{th} Sept^{r} 1882._]

Willis’s First Division was on the right, to it having been added
the battalion of Royal Marine Light Infantry, the Guards being in
second line, and the Cavalry and Horse Artillery on the right to sweep
round the enemy’s flank and threaten his retreat. In the centre was
Goodenough’s Artillery, acting both as a link to the two divisions,
and yet separating them. If panic in one wing did occur, this might
prevent its spreading to the other. On the left, the Highland Brigade
was in first line, and Sir Edward Hamley’s Division, the other brigade
of which was with Wood at Alexandria, was completed by a weak brigade
under Ashburnham, made of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and
the King’s Royal Rifles. In reserve were the Royal Marine Artillery
and 19th Hussars; with the reserve ammunition was one company of the
West Kent; on the railway, the armoured train with a 40-pounder worked
by bluejackets; the West Kent guarded the stores at Kassassin; and
along the line of communication to Ismailia were other troops. The
army started at 1.30 a.m. on the early morning of the 13th September;
the Indian Contingent, the Seaforths leading, moving off on the other
bank of the canal an hour later, so as not to alarm the inhabitants of
the small hamlet on that side, and so give Arabi earlier warning than
need be of the impending attack. The total strength was about 11,000
infantry, 2000 cavalry, and 60 guns. Halting for a few minutes at about
1000 yards from the enemy, the lines advanced, with the right, however,
rather thrown back, and then suddenly a storm of fire ran along the
long line of parapet, and when about 300 yards from it, with a wild
cheer, the Highland Brigade began the storm. There was much stubborn
fighting while it lasted, but in half an hour the enemy were beaten,
and flying in hot haste and great disorder towards Zagazig, pursued by
the cavalry and the Indian Brigade. The battle had cost 9 officers and
48 men killed, with 27 officers and 385 men wounded or missing.

Pushing on