The rising had now assumed all the character of an organised rebellion, and was a standing menace to British commerce passing through the Suez Canal; and as the crisis came to be more clearly realised in this country, further relays of troops were despatched. In the subsequent operations against Arabi the Black Watch took a prominent part. After its return from Cyprus and Gibraltar in 1879, the regiment was brigaded for a time at Aldershot. It was then located partly at Maryhill barracks, near Glasgow, and at Edinburgh Castle, under the command of Colonel R. K. Bayly. Captain Wauchope served at Maryhill from May 1881 till August 1882.
The 42nd leaving Edinburgh
On the outbreak of hostilities in Egypt the regiment, which was then about 800 strong, received orders to embark for the East. The Maryhill contingent, in which he commanded the E Company, left by train for Edinburgh on the 4th August 1882, and arrived in the capital amidst much enthusiasm. After two days in Edinburgh Castle, the whole regiment was entrained for London on the 6th August, their send-off from the city being one of the most extraordinary ever witnessed. Wauchope himself, ten years afterwards, at a meeting of the old members of the Black Watch in Glasgow, when he had become Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, said 'he would never forget the scene.' 'He had of late,' he said, 'seen great excitement in the political world, he had seen political leaders received in Edinburgh (referring to Mr. Gladstone and the Midlothian election of 1892), and no doubt at times there had been a pretty brave show, but the people's heart never went out to these leaders as it went out to the 42nd when they were leaving Edinburgh Castle for active service in Egypt in 1882. It seemed to him as if every man and woman in Edinburgh was out to see them off. He would never forget that scene of enthusiasm and farewell, and he felt convinced that it affected the whole regiment, more than the eye could see or words could express. On the lips of many a brave man before that campaign was over, the last words had been "Scotland for ever," and he had no doubt their last thoughts were of their homes and native country.'
Having embarked at Gravesend in the transport Nepaul, Wauchope, with his regiment, landed at Alexandria on the 20th August, and proceeded to Ramleh, where they formed a part of the Highland Brigade under General Sir Archibald Alison. Here Wauchope very soon found his field of action in more than one engagement, and had one or two hairbreadth escapes. On one occasion a body of the rebels held a portion of the city, from which they were to be dislodged. Wauchope got the order to clear the streets. Coming to a house, from every window of which rifles were pointed, he halted his men, but only for a moment. Sword in hand, the captain rushed in, followed by his men. A rifle was pointed full at him, and but for the presence of mind of one of his followers, it would have ended his career. Dashing in front of his officer, the soldier threw up the rebel's rifle just as he fired, the bullet passing through Wauchope's helmet.
Tel-el-Kebir
The occupation of the Canal and the various ports upon its banks were important steps in Sir Garnet Wolseley's endeavour to secure Zagazig, some forty-five miles from Ismailia, the key to the railway system of Egypt. Arabi had also realised its importance, and in order to retain it at all hazards and to prevent the British advance in that direction, had strongly fortified himself at Tel-el-Kebir, about fifteen miles eastward.
On the 20th August, Port Said, Kantara, Ismailia, and the Suez Canal were taken possession of by the British. A few days after, a determined stand was made by the Egyptian army, about 10,000 strong, a few miles from Ismailia, but they were utterly defeated by Sir Garnet Wolseley, who was now reinforced by the Highland Brigade.
This was followed up by a renewed attack on the British position at Kassassin Lock on the Ismailia Canal three days later, when the Egyptians were again repulsed with great loss.
On the evening of the 12th September, the British army at Kassassin Lock struck camp. It had been well reinforced, and counted 15,000 men in cavalry, infantry, and artillery, and was now in a position to attack Arabi in his stronghold at Tel-el-Kebir. On the verge of a broad, dreary desert, with lines of entrenchments and redoubts well mounted with guns, and held by a large force, no better position, it is said, could have been chosen for offering resistance to any army approaching the Delta, or the capital of Egypt, from the Suez Canal.
After an all-night march, Sir Garnet Wolseley found himself within striking distance of the enemy's trenches before the first streaks of dawn appeared on the eastern sky. The Egyptians were taken by surprise, but the alarm once given, they sprang to their feet to face the attack; and immediately, along the whole front of their line of defence, was poured upon our troops a fierce artillery and rifle fire, which, however, was so ill directed that it did no great harm. With the utmost coolness, the British were formed for the assault. The Highland Brigade in the centre, with bayonets fixed, was supported by cavalry on both flanks With a loud cheer the Highlanders stormed the entrenchments, driving everything before them. The struggle was short but decisive, not more than twenty minutes elapsing between the first onset on the trenches and the capture of the main or inner fortress. The odds were as two to one—26,000 Egyptians to 13,000 British—but the zeal and soldierly qualities of our men, with the confidence they had in their leaders, proved the mettle of which our military are made. Where all did well, it seems invidious to distinguish. But of this fine force—perhaps the finest ever seen in Egypt—it was generally admitted that to the Highland Brigade and the Royal Irish Rifles special honour was due. This important engagement, in which forty guns were captured, 2000 Egyptians fell, and 3000 were taken prisoners, opened the way to Cairo.