The Seaforth Highlanders, Tell El-Kebir, Egypt - 1882 "Famous Seaforth Highlanders outgunned and outnumbered, fixed bayonets and charged 25,000 fanatical Sudanese warriors. The ferocity of their attack - through a hail of fire - ousted the rebels from their fortified entrenchments" The 1st Seaforth at Tel-el-Kebir 1882 The British force landed at Ismailia. General Wolseley's intention was to march on Cairo, following the line of the Sweetwater Canal, a cutting which took fresh water from the Nile to Ismailia. The Egyptian Army took up a strong defensive position in the desert to block the British advance. Faced with the prospect of attacking a well-entrenched position, held by about double his own strength, Wolseley decided to gain surprise by approaching with a silent night march and then attacking at dawn. During the attack on the Tel-el-Kebir position on 13 September 1882 the Indian Contingent, led by the 1st Seaforth, had the task of advancing along the side of the Sweetwater Canal to protect the flank of the main attack, and then of preventing the Egyptians escaping. The night advance was a notable ~uccess and, as Wolseley's attack went in, the 1st Seaforth charged and captured a battery of four guns and then cleared a series of infantry and gun positions. The British force took the Egyptian position in under 30 minutes, but it had a hard fight and needed time to consolidate and collect its casualties. The Indian Contingent was given the task of following up the Egyptian retreat, and it reached Zag-a-Zig by evening. It had achieved the remarkable feat of covering 33 miles in the day, despite the intense heat of the Egyptian summer. 1st SEAFORTH BATTLE HONOURS For their part in the campaign in Egypt, the 1st Seaforth were awarded the Battle Honours: 'TEL-EL-KEBIR ' 'EG YPT 1882' Note: There were also 2 companies from the 2nd Seaforths attached to the 1st Battalion.