SUAKIN. 1885.

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

The first ridge of hills were reached without opposition, the outposts of the enemy falling back as the troops advanced, 626and the sappers began to throw up redoubts on two of them. The square pushed on through a pass, into a plain surrounded by rugged bills, on one of which, on the left, the enemy were seen to be posted in strength. Their sharpshooters opened a hot fire from among the rocks and scrub; the Marines and 49th. were sent against them, and climbing some hills on the right, after a smart contest dislodged the Soudanese, who in their retreat were charged by the Indian Cavalry. But the Arabs being reinforced, rallied, and closed in upon the Indians, to whose movements the broken ground was altogether unfavourable, and forced them to retire upon the Guards, formed in square. Over two thousand of the enemy, in pursuit of the cavalry, led by a youth on a white camel, rushed with loud yells straight on the square, but were received by such a withering fire, that not an Arab was able to reach the outer line of levelled bayonets by several yards. The cavalry having re-formed, again charged the now disordered enemy and scattered them in all directions. Another body of Arabs then came round on the right, with the most daring bravery, but were received by such a hot fire from rifles and the artillery that they were unable to concentrate for a charge, and withdrew in confusion, followed by the British.

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

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

Little more than a week afterwards the New South Wales contingent, of about eight hundred officers and men, landed at Suakin, and were welcomed with enthusiasm. The railway 627was pushed on to Otao and Tambouk, about fifteen miles on the road to Berber, but the enemy made almost nightly attempts to destroy it, and, by orders from England, it was presently abandoned.

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

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

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

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