27O EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

For a time — for less than a week, however — people in England anxiously waited to hear what was the next move, but no intelligence of importance arrived, till news came of a fierce attack and a bloody battle fought at Abu Klea Wells.

On the 2 1 st of January a telegram was received from Korti from General Lord Wolseley, and was at once published. It said: — "General Stewart had a most successful fight on the 17th instwith about ten thousand of the Mahdi's forces, near the Abu Klea Wells, which are about twenty-three miles on this side of Metammeh. The enemy's force was collected from Berber, Metammeh, and Omdurman, which place, I regret to say, prisoners report was recently captured by the Mahdi, thus releasing men from there to no-fit Stewart.

On afternoon of 16th inst. Stewart's cavalry reported enemy in position some few miles on this side of wells. It being too late to allow of advance and successful fight, Stewart bivouacked for night. Enemy kept up a harmless fire all night, and threw up works on Stewart's right flank.

On 17th Stewart endeavoured to draw enemy on to attack, but they hesitated; so leaving all his impedimenta and camels under a guard of Sussex Regiment and some mounted infantry, he moved forward in square, all men on foot, and passed round left flank of enemy's position, forcing him to attack or be enfiladed.

Enemy wheeled to the left, and delivered a well-organized charge under a withering fire from our men. Square was unfortunately penetrated about its left rear, where heavy cavalry camel regiment stood, by sheer weight of numbers. The admirable steadiness of our men enabled a hand-to-hand combat to be maintained; whilst severe punishment was being inflicted on enemy by all other parts of square, and the enemy at last driven back under heavy fire from all sides.

19th Hussars then pushed forward to Wells, which were in our possession at five p.m. Enemy left not less than eight hundred dead round the square, and prisoners report the number of their wounded to be quite exceptional. Many are submitting.