Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1885 — The Battle of Marabia. [ARTICLE]

The Battle of Marabia.

“Zuish!” fly a couple of rockets, followed by tbe sharp bang of a section of howitzers. Eagerly we watch the effect, but the rockets burst upon our own men, and, though the shells had been nicely timed, they seemed to make but little impression. Breaking from cover, the enemy sweeps with an inward curve right and left, his extreme flanks converging toward the opposing angles of our square. Now file firing commences from the front directly assailed, the men having been cautioned to aim. Nearer they swept, horse and foot closing on either flank, but as they come within our zone of fire they butted forward, bit to death. Tlio Nordenfeldts have now got to work, and within a few minutes the leading mob, for it was but that, fell in piles. But fanaticism knows no check. Thb chosen chiefs of the Melidi were there, followed by their own - chosen Jienchmen. * * * And what gallant men were they! Bight up to the cannon’s mouth: right up to the rifle muzzle, dauntless they rode, encouraging their followers with the promise of paradise to break our square. * * * Sheik after sheik went down with his banner, although the Mehdi had assured each that he was invulnerable, and their faithful but misguided followers fell in circles around their chiefs they blindly followed. —With Ricks Paxha indhe Soudan — Hon. J. Colborne.