TAMAAI. March 13th, 1884.
Reading edition
The power of Osman Digma, though shaken, was yet far from destroyed. The victors of El Teb, had scarcely reached Suakin, when they were again put in motion against a strong body of Arabs, reckoned to be about eight thousand, which he had collected at a place called Tamaai, and with which he threatened utter destruction to all unbelievers. On March 11th. General Baker marched out to Baker’s zareba, seven miles from Suakin, and the next day continued his advance towards Tamaai. At nightfall the troops bivouacked in a hastily constructed zareba, within two miles of the enemy’s position, which Commander Rolfe, R.N., after darkness had set in, alone set out from the zareba to reconnoitre, and saw the Arabs asleep around their fires. About one o’clock the enemy opened a random fusilade on the British camp, which they kept up the remainder of the night, but fortunately with little effect. At eight on the morning of March 13th., the troops formed in front of the zareba in two brigades. On the left was the 2nd. Brigade, commanded by General Davis, consisting of the 42nd., 65th., Marines, and Naval Brigade, with machine guns. Then came the Artillery, under Major Holley, and on the right the 1st. Brigade, commanded by General Buller, comprising the 75th., 89th., and 60th. Rifles, with a battery of Artillery. Two squadrons of cavalry were sent to the front as skirmishers, and a brisk fire began on both sides; but the enemy advancing, the cavalry fell back, and the brigade opened a heavy fire of rifles and machine guns on the Arabs. The 42nd., who were in front, with a cheer charged the enemy at the double, but this movement leaving a gap between them and the 65th., the Arabs seeing their advantage, rushed like a torrent on the right side of the square, and for a time all was confusion.[220] The 65th. 615wavered, and fell back on the Marines, and the Naval Brigade surrounded by a mass of soldiers mixed in a wild mêlée with the foe, were unable to use their guns and compelled to abandon them, with the loss of three officers and many seamen. But Buller’s brigade advancing on the right rear in perfect order, by its terrible fire prevented the enemy from coming to close quarters,[221] and the 42nd. and the Marines fighting back to back checked further disaster, and the brigade was re-formed. The two brigades now advanced abreast, the captured Gatlings were recovered, and turned by the seamen with great effect on a fresh body of Arabs, who charged out of a deep ravine in force, till their masses seemed to melt away under the tremendous fire poured into them. The ravine was carried, and a ridge beyond it; the bravest men of the enemy had fallen, and the rest lost heart and fled. After a brief halt General Graham pushed on to the wells of Tamaai, three miles from the battle-field, and occupied the camp of Osman Digma. Next day, the camp, with the village of Tamaai, was destroyed, and the troops returned to Suakin.
The British casualties were five officers—Lieut. Montressor, H.M.S. “Carysfort”; Lieut. Almack, H.M.S. “Briton”; Lieut. H. Stewart, H.M.S. “Dryad”; Major Aiken, 42nd., and Capt. Ford, 65th. regiment; and one hundred and four men killed; and eight officers and one hundred and twenty men wounded and missing. The 42nd. had no less than eight sergeants killed. The loss of the Arabs was estimated to be at least three thousand in killed alone.
The troops present at Tamaai were—10th. and 19th. Hussars; Royal Artillery; the 42nd., 60th., 65th., 75th., and 89th. Foot; Royal Marines; and Naval Brigade.
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