Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1884 — POT TO THE SWORD. [ARTICLE]

POT TO THE SWORD.

A Daring Sortie Made by the HalfFamished Garrison of Sinkat The Fleeing Band Quickly Surrounded by the Rebels and Cut to Pieces. The news of the fall of Sinkat, and the massacre of the garrison, produced an excitement in England hardly equaled by the intelligence which preceded it but a few days, of the disaster which overtook Baker Pasha's little army. In the House of*Lords, Salisbury moved a vote of censure, which carried by more than two to one. While the Tory Lords were reprehendingthe luck’ess Gladstone, the Tories in the House of Commons were bent on a similar object, but one far more difficult of attainment. The motion of censure was made by Sir Stafford Northoote. Mr. Gladstone rose to reply, amid a prolonged demonstration of applause. He stated that 4,000 men had been ordered to Suakim. He denied that there had been inconsistency or vacillaton, and declared that Northcote had used the phrase in lieu of adopting any policy whatever. Gladstone denounced the idea of a reconquest of the Soudan, and said Gordon “ would restore the former rulers to their ancestral power usurped by Egypt.” The Premier asked the House to acquit the Government, and concluded his speech. Instead of the acquittal which had been generally expected, the debate was adjourned, an undoubted admission of the weakness of the party now in power. London cablegrams furnish the appended particulars of the Sinkat disaster: “The garrison made a sortie, and for a long time successfully repulsed the rebel attacks, but at last the attacking forces gained an advantage and completely destroyed the garrison, except a few who were made prisoners. The fate of the women and children is unknown. The streets of Sauklm presen; a heartrending appearance, being thronged with women whose weeping and wailing give unmistakable evidence of their distress and forebodings. Further advices regarding the fall of Sinkat relate thatTewfik Bey, despairing of further resisting the onslaught of the ' furious rebels, blew up the fortifications, spiked his guns, and sallied forth upon the enemy, and with the last 600 of his followers was out to pieces. Seven men-of-war belonging to the channel squadron have been ordered to Egyptian waters. A correspondent at Suakim telegraphs: At last the heroic garrison of Sinkat have been butchered. For a fortnight they have been eating roots and tree leaves. It was a feeble band, indeed, which made the sortie to die amid the rebel horde. Tewfik Bey had harangued his men, saying that by fighting they might save themselves, but by remaining they must die from hunger in a few days. Flight was impossible. The men thus animated with Tewfik Bey’s spirit destroyed the military stores, exploded the magazine, filled their pouches to the utmost with cartridges, and issued forth six hundred string against the rebels. Osman Digma’s hordes rushed to the attack. Tewfik Bey and his men fought nobly. For a long time they repulsed every attempt to’break their ranks. Finally superior numbers prevailed, and with a tremendous rysh the rebels burst through one of the sides of the Egyptian square. A general massacre ensued, and not a soul escaped. According to latest reports there were only four sick men unable to take part in the sortie at Sinkat, and they were spai ed by the rebels. Before the sortie a rebel sheik approached Sinkat, and summoned Tewfik Bey to surrender, saying his life would be spared. The garrison answered defiantly, reviling the rebels. During the sortie women and children followed in the rear of the soldiers. Large numbers of the rebels were killed. The rebels are now massing in the vicinity of Suakim. The Sinkat contingent have joined the main body. The attack on Suakim is believed to be imminent. The British Minister at Cairo telegraphs that after the battle the rebels entered-Sinkat and put every one to the sword."