3-074-821 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Bashi-Bazouks on the march: a halt for prayer, 1883. 'The Illustration...gives a vivid idea of the wild and barbaric appearance of those irregular troops, which are rather Turkish than Egyptian, but some of which are employed in the Khedive's army. They are of little military value, being usually the first to run away in any position of danger, as they did in the recent engagement near Souakim on the 5th December, which has been reported this week. Mohammed Taher Pasha, commanding in that town, sent out five hundred black troops and two hundred Bashi-Bazouks, to disperse a hostile force which had been threatening Souakim. Three hours' march from Souakim brought them into contact with thousands of the enemy, and nearly the whole Egyptian force was destroyed, but most of the officers contrived to escape. The enemy has since come quite close to the town, but has been kept off by the guns of H.M.S. Ranger [of the Royal Navy]. Mohammed Taher Pasha has been deprived of his command, and the arrival of Baker Pasha is anxiously expected. The dead body of Consul Moncrieff, killed in the fight of Nov. 6, near Souakim, has been found, and also that of Hicks Pasha on the battle-field in Kordofan. It is rumoured that the Mahdi is marching towards Dongola'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.