SUAKIN. 1884.

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

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