berber route and to make a railway to Berber. On the 13th 1:^ THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 55 of March a force of nearly 11,000 oflicers aiid men was assembled at Suakin, and during the following month the impoi tant positions of Tamai, Handoub,and others were successfully occupied, and the railway was laid down for a considerable portion of the dis- tance, and by the time the force was withdrawn it is not too much to say that the power of Osman Digma had been absolutely crushed, and positions were ob- tained which offered us a prospect of securing the goodwil and the confidence of some of the most im- portant of the Arab tribes. BATTLE AT HASHEEN The force which General Graham had under his command at Souakim when he arrived there on the 12th numbered about 12,000 men, which, after lea- ving about 600 men of the Shropshire Regiment and details as guards, would give him nearly 10,000 troops with which to operate a-ainst the enemy. The force consisted of battalions of the Coldstreams, under Colonel Lambton, and the Scots Guards under Colonel the Hon. W. Trefusis, the 20th Hussars under Colonel C. R. Nicholls, the 5th Lancers, three batta- lions of the line — the Shropshire, Berk shire, and I East Surrey — a battalion of Marines, the Indian contingent ^f one regiment of cavalry, three batta- lions of Sepoys, and one company of Sappers, a bat* tery of Royal Horse Artillery, one screw gun battery one garrison battery, a corps of Mounted Infantry besides Engineers and departmental corps. That General Graham considered this force sutlicient i« shown by the fact that on Tuesday the 19th Hussari embarked for Cairo, whither they were to be folio* wed by the Egyptian Camel Corps. The nature of the operations and necessities of the ground rendered THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN the services of cnvalrj^ and guns of great importance, the enemy occupying a range of hills to the west and south-west of Souakim, the approach to which was in some places through thick scrub, the track occasionally becoming so narrow that our troops were obliged to proceed in single files. A Gardner battery under command of Captain Grooke was drawn by mules, and the G battery B Brigade R. A. was taken with the force with a view to shelling the positions and clearing the way for our advancing troops. Unhke the operations of last year, when it was desired only to inflict a crushing defeat o n the Arabs, it was now necessary to occupy the enemy's country for the pur- pose of covering the line of the proposed railway; and although it was believed that water could with suitable appliances be discovered in the neighbour- hood, in addition to whatever supply the Hasheen. Wells might afford, provision for present needs was made by taking over twenty thousand gallons, while the troops were supplied with two day's rations. For obvious reasons it was desirable to make the advance early. At daybreak preparations were being made, and shortly after six o'clock the cavalry started across the plain. It was expected that by operating in the direction of Hasheen the main body of Osman Digna's troops, which it was thought had not shown themselves during the reconnaissance on the pre- vious day, would emerge from between the hills in the direction of Tamai, which place is about a dozen miles to the south of Hasheen, probably hoping thereby to attack our troops in the rear, while it would, however, enable General Graham's force to operate in the open country between the hills and Souakim. In about two hours the first hill was rea- ched, but the enemy did not offer much resistance, retiring to another hill at a short distance. This was carried by the Berkshire Regiment and Marines, who advanced cautiously, and sustained only a few minor THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 57 casualties. As the enemy fled from this position to- wards their base at Tamai, the cavah-y were able to charge them, and it was here that the most severe fightmg took place, one officer and several men fal- ling in hand to-hand combats. The artillery also were enabled to drop a few shells among the rebels, strea- ming across a valley west of Hasheen, with great effect. The enemy were pursued for some distance. After the operations had lasted several hours the troops returned to Hasheen, and subsequently to camp, the position which had been taken at Has- heen being occupied by the East Surrey, with the stores and guns entrenched as a point from which further operations could be conducted. The whole of the country round by the foot of the hills, from Hasheen to Tamai, is admirably adapted for the kind of tactics which Osman should follow in fighting with British troops. It may with sufficient accuracy be described as a network of deep khors, or ravines, in which large hosts of men may easily con- ceal themselves from an enemy approaching them on the level of the plain. The enemy, as doubtless General Graham expec- ted, at once withdrew to a ridge more than a mile distant, from which they were driven by the Berk- shire and the Marine Light Infantry, with the Guards and part of the Indian Contingent as supports. Ex- pelled from this position, Osman's men retreated southwards towards Tamai. Parties of Arabs were working round by the right of the English position, but were scattered by the 5th Lancers. Four thousand is the estimated number of the Arabs who were actually engaged. The light was a pretty stubborn one. One of the most notable inci- dents of the battle was the charge of the Indian ca- valry — the distinguished regiment known as Hod- son's Horse, after the brave othcer who raised it, and who perished in the Indian Mutiny. The 9th Bengal 58 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN Lancers are one of the crack regiments of the native Indian army. They are the very men for savage war- fare of this sort. Unlike the gallant 19th Hussars at El Teb — who found their sabres far too short for their agile foes — the Bengal Lancers could charge in and out among the mimosa bushes, sure to give a good account of themselves and of their opponents. The lance, and not the sword, is the weapon for ca- valry charges in the Soudan, and last year the 19th Hussars acted on this principle -^hen, on the march onwards to Tokar, they armed themselves with the spears which they picked up on the field of El Teb. Killed. — Scots Guards, Captain Dalison, Private Ashley. 5th Lancers. — Troop-Sergt.-Major NichoUs, Private Edwards. 9th Lancers (Bengal.) — One non- commissioned officer, four Sowars. Wounded. — Surgeon-Major Lane, Army Medica) Service (severely). Scots Guards, six men; Gold- streams, eight men ; Grenadiers, eight men ; Berk- shire, two men ; 5th Lancers, Major Harvey (severely),, two men (slightly) ; 9th Bengal Cavalry, Major Ro- bertson (severely), seven sowars; 15th Sikhs, one man ; 70th Sikhs, two men. The attack on Sunday was very sudden and deter- mined, and came, unfortunately, on our weakest point. The Sikhs charged the enemy with the bayonet. The Berkshire behaved splendidly, clearing out the zeriba where entered, and capturing three standards. The Marines also behaved well. The Naval Brigade was much exposed, and suffered severely. Engineers also suffered heavily, being out working when at- tacked. M'Neill, with his usual courage and skill, did everything possible under the circumstances. Two Thirds of his force stood to their arms and victorious- ly defeated the enemy on all sides with tremendous slaughter. The cavalry (5th Lancers) did their best to give information, but the ground being covered with bush I , t THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 59 , :-)• give bush it was impossible to see any distance. The troops be- ^ haved extremely well. All the staff and regimental „ olficers did their utmost. The enemy charsed with reckless courage, leaping over the lowTsereba to certain death, and although they gained a temporary success by surprise, they received a severe lesson. General M'Neill reports the British loss to be larger than at first stated. The troops had formed a low zereba and had just finished their dinner when the cavalry sent in two messaejes to say that the enemy were approaching. Almost immediately the rebels rushed upon the zereba and succeeded in penetrating one corner. The natives who entered the zereba were all killed. After twenty minutes sharp fighting the enemy was repulsed with great loss. It is believed that 1,500 rebels were killed and many wounded. Our troops behaved admirably. A number of the transport animals within the ze- reba effected a stampede, causing some confusion. A large number of camels and mules were killed owing to their getting between the zereba and the enemy. The rebel force is estimated to have been between 4,000 and 5,000. Our loss amounted to five ofiicers and 51 men killed and 170 wounded. One of the most striking features of Sundays desperate fight was the gallant defence made by the "F" and "G" companies of the Berkshire Regiment. When the first alarm was given Captain Edwards was ser- ving out water to his men of the " F " company. This company had just come in from covering the men who were cutting bushes. Captain Edwards called to his men to stand to their 'arms. The " G " company did the same, and the two formed a rallying square outside the middle zariba, and quite 100 yards away. Only a rough square was formed round the ofiicers. The enemy made a fierce rush at this gallant little band from all directions, but were met with a terrific !l -Xi'„v»— »*^-- •-■:^?*5»H= ^-4m 60 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN and wonderfully steady fire which mowed down hundreds of them. The men were well in hand, and reserved their fire until the Arabs were within 30 yards. Two of the assailants fell dead under the bayonets, one hurling his spear before he died and wounding Private Campbell. This little square was commanded by Colonel Gillespie, and all the com- pany officers were present After fighting for half an hour, the square fell slowly back upon the Marines' zariba, halting at times to fire. While this was going on, iar from the Berkshire zariba, the Colonel commanding the regiment, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Huyshe, was in the Berkshire zariba, witli four companies, all of which had just turned out in their shirt sleeves to complete the construction of the fence when the alarm was given. All the working parties rushed into the zariba, and seized their arms and accoutrements. Meanwhile the enemy had leaped the zariba and captured the sandbag redoubt at the corner, hewing and slashing with their cross-hilted swords and stabbing right and left with their terrible spears. The companies of the Berkshire Regiment rallied by the Colonel, were pouring a steady fire into the still ad- vancing foe outside the zariba and also bayoneting those who had already got in. The 17th (Indian) Native Infantry fell b?ick in dis- order across the Berkshire zariba and poured through the corner to their own. Colonel Huyshe was attacked by three Arabs all of whom he shot dead, one ac- tually falling against his horse. The scene inside the zariba now was something terrible. A hand-to-hand combat raged everywhere; the Arab swordsmen were slashing and cutting at soldiers, camels, and horses alike ; the Native Infantry were inextricably mixed up with the flying stream of baggage mules and ca- mels; bullets were whistling from all points, and there can be little doubt that several of our men were H THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 61 killed by the fire of our own force. This, under the conditions of the tight, was absolutely unavoidable ; the only strange thing being that more did not fall from this cause. The total loss of the Berkshire Regi- ment was one officer, Lieutenant Swinton, killed, with a spear wound, 15 men killed, and 20 men severely and six slightly wounded, while 22 men were missing. The advance guard of Cavalry, and the reinforcing brigade, now arrived at the zaribas. The Brigade of Guards, marching in square, enclo- sed a transport train, with water and provisions, drew up on the flank of the Marines' zariba, and presented a magnificent appearance. The Arabs seem to be more like wild beasts than human beings. Even women and children fight in their ranks, and when our men sought to afford aid to some of the enemy who could not walk, the latter crawled towards them with their spears between their teeth, striving even yet to slay a Kaffir. These traits somewhat diminish the sympathy which we should otherwise feel for such brave antagonists. Were their ferocity shown in the heat of the battle it would be excusable, but these wretches hours after were animated by a fiendish desire to injure those who sought to reUeve their sufferings. Even the nobler animals have some idea of gratitude, and Arabs must henceforth be regarded in the light of the most savage of the worst description of beasts of prey. The fact is they are maddened into brutality by fanaticism. Berkshire — Killed, Lieutenant Swinton and 12 men. Marines — eight men killed, 12 vounded. Navy — Killed, Lieutenant Seym.our, six men. Royal En- gineers — Captain Romilly and Lieutenant Newman Killed. Indian Contingent — about 25 killed, including Major Von Beverhondt, and 70 wounded. Killed.— Ordnance Store Department, Quarter- master G. Eastmead. ii ,1 I, ^m i-'«? «^ 62 THE SOUDAN CAMPATGN r Wounded. — Royal Navy, severely, Surgeon M. Digan ; Siafl, Lieutenant Hon. A. D. Gharteris,. Coldstream Guards, A. D. C. ; Royal Engineers, Gap- tain G. B. Wilkieson ; 17lh Bengal Native Infantry, Lieutenant F. M. Drury; '28th Bombay Native Infan- try, dangerously, Lieutenant A. T. F. Edwards; slightly, Lieutenant Thompson. A military writer of recognized authority, and who has seen much war, especially in Abyssinia, suggests- that, as in that country, the bush should be cut or burnt for a certain distance from the road or posts- He says that in the Abyssinian campaign the army had to march over exactly similar ground, and the cutting down of the mimosa bushes, or the burning them by fire when the wind is favourable, is no diffi- cult task. The more we read the graphic account of Sunday's fight, the more are we struck by the steadiness, dis- cipline, and dauntless conduct of the troops and the fine leading of the officers. The stampede of camels^ mules, and their drivers dashed against a portion of the native contingent, broke gaps in their zariba, and in one or two instances swept several men, horses and all, to the ground. Some of the European troops, too, were outside cutting bushes; others were having water served out to them, while others, again, were in their shirt sleeves just setting to work to complete tiift defences. In fact, everything was against our force, which seemed for the moment utterly helpless. So the Arabs must have thought, but in an instant they were undeceived, and saw, to use Sir William Napier's words, " with what majesty the British sol- dier fights. " Those men who were inside or close to the zaribas seized their arms and accoutrements, fell into their places instinctively, and steadily, as if on parade, poured forth sheet after sheet of bullet-laden fire. Those outside and at a distance from the zari- l)as were no less prompt and calm. F and G com- ,w *!♦' roi THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 6^ urgeon arteris, s, Gap- fantry^ Infan- kVards ; ad who iggests- cut or posts^ B army ind the liming diffi- nday's 5S, dis- nd the lamels, tion of )a, and horses Toops, laving , were nplete St our Ipless. nstant ^illiam }h sol- ose to ts, fell s if on -laden e zari- r com- »!♦' panies of the Berkshire — the 49th — were 100 yardJi away from the zaribas receiving their allowance of water. Having just come in from covering the wor- king parties , they had their arms piled close by. Suddenly came the alarm, but no panic ensued. The officers ordered them to stand to their arms, and a rough square was formed round the otiicers, the com- mander neing one who bears a name of good augury^ Colonel Gillepsie. The enemy tried to rush the little group, but with a steady fire, reserved till the Arabs- were within 30 yards, our men mowed the foe down by hundreds. The Arabs fell dead under the bayo- nets, so resolute were they to win. After a period estim? uCd at half an hour the little square fell back steadily on the Marines zariba. The remainder of the? Berkshires, under Colonel Huyshe, were meanwhile engaged in a desperate encounter with a body of Arabs who liad penetrated their zariba. The difficul- ties of the Berkshires were increased by the number of camels, mules, and horses which had rushed in. At first the men were naturally in a little, not dis- order, but confusion ; they were, however, soon rallied by their colonel, and while some fired on the enemy outside, others strove to rid themselves of those who had entered. A hand-to-hand melee of the fiercest nature raged for some minutes, bayonet and revolver met sword and spear, and every moment down went a fair-skinned Engiisman or a dusky Arab. The co- lonel himself was attacked by three Arabs at once. He shot them one after the other, and soon the last of tlie 70 or 80 Arabs wiio had got inside the enclo- sure bit the dust. The old 1st Bengal Fusiliers, now 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, were nick- named " the dirty shirts, " because once on a sudden emergency they turned out and defeated the enemy in their shirt sleeves. The 49th may now claim to share the nickname with them. Where all were heroes it seems almost invidious to select one for . 4 • * V,— < r" ^^ii K i r lti f 64 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN special mention, but we cannot refrain from writing of the devotion and courage of Lieutenant Hon. Alan Charteris, Coldstream Guards, Aide-de-Gamp to Sir John M'Neill. This young ollicer, whose eldest bro- ther, gallant, handsome, popular Alfred Charteris, died from disease contracted in the Ashantee war, was close to his ^jeneral when, on the alarm being given he tried inenectually to make his horse leap the za- riba. The Arabs were close on Sir John, and his si- tuation was desperate. Fortunately Charteris saw his peril, rushed to his aid, and turned aside the barrel of a rifle that was being pointed at his brave chief, and cut down another with his sabre. While thus occupied he was attacked by an Arab boy, who speared him in the arm beforce he, the Arab, was shot. Major Drury, of the 17th Native Infantry, in the endeavour to save one of his disabled men, kept at bay for several mi- nutes some 20 Arabs with his sword, till a wound and the danger of being surrounded induced him to retire. The Kev. Mr. Collins also displayed the ut- most heroism. Truly some Victoria Crosses have been well earned in this fight. According to oilicial returns, the loss on Sunday was, exclusive of camp followers, six olficers and 94 men killed, six others and 136 men wounded, and one otlicer and seven men missing, making a grand total of 250 casualties. i ii FLIGHT OF OSMAN DIGMA General Graham, with his entire force, marched on Friday on Tamai, which was occupied after a brief resistance. The column consisted of 150 Lan- cers, 150 Hussars, 150 Mounted Infantry, 400 of General Hudson's Horse, four guns of the Horse Ar- THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 65. writing •n. Alan p to Sir est bro- ris, died ir, was g given the za- l his si- saw his arrel of and cut ipied he him in Drury, to save Tal mi- wound him to the ut- s have junday and 94 id, and grand [A arched after a [)Lan- lOO of se Ar- 1 4 tillery, six Gardner's and two mountain guns, the Grenadiers, the Goldstreams, the Scots Guards, and the Australians. The main body of the enemy's force iwi th drawn, but small parties of Arabs kept up a desultory fire, which caused but few casuallius. The huts at Tamai were burnt. Our loss was very slight, consisting of one man killed and eleven wounded, two of the latter being Colonials, who thus sUed their blood for the mother country. Thus at the spot where, above all others, it was believed that Osman Digna would concentrate his forces, there was nothing to interfere with Sir General Graham's movements. It is evident that the enemy dared not face us in force. We only saw them in small groups, and they were afraid to attack us in the open. Their power was un- doubtedly broken, and their spirits crushed. The capture of Osman Digna's camp shows excellent lea- dership from beginning to end. From Lieutenant- General Sir G. Graham to the Secretary of State for War. (Received April 4, 10 25 a. m,) " Suakin, April 4, 1 1 50 a. m. Troops began return march from Te- selah zariba at 2 15 p. m. yesterday, and arrived at No. 1 zariba at 5 50 p. m. General Fremantle reports everything most satisfactory. They are now marching back, and will be here with convoy about noon. I consider that the troops of all arms deserve very great credit for the way in which they have norne the fatigues of these two days, and for their readiness in constructing a zariba at end of long march on ar- rival at Teselah-hill ; also for their steadiness and good discipline when under tire durin^ the niglit and the following morning at the Tamai Springs. The Australian Contingent have cheerfully borne their share of our hardships, and shown themselves worthy comrades in arms. 1 regret that they have had two men wounded. " The conduct of the Guards and every Regiment was superb. Lord Wolseley with his magnificent army had conquered the Soudan. i ii •.^^ZTJ- -"TT «6 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN The Queen telegraphed to General Graham, through Sir Henry Ponsonby, expres^sing her great admira- tion of the coniuct of her troops, for whose welfare she feels very anxious. Especial mention is made in the telegram of her Majesty's admiration of the .gallant and untiring perseverance displayed by her troops under the most trying and harassing warfare in which they could be engaged. There never was a force of the size of those engaged in these expedi- tions composed of men from more different latitudes — British, Indian, Egyptian, Soudanese, Kroomen, and last, but by no means least, it will always be re- membered there were Canadians and Australians. No doubt these latter were few in number, but it is not their number, but the fact of their presence there which has made this expedition memorable, for they have shown, and conclusively shown, that strong and 4eep loyalty which is the real bond of union between this country and her colonies, and that, at the faintest idea of danger, the colonies will rall> around the mother country and fight with her soldiers and sai- lors wherever they may be required. Strong determi- nation animated them all to preserve untaruished the ancient reputation of the British Army. If we treat our colonies rightly, we have a fund of strength which 'vyill enable us in a crisis to face even the known world. General Hudson commanded the In- dian contingent, Colonel Denison commanded the Canadian voyageurs, and Colonel Richardson the New South Wales contingent. It is impossible to over-estimate the good conduct of all these contin- .gents. A portion of the Indian contingent especially, had the opportunity of rendering in company with British troops most gallant and most conspicuous services ; nothing could exceed the courage, steadi- ness, firmness, and the soldierlike qualities which were displayed by the Sikh regiments on the occasion of thfc attack on M'Neill's zariba. Great credit is due \ THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 67 to His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge com- mander in chief; and the officers connected with the -departments at home. It is admitted, on all hands that the commissariat, the transport, and the medical arrangements were made with a completeness and a perfection which have never ')een surpassed. The greatest possible credit is due to the officers of the •departments at home, on whom the duty devolved of purchasing and sending out supplies, and to the officers of departments in the field, on whom devol- ved the duty of distributing and making use of them for the benefit of the troops. The perfection of the medical arrangements in this campaign has been the €ause of mitigating to a great extent the unavoidable sufferings which must be endured on all occasions of this kind, and never has the devotion to their duty shown by the medical officers of every rank been exceeded. The army, one of the most remarkably composite armies that even England has ever sent forth, was called upon to perform a task making lieavy demands upon courage, endurance, devotion, and discipline. It responded to the call in a manner that commanded the admiration of all competent ob- servers, both at home and abroad, and that proves ivith gratifying conclusiveness the persistence of the great qualities to which the English people owe their present position in the world. What the nation has a right to contemplate with peculiar satisfaction is the excellence of the material, the strength and temper of the stuff, of which the r^nk and file are composed. We all know that no special pains are takeni n itc selection. It is no military caste, fortified by traiDiD| and tradition, nor is it even a careful blend of al ranks of the population, as in the case of the Ger* man army. It consists, in the main, of men possessing few advantages but such as are the common heritage of the race, reinforced by a course of discipline which 'Certainly does not err on the side of exravagant ( I' I 1 68 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN length or elaboration. But it responds, with unfailing gallantry and success, to demands not merely for the common physical courage of the mass, but for indi- vidual versatility and resource, for moral intrepidity in novel and unprecedented circumstances, and for sheer physical effort such as cannot be continuously put forth, except by men who add to muscular strength the finer qualities to whicti in a horse we give the name of breed. There is no Englishman, ho- wever great his personal attainments, who ought not to recognize with proud humility how much he owes to his membership of a race whose common men, picked up haphazard by the recruiting sergeant, can row up a thousand miles of river, cross waterless deserts under a scorching sun, and fling themselves into an impregnable square, when an Arab charge sweeps Uke a tornado against them. We should be sorry to forget for a moment what is due to the men who have directed all this splendid material, and that the more, be- cause many have laid down their lives in the service^ and many more who contributed to the result cannot be named in votes of thanks or even be mentioned in despatches. The original conception of the Nile Expedition being put beyond the pale of present cri- ticism by its political character and associations, none can call in question the wonderful foresight, energy, and resource displayed by Lord Wolseley in carrying out the plan. He showed the highest qualities of a great commander in the arduous and complex task. He was ably seconded by Sir Redvers Bullers chief of the staff General Earle, General Stewart, General Bra- ckenbury on whom it dev^olved to conduct the diffi- cult and arduous retirement down the rapids of the Nile from the advanced post which that lorce had oc- cupied, Sir G. Wilson, Lord Charles Beresford who performed the gallant feat of arms in rescuing Sir Charles Wilson and his companions from a position •11 i of ot Fi El all to in THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 69 a k. he c- ir I il V of almost unparalleled and unexampled danger, and other gallant officers. From General Lord Wolseley To The Secretary Of State For War. Cairo, .Tune 15. Sir, — 1. All the troops on the Upper Nile are now quitting Dongola. Some have already embarked for England, and the others are on their way to their allotted destinations. The withdrawal of our forces to a defensive position on the Wady Haifa Railway in accordance with the orders I have received is now nearly completed. I, therefore, think it desirable tliat, before leaving Egypt for England, I should place on record my opinion as to the manner in wliich all ranks under my command have carried out their respective duties. I wish also to bring to your notice the names of some officers who have specially dis- tinguished themselves, cAlmost all of whom I think it would be in the interests of the service to promote while they are still young and efficient. 2. It is a source of great pride to me as a soldier, and of satisfaction as a British subject, that upon each fresh occasion when I am brought in contact with Her Majesty's troops in the field, I find the army more efficient as a miUtary machine than it was the last time I was associated with it on active service. This improvement is evident in all grades and in all arms and departments, but it is, I think, most mar- ked in the rank and file. Military spirit — the essence of military efficiency — is now established in our army in a higher form, and on a sounder basis than formerly. The soldier is prouder of himself and of his calling than he used to be, and his self-esteem has also been raised by the healthy feeling of liberty arising from the knowledge that if the army does not suit his tastes he can easily quit it, instead of being bound to it for 10 or 12 years. Our rank and file are The Sooiian Campaigo, bj lajor d'Eotragoes. Q. N. Re&em Forces. 8 SbBSi *W!*'. 70 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN morally better, and militarily more efficient than for- merly. The general conduct and bearing of our men in the Soudan left nothing to be desired, and, was not only creditable to the British army, but should be also a just source of pride to the British nation. 3. The physical appearance of the soldiers who as- sembled at Korti in last December and January spoke well for the efficiency of our present recrui- ting service. I have never seen a finer body of troops in the field, and both their appearance and the noble spirit which animated them made me feel that I was safe in relying on them to accomplish any enterprise where success was possible. The great bulk of these men had reached Korti in the whalers expressly buUt in England for the navigation of the Nile, and the bodily training obtained by rowing, tracking, and portaging, gave to these young soldiers the toughness, as well as the outward look, of veterans. No men have ever done harder work than they did, and to their lasting credit, be it said, they did it cheerfully and without a murmur. 4. It would be impossible for any commander to have been more ably seconded by his chief of the staff than I was by Major-General SirRedversBuUer, V. C, K. G. M. G., G. B. To his already well-estabUs- hed reputation as a daring and skilful leader in action he has now added that for great administrative ca- pacity. When the late Major-General Sir Herbert Stewart was wounded. >nd Golonel Burnaby, whom I had appointed to comiuand at Metammeh, had been killed, I ordered General >lv Redvers Buller to take command of the desert column, and he carried out to my entire satisfaction the difficult operation of with- drawing it from Gubat to Gakdul in the face of an active enemy — an operation requiring great nicety of execution, and a thorough knowledge of the miU- tary art. When I received orders that the army was to fall back from its summer quarters on the Nile to i I THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 71 the Wady Haifa Railway, I entrusted him with the details of this movement, which was also most ably effected. I beg to recommend this oflicer to your fa- vourable consideration. 5. Major-General Sir Evelyn Wood, V. C, G. G. M. G., K. G. B., was the General of Communications, and brought the utmost zeal to bear upon the arduous and difficult duties of the position. Our line of com- munications by rail, river, and desert from Alexan- dria to Gubat was about 1500 miles in length. The responsibility of supervising it was great, but, thanks to Sir E. Wood's ability and energy, and to the effi- cient support he received from the hxge staff of officers under his command, the army operating in the front was well fed and provided with all it re- quired. The officers and men of the Egyptian army, under General Wood's immediate orders, worked along this line with indefatigable earnestness, and with the best possible results to the welfare of the expedition. 6. It is very desirable to utilize to the full the op- portunity which active service affords of gauging the military ability of our officers. Every campaign ena- bles a selection to be made among those whose pro- ved skill in the field and thorough knowledge of their profession mark them out as fitted for higher rank. Brigadier-General Brackenbury, R. A., comes, I con- sider, prominently under this category, and, in the interests of the Army and the State, I would strongly recommend him to your favourable consideration. When Major-General Earle was killed at Kirbekan, Brigadier-General Brackenbury assumed command of the Nile column, and led it in its advance towards Abu Hamad. In this, and throughout the operations in the Soudan, he proved himself to be one of the ablest officers in Her Majesty's Army, and he would be a most valuable addition to our present list of ge- neral officers. ■ii£\ 72 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN i I il 7. The column intended to operate from Suakin in the direction of Berber, and to construct a railway to that place, was despatched last February, partly from England and partly from India, with a rapidity that was highly creditable to our military and naval orga- nization. Great numbers of camels and other trans- port animals were safely and quickly disembarked at Suakin during the month of March, and three bri- gades of infantry and one of cavalry took the field there before the end of that month, destroying Os- man Digma's power in the hard fought action of the 22d of March, under Major-General Sir J.M'Neill. The quickness with which this column was organized for active service is most creditable to Sir Gerald Gra- ham, and to the zeal and ability of the officers under his command. He speaks in high terms of the man- ner in which Major-General Sir George Greaves, K. G. M. G., G. B., performed the duties of Ghief of the Staff to his force. I do not believe there is any officer who has a more extensive knowledge of the working of our army than Sir George Greaves, nor one who can use his great staff and administrative experience to better purpose. 8. I attach to this despatch a list of those officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, whose services are, I consider, specially deserving of mention, and in it I have included those of the Suakin force who, I think, have done the best work. 9. The various departments were administered to my entire satisfaction by the following officers: — In the Intelligence Department, Golonel Sir G. Wil- son, K. G. M. G., G. B., R. E., kept me fully supplied with information as to the enemy's doings and inten- tions, and showed himself eminently qualified to conduct the duties of that department. At Suakin similar information was furnished by the exertions of luajor Grover and Major Gbermside, both of the Royal Engineers. The last-named was Governor- THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 73 ^1* General of the Red Sea Littoral, and has rendered valuable service to the State for a lengthened period. The Medical Department was administered with abiUty by Deputy Surgeon-General O'Nial. I have never seen the sick and wounded better cared for. The arrangements were good, and the medical offi- cers worked with untiring zeal and great devotion to their duties. At Suakin Deputy Surgeons-General Barnet and Hiude directed all medical matters with great credit to themselves and to their department. Both there and on the Nile the work done by the nursing sisters was highly appreciated by doctors and patients. The Commissariat duties were well performed throughout, the department being excel- lently directed by Assistant Commissary-General Hughes. At Suakin Assistant Commissary-General Robinson did good work ; all his arrangements were satisfactory. Lieutenant-Colonel Furse, tlie Director of Trans- port, carried on his duties in a most creditable manner, and produced good results under conside- rable dilliculties. The system of separating those duties from those of the Commissariat answered ad- mirably. Lieutenant-General Graham speaks in high terms of Lieutenant-Colonel Walton, who was the Director of Transport to the Suakin force, and of Lieutenant-Colonel Bockett, who was in charge of the Indian Transport. Assistant Commissary-General of Ordnance Pease, on the Nile, and Assistant Commissary-General Skinner, at Suakin, evinced a thorough knowledge of the detail and working of the Ordnance Store De- partment. All the officers under them worked zea- lously and well. Owing to the great length of the line of communi- cations up the Nile Valley, and to the number of stations upon it, the work of the Pay Department was difficult and very heavy. Great credit is due to 74 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN '1 I i ;1 Colonel Olivey for the efficient manner in which it was performed. The pay duties at Suakin were satis- factorily carried out by Lieutenant-Colonel Craig, i i The Rev. J. Brindley, the Senior Chaplain with the army up the Nile, won the esteem of all by his unti- ring devotion to his sacred duties, and by his unfair ling and cheerful kindness. Veterinary-Surgeons Bi^rt anl Waters well per- formed the work that fell » iY n. The Volunteers were ii|,vre^:"Ued by men of the Volunteer Engineers and of iht Post Office Corps, who, both by their zeal and their soiv^'erlike bearing, sustained the reputation of the service to which they belong. 10. The Indian Contingent, under Brigadier-Gene- ral Hudson, G. B., showed high, soldierlike qualities, and was of the utmost value in the operations round Suakin. 11. The assistance rendered by the Royal Navy "Was willingly given, and of the greatest importance. I cannot praise too much the manner in which offi- cers and men under the command of Captain Board- man, R. N., helped us in fitting out boats, in working them over the worst cataracts of the Nile, and in kee- ping open our line of communications along that river. In previous despatches I have dwelt upon the excellent services rendered by the YshybX Brigade, under Captain Lord C. Beresford, R. N., an otficer whose readiness of resource and whose ability as a leader are only equalled by his daring. At Suakin Commodore More-Molyneux was untiring in his exertions to help the troops ; and the naval transport duties were most successfully carried on, under the direction of Captain Fellowes, R. N. 12. Great credit is due to Colonel Butler, C. B., and to Lieutenant-Colonel Alleyne, R. A., for the care and thought with which the whalers for Nile service were designed and fitted out, under their immediate su- ' i '\ -rnr—r THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 75 I perintendence. The experience they had gained in boat work during the Red River Expedition of 1870 enabled them to bring to this matter, and, later on, to their work on the Nile, an amount of special knowledge possessed by few men. Without these whalers, or had they been less etficiently organized and equipped, the assembling of the troops at Korti at the date it took place, and the subsequent advance of the two columns, one across the desert and the other up the Nile, would have been impossible. The great bulk of the provisions taken with the first co- lumn, and the whole of those taken with the second, were conveyed to Korti in our English whale Doats. In a similar manner the retirement just effected froir our positions on the Upper Nile extending from Mc- rawi to Abu Falmeh would have been extremely d*i- licult save for these boats, as the river at this season is u '.navigable by nuggers or other native craft. lo. This is the first time that colonial troops have been employed outside the colonies in any of our wars. The result lias been so satisfactory tliat I ear- nestly trust the noble and patriotic example set by New South Wales may, should occasion arise, be followed by other colonies. The oflicers and men of the New South Wales Contingent, under Colonel Richardson, were a credit to their colony and to the parent race from which it sprung. 14. The Dominion of Canada supplied us with a most useful body of boatmen, under iUo command of Colonel Denison, of the Ontario Militia. Their skill in the management of boats in diflicult and dangerous waters was of the utmost use to us in our long as- cent of the Nile. Men and ollicers showed a high mi- litary and patriotic spirit, making light of difliculties, and working with that energy and determination which have always characterized Her Majesty's Cana- dian forces. 15. The officers of my personal staff are named in ■M ■W 7C THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN I .1 \ 1 1' ! :l ri the margin (Lieutenant-Colonel Swaine, G. B., Lieu- Colonel Grove, military secretaries ; General Zohrab Pasha, Captain Lord C. lieresford, lioyal Navy, Major Creagh, Royal Artillery, Major Childers, Royal Engineers, Major Adye, Royal Artillery, aides -de- camp; Dr. Simson Pratt), and I beg to recommend them to your favourable consideration. I cannot lay too nmch stress on the valuable services rendered by General Zohrab Pasha, of the Egyptian Army. His knowledge of Eastern languages, his intimate ac- quaintance with the manners and customs of the Soudanese people, and his tact in dealing with the native authorities enabled him to assist me in a way that no British oilicer could have done. Lieutenant- Colonel Swaine, C. B., lUtle Brigade, was my miUtary secretary, until, unfortunately, liis health broke down, and to my great regret he had to leave for home. The duties of military secretary have since then been car- ried out by Lieutenant-Colonel Grove, East York- shire Regiment, with the greatest ability. He is highly educated as a staff olUcer ; and, previous to taking up this work, had done excellent service superintending the fitting out of the English whale boats at Gemai. To all my aides-de-camp also ray thanks are specially due. 16. In conclusion I would only add that, though the expedition was not crowned with success, the spirit and behaviour of the troops wliich took part in the operations, whether on the Nile or at Suakin, may be viewed witli satisfaction by every EngUsh- man. The army under my command \vas unable to acccomplisii the object set before it, and to save the lives of the gallant Geueral Gordon and of the gar- rison of Khartoum. But this was from no fault of its own, from no lack of courage or of discipline, of dash, or of endurance. It overcame physical difficulties of the greatest magnitude; it swept from its path in every encounter an enemy almost its equal in bra- il I J I I I C ti I t 7 ,1 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 77 ., Lieu- Zohrab Navy, , Royal ies-de- nniend not lay ired by [ly. His ite ao- of the ^ith the a way Lenant- liUtary I down, le. The ^n car- York- He is ous to jervice whale so my lough s, the )art in uakin, igUsh- bie to ve the e gar- of its ' dash, ties of ath in 1 bra- very and greatly its superior in numbers; and its advanced guard reached the outskirts of Khartoum only two days too late. No one can regret more than I do the fall of that place, but, in common with all my countrymen, I look back with pride to the gallant struggle made by our troops to save Khartoum and its heroic defender. I have, &c., WOLSELEY, General. The Right Honourable the Secretary of State for War. ENCLOSURE. List ofolficers, non-commissioned officers, and men ^hose services are deserving of special mention : Royal Navy. Captain F. R. Boardman, Captain Lord C. Beres- ford. Commander T. F. Hammill, Commander Julian A. Baker, Lieutenant R. A. J. Montgomerie, Lieute- nant Bourke, Lieutenant C. Reeve, Chief Engineer H. Benbow. Cavalry. 1st Life Guards. — Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. R. A. J. Talbot, Major the Hon. C. C. G. Byng, Lieutenant D. V. Pirie. 2d Life Guards. — Major the Earl of Dundonald, Lieutenant W. F. Peel. Royal Horse Guards. — Captain J. F. Brocklehurst, Lieutenant Sir J. C. Willoughby, Bart. 3d Dragoon Guards. — Major F. M. Wardrop. 1st Dragoons. — Captain F. W Rhodes. 4th Hussars. — Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel H. F. Grant, Captain C. W. Peters. 5th Lancers. — Captain E. C. W. Gilborne, Cap- tain A. C. Little. 7th Hussars. — Colonel H. McCalmont, Captain C. F. Thomson, Captain T. H. Phipps (since dead) Cap- tain H. Paget. 10th Hussars. — Major R. C. D'E. Spottiswoode^ 'sammmm '\ V 78 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN Captain the Earl of Airlie, Regimental Sergeant- Major B. Turner. 14th Hussars. — Brevet-Major the Hon. G. H Gough. 16th Lancers. — Major T. Davison, Private W» Ilsley Private H. Newton. 19th Hussars. — Lieutenant-Colonel P. H. S. Bar- row, C. B., C. M. G., Major J. G. Hanford-Flood, Cap- tain J. C. K. Fox, Troop Sergeant-Major W. Beale, Sergeant Chislett. 20th Hv^ssars. — Lieutenant-Colonel G. Mangles^ Major F. J. Graves. 21st Hussars. — Captain C. B. Pigott. Royal Artillery. Colonel F. Duncan, Colonel H. Brackenbury, C. B., Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Maurice, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. AUeyne, Major R. MacGregor Stewart, Major A. E. Turner, Major W. Hunter, Bre- vet Major F. G. Slade, Brevet Major A. G. Creagh, Brevet Major J. Adyo, Captain A. N. Rochefort, Cap- tain H. C. Sclater, Captain R. A. Bannatine, Captain G. F. A. Norton, Captain H. M. L. Bundle, Lieute- nant J. M. Grierson, Lieutenant F. R. Wingate, Ser- geant T. Lee. Royal Engineers. Colonel J. B. Edwards, C. B., Colonel Sir G. W. Wilson, K. G. M. G., C. B., Colonel E. P. Leach, V. C., Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Ardagh, C. B., Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel T. Eraser, C. M. G., Bre- vet Lieutenant-Colonel E. Wood, Major G.E. Grover, Major W. Fitz H. Spaight, Major J. F. Dorward. Bre- vet Major D. A. Scott, Brevet Major H. C. Chermside, C. M. G., Brevet Major H. H. Kitchener, Brevet Major E. S. E. Ghilders, Captain D. C. Courtney, Captain H. H. Settle, Captain H. A. Yorke, Captain C. B. Wilkieson, Captain F. W. Bennet, Captain G. F, JVilson, Captain A. PL Bagnoid, Lieutenant F. C. ten| Caj Mil Mai H. THE SOUDAN G\Ml»AIGN 79 ergeant- ^. G. H vate W^ . S. Bar- 3d, Cap. . Beale, langles^ h G. B., Brevet brregor 5r, Bre- ^reagh, •t, Gap- >laptain jieute- e, Ser- C.W. tch, V. C.B., ., Bre- rover, .Bre- aside. Major iptain C. B. &. F, K G. Her th, Lieutenant A. CK Thompson, Lieutenant H. M. /^awson, Sergcant-Major Dalton, Lant-e-Gorporal J. Dale, Sapper W. Leitch, Sapper T. Berret. Infantry. Grenadier Guards. — Colonel R. T. Thynne, Lieu- tenant-Colonel H. E.Colvile, Captain E.M.S. Crabbe» Captain tlie Hon. F. W. Stopford, Captain H. P. St. J. Mildmay, Lieutenant J. T. St. Aubyn, Sergeant- Major Hall, Colour-Sergeant G. Ditchfield, Private K. Gragg. Coldstream Guards. — Colonel A. Lambton, Lieu- tenant-Colonel tlie Hon. E. E. T. Boscawen, Captain the Hon. H. C. Legge, Sergeant-Major Dickenson, Sergeant-Major Birch. Scots Guards. — Colonel the Hon. \V. R. Trefusis^ Lieutenant-Colonel Mildmay W.Willson, Lieutenant J. \V. A. Drummond, Colour-Sergeant Livesay. East Kent Regiment. — Captain R. G. Kekewich. Royal Fusiliers. — Lieutenant E. M. Barttelot. Somersetshire Light Infantry. — Captain H. A Walsh. East Yorkshire Regiment. — Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel C. Grove, Lieutenant Hastings St. L. Wood. Royal Irish Regiment. — Lieutenant-Colonel H. Shaw, V. C, Captain H. W. N. Guinness, Lieutenant W. R. B. Doran. Yorkshire Regiment. — Captain F. B. Briggs, Cap- tain H. Bowles. Lancashire Fusiliers. — Lieutenant F. Hammers- ley. Royal Scots Fusiliers — Sergeant Duggan. Scottish Rifles. — Major C. T. Barrow. East Lanciishire Regi/aent. — Captain A. G. Leonard. East Surrey Regiment. — Colonel W. H. Ralston. Major F. H. Maturin, Lieutenant J. R. K. Birch^ Quartermaster-Sergeant H. Curson. It w. . I r<' ■ . ~*ymi0fi'- 82 THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN M ? 28th Bombay Native Infantry. — Lieutenant-Colo- nel F. G. Singleton, Bombay Staff Corps; Captain R. E. D. Reilly, Bombay Staff Corps ; Subadar Rama Kurrikur. Bengal Staff Corps. ~ Brevet Major Norman Ste- wart; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel E. S. Walcott, Bom- bay Infantry, Principal Commissariat Officer ; Bri- gade-Surgeon J. H. Thornton, M. B., Indian Medical Staff, Principal Medical Gificer ; Lieutenant-Colonel S. Beckett, Bengal Staff Corps, Director of Trans- port; Major E. H. H. Collen, Bengal Staff Corps, As- sistant Military Secretary ; Major G. R. J. Shakespear, Bengal Staff Corps, Director of Transport. Australian Contingent. Colonel J. S. Richardson, Lieutenant-Colonel W« W. Spalding, Major Mackenzie, Major Morris. Canadian Militia. Lieutenant-Colonel F. Denison, Dr. Neilson. Departments. Chaplains' Department. — The Rev. W. H. Bullock, the Rev. R. Brindle, the Rev. R. F. Collins, the Rev. J. Mactaggart. "^ Commissariat and Transport Staff. — Lieutenant- Colonel J. L. Robertson, Assistant Commissary-Ge- neral; Lieutenant-Colonel E. Hughes, C. M. G., As- sistant Commissary-General ; Lieutenant-Colonel G. E. Walton, Assistant Commissarj^-General; Lieute- nant-Colonel J. T. Skinner, Assistant Commissary- General; Major R. A. Nugent, C. B., Assistant Com- missary-General; Major A. A. Backer, Assistant Commissary-General; Major M. E. Rainsford, Assis- tant Commissary-General; Captain M. Graham, De- puty Assistant Commissary-General; Captain J. Whitley, Deputy Assistant Commissary-General; Capfein J. A. Boyd, Deputy Assistant Commissary- General; Quartermaster M. P. Wasp, Quartermaster THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN 83 it-Golo- Gaptain ir Rama lan Ste- t, Bom- r ; Bri- Medical Colonel Trans- rps, As- espear, mel W« a. killock, he Hey, itenant- iry-Ge- G., As- [onel G. Lieute- lissary- it Gom- ssistant , Assis- lU), De- tain J. eiieral ; lissary- ■master J. MacLoughlin, Quartermaster W. J. Barrell (Hono- rary Gap tain). Quartermaster H. Joyce, Conductor Haycock, Staff-Sergeant P. OMalley. Medical Staff. — Deputy Surgeon-General J. O'Nial, G. B. Deputy Surgeon-General S. A. Lithgow, M. D., Deputy Surgeon-General 0. Barnett (since dead). Deputy Surgeon-General G. L. Hinde, Sur- geon-Major E. G. Markey, Surgeon-Major G. G. Grib- bon, Surgeon-Major R. Waters, M. D., Surgeon-Major G. E. Will, Surgeon-Major G. H. Hai'vey, M. D., Sur- f eon-Major T. F. O'Dwyer, M> D., Surgeon-Major '. Ferguson, M. D., Surgeon-Major B. B. Connolly, Surgeon T. J. Gallwey, M.D., Surgeon W.H.Briggs, Surgeon J. Magill, Surgeon W. B. AUin, Surgeon H. L. Donovan, M. D., Staff-Sergeant Arbeiter. Ordonance Store Department, — Lieutenant- Colonel T. Pease, Assistant Commissary-General of Ordnance; Major E. G. Skinner, Assistant Commis- sary-General of Ordnance; Captain F. G. Wintle, Deputy Assistant Commissary-General of Ordnance, Captain F. E. Mulcahy, Deputy Assistant Commis- sary-General of Ordnance; Quartermaster C. L. Sheppard, Conductor P. Mullen. Pay Department. — Colonel W. R. Olivey, G. B., Major R. G. Craig, Major T. W. Drage, Major F. N. Woodall, Major G. T.' C. St. J. Kneller, Major A. P. G. DowdalL "Veterinary Department. — Inspecting Veterinary- Surgeon W, B. Walters, Veterinary-Surgeon First Class W. Burt, Veterinary-Surgeon First Class G. Philipps, Veterinary-Surgeon First Class A. Queripel. i ^i^immmm f ■-:■* I I / 1 M I — -- ri- «r» ij"" "iTi;; 84 RIELS REVOLT RIELS REVOLT I. In putting down Riels Rebellion with such rapi- dity and success Gen. Sir F. Middleton, commander in Chief, showed gre^it energy and ability. He was ably seconded by his staff, Gen. Strange, Gen. Laurie, Col. Otter, Col. van Straubcnzee, Col. WiUiams, Col. Grassett and all the officers and men. x^nd great praise is due to the Marquis of Landsdowne, Gov. Gen., to the R' Hon^^ic Sir John Macdonald, G. C. B., Premier; the Hon. Sir A. Caron, Minister of Militia, the government and parhament, Col. Panet, Deputy Minister of Militia, and Col. Walker Powell, Adjutant General, for their united energetic efforts. The colo- nies are now bound to England by the bond of affec- tion and loyalty and by self-interest, because there are no communities in the world which possess such free and independent constitutions as the colonies of England. Any scheme of Imperial federation should combine on equitable bases the resources of the Em- pire for the maintenance of common interests^ and adequately provide for an organized defence of com- mon rights. It is not possible, to over-estimate the enormous advantages to Englishmen who live beyond the seas to have the military and naval power of England at their back. There is one condi- tion which is absolutely necessary. It is that the union should imply mutual defence — mutual alliance with common citizenship. If the colonies were asked to contribi.t*'. their quota to the interest of any loan raised for th :^ r.rad oad military defence of the Em- pire that would bu a real practical step towards fede- ration. Cansd,! 'H very loyal and her best interests "would be fL> w vdcd by imperial Federation. In any tl RIELS REVOLT 85 -f-'i war the people of Canada would be ready to take their share of the responsibihty and the cost. Fede- ration means peace among all the members of the Empire. It means greater strength for each member of the Empire and the power of aiding and pro- tecting one another. It next means a common career for every british subject, for every citizen, and that is no slight thing for the colonies. The political and commercial value of the Canadian Pacific Railway will be incalculable. Among its more perceptible po- litical results will be the strengthening and hastening of the operations of the Army and Auxiliary Forces in Canada, Australia, India, and the Eastern Colonies,, and of the Navy on the Pacific, Australian, Indian^ and China stations. It will also faciliate the quelling of disturbances in the vast dominion through which the line passes. The length of the railway is 2870 miles. It runs through British territory, and will be in communication with the eastern provincial railway systems of Canada. Ninety-five days were required to move the men from Toronto to Winnipeg, about the centre of the Dominion, in 1870 to suppress the Red River rebellion. In 1885, in 15 days, Sir A. Caron called into the field a thousand organised Volunteer troops^ with 400 horses ; furnished them with trans- port to the seat of war, 2000 miles distant, and pus- hed forward three columns, widely separated, to points hundreds of miles from the railway. The Minister, moreover, kept the troops supplied, and covered an immense frontier. The Hon. Sir A. Caron, Col. Panel and Col. Walker Powell had difficult tasks to perform, and they performed them in a manner worthy of the highest praise. II. One of the greatest difficulties is'to get supplies of all kinds. The larger the force the greater the difficulty. Soldiers must be well fed.*j,The Ger- Riili Rtvolt, bj lajor de St. H. d'lntrafiM. 1. 1. Imth Porcef. 6 86 KIELS REVOLT i man Army, which is a perfect instrument, has been greatly increased, and the Emperor is supported by great men like Prince de Bismarck, Count de Moltke,Gount de Blumenthal, von Kameke, v. d. Goltz, etc. The French Army, now a magnificent force, has also greatly increased and possesses great and distinguished officers like Gen. Gampenon, Due d'Aumale, Due d'Auerstedt, the Marquis de Gal- lifet, Faidherbe, &e. Russia and Austria also possess enormous armies. Something more powerful and terrible than powder will probably be used. Repea- ting Rifles and improved weapons, steering Balloons and telephones are already used. It is possible that in the next great wars two, or even three millions of men may be put in the held on both sides, with two or three hundred thousand cavalry and 7000 guns. But even with all the new inventions, improvements and great ability of the distinguished men just named. it will be one of the most difficult tasks to get sup- plies for such enormous armies in the Held. HI. NORTH WEST FIELD FORCES STAFF: Major- Genetul Sir F. Middleton. General ri UOM^vlANDING. T lOrd Melgund, Chief of Staff; A D C's. Capt. Wise, Lieut Doucet, Lieut Freer, Liet-Gol Van Straubenzie, Commanding Infantry Brigade; Major-General Strange, in Command 3rd Division ; General Laurie, in charge of depot at Swift Current; Lieut-Col White- head, Quartermaster-General; Lieut-Col Forrest, Quartermaster-General 1st Division; Major McGib- bon, Quartermaster-General 3rd Division. 1 as been ipported louut de d. Goltz, it force, s great npenon, 1 de Gal- possess •ful and . Repea- 3alloons e that in s of men I two or guns, /cments , named. ^et sup- S SRAJu . Wise, benzie, jreneral Lamie, Wbite- '"orrest, McGib- RIELS REVOLT 87 Governor-General's Body Guard. Staff — Lieut-GoL G. T. Denison, Commander; Lieut. W. H. Merritt, Acting Adjutant; Quarter- master Ghas. Main Assistant-Surgeon, JasB Baldwin. A Troop. — Captain Clarence Denison; Lieut T Blair Browning, Sergeants Charles Grainger, W Tillcy, T MoGregor, H J M Wilson ; Corporal's R A Donaldson, A E S Thompson, H Hancock, A Stret- ton ; Troopers Edmund Kershaw, Geo Pearsall, John Woodburn, P Miley, Geo Pearson, Percy Newton, E Stinson, R Grainger. .1 Skaith, F Flint, J Walsh, Fred W Kane, J F McMillan, A Risch, Donald Mac Intyre, W H Craig, E J Murphy, H C Simms, A Dent, T Bills, S E Guest, J Bennet, A E Denison, H H Drury, W Coldham, H E Scholfield; Farrier Sergt, Ghas Black; Trumpet Major, F. Bacon. B Troop. — Major Dunn, Lieut Fleming; Regi- mental Sergt.-Major, Geo. Watson; Troop Sergt.- Major, John Watson; Staff Sergeants, W L Pnin, John Schmitt: Corporals (band) Mathew Ryan, .)oUn B Eager, Robert M Gorrie, W D McNabb ; Lance- Corporals, Alfred Richardson, John Tilley; Troopers Wm Hurst, G G Watts, Wm Latham, Max Sterne, W J Richie, Thos Anderson, W W Baby, Daniel O'Connell, Jas Nelson, R E Bell, Geo. Cornell, Peter Doherty, Walter Douglas, N C Weatherstone, Wm Felton,' D H McKay, Edward Kiien, Geo Hunter, F Ghadwick, James Bain, Walter Beavan, Geo Spar- row, John J Hamilton, Stuart Harvey, H Bredin, JAG Gray, Douglas Matherson. The Governor-GeneraFs Body Guard was first raised during the war of 1812 by Colonel Geo. T. Denison, grandfather of the present commanding officer, and has always been under the command of one of the family. When first raised it was known as the York Light Dragoons. It is a das- hing, splendid Cavalry Regiment. Cavalry School Corps , Colonel Turnbull 40, Win. Tp. Cavalry, 88 RIELS REVOLT ">i ' <- Capt. Kmgot 40, Mounted rangers, Gapt. Stewart^ 160 to 200, Mounted Corps, Lt-Gol. Boulton 60, Ga- valry scouts, Lt-Gol. Houghton 12, Mounted men . . . Major General Strange, M. and B. Batt., Gol Monti- zambert 200. No 1 Battery Quebec Garrison Artil- lery. Gaptain Roy Six batteries of the Montreal Gar- rison Artillery, numbering 278 men under command of Lieut. Gol. Oswald, Toronto Garrison Battery, Gap. McMurrich, Toronto Field Battery, Major Gray. Win. Field Battery, Major Jarvis 63, Gapt. Howard, Gatling gr^^.s. 1st Battalion Governor-General's foot Guards, Ottawa. One company of Sharpshooters called out 30th March, 48 men, 3 officers— Gapt Todd; Lieutenants Gray and Todd, Staff-Sergeant Newby; colour-ser- geant Ross ; Sergeants Winters and Taylor ; corpo- rals Davis, Nash, and Tasker; Privates Bunnell, Brophy, Boucher, Bovill, Ghester, Gassiday, Game- ron, Ghepmell, Gunningham, Glark, Fuller, Firth, Hamilton, Jarvis, Kingsley Looney, H H May, J V May, McQuilkin, McDonald, McGarty, Matheson, McGracken, MuUin, Nash, Pardy, J Patterson, W Patterson, Ring, Sparks, Rogers, J D Taylor, Wig- gins, Weston; Buglers Gowan and Modener, Troo- pers Bell and Humphrey, Princess Louise Dragoon Guards; Sergeant Dunett, Field Battery ; Stafif- Ser- geant Rogers, Private Osgoode, 43rd Rifles. 2nd Battalion Queen's Own Rifles. Galled out on 27th March, 257 men, 18 officers. — Lieut-Gol Miller; Major Allan; Atyutant captain De- lamere; Surgeon Dr Lesslie; Assistant Surgeon Dr Nattress; Paymaster captain Blain; Acting Quarter- master-Sergeant Heakes; Sergeant-Major Gunning- ham; Supply Officer Lieut-Gol Lamontagne. A company. — Sergeants F Kennedy, W W S Howard; corporals G Aldridge J A McMaster. RIELS REVOLT 89 Stewart^ 60, Ga- men . . . 1 Monti- n Artil- 3al Gar- )inmand Battery, )r Gray, ioward, jrUARDS, at 30th tenants )ur-ser- corpo- ^unaell, , Came- , Firth, May, J itheson, son, W r, Wig. r, Troo- )ragoon affSer- cers. — ain De- :eon Dr luarter- mning- ^W S B company. — Lieutenant A W Scott; Colour- Sergeant G E Cooper; Sergeant L D Merrick; copo- ral Dinsmore. G company. — Captain Hughes; col-sergeant Warrin gton ; Ser geant CJhator ; corporals Thompson , Staton, Lee. D company. — Captain Macdonald; col-sergeant S GMcKell; Sergeant Strachan; corporals Dingwall, Smith, Bunton. E company. — Captain Kcrsteman; lieutenant Mutton ; sergeants A Robertson, F Robertson; cor- porals Hector, McPherson. F company. — Captain J CMcGee; lieutenant Lee; sergeants McLaren, Baird; corporals Robinson, Mc- intosh, Gibson, Douglass. G company. — Lieutenants Brock, George; ser- geants Townsend, Laiigtry; corporals McKay. H company. — Captain Sankey; lieutenants R S Cassels; sergeant World; corporals Fuller, Green. I company. — Col-sergeant J Grean; corporals W. G Kennedy, Higginbotham. K company. — Lieutenant E Gunther; sergeant H W Mickie ; corporals H B Gronyn, G H Needier, A B Thompson. Buglers. — Bugle-major G Swift; sergeant J Mc- Evoy ; corporals Wm Bryden, F Elliott. Ambulance corps. — Surgeon Dr Lesslie; Hespi- tal sergeant Pringle; Hospital corporal Fere; privates Bell, Boyd. Batting, Bain, Robarts, Torrance, Thomp- son. Pioneer corps. — Corporal Harp; Pioneers Doctor, Bateson, Cameron, Brash, J Bromley, Cunningham. 7th Battaxion "Fusiliers'* London. Called out 7th April, 237 men, 20 officers. — Staff. — Lieut-Col Williams commanding; majors A M Smith, W M Gartshore; Adjutant Geo Raid, Surgeon 90 RIELS REVOLT Dr Fraser ; Quartermaster, Gapt J B Smith ; Supply officer, Gapt Hudson. A company. — Gapt Mackenzie, lieutenants Baty, Bazan; col-sergt Jackson, sergt Beecroft, corp Arthur Pugh. B company. — Gaptain Butler; lieutenants Ghis- holm, Gregg ; colour-sergt Gould ; sergeants McLin- tock, O'Rourke; corporals D Dyson, James Gould, Brown; sergeant McGouther (pioneer); lance-corpo- rals Graham, Andrews. C company. — Gaptain Tracey; lieutenant Payne; sergeants Anundson, Auglin; corporals Graham, Wanless, Kirkendale ; lance-corporals Fysh, Dignam. D company. — Gapt Dillon; lieut Hesketh; sergts A McDonald, W Owens, McGregor; corporals Mills, Lowe, McBeth. E company. — Gaptain Peters ; lieuts Jones, Fope; col-sergt Jacob ; sergeants J Summers, J Neilson ; corporals G Apted, H Rowlands, P Fields. F company. — Sergeant-major Byrne; col-sergt Line; sergeants Harris, T W Stantield; corporals Black, Thomas H Hills; Buglers Insell, Weir. G company. — Gol-sergts Alex. Borland ; sergts J J Lynch, Fred Fuller ; corps W Harrison, Frank liynan, T H Packinson; lance-corporals Wm Essex, G Terry, T Borland. 10th B1.TTAL10N *' Royal Grenadiers" Toronto. Galled out on the 27th March, 250 men, 17 oflicers. — Gol Grassett in command; major Dawson; No 1 Gapt Gaston; lieut Howard and lieut Gibson; No 2, Gapt Mason; lieuts Irving, Hay; No 3, Gap Spencer ; Ueut. Fitch and Morrow; No 4, Gapt Bruce; lieuts Elliott and Michie ; adjutant, Gapt Manley ; Acting Quartermaster and Paymaster, lieut Lowe; assistant surgeon Ryerson. No 1 company. — Gol-sergeant Francis ; sergeants Over, Goodman, Davis, Magner; corporals G Graig, i ' ■■\..y ; Supply nts Baty, p Arthur nts Ghis- s McLin- 3S Gould, ce-corpo- it Payne; Graham, Dignam. h; sergts als Mills, es, Fope; Neilson ; col-sergt corporals ir. sergts J 1, Frank n Essex, ?10NT0. ofUcers. n; No 1 ion; No Spencer ; i; lieuts ; Acting issistant rgeants Craig, RIELS REVOLT 91 W Pledgers, \V Small, J Foley, Thrush, A Mooro. Price. No 2 company. Aikens, Blake, Burroughs, Bruce. No 3 company. — Clolour-sergcants Dale, Knight; corporals Fowles, Moore, Whiteacre, Johnson, Marsh, Dickson, Taylor, Butcher, Boulton, Hicks, (Jray. No 4 company. — Colour-sergeant Cusack; ser- geant Kitchener ; corps Armstrong, Currie, Locke; stall-sergeants Quina, Hutchison, Hazolton. Pioneer corps. — Pivates Belz, Golden, Sheppard. Drum corps. — Sergeant Bewly. MIDLAND BATTALION Commissioned on 30th March, left for front Gth April, 342 men, 34 otlicers. — Lieut.-Col. A. T. H. Williams commanding ; Senior major H. R. Smith ; Jr major Col Duncoii ; Paymaster, J. Leystock Reid ; adjutant E Ponton ; Ouartermaster Capt J P Cleenes; Surgeon Dr Horsey, Ottawa ; Assistant Surgeon Dr Might, Port Hope : Supply oflicer lieut.-col Macdonald; Sergeant-major T L Sproule ; Quartermaster's Asst L J Burrows; Quartermaster's Clerk, L V Macdou- gall ; Hospital Sgts David Carson, Port Hope; Orderly Room Clerks John Hooper, P M S W Stewart ; No 5 Company (45th) — Major Hughes, Capt Grace; No 6 Company (40th) — Capt Bonnycastle, Capt Giles, lieut Bliss, Ottawa ; No 8 company (47th) — Capt Kelly; lieuts Hubbelt, Sharp. Attached. — Lieuts U J Cartwright, G Laidlaw, H C Ponton, A M Tomlin- son, C E Cartwright. Company G — Capts Howard, Thos Burke ; lieuts Brennan, J Welter, tl M C; col-sergt Percy - Myles, 8th R R; sergts A F Tytler, Geo K. Mark; corporals A B Rogers, S Hendren, Jacob Roberts. No 7 !Jompany, 15th battalion. — Captain Lazier ; lieutenants J Helliwell, G E Kenny; col sergeant WightoE ; sergeants Maiden, Alex Robinson ; corpo- rals H James, J W H Belcher. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I i tLl III 2.0 1 1.8 1.25 |||.4 lli-^. ■• 6" — ► V] <^ /} ''1^.>. <•!> /y '^^^'. /> '/ /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 145B0 (716) 873-4SbJ ^% "^^%, IV ^° ,/%^ r «-^ ■n^.-fff^mit.yii.'^-r'- 92 BIELS REVOLT Gaptaiii E* Harrison ; lieutenants H A Yeomans, R J Boll ; col-sergeants A H Smith, Geo Wilson, E G Bo wen; corporals S J Hilton, James Merrill, P Howe. Port Hope. — Capt and bat-major Rod Dingwall ; lieuts R Wallace, capt TB Evans, Ottawa, and Smart, Port Hope. Non-commissioned-officers : — Thos Barker, Robt Bever. Millbroke and Manvers company. — Capt Ghas H Winslow; lieuts H F Miller, J V Preston ; col ser- geant Fred McGurry ; sergeant John Beatty ; corpo- rals Robt Lamb, Wm Guy, M H Sisson. YORK AND SIMGOE BATTALION Gommissioned on 30th March, started for front ^nd April, 342 men, 34 officers. Staff. — Lieut-colonel O'Brien : majors, lieut-cols Tyrwhitt, Wyndham ; adjutant-captain W. Hunter ; surgeon L T Smith; asst-surgeon, J L G McGarthy ; supply-officer. Ueut G H Bute, G G F G; Quarter- master; major Ward; No 1 co-- Major Graham, lieut Landrigan, lieut Banting ; No 2 co — major Burnett, lieut Drink water, lieut L Burnet; No 3 co — captain Leadley* lieut L Shannon, 1st battalion G G F G, lieut Ramsay ; No 4 co — Gapt Gampbell, lieut G Spry, lieut Lennon ; No 5 co — capt Thompson, lieut Ven- nel ; No 6 co — capt Brooke, lieut Symons ; No 7 co capt Smith, lieut Both, lieut Fleury ; No 8 co — major Wayling, lieut LasUe, lieut Allan. Parkdale.— Gorps J H Smith, John Malcolm ; lance- corijoral Thos Gilmour. / Riverside.— Stafif- sergeant Brown; colour-ser- geant John Ridout ; sergeant Bell ; corporals J Foot, G Brown; lance-corporals Sonthstead, J. Robinson. Yorkville. — Sergeants Eraser, Remingtoa ; cor- porals Greenho, BeU. Seaton Village.— Stafif-surgeon McGreal ; sergeant Grealis ; corporal M Gonnors, E Grealis. * {\ RIELS REVOLT 93 ifeomans, Wilson, ^errUl, P Dingwall ; Qd Smart, — Thos t Ghas H col ser- f\ corpo- for front lieut-cols Hunter ; cGarthy ; Quarter- am. lieut Burnett, - captain GFG, t G Spry, eut Ven- No7co —major 1 ; lance- our-ser- j J Foot, oMnson. oa; cor- sergeant Newmarket— Sergeants K!avanagh, Bogart, Wern- ham ; corporals Keetch, Ferry. Aurora. — Quartermaster sergt Gollett ; col-sergt Taylor, sergts Price, DEgo,Farr; corps Montgomery, E Hand, John Ego, O'Brian. No 1 company.— No 1 co-sergts Anson, Kiel, Murt, McGarty, A G Barraud, Neilly ; corps Wm Healy, H Bushnell. No 2 company. — Sergeants T Sallons, E Grock- ford, Stewart, Burnett ; corporals Thos Reid, Joseph Dunham. No 3 company. — Sergeant-Major Sydney McDou- gall; col-sergeant Malcolm McDougall; sergeants William Gampbell, James Kirkup, E Mclntyre ; cor- porals Wm Holdsworth, J Halliday. No 4 company. — Sergeants W Gilkinson, G H Dunning. 65th batt, Gol. Ouimet 400. 9th battalion, Gol. Amyot 280. Gol Ouimet and Gol Amyot had the honour to com- mand two of the finest battalions that went to the North- West. Their members conducted themselves as true soldiers throughon* the campaign, under- taking every duty in the ..lost cheerful manner. Hal. Pro, En. Gol. Brenner. Intel, corps, capt Den- nis 50. 90th batt major Mackeand 323. Gompany at Regina, lieut-col Scott 40. Company at Birtle 40. 8 companies, Gol. Osb. Smith 336. 6 co's Manitoba, lieut-Gol Scott, M P 366. 8th battalion, two compa- nies. 63rd battalion, Halifax, Gol Mackintosh. 62nd battalion, St-John, Col Blaine.l3tli battalion, Gol Skin- ner. 35th batt, Gol O'Brien 360. G int. Schl. corps, Gol Otter 80. Co at Battleford, H Gisborne 40. Gompany at Emerson Ghas Whitman. Col Irvine with 300 men defended Prince Albert. If it had been necessary the following brave Regi- ments were ready to go under Col Worsley: theRoj^al Scots, 257; Prince of Wales rifles, 233; 6th fusilers, u . . w-. «. ^ >. ...„^. ...-^iw-e,*; :;^-->-=;?-.''=^--*=^ ■ .' .«■" -• •":*" .Tfi'-tJi-YlTr \. 94 RIELS REVOLT \ *t 249; Victoria rifles, 298; cavalry, 30; engineers, 30. These, with the Field battery, brought up the strength of the brigade to 1,400. Also the following brave Re- giments under (jommand of Col Harwood, D A G of the Sixth District, and lieut-col G A Hughes, brigade major. The 64th, of Beauharnois ; 70th, of Ghateau- guay; 80th, of Nicolet; 84th. of St. Hyacinthe; 85th, of Laprairie, and 86th, of Louisville. Ambulance corps : Dr Powell, son of the adjutant- geneial, assistant surgeon, Dr Roddick, Toronto, Dr Douglas. Victoria, &c., &c. Lieut-col Jackson, DAG, London, commissariat officer ; lieut-col La Montague, D A G, headquarters staff, commissariat officer of the Toronto force, lieut- Col D A Macdonald, militia department, commissariat officer; lieut-col Forest, Quebec, conmiissariat officer to lieut-col Montizambert's command; Dr Jas A Grant, Jr, med. officer to lieut-Gol Montizambert's command. IV. Sir John Macdonald's only son (Hugh John) is a lieutenant in the Ninetieth foot. Staff-sergt. McDougall, son of the Hon William McDougall, was with the Midland battaUon under Gol Williams, M P. Had the voluntary services of twenty times the number of those accepted been as- ked for, a few hours time would have sufficed to sup- ply it; and we have no hesitation in saying that had the entire local Force been ordered out the response to the bugle call " to arms " would have been obeyed with that alacrity which was a distinguishing charac- teristic of the troops who served through the campaign. Amongst those most conspicuous on the field was Gen. Middleton, who posed himself on the rebel Are with great sang froidy and during the heat of the en- gagement received a bullet in his hat. Lieut. Doucet, aide to the General, was wounded in the arm at an early hour, but Capt. Wise, the other aide, remained \ I Si f ineers, 30. le strength brave He- D A G oi- ls, brigade ' Ghateau- ithe; 85th, adjutant- Toronto, imissariat dquarters rce, lieut- imissariat iat ollicer J A Grant, ommand. bhn) is a William l>n under vices of been as- d to sup- that had esjpcnse 1 obeyed f charac- mpaign. ield was ebel Are ■ the en- Doucet, m at au jmained ! RIELS REVOLT unhurt until a late hour, and by his cool daring won the admiration of all. Twice he had his horses shot under him, and each time he escaped injury by a miracle almost. About four o'clock he received a bul- let in his foot below the ankle joint, and calmly sat chewing a piece of hardtack whilst the surgeon ex- tracted it. Lieutenant - Governor Masson subscribed 200 dol- lars towards the support of the families of the volun- teers belonging to the 9th battalion at the front. In the Legislature Hon. Faucher de St. Maurice, member for Bellechasse, suggested that the members instead of giving a ball as proposed should hand the funds to the committee formed to relieve the families of those men of the 9th battalion left without means of existence. The suggestion was unanimously adopted. Ollicersandmen showed discipline, pluck, gallantry and valour. Their conduct was above all praise, it was worthy the reputation of veterans. They came back crowned with complete success, praised by Gen. Middleton, their veteran, intrepid and gallant commander, and covered by the wellearned plaudits of the entire Dominion and the British Empire. Col. Ot- ter was in command at the Gut Knife Hill engagement. Than Gol. Otter Ganada has no more capable gallant soldier. The "Sharpshooters" are proud of such gallant officers as major Todd, who commanded them during the campaign, lieut. Gray and lieut. Todd. And when the news of the Gut Knife Hill fight came, all heard how her representatives had upheld the honour of the city of Ottawa. Colonel Otter's force met Poundmaker's band on Saturday and defeated them with great loss. The In- dians were driven from their camp and part of their camp burned. Otter's loss was & killed and 13 woun- ded. The Indian loss is known to have been 100 War- riors. The battle lasted from 5 in the morning till noon. / L *.TT.S»-%.. . iV:' ..r\n..-r~ I 96 RIELS REVOLT U IJ I The veteran major-gen. Strange while in command in the North- West felt thatCol.Otters force was the other side of the nippers which should have crushed Big Bear, and he eagerly listened for the unerring ring of the Sharpshooters rifles. He looked upon that force as the other complement of his own. Uen. Strange handled his force with ability. V. Copy of the Official Reports of Major-General Mid- dleton, C B (commanding the North West Field For- ces) relating to engagements at Fish Greek, April 24, 1885 ; Gree Reserve (Poundmaker), March 2, 1885 ; Batoche, March 9, 10, 11, and 12, 1885, with list of Killed and Wounded. EISH CREEK. North West Field Force, Head Quarters, Sir, Fish Creek, May 1, 1885. I Have the honour to state, for the information of his excellency the Governor-General and yourself, the following particulars of the engagement between my force and that of the rebels on the 24th of April last, which I have been unable to do before, except by telegraph, owing to having so much to do in re connoitring, getting up supplies, and making arran- gements for the movement of the troops in the other parts of the North West Territory. I had previously informed you of the division of my forces, and on the morning of the 23rd both co- lumns advanced on the two sides of the river, with the scow moving down between them. We halted about eighteen miles down the river, my column near the farm of a settler named Mcintosh, the other in a line with us on the other side. After a quiet night, we started on the morning of the 24th at about 7 a. m., with the usual military precaution. Mounted Infantry scouts spread out well in front, RIELS REVOLT 97 mand in he other bed Big ing ring hat force Strange ral Mid- eld For- A.pril 24, 2, 1885 ; 1 list ol lation of yourself, between of April , except io in re g arran- he other nsion of both co- ^rer, with 'e halted column he other r a quiet at about in front, with support of Mounted Infantry under Major Boul- ton, about 200 yards in rear. An advance guard of the 90th battalion about 300 yards in rear of that, and the main column about 200 to 300 yards in rear of the advanced guard. Though I had not been led to believe that the re- bels would not come so far to the front to attack us, still I was aware of the existence of a rather deep ravine or creek about five or six miles ahead, conse- quently I was on this occasion, with the support un- der Major Boulton, accompanied by Captain Haig,. Royal Engineers, assistant quartermaster general, and my two aides-de-camp captain Wise ana Ueutenant Doucet, and Mr MacDowell attached to my staff. On approaching some bluffs just as the left advanced scouts were circling round, we suddenly received a heavy fire from a bluff and some ground sloping back on our left, which fire was luckily too high to do mischief, having been evidently fired in a huiTy owing to the approach of the left scouts. Major Boul- ton instantly ordered his men to dismount, let loose their horses (two of which were immediately shot), and hold the enemy in check. This was done by them most gallantly — the flankers and files in front falling back on the main body. I sent captain Wise back with orders to bring up the advanced guard and main body, which was soon done, though in going with the order captain Wise's horse was hit by a shot from the bluffs on the left. The advanced guard, on arrival, extended and took cover in the bluffs nearest us, and as the main body came up, two more compa- nies of the 90th were extended, the rebels advancmg up out of the ravine, into which, however, they again speedily retired and a heavy fire was exchanged, but having sent a party round to a house on the enemy's right the enemy gradually retired alon^ the ravine, while our men advanced slowly to tne crest of a deeply wooded part running out of the main ravine.. / % h f \ !(■ V ., j.z-^u>^ L*^^^v ^ ^ :;j;:7.-'r .^^:?.>'^c:artr\iAl » w' » .v.>«fw^ S 98 RIELS REVOLT In this former ravine a small party of the rebels made a stand in what we found afterwards to be some carefully constructed rifle pits. These men were evidently their best shots — Gabriel Dumont being amongst them, but were, so to speak, caught in a trap. A great number of their horses and ponies being in this ravine, and, what is said to be very unusual, were tied up, thus showing, I am informed, that the rebels were pretty confident of success; 55 of these horses were killed. These men were gradually redu- ced in number until, from the position of our men, it "was almost impossible for them to retire, and they continued to fire at intervals, doing a good deal of mischief. Captain Peters with great pluck and dash led the dismounted men of the A Battery, supported by a party of the 90th, under captain Ruttan, and gallantly attempted to dislodge them, but they were so well covered and were able to bring such a heavy lire on the party advancing without been seen, killing three men, two artillery men and one of the 90th (the body of one artillery man was afterwards found wit- hin eight or ten yards of their pits) that I resolved to leave them, contenting myself with extending more of the 90th in front to watch them and sending some shells into the bluff now and then. Lieutenant- colonel Houghton, my deputy adjutant-general, in taking orders got mixed with this parl?y and advan- ced with them, showing great pluck and coolness. I would here beg to notice the pluck and coolness dis- played by other officers (especially captain Drury) and men of A Battery in running their guns up by hand to the edge of the ravine and the opposite gully afterwards, three of the men being wounded. In the meanwhile, having seen the part of the 90th extended as above-mentioned, I galloped across to the right, having previously sent my two aides-de-camp there with orders to get G half-company and two compa- nies of the 90th extended. On arrival there I found (t RIELS REVOLT 90 e rebels is to be len were nt being ght in a ies being unusual, that the of these Uy redu- ir men, it and they d deal of md dash upported tan, and ^ey were ti a heavy n, killing 90th (the )und wit- resolved xtending L sending mtenant- jneral, in d advan- )olness. I Iness dis- n Drury) ms up by site gully 1 In the extended he right, mp there 3 compa- e I found It that the enemy was in force, trying to turn our right, having set fire to the prairie as the wind was blowing towards us. About this period captain Drury, of A Battery, threw a shell into a house, some distance off where some rebels were seen congregating, and set it on fire. The rebels at this time advanced under cover of the smoke out of the ravine, which extended across our front, and the firing was tremendously hot. My aide-de-camp, lieutenant Doucet, and several men being hit, our men were forced back here a little at first, but soon rallied and advanced steadily, hol- ding their own and taJiing cover well, untill using the enemy's own tactics we fairly drove them back blufif by bluff, and they retired, all together, going ofl' as hard as they could. I may mention here that their attempt to drive us back by setting fire to the prairie^ proved a failure, though at one time it looked awk- ward, but I sent for a party of teamsters, who soon beat it out, notwithstanding they were for a short time under fire. By about 2 p. m. the enemy had disappeared and all firing ceased, except from the men in the ravine, who seemed by their voices to be reduced in number, and whom I endeavoured to reach by means of the guns from the opposite side of the ravine. I think successfully, from the amount of blood fonnd after- wards in the pits, and a dead Sioux found near there. To return to the action of the left flank. On recros- sing to them I received a bullet through my fur cap from one of the men in the rifle-pits, who had made several attempts to hit me before, and whom I have reason to beUeve was Gabriel Dumont himself, and who a few minutes after, being obliged to recross with my aide-de-camp, captain Wise, shot from the same place his horse and threw him. Shortly after, I am sorry to say, while looking over the brow of the ravine to see if the enemy were still there, captain Wise received a shot in the foot. I found the flring , ,^«^ ▼••»"•*»■•• • V».^_iAL- to_il «f (^ h.WM 100 RIELS REVOLT ■V reduced to the men in the ravine, the rest of the enemy having retired in confusion. During the action a messenger from the left column arrived, asking if they should bring troops across, and I directed the 10th Grenadiers to be brought over, which was done, by means of the scow, most expeditiously; one company, with Lord Melgund, arriving about 1 p. m., and two other companies, un- der lieutenant-colonel Grassett, later on, with the two guns of the Winnipeg Field Battery, under major Jarvis. As the affeir was nearly over then, I conten- ted myself with extending a company of the 10th on the right centre, to assist in watching the ravine where the enemy's rifle-pits were, the other compa- nies being on the extreme right in support, and ulti- mately remaining there until the wounded were re- moved to the camp-ground, which had been selected in the meantime. I would here beg leave to draw particular attention to the crossing of these troops, who, though luckily not required, might well have been. To fully appreciate the rapidity with which this was done, in spite of the difficulties that existed, the river must be seen. Wooded heights on each side 100 feet high — at bottom large boulders encrusted in thick sticky mud — a fringe of huge blocks of ice on each side, a wretched scow, carrying about sixty men at most, pulled with oars made with an axe, and a rapid current of about three or four miles an hour, were the obstacles that were surmounted by dint of determination and anxiety to join with and aid their comrades. Meanwhile a sort of zareba had been formed by Mr. Bedson and Mr. Secretan of a few wagons, where the doctors formed their temporary hospital, and car- ried out their functions skilfully, coolly, and quietly, under the able superintendence of brigade-surgeon Orton, 90th battalion. A little later, finding the firing had ceased, and the enemy fled except the two or RTFXS REVOLT 101 St of the ft column >3 across, brought ow, most Melgund, anies, un- with the der major I conten- e 10th on 16 ravine sr compa- and ulti- were re- Q selected 5 to draw se troops, well have ith which it existed, each side encrusted cks of ice 30ut sixty a axe, and 3 an hour, by dint of I aid their )rmed by ns, where 1, and car- d quietly, e-surgeon the firing e two or three whom T left there for the reason above nuMitio- ned, and as a thunder stonn was eonnnj,' up -having removed Ihe dead, and sent off the wounded Ave pit- ched eamp amidst a severe thunder storm in an open spot close to the seene of the fifjht, which had l»een selected by Lord Melgund as ai>ove mentioned. I ap- pend an ollicial list of killed and wounde t>l O CUT KNIFE HILL Engagement with Poundmaker. Sir, Dattleford, May 2(), 1SS6. I have the honour to forward herewith for the infor- mation of His Excellencv the governor-general and yourselfLieu.-Gol.Otters Despatch, concerning his engagement with the Chief Poundmaker and his band, on the 2nd of May last. Though lieutenant- colonel Otter made this attack under a misunder- standing of my orders on the subject, he and his men seem to have done their duty well, and are deserving of great praise, and had the force been larger the con- sequence might have been more decided. 1 have, &c. (Signed) Fred. Middleton, Major-General, Commanding Canadian Mihtia and Forces in the Field N. W. Territory. VL From Lieutenant-Colonel Otter, Commanding Battle- ford Column N.W.F.F. to Major-General Middle- ton, Commanding Militia of Canada. Sir, I have the honour to report that, having learned on the 29th ultimo from my scouts that a force of Cree and Stoney Indians, numbering about 200 men, were camped near the reserve of the former tribe, some 38 miles from heiie, and subsequently that Pound- maker, the Cree chief, was hesitating between peace and war, the latter eventually depending upon his being able to obtain assistance from Big Bear's tribe, I felt it necessary that definite action should be taken in order to make Poundmaker declare himself, and prevent a junction of the forces of the two chiefs. I determined on a reconnaissance in force, and left Battleford on Friday, the 1st instant, at 3 p. m., with the following troops, viz. • — ? ■1, 4.\»ms0 :.'m*»m^. RIELS REVOLT 105 ;, 1885. :,hciiifor- eral and ninff his .•md his utenant- isunder- l his men eserving the con- Canadian Id N. W. ^ Battle- Middle- irned on of Gree n, were e, some Pound- in peace pon his •'s tribe, )e taken elf, and efs. and left n., with y 75 Md. Police, of whom 50 were mounted, captain Neale. 80 B l)attery, II C A, major Short. 45 G company, I S G, lieutenant Wadmorc. 20 G (j Foot Guards, lieutenant Gray. ()0 Queen's Own Rifles, cjiptain Brown, including the Ambulance corps of same rc^ninent. 45 Battloford Uittes, captain Nash. One Gatling gun and two 7-prs. l)elonging to Po- lice, the latter being selected as more easy of trans- port thiin the 9-prs. guns, and a train of 48 wagons to carry men's rations and stores. Halting at 8 p. m., I waited nearly four hours until the inooii rose, and then pushed on through the night, reacliiiig at daybreak the enemy's camp, which was seen on the iiigher of two hills, partially surrounded by a wide ravine, with ;i large creek running through it (Jrossing the creek, our advanced guard, the scouts, and police weie almost at the top of the lower hill before our presence was discovered and the general ahirm sounded; hardly had our scouts gained the crest of the hill when the advanced part of Lh{^ enemy was met, who opened fire upon our men with vigour. The police immediately exten- ded on the brow, and the guns supported by B bat- tery were pushed forward into the same line, open- ing fire with shrapnel on th(i camp. The Indians, who had evidently been taken by surprise, very ({uickiy gathered themselves together and attempted to sur- round us ; so large was their force, that it required the whole of ours to be placed in the lighting line to meet the nttack. Taking advantage of the cover aftor- ded by the many small coulees and ravines surroun- ding our position, Ji most vicious and determined cross fire was poured in upOn our men, which at first proved most destructive, owing to carelessness in exposing themselves, Soon, however, we followed the example of our foes, and made the most of any a0 JM. » Ht \ 106 BIELS REVOLT y\ i\ I If h cover that was obtainable, and in point of accurate shooting quickly demonstrated our ability to cope with them. The disposition of our force was as follows : — In the centre of the front line and lust behind the brow of the hill was the Gatling, flanked on either side by a 7-pr. brass gun, all under the personal supervision of major Short, ably assisted by captain Rutherford; the support of these guns consisted of the Garrison division of B Battery-Inmiediately to the rear, resting in a slight declivity, were the horses of the Police and the wagon train ; these were so well placed by captain Neale that only two casualties occurred through the day, viz., the loss of two horses, one of the wagon train, and captain Rutherford's charger. On either flank of the Artillery were the Police, to the right and right rear was G company and detachment of Guards ; to the left, lying on a lower ledge of the hill and extending nearly to the creek, was the Queen's Own, and protecting the right rear and lord was the company ot Battleford Rifles. The positions thus described were, with some slight changes, re- tained by these corps more or less throughout the action. Shortly after the fight became general, a rush was made by the enemy for the Gatling, but was sharply repulsed, a party from the police and artillery gal- lantly headed by major Short, and four Indians killed. The trail of one of the guns now unfortunately gave way, rendering that valuable arm practically useless, excellent practice was, however, made by the other guns,assisted whenever opportunity offered, by the Gatling, the other gun shared a similar fate later in the day. Our men had now fairly settled down to their work, and in the most cool, collected, and praise- worthy manner went about forcing the enemy to t *tw l it *. — I RIELS REVOLT 107 f accurate to cope ^s : — In the brow jr side by pervision therford; Garrison r, resting he Police placed by occurred s, one of charger, ice, to the jtachment ge of the was the ' and ford positions mges, re- ghout the rush was s sharply Llery gal- ' Indians rtunately ractically made by y offered, tiilar fate to their d praise- memy to abandon their numerous points of advantage and cover. The right rear which took in the ford was menaced, and a part of the Battleford rifles, under captain Nash, assisted by individual men of G company gre- nadier guards, and Queen's own rifles, with Constable Ross (chief scout) of the poUce, undertook to clear the coulee at that point ; this they did most effectually, capturing four ponies whose riders were shot by them. A similar duty had now to be performed on oiu* left rear, which was entrusted to parties of the Queen's Own and Battleford Rifles, and proYed one of the sharpest brushes of the day ; the enemy's fire here was, however, only partially subdued, as there remained a few men whom neither bullets nor shells seemed to reach, and who were only dislodged at the end of the day, by sending Ross with his scouts by a long detour to the rear and flanking them. At eleven o'clock, that is, six hours after the be- ginning of the engagement, our flank and rear were clear, but the position we occupied was not tenable over night, while both guns were practically useless through broken trails, and the wounded required proper attention ; further, the object of the reconnai- sance had been accomplished, inasmuch as he had declared his intentions, but Big Bear, or at least his men, had eflected a junction before my arrival as the number of the enemy was fully five hundred fighting men, including some fifty half breeds. I, therefore, concluded to withdraw and return at once to Battleford in case a counter attack might be made on that place — placing the Battleford Rifles on the opposite side with one of the maimed guns, the wagons, dead, save Private Osgoode, Gr G F Guards, whose body had rolled into a deep ravine and could not be recovered, and wounded were taken safely over the creek, followed in turn by tlie various 108 RIEL8 REVOLT H i ,! corps from their I'espective positions — a few of the enemy on perceiving our withdrawal, followed to the edge of the ravine, but were quickly driven back by the Gatling, under major Short, which brought up the the rear, and two rounds from the 7-prs. with the Battleford Rifles, under captain Rutherford, both of which rounds had to be fired with the gun bound up with ropes and splints to keep it together — the crossing was effected without the sUghtest loss, and the enemy failed to follow, although had they done so nuich delay and loss of life might liave been en- tailed upon us as the country was favourable to them. Too much praise cannot l)e given to the ollicers, non-commissioned olUcers, and men engaged throug- nout the whole action for their admirable coolness and gallantry; the tivcumstanccs were most trying to our troops w^ho, without sleep or breaktast, found themselves opposed to a cunning and determined enemy thoroughly acquainted with the ground, adop- ting a new style of warfare and in numbers nearly double. Where all behaved so well it is diilicult to select those deserving of special mention, but 1 should not be doing my duty did 1 not bring to your notice the names of a few whose conduct came under my espe- cial observation. Major Short, R G A, by his plucky charge already mentioned, no doubt saved the Gatling, and throug*- hout the day proved himself the beau ideal of an offi- cer, he seemed to bear a charmed life as he coolly stood in the front lines working his guns. Sergeant major Wattam, N W M Police, was an- other whose brilliant example and dogged courage gave confidence and steadiness to those within the sound of his voice. Constable Ross, N WMPolice, our chief scout, was always ready to lead a dash or take his place in the J f^> - ,.-st!r.; »l l l ■ |l Wlll ni lll jtm 'r" few of the md to the 1 back by ^ht up the with the d, both of bound up ler — the loss, and hey done been en- c to them. e officers, )d throug- ) coolness )st trying List, found itermined nd, adop- •s nearly to select ould not otice the my espe- already I throug- Df an ofii- le coolly was an- courage ithin the out, was in the RIELS REVOLT 109 skirmish Une, in fact be seemed everywhere and at the proper time. Lieutenant Brock, Q R, most pluckily led the party to clear our left rear, and sergeant McKell, Pri- vates Acheson and Lloyd, of the same corps, distin- guished themselves by assisting the wounded to places of safety in the face of lieavy tire ; Private Lloyd himself being wounded in this "duty. The Ambulance Corps of the Queen's Own was particularly prominent in answering the numerous calls from the front for assistance, many times having to traverse ground that was raked by the enemy's fire. Brigade surgeon Strange, ISC, and surgeon Les- lie, Q K, rendered willing and valuable assistance to the wounded both on the Held and in the tempo- rary hospital that was established in the wagon Ina- ger To my personal stati", lieutenant Sears, ISC, bri- gade major and captain Mutton, Q O U, brigade (|uar- termaster, I owe many thanks for their boldness, promptness, aud assiduity in executing the orders given them. In Ueutenant-colonel Herchmer, N W M Police, I had a most valuable assistant, and not only in the action of Saturday, but throughout our march from Swift Current to Battleford, he displayed the most sterling qualities of a soldier ; while the men of his command have time and again proved themselves as invaluable to my force. Attached I beg to hand you an otficial list of the dead and wounded, with the causes of their death and nature of wounds. All the wounded are, I am glad to say, doing well at the time I write. 1 have, &c., (Signed) W. D. Otter, Lieut.-Gol. Commanding the Battleford Column. ■ I '^w III! fMMfcaafc •»<■ ^ 110 RIELS REVOLT !I il \i I List of Killed and Wounded in Action of Cut Knife Hill, Saturday, 2nd May, 1885. Killed. 907 Corporal W H T Lowry, N W mounted police, shot through head and died at Battleford, 3rd May. 565 Corporal R B Sleigh, N W mounted police, killed in action, shot through head. 402 Constable P. Burke, N W mounted police, shot in body, died at Battleford, 3rd May. 93 Bugler Herbert Foulkes, C company, I S corps, killed iL action, shot through chest. Private John Rogers, G G Foot Guards, killed in action, shot through head. Private Osgoode, G G Foot Guards, missing, seen to be hit, and fall into deep ravine. Private Arthur Dobbs, Battleford Rifles, killed in action, shot through chest. Charles Winder, Teamster, killed in action, shot through head. Wounded. 36 Sergeant John H Ward, N W mounted police, shot in abdomen, bullet not found, serious. Lieutenant Oscar G Pelletier, 9th battalion, shot through flesh of left thigh, severe. 1325 Sergeant James T Gaffney, B battery, RCA, shot through flesh of left forearm, severe. 1562 Gunner Thomas Reynolds, B battery, RCA, shot through back of right humerus, bullet not remo- ved, serious. 1435 Corporal Thomas Morton, B battery, RCA. superficial bullet wound in right thigh, slight. 166 Sergeant - Major A J Spackmann, C company, ISC, shot through flesh of left upper arm, severe, Colour-Sergeant George E Cooper, Queen's Own Rifles, shot through right buttock, serious. Private George W Watts, Queen's Own Rifles, su- perficial bullet wound of left thigh slight. ■ n III amm m .. 'Inw^ V i Cut Knife nted police, I, 3rd May. ited police, police, shot , I S corps, is, killed in ssing, seen s, killed in iction, shot ited police, 3. ialion, shot jry, RCA, ery, RCA, t not remo- ry, RCA. ight. company, I, severe, leen's Own Rifles, su- RIELS REVOLT 111 Private J S G Fraser, Queen's Own Rifles, super- ficial hullet wound of left calf, slight. Private Charles A Varey, Queen's Own Rifles, shot in right side of neck, hullet not found, serious. Private George E Uoyd, Queen's Own Rifles, shot in back, bullet extracted, severe. Private Joseph McQuilken, G G Foot Guards, shot through left side, slight. Colour-Sergeant Charles F Winter, G G Foot Guards, shot through nose and cheek, severe. Bugler Ernest Gilbert, Battleford Rifles, shot through neck, severe. (Signed) W. D. Otter, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Battleford Column. Battleford, 5th May, 1885. VII. BATOCHE North West Field Force, Batochey Sir, May 31, 1885. I have the honour to give you the particulars of the fighting on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and the action on the 12th at Batoche, for the information of His Ex- cellency Lord Landsdowne, Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, and yourself. JAs you are aware I left my camp at Fish Creek, on the morning of the 7th, having brought my left column across the river, to join my right column, and I having been joi- ned by lieutenant-colonel Williams, commanding the Midland Regiment with two companies of that corps, and a Galling gun, with Captain Howard, late United States Army. My force was then composed of : — A Battery, 2 guns, 86 officers and men ; Winnipeg half Battery, 2 guns, 40 officers and men ; I GatUng Gun ; 10th Royal Grenadiers, 210 officers and men • 90th Regiment, 254 officers and men ; Detachment Midland Regiment, 81 officers and men ; Boulton's- 112 RIELS REVOLT i j! H\ i\ J »> Mounted Infantry, 65 ofiicers and men; French's Scouts, 28 officers and men ; total 724. The infantry I formed into a brigade and placed it under Lieutenant-Colonel Straubenzle, who hadjoi- ned me at the same time as Lieutenant-Colonel Wil- liams and the two companies of the Midland Battalion. I had also caused my Assistant-Quartermaster-Gen- ral, Captain Haig, R E, to put the steamer " North- cote " (which had come down with stores to my camp) in a state of defence, by means of lumber, bags of oats, &c., and having placed half C Company In- fontry School on board her , under command of Major Smith, I directed her to drop down the river and anchor for the night at Gabriel's Ferry, commu- nicate with me there, and to drop down next day, so as to be abreast of Batoche about 9 a. m., by which time I calculated I should be ready to commence mv attack, and they were then to create what diversion they could in our favour, if possible to break the wire of the Batoche Ferry, and if they found they could not steam back, they were to continue on to the Hudson's Bay Crossing, south of Prince Albert. What was actually done by the steamer, you will find described in the report of Major Smith, C Com- pany Infantry School, forwarded herewith. I may add that besides the half C Company, Captain Wise, my aide-de-camp, whose wound would not allow of his accompanying the force, Lieutenant H J McDo- nald of the 90th who was ill, and Lieutenants Gibson and Elliott, of the 10th Royal Grenadiers, suffering from rheumatism, with Dr. Moore and Mr. Pringle of the Medical Staff, Mr. Bedson, my chief Transport Ofhcer, his clerk, Vinen, and four scowmen were also on board, some of whom, as will be seen by major Smith's reporl, performod valuable service. :Z On the morning of the 8th having heard that the trail along the river to Batoche was not good, and had some dangerous places on it, I marched out to ,^-t9- mumiSiny w " North- to my l; French's nd placed it rho hadjoi- oloiiel Wil- d Battalion. Qaster-Gen- ler )res imber, bags ompany In- Dmmand of Q the river ry, commu- lext day, so , by which nmence mv jt diversion break the found they Jnue on to nee Albert. r, you will h, G Gom- ith. I may )tain Wise, ot allow of H J McDo- nts Gibson suffering dr. Pringle Transport men were ^e seen by service. i that the good, and led out to RIELS REVOLT 113 the eastward, and then to the N W, and struck the regular trail from Humboldt to Batoche about nine miles from Batoche. and camped there for the night, as soon as I had selected the spot for the camp, I pushed on with some of Boulton's Mounted Infantry to within four miles of Batoche, without meeting any resistance, merely seeing two of the enemy's scouts, who fled on our approach; and I then selected a good spot to camp in the next day in case I found it necessary to fall back f*'om Batoche. On the morning of the 9th I left my camp standing, and advanced on Batoche. We arrived without hindrance to a spot within about half a mile of the new Catholic church, just where the trail strikes the river bank, before turning down to Batoche. There were three houses between us and the church where a number of men were seen, who fled on two or three shells and some rounds from the Gatling being fired at them, and we advanced slowly towards the church. From a house i'ust the other side of the church a white flag was )eing displayed, and I rode up to H and found three or four Catholic priests in it with some sisters, and a number of women and children apparently half- breeds.Having reassured them, I advanced cautiously, extending my infantry and pushing back the enemy until we reached the crest of a hill, which enabled me to bring the guns down and shell the houses of Batoche, which were visible from a spot just below the crest. As the houses were of Ught construction and not very large not much damage was done, and just then as some shots came from across the river from a bluff along the bank, aud as the spot the guns were in was completely exposed to this lire, I direc- ted the guns to retire, and as they were doing so suddenly a very heavy fire was opened from what we afterwards found were some rifle pits in a bluff just below where the guns had been, but which was stopped by a rattling fire fr«m the Gatling, which 114 RIGLS REVOLT tlil* >t Ij was splendidly handled by Captain Howard, ably supported by Lieutenant Rivers, A Battery. After some time fmding that the tire from the opposite side was again commencing, and also from the rifle pits, and that a horse had been killed and a man hit be- longing to the Gatlinc, I directed Captain Howard to bring his Galling back, which he did without further loss, and the wounded man was brought in at great risk by my aide-de-camp, Captain Freer, B Company Infantry School, and Gunner Coyne, of A battery. I then went off to the right of my extended line be- hind the church, and found the men holding theu: ground, but exposed to a fire from a bluff with a newlymade grave in front of it railed in with wood. I then ordered the Gatling round to try and silence their fire, which it did at first, owing probably to the novelty of this weapon, as regards the enemy, but shortly afterwards the enemy's fire was renewed, and we afterwards found that they were firing fi:om carefully constructed rifle pits, which completely co- vered them from any fire. During this time Captain Peters, A battery, had endeavoured to drive the ene- my out of the pits from whence had come the fire which caused me to retire the guns with a portion of the Garrison Artillery of A Battery School, bu^ the fire was too hot and they had to retire leaving a wounded man behind. On my returning to that part of the attack, and hearing of this I advanced a part of the Midland battalion down a coulee or blufif on the left between the cemetery and the church, with or- ders to keep up a hot fire, so as to distract the atten- tion of the enemy from the spot where the wounded man was lying, and also directed a part of the 90th and 10th, who were lying down in advance across the trail, to do the same, and sent down a party of the Garrison Artillery with a stretcher to bring the man back, which they did without hesitation, and to my -great satisfaction they succeeded in bringing him ^^ ..^t-r-sr -««»'■■ ^ ■ ^-^ »-~-^«te»»»tv(.%*' RIEL8 REVOLT 115 back without losing another man which was what I feared, but unfortunately the man himself was dead. Our dead and wounded were temporarily pla- ced in the church where they were attended to by the medical men, assisted by the Roman Catholic sisters who kindly did all they could to help the doc- tors. As it was now becoming late, and I saw that, though holding our own, we were not likely to make any advance that day, it became necessary for me to decide as to where I should camp for the night, and taking into consideration the enormous importance at that time of not even appearing to retreat even so short a distance as to where I had selected a spot for my camp, I resolved to send for my tents and bag- gage and camp where I was, though there was no good place for it. I accordingly sent back for that purpose my second senior transport oliicer Mr. Se- cretan, who succeeded in bringing all my old camp equipage and teams, in a remarkably short time ; and having formed a zareba with them I then ordered the advanced parties to be gradually withdrawn, which was done very creditably, as some of the enemy fol- lowed them up, probably thinking at first that they were retreating. They were, however, speedily unde- ceived by receiving a heavy fire from the zareba, and though a few of them kept up a desultory fire lor a short time, as darkness fell they retired, but not be- fore, I am sorry to say, killing two of our horses and wounding one man in the zareba. The piquets were then posted, a slight trench made round the zareba, and the rest of the men lay down with their arms lining the four sides of the zareba, each side being under the charge of a field officer with so many sentries on each face, who kept watch whilst the others slept and so the night passed in quiet. The causualties this day were as follows : Two men killed and one officer and nine men wounded. May 10th. — After an early breakfast I moved out 116 RIELS REVOLT il (.1 the infantry, and took up position as advanced as possible, but llie enemy were in greater force tlian ttie day before, principally as I expect on account of the steamer havinfj passed down the river, and held the {^aound about the cemetery, and also some pits which they had made durinji; the ni^'ht just below the crest where the Gallinfj; had been in position the day before. Some of the enemy also hiid j^^ot into position at the end of a point running' out below the cemetery, and altogether we had lost rather than gained ground as compared with yesterday. 1 still felt it was good practice and training for my men, who were being taught by somewhat painful experience the necessity of using their enemy's tactics, and keeping themselves imder cover. Moreover I knew that we could afford the ammunition which (in a sort of skirmishing fight like this) was wasted on both sides better than our adversaries, besides giving confidence to my young soldiers, some of whom — the Midland Detachment — had as yet rot received their baptism of fire. Du- ring the morning I had the two guns of the A Bat- tery shelling a house on the opposite bank, and some bluffs where some of the enemy were seen, and in the afternoon the two guns of the Winnipeg Battery shelled the cemetery, which was in possession of the enemy, and some rifle pits from a blufT on right front of my camp. In the evening, as before, I withdrew my advanced parties, who were again followed by the enemy, but I had some shelter trenches made in front of the camp, about 200 yards in advance, in which I had a party of infantry, and on the right front some more pits, nearly flanking the enemy's advance, in which I placed some men of the 90th, ar- med with the Martini-Henry ; as the enemy approa- ched they were received with a heavy fire from these trenches, which quickly drove them back, and though one of the enemy fired apparently with a long-range rifle into our camp, little damage was done, only one *» — i:::;;;;:^ ??S" Mi'. ii'^ — ■•■ M l- i n of the \ht front ithdrew wed by nade in nee, in 3 right tiemy's ^th, ar- pproa- i these hough range y one horse hvhv^ touchtd, und his lire w;is spocdily silen- ced from our camp, and a^'airi we \v.n\ m (juiet ni<,dit. Jn reliriiij,^ tliis oveiiiii^f the men were much steadier, and durinj,' the whoh^ day we had one killed and live wounded, sliowiiif? thai the men were improvin<4 in Iheii" h^ditinj^'. The weather hein^ lufkily line as we were hivouackin}^, not likin;^' In put up tents when so many horses weri' in liie /areba. May lOth. — The Land- Surveyor's Scouts, lit'ty stronj^S under Captain Dennis, joined my ior«*e in the atlernuon. May 11th. -- Having heard llial llieic was a line piece of prairie ^'round whi(;h ovtrlo(»ked tlie houses of Batoche, and iiaving sent oui" parlies of infantry to take up the old positions, 1 started olf to recon- noitre tlie prairie {ground, taking with me IJoulton's Mounted Infantry and the (iatling. The trail to this {ground went right through our camp, but I thought it probable that the enemy mi RIELS REVOLT IQl ition of not . the other -her, might ^er, he said hat he was evices. The ^'y different e chance of irs. He told liar, when- ?y were all ous weight i been ta- this mes- issage, and i retired to ards found I attacking tiat one of been shot rest of his the camp, g to a mis- arties had Id the re- drew the I am now thing that and ab- ed the be- from the dinners positions i, 60 men extended and the sset, pro- urch, the 90th being in support. The Midland and Grenadiers, led by Lieutenant-Colonels Williams and Grasset, the whole led by Lieut.-Gol. Straubenzie, in com- mand of the Brigade, then dashed forward with a cheer, and drove the enemy out of the pits in front of the cemetery and the ravine to the right of it, thus <2learing the angle at the turn of the river. During all this time a heavy fire was kept up from the other side of the river, which annoyed our advance. This was kept down as we best could by a few of the Midland Regiment in pits on the bank of the river, and one Company of the 90th Regiment was sent to support Lieutenant-Colonel Williams on the extreme left. The Midland Regiment and Grenadiers kept pushing on gallantly, led by Colonels Straubenzie, Williams, and Grasset, until they held the edge of the blutis, surrounding the left part of the plain, where the houses were. Just before this a most pro- mising young officer, Lieutenant Fitch, of the Grena- . diers, was killed. At this period one of the Winni- peg Battery Guns was got into position where it could shell the houses on the plain, but after two or three rounds it was disabled, and a gun from A Bat- tery took its place and fired a few rounds, but not much damage was done, as the houses were not brick or stone. During this time I advanced the 90th so as to prolong the line of attack, and eventually brought down the Surveyor's Scouts, Boulton's Mounted In- fantry, and French's Scouts, and dismounting still further prolonged the line on the right. The GatUng •was now ordered up in front of the 90th to take the houses in flank, which was gallantly done by Lieute- nant Rivers, A Battery, and Captain Howard, and after a few volleys a general advance was made, with rattling cheers, and the whole of the houses were taken, the prisoners released, and the position vir- tually captured. It was at this period that the late la- mented Captain French was killed by a shot from ■▼"■ «' 122 RIELS REVOLT ifj i.l the ravine, while looking out of the window at Ba- toche's House. This officer's loss was keenly felt and mourned by the whole force. He had been with the force from the commencement, and he was always ready for the front, and his cheerfulness and good humour was proverbial and had a cheerful effect on the whole camp. I had already brought Captain French's name to yom notice in terms of strong commendation. A company of the Grenadiers was sent along tne river on our left up to the house of the rebel Champagne, and a company of the 90th was sent well forward on the right, as a few desultory shots were fired from a ravine there, and by evening all firing ceased, and I sent up to the camp for the men's blankets and food, and we bivouacked for the night around the buildings. We found a large camp of women and children, natives and half-breeds, on the bank of the river below Batochc's House, and a good many camped round our bivouac for the night, some remaining where they were. On inspecting the scene of action after it was over, I was astonished at the strength of the position, and at the ingenuity and care displayed in the construction of the rifle pits, a good idea of which can be gained by reference to one of the sketches by Captain Haig, R.E., A.Q.M.G., forwarded herewith. In and around these pits were found blankets, trousers, coats, shirts, boots, shoes, food, oil, Indian articles of sleep, one or two dama- ged shotguns and one good rifle. It was evident that a detachment of rebels had lived in these pits day and night, and it was easily understood, by an in- spection of them, how perfectly safe the holders of these pits were from the fire of our rifles, and espe- cially from the Gatling and Artillery. These pits were also judiciously placed as regards repelling a front attack, but by attacking their right (which was their weakest point) and driving it in, we turned and took in reverse all their entrenchments, along the ' '. ■Mm RIELS REVOLT 12a indow at Ba- senly felt and een with the 5 was always ss and good rful effect on ight Captain ns of strong snadiers was the house of the 90th was 5W desultory i by evening imp for the eked for the I large camp f-breeds, on [ouse, and a 3r the night, specting the stonished at genuity and ifle pits, a ence to one , A.Q.M.G., e pits were oots, shoes, two dama- vident that e pits day by an in- ( holders of , and espe- rhese pits repelling a which was urned and along the edge of the prairie ground, and thus caused a rout which ended in a *' sauve qui pent. " As it was getting dark, and my men were tired out, I did not attempt to pursue. We found 21 of the rebels dead on the ground in the vicinity of the houses, and two dead men on the river bank, below the cemetery. Also five wounded, of whom two were belonging to Kiel's Council, two of whom were also amongst, the killed. I regret to say, that as far as I can learn, Kiel and Dumont have escaped, having gone off together on our gaining the clear ground of the settlement, but I shall follow them up as soon as I learn the direction they have taken, which at present is a matter of doubt, some saying they have crossed the river, and others that they have not; I, myself, am inclined to think they have not crossed. May 13th. — The half-breeds were continually co- ming in with white flags to give themselves and their arms up, some by themselves, and some with the priests. I have a list of the worst of the rebels, and I dismissed those not in it, with a caution to return to their houses, and a warning that if hereafter any charge is brought against them, they are liable to be arrested. I have now thirteen prisoners, two of them being members of Kiel's Council. I may remark here that among Kiel's prisoners released by us was a half-breed, who looked hke a white man, by name Albert Monkman. He stated that he had been made prisoner by Riel^ because he suspected he was get- ting disaffected, which he said was the case. But I re- ceived evidence which so clearly showed that this man was deeply committed to the rebellion, and that his change of idea originated most probably from discovering that he was on the wrong side, that I arrested him also. Heard this afternoon that Kiel and Dumont were on this side of the river. The CathoUc priest reported this morning, the following loss of the rebels, in the four days' fighting: ■— 1st day, 4 killed m-' •.X-. ..-._• -. .^-/. 124 lUELS REVOLT .( h v' \ ■ L I) i/' and 5 wounded; 2nd da^^ 2 wounded; 3rd day, 3 wounded; 4th day, 47 killed, 168 wounded; Total, 51 killed, and 173 wounded. May 14th. — Marched for Lepine's Grossing. Ha- ving halted for dinner, I received information that Kiel was somewhere in the vicinity so determined to make for Guardapui or Short's Grossing, which was some miles nearer and camp for the night. May 15th. — I sent out parties of mounted men under Major Boulton to scour the woods. In the after- noon two scouts, Armstrong and Hourie, who had been sent out with Boulton and had moved away by themselves, came upon Kiel, who gave himself up, producing my letter to him in w^hich 1 summoned him to surrender and promised to protect him until his case was considered by the Ganadian Govern- ment. The scouts brought him into my camp, and I made a prisoner of him as you are aware. Before bringing to your notice the^ conduct of the whole force, and the names of those otticers whose duties during those four days on account of their rank or appointments necessarily ])rought them more pro- minently under my personal notice, I would here beg to be allowed, in justice to the gallant little force under my command, to draw attention to its actual strength and weapons, about which there seems to be some strange misconception not only in the English press, but even in that of the Dominion. In one of the English papers, I am represented as ha- ving been waiting at Fish Greek for reinforcements, of having asked for 1500 more men, and as having been reinforced by the Midland Regiment, and as having fought with 1000 men and arms superior to the enemy. The real facts of the case being as fol- lows : I was waiting at Fish Greek as you know to get rid of my wounded, and get oats up, and not for reinforcements. Only 100 men of the Midland Regi- MM lUELS REVOLT 125 [ ; 3rd day, 3 ed ; Total. 51 Crossing. Ha- I'mation that etermiried to g', which was ht. ouiited men . la the after- rie, who had ved away by d himself up, 1 summoned 3ct him until ian Govern- camp, and I ^are. Before )f the whole v^hose duties heir rank or 1 more pro- uld here beg- little force to its actual re seems to nly in the ominion. In ented as ha- forcements, d as having ent, and as superior to )eing as fol- ou know to and not for iland Regi- ment reached me, then under Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, and as I had lost, killed, and wounded nearly 60 men, and had to put 35 men on board the " Northcote, " my actual reinforcement was 5 men. As regards the actual number of men engaged out of my total force of 724 otlicers and men, owing to having to leave 100 men to protect my camp, leaving wounded and sick men, cooks, anmiunition carriers, assistants to ambulances, &c., 1 was only able to bring 495 men into the engagement, and this inclu- ded the Artillery and Gatling which owing to the nature of the position w^ere not able to do so much damage as the Infantry. So that with about 400 men we drove with heavy loss a force of (taking the lowest estimation) 600 half-breeds and Indians, many of them armed with long range rifles, and who were considered the iinest and best prairie lighters in the country, out of a strong position carefully selected and entrenched by themselves. After this I need say no more concerning the conduct during the engage- ment of the whole force. From my second in com- mand, Lieutenant-Colonel Straubenzie I received every assistance, and on the 12th his leading of his brigade was beyond praise. Lieut-Colonel Houghton, D. A. G., showed great coolness under lire, and was in command of the zareba during the action of the 12th. Captain Haig, R. E., my Assistant (Juarter- master-General, was very useful to me, and cool under fire, he is a most energetic and willing oflicer and has been of much service to me all along, espe- cially in rendering the zarel)a safe from the enemy's dropping fire, and all other work requiring an Engi- neer's knowledge. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Mel- gund, who was my chief of the Staff for some time, was also of great service while with me on the 9th. Captain Young, of the Winnipeg Field Battery, Bri- gade Major, has done most excellent service throughout the campaign, and is deserving of great A 4 /. I 1 1 .-rr:! \ RIELS REVOLT m Teneral I during the inclusive. >4th, 1884. wound,]* 9th ^ch, gun-shot shot wound, [ardisty, gun- ; Fraser, gun- id, 12th May. Ld, 12th May. ,112 May. 2 1 8 AVELY, lelSurgeon. LETON, Jommanding eld Force. ir-General Bd during the le 9th to 12th 24th, 1885. I May. 11th May. 12th » nth » 12th 15 10th >j 12th 1) 12th s 9th t) 12th » 12th n 12th Royal Canadian Artillery. Gunner M. Gowler, thigh, 9th May. N. Carpentier; right knee and left leg, 9th May. Driver T. Stout, run over by gun carringe, 9th May. lOkh Greadiers. Private Brisbane, forehead, Eager, jaw. Corporal Foley, side. Private H. Millsom, chest, A. Martin, shoulder, Marshall, ankle, Barber, head , Cantwell, hand and thigh, Quigley, right arm, Captain Manley, foot, Major Dawson, leg. Private , ruptured duringjaction,"! 12th » Captain Mason, hip, " 9th » Staff-Sergeant Mitchell, forehead, 11th n Bugler Gaghan, hand, 12th » Private Cook, arai 12th » Stead, arm, 10th ^ Scobell, arm, 10th » 90th Battery. Corporal William Kemp, gun-shot wound in right eye, 9th May; private Ralph Baron, gun-shot wound left hand, 10th May; private Mack Errickson, gun- shot wound left arm, nth May; private Alexander L. Young, gun-shot wound left thigh, 12 May; ser- geant F. R. Jackes, gun-shot wound left hand, 12th may ; sergeant M. John Watson, gun-shot wound left thumb, 12th May; corporal James Gillies, gun-shot wound left leg, 12th May; private F. Alexander Watson, gun-shot wound neck and chest, 12th May ; Major A. MacKeand, sprained leg during action. 12th May. /• .%-f' .rfu*. 130 RIELS REVOLT '.' ' ! 'i V.v \ 12th May. 12th 12th » » » 12th May. 9th May. 9th . 12th May. 10th ;> Midland Battery. Sergeant A. E. Christie, rigjht arm, Lieutenant G. E. Laidlaw, right calf, Private William Barton, left hip, Corporal E. A. E. HaUiwell, face, 12th Captain John HaUiwell, left shoulder, 12th Colour-Sergeant William Thomas Wright, left arm 12th Private S. M. Daley, left hand 12th Boulton's Intantry. Private William Hope Hay, fore-arm, French's Scouts. Private G. R. Allen, right shoulder, R. S. Cook, left leg. Int. Corps : — Garden, shoulder, A. 0. Wheeler, shoulder. Wounded on the " Northcote " during the Action. Civilians : Mr. Pringle, Medical Ambulance Corps, 9th May. » McDonald, Boat's Crew, 9th » » Vinen, Transport Service, 9th >> Wounded in the fi ^-Id 40 Injured in the field 3 Wounded on the boat 8^ Total "~46" (Signed) E. A. GRAVELY, Brigade Surgeon. Wounded on the 9th 9 » » » 10th 5 » » nth 4 » » » 12th 25 Total 46 (Signed) FRED. MIDDLETON, Major-General, Commanding North- West Field For«e. I RIELS REVOLT I'n 12th May. 12th » 12th » 12th » 12th » 12th » 12th )» 12th May. 9th May. 9th !> 12th May. 10th » the Action. 9th May. 9th » 9th » 3 3 Y, ) Surgeon. 9 5 4 ^__ ETON, nmanding I Foree. VIII. A great point now is to finish a war rapidly. In 18(52 ( jcn. Mac Glellan trans[ )rted the Army of the Potomac 80,000 strong from Alexandria to fort Mon- roe between the 17tn March and the 4th April. His advance on Richmond was skilfully planned, and if he had immediately attacked the city with determi- ned energy and vigour, in force, he would have taken it. This is the opinion of Gen. Grant, Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan, Gen. Hancock, Gen. Seymour, Col. Jas. ma(5 Kaye and many other distinguished oflicers of the U. S. Army. Gen. Grant, one of the greatest soldiers of modern times, would have done it and finished the war in a few months. After the terrible battle of Antietam, McGlellan by vigourous offensive movements, could have surrounded Lee and cut his army in pieces. He could also by an energetic pur- suit have crushed Lee on his line of retreat. What loss in life and money this would have saved the United States I In 1837 Mackenzie and Papineau raised a Rebel- lion. On that occasion hundreds of the first settlers like Col. Sir Allan N. McNab, Bart, Sir Jas. Stewart, Bart., Sir John B. Robinson Bart., Col. de Salabery, de Beauieu, Col. Denison, Duchesnay, Col. Jarvis, Panet, Col. Duggan, Col. Cruickshank, Major Henry Pingle, Col. Ed. W. Thomson, The Rewards, Sher- woods, de Boucherville, Boultons, Col. Prince, &c., drew their swords in support oif their handsome young Queen Victoria. Mackenzie and Papineau were defeated and many families ruined. Riel has twice rebelled and has been twice defeated. What advantage or benefit could any honest man in the Dominion obtain, from such men as Riel, Du- mont, Poundmaker or Big Bear ? Is it not better to X '■■ / / 132 RIELS REVOLT I \ trust in the Crown, and the able and distinguished statesmen and members of Parliament of both poli- tical parties, who know the wants of the country, and who directly represent over four millions of the most intelligent people in the world. Let us hope this is an end of Rebellions. But if any would be " shirtless patriots " and martyrs still exist let them reflect well how absurd it is to oppose the forces of a mighty Empire which can put, if neces- sary, millions of the finest soldiers in the world in the Held ready and sure to find and crush all rebels whether near or- remote. Let them reflect that they are sure to ruin their own families, and th'eir poor ignorant, deceived followers, and that they inflict the very worst injury on the best interests of their country. The greatest liberty is enjoyed under the British flag. No country in the world enjoys greater liberty than Canada. The author speaks from personal expe- rience; but the author, as a soldier, has nothing to do with politics. Looking at the whole movement from a purely military point of view it may be said that Riel should have united all his rebels in one mass, and with great energy assailed Her Majesty's Forces night and day before Sir F. Middleton had tjme to concentrate and march against him. Or by%rced marches and rapid movements he could have menaced our lines of communication, attacked our troops on their line ol march, obstructed the routes, or by a bold and skilful movement with overwhelming num- bers assailed either Otter or Strange before Gen. Sir F. Middleton had time to come up. But of course Sir F. Middleton, like a skilful soldier, knew his en- emy, and admirably made his dispositions accor- dingly. And in this the General proved his great abi- lity. Kiel had neither money, ammunition, supphes nor reserves to fall back on, and in war every sol- dier knows these are absolutely necessary. ~^r>. and distinguished| merit of both poii- its of the country,! four millions of the I 'Id. hellions. But if any i i martyrs still exist] 1 it is to oppose the ;h can put, if neces- ers in the world in ,nd crush all rebels im reflect that they lies, and th'eir poor that they inflict the interests of their I under the British oys greater liberty rom personal expe- has nothing to do movement from a may be said that ebels in one mass, r Majesty's Forces eton had tjme to im. Or by%rced ould have menaced ced our troops on routes, or by a rerwhelming num- se before Gen. Sir But of course Sir er, knew his en- ispositions accor- Dved his great abi- mnition, suppUes in war every sol- cessary. e FUELS RfLVOLT m ThP wild attempts of Rebels must therefore surely fo -1 r.T tVio r m^^^^^ criminal opposition to authority P't^ " Stai; to be\.?ushed with an iron Vni- it is a crreat crime to rel)cl against the Em- n, OSS (ueen Vidoria, who is the kindest, best and llllll illS^ sovereign of the greatest empire the taincd. . A\ /■ J "-f » / <«lt ti' \ \ \^ 134 RIELS REVOLT Omitted page 93. : V Staff OF THE Halifax GoNTiNGExNT. C'ol. Bi'ininer, 66th Batt., in command. Col. McDonald, Senior Major, 66th Batt. Major Walsh, 63rd Batt. Rifles. Paymaster, Gapt. Garrison, H.G.A. Surgeon Tcbin, 66th Batt. Assistant Surgeon Harrington, 66th Batt. Quartermaster. Gapt. ^oull, 66 Batt. * Adjutant, Gapt. Kenny, 66th Batt. After arriving at Swift Gurrent the men of tlie 66th went to Medicine Hat; then Gapt. Hechler and Gunningham with some of the men of the 63rd went to Saskatchewan Landing, 30 miles from Swift Gur- rent ; the remaining companies of the 63rd, and two companies of the Halifax Garrison Artillery, went to Moosejaw, where they remained till the Battalion started for home. • r=^Tir^=Sfc- NT. tt. )att. iicn of tlie [echlcr and 63rd weriL Swift Ciir- 'd, and two ry, went to e Battalion /' ^? « y%- fr- m J / /■/ ■ ^\. \.- \ s