Jack Windrush

Chapter 3

Sir Garnet Wolseley forwarded the following telegram to the Secretary of State for War:

Ismailia, Sept. 13

Struck camp at Kassassin Lock yesterday evening. Afterwards bivouacked on the high ridge above camp till 1.30 this morning. Then advanced upon the very extensive and very strongly fortified position held by Arabi with 20,000 regulars, of which 2,500 were cavalry, with seventy guns, and 6,000 Bedouins and irregulars.

My force was about 11,000 bayonets, 2,000 sabres and sixty guns.

To have attacked so strong a position by daylight with the troops I could place in line would have entailed very great losses. I resolved, therefore, to attack before daybreak, doing the six miles that intervened between my camp and the enemy’s position in the dark.

The cavalry and two batteries Horse Artillery on my right had orders to sweep round enemy’s line at daylight; on left, cavalry First Division, Second Brigade, under General Graham, leading, supported by Guards, under Duke of Connaught.

On their left, seven batteries of artillery, forty-two guns in line, with supporting brigade. Then the Second Division, Highland Brigade leading; Indian Contingent south of Canal, with Naval Brigade on railway in intervals.

Great emulation evinced by regiments to be first in enemy’s works. All went at them straight, the Royal Irish particularly distinguishing itself by its dash and the manner in which it closed with the enemy.

All his works and camp now in our possession.

I do not yet know how many guns have been captured, but it is a considerable number. Several trains captured. Immense quantities of supplies and stores.

Enemy ran away in thousands, throwing away their arms when overtaken by our cavalry. Their loss has been very great.

General Willis is very slightly wounded. Colonel Richardson, Duke of Cornwall’s Regiment, severely wounded.

Of the Highland Light Infantry, Majors Colville, Underwood, and Somerville, killed; Lieutenant Edwards, wounded; Colonel Stirling, Dr Canning, Armourer-Sergeant Snelling, of Coldsteams, wounded.

Colonel Balfour wounded in leg, and Colour-Sergeant Holmes killed, in Grenadiers.

Lieutenant McNeill, Black Watch, killed. Captains Coventry, Cumberland, and Fox, wounded. Captain Hutton, A. D. C. To Sir A. Alison, wounded.

Further particulars later on. Conduct of troops everything that could be wished.

Cavalry now on march to Belbeis; Indian Contingent on its way to Zagazig and will be followed this evening by Highland Brigade.

Arabi escaped on horseback in direction of Zagazig. Rashed Pasha wounded in foot and Ali Pasha Fehmi in arm in attack, in attack last Saturday.

The Cameron Highlanders, Lieutenants Blackburn and Malcolm wounded, and Lieutenant Macdougall, attached to same regiment, also wounded. Canal has been cut in some places. Railway intact.”