The Standard's Correspondent at Alexandria reported in the issue of
this day week one of the boldest experiments ever made in warfare,—it had, however, been anticipated in the American Civil War,—an experiment which, though it did not carry out the audacious purpose of steaming right into the enemy's lines, effected a useful reconnaissance. Captain Fisher and Lieu- tenant Cross have, it appears, constructed a locomotive iron- clad for railway use, by connecting six trucks protected by iron shields, with the engine in the middle. "A Nordenfelt gun looks over the bows of the leading truck, three Gatlings over the stern -of the hindermost." " Two field-guns are carried in one of the other trucks, built for heavy weights." With this they had intended to steam into the enemy's lines, open fire, and if possible, effect a regular lodgment. Unfortunately, however, the train came upon a break made in the line by Arabi, which there was not time to repair. "Every one," says the correspondent, "was intensely disappointed," as they had hoped to give Arabi a fright of the first order. However., they disembarked a party, which made its observations of the enemy's positions very coolly, and then re-embarked, and the train carried the soldiers tack again. The enemy directed their artillery upon the train at last, but without skill or effect.
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