The Arab
Battalion, Whose Valour Was More Admirable Than Their Discipline,
Continued To Pursue The Beaten Enemy Down The Hill; But The 16th Egyptians,
On Being Called Upon By Their Commanding Officer, Captain McKerrell,
Faced Steadily About And Turned To Encounter The Fresh Attack.
The heavy fire of the regular battalion checked the Dervish advance,
and Captain Fleming, the rest of the dismounted
Camel-men, and Ruthven
still carrying his native officer, found safety in their ranks.
[For his gallantry on this occasion Captain Ruthven has since received
the Victoria Cross.] A short fierce musketry combat followed at a range
of less than a hundred yards, at the end of which the assailants of the
baggage convoy were completely repulsed. The action was now practically
over and success was won. The Arab battalion, and those of the irregulars
that had rallied, advanced and drove the enemy before them towards Gedaref,
until at ten o'clock, both their front and rear attacks having failed,
the Dervishes abandoned all resistance and a general rout ensued.
No cavalry or artillery being available, further pursuit was impossible.
The town of Gedaref surrendered at noon. The Dervish Emir, Nur Angara,
who with 200 black riflemen and two brass guns had been left in command
of the garrison, made haste to submit. The remainder of the Dervishes,
continuing their flight under the Emir Saadalla, hurried to tell
the tale of defeat to Ahmed Fedil.
The casualties suffered by the Kassala column in the action were severe
in proportion to their numbers and the duration of the fight.
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