134 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

upon the koppies, and, after having by their fire in the coolest manner driven off a rush of the enemy, stormed the position under a heavy fire.

General Earle was among the foremost in this attack, and, to the deep sorrow of every officer and man in the force, was killed on the summit of the koppie. The Staffords attacked the high ridge, and, over the most difficult ground it was possible for troops to advance upon, carried the position.

In this attack their gallant commanding officer, Lieutenantcolonel Eyre, was killed.

Meanwhile the squadron 19th Hussars, under Colonel Butler, swept round to the rear and captured the enemy's camp.

Our success is complete. We have captured ten standards, and the whole of the position is in our hands.

It is difficult to estimate the enemy's loss, but their dead are lying thick among the rocks and in the open, where, when they found themseves surrounded, they tried to rush through our troops.

Scarcely any can have escaped.

Our own loss is as follows : Major-general Earle; Lieutenant-colonel Eyre, South Stafford; Brevet Lieutenant-colonel Coveny, Royal Highlanders; one corporal and three privates Royal Highlanders, three privates South Staffordshire, and two Egyptian Camel Corps. Missing: one private Royal Highlanders. Wounded very severely: Brevet Lieutenant-colonel Wauchope, Royal Highlanders. Severely wounded: Captain Horsbrugh, Stafford; Lieutenant Hon. J. G. R.

Colborne, Stafford; Lieutenant T. Kennedy, Royal Highlanders. Wounded : twenty non-commissioned officers and men Stafford and eighteen Black Watch.

List will follow with written report by special messenger.

Prisoners report enemy led by Moussa Wad Abuhegel, Ali Wad Hussein, cousin of Lekalik, and Hamid Wad Lekalik, brother of Lekalik. All these are reported killed. The enemy said to have consisted of the Monassir with some Robatat, and a force of Dervishes from Berber.

Our advance by river will be continued to-morrow at daylight,