I
THE RIVER WAR
vol. n.
THE RIVER WAR
AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF
THE KECONQUEST OF THE SOUDAN
BY
WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL
AUTHOR OF
*
THE STORY OF THE MALAKANJ) FIELD FORCE,
EDITED BY COL.
Illustrated by
F.
EHODES,
D.8.O.
Angus McNeill, Seaforth Highlanders
IN
TWO VOLUMES
VOLUME
II.
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND
89
1897'
PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
NEW YORK AND BOMBAY
All
rights
reserved
CO.
—A
—
-
CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME
CHAPTER XV
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
A
change
of style
— Final
2I8T
LANCERS
preparations— Alexandria
— Movements
of
— The 21st Lancers leave Cairo — Cavalry transport — The
Philistine — Shellal — The reservoirs — The wealth of Egypt —
vital necessity — The advantages of irrigation — The financial
aspect — CassePs scheme — The dam at Assuan — The Temple
human sacrifice — Stern-wheelers — The gloomy
of Philae — A
—
valley — Wady Haifa — On the Desert Railway
'The Atbara —
Harmony Row — The enterprising Greek — The beginning of the
troops
1
game
CHAPTER XVI
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
The cavalry convoy
Transport
desert
—A
— The
convoy
El
protest
—
—A
— Preparations
personal
for
digression
—
—
the
— Lost
marchin
the
—
dawn A magic word Pantomime The
Weary animals A Jchor A motley troop
Nile at
again
Tahra
—
—
— From the other side — The scenery— Metemma — The
Imperial progress — Before Shabluka — Under the palm-trees
The great camp — The Khalifa's mood — Some reflections — The
grand army of the Nile — Dervish defences at Shabluka — Up the
— Round the heights with the
Sixth Cataract with the
cavalrv — Rovan
Magyriah
..........
flotilla
—AA
r
THE RIVEK AYAK
VI
CHAPTER XVII
THE GRAND ADVANCE
ta<;k
The army on
of
loss
— Under great trees—Woman's rights— The
gunboat — Dervish mining — Through the bush —
the
a
march
notable capture— On the
The
prisoner
tinues
—The
hill of
again— The night
infantry on the
Merreh— The enemy in sight—
of the 30th— The advance con-
march
— With
the
cavalry once
— The Dervish encampment — A reckless patrol — The
boat— The telegraph — The night of the 31st of August
gun-
more
CHAPTER
.
.
62
XVIII
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KEKKEKI
The
—
prey
—
—
Khartoum in sight
The plain of Omdurman The Dervish army First blood The advance of the
enemy The Khalifa's dispositions The bombardment The
large birds of
'
'
—
—
—
—
—
— An incident — The Mahdi's Tomb — Retirement —
bird's-eye view — The Sirdar — A luncheon party — Skirmishing
The night — In the searchlight — The perils of the darkness — The
disposition of the force — The chances of attack — Silence
Irregulars
.
.
CHAPTER XIX
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
—
—
—
The dawn The reconnaissance The Dervish host Their advance—
The incoming tide The beginning of the cannonade The
'White Flags '—Within the zeriba— With the infantry— The
—
—
— Broadwood's cavalry action — The Camel
Corps — The gunboat — The Horse Battery— Collapse of the
attack— The 21st Lancers again — On the ridge — The explanation
of their advance — The charge of the 21st Lancers — Some
machinery of death
first
inci-
82
—A
—
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME
vii
PA UK
— Private Byrne, V.C. — Death of Lieutenant Grenfell— The
second phase — The march to Onidurman — The Echelon — The
hospitals — The British Division — The news of the charge — The
Khalifa's attack on MacDonald — The Sirdar's counter-stroke
Death of Yakub — The attack from Kerreri — MacDonald's change
of front — The Lincolns — Repulse of Osman and Ali — The deathride of the Baggara cavalry — Flight of the Dervishes — The end
dents
field
.107
of the battle
CHAPTER XX
THE FALL OF THE CITY
Some
of
results
the
charge
— The
flight
of
the Dervishes
—
— The advance of the army — Khor Shambat — The
Grenadiers — The Egyptian cavalry — The march on Onidurman
The surrender
the city — Within the Great Wall — At the Mahdi's
—The wealth of
Tomb — Mr. Hubert Howard — An adventurous
the Empire — The escape of the Khalifa — Arab loyalty — The
prisoner
of
life
pursuit by the Egyptian cavalry
— The pursuit by the
4
friendlies
1
— A young Baggara — Xeufeld —Repose — Some military questions
The merit of the victory— Doubtful points — The premature
wheel — The failure to pursue — Treatment of the wounded
glory of Onidurman — The casualties —AmDervishes — The
munition expenditure — Dervish losses
left
1
4
165
CHAPTER XXI
AFTEli
THE VICTOKY
— Funerals— The hoisting of the flags —The
memorial service — The prize of war — The Great Wall — The
Khalifa's house — The Mahdi's Tomb — The chivalry of the conof
querors — The Arsenal — The passing of barbarism — The
battle — The Lancers' trap — Carnage and corruption — The Dervish
The
hospital
barges
field
dead— The
story of the fight— The
The dregs
of
vengeance
4
Home
wounded— A
to
scene of horror
Omduriuaii
1
201
—A
Ylll
Till
WAI;
IMVKi;
CHAPTER XXII
THE HETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
Homewards ho !— Knights
pen
of the
—The
21st Lancers
—A
great
—The charge — Its object— Its cause— Its results—
view —With the Grenadiers — Nights along the Nile—
compliment
wider
storm— Wreckage— Roy an Island— The Shabluka Cataract— At
dusk— The First Battalion Atbara again The Desert Railway —
An incident— The faith of Islam— Phihe -The eternal river
—
—
CHAPTER XX III
ON THE BLUE NILE
Anti-climax -General
Digna— Posts on
Hunter's
the
Jilue
expedition
reception
Nile— Ahmed Fedil—The
— Seven men— Passage of
Mugatta — Action of Gedaref — The
column
the
Atbara
— Musa
Kassala
— Skirmish
at
saddleback— The attack on
the transport— Captain Ruthven, V.C.
— Flight
— Its
—The
16th Egyptian bat-
— Nur Angara — The defence of
Gedaref— Return of Ahmed Fedil — The blockade— The
expedition — Retreat of Ahmed Fedil — Colonel Parsons's operations
— Colonel Lewis's Expedition — TheGhexira— Fever — The Sheikh
talion
of
the
enemy
relief
—
Bakr — Rosaires Ahmed's intentions— Arrival of reinforcements
The march to Dakhila— Action of Rosaires — The position— Tinfoils— The deployment— The advance of the Xth Soudanese^
—
—
The counter-attack—^Capture of the island Surrender of the
Dervishes The end of Saadalla -Captain Ferguss >n— The withdrawal of the wounded
Kesults and losses— The Xth Soudanese
The fugitive in Kordofan —At the tomb of his ancestor
Memories of victory and defeat —The Kordofan Field Force — The
water problem The Shirkela Reconnaissance The start from
Kohi Strength of the column The journey A miserable land
A welcome pool — A silent town The Khalifa at bay — Colonel
Kitchener's decision— The return to the Nile — Some horrible
spectacles — The end of the River War
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
.
.
.
— —
—
—
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOlA Ml
ix
CHAPTER XXIV
1
A
mysterious intrigue
expedition
La
THE FASHODA INCIDENT
—The
impending
haute politique
'
collision
— The
— The
Macclonald
the
—
Tewfikia
of
tale
PAGS
—The
at Reng— On the White Nile — The
Marchand Mission — The Sirdar and Marchand — The Fashoda
garrison — Public opinion — The plot that failed — Fashoda — Polite
antagonism — The Dinkas and Shillooks — Captain Germain — The
evacuation of Fashoda — A strange omission — The Anglo-French
Aspiration — The
agreement of the 21st of March, 1899 — A Sphere
the spoils — The Soudan Agreebest of the bargain — The division
ment — Tin fourth dimension in diplomacy —Anomalous, but
Small-bore bullets
affair
of
of
k
practical
...........
'
301
CHAPTER XXV
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
— Dervish and Afridi—The waterway and the desert—
The Staff— Slap-dash — Secure flanks— The Khalifa's strategy
Dervish tactics — 1885 and 1898 Zeribas — Equipment — A cavalry
convulsion — The work of the cavalry — Horse Artillery — GallopLance and another
ping Maxims — Cavalry killing power — Sword
— The Mauser pistol — Artillery projectiles — Effect of artillery at
Omdurman — Its searching power — Maxim guns— Feeding of
The hospital arrangements — The
officers —Ethics of catering
fountain of honour — Medals and clasps — Decorations — The
— The principle of
Soudan Ga/ette —Promotions — A corps
322
selection — The profession of arms — Lord Kitchener
Comparisons
v.
d? elite
.
.
.
CHAPTER XXYI AND LAST
A GENERAL VIEW
Summary
of the
—Firket — Dongola — Abu
War
Hamed —Atbara
— A financial statement
— The purchase— Reproductive expenditure —The Lion's share
Special Reserve Fund' — The palm-tree
The camel — The
Egypt's reason — England's reason — French influence — Nominal
Avenging Gordon —Cant and humbug — Dervish
causes
Omdurman— Gedaref— Rosaires — The
cost
6
4
'
civili-
—
X
THE RIVER WAR
VXiiE
sation— Abdullahi's claim— The justice
the
Soudan— Depopulation — The
of the
war— Condition
of
—
natural remedy "What must be
— Necessity for British officers
Missionaries— The Khartoum College — The company promoter
The small trader— Feeling in Egypt — Irrigation— Two smajl
reforms — Greater schemes— The Blue Nile barrage — A perennial
supply — Egypt's needs— The White Nile — The great swamp
Leakage— Strange dreams — Bailways— Cape to Cairo — Extension
to Abu Haraz — The embarrassments of the present — The great
Administrator — The end
_
avoided— Legal complications
380
APPENDIX A
Composition of the Staff during the River "War
.
.
.
419
APPENDIX B
Extracts irom the Despatches referring to Recommendations
427
APPENDIX C
Extracts from the London Gazette showing Honours and
Promotions given
459
APPENDIX D
Extracts from a Memorandum for Guidance of Officers
commanding British Infantry in the Soudan
.
.
.
479
.
485
APPENDIX E
Text of the Soudan Agreement of the 19th of January
and of the declaration of the 21st of march 1899
INDEX
1899,
491
ILLTJSTRATIONS
IN
THE SECOND VOLUME
Lord Kitchener of Khartoum (Photogravure
Embarking Transport Mules
.
Up the River
The Triumph of Art
Six Miles an
Hour
The Soudan Umbrella
Frontispiece
(By Angus McNeill) page
.
The Sirdar's House at the Atbara
Portrait)
.
....
....
....
7
„
„
20
„
„
27
„
39
„
43
„
„
65
The First View
„
„
72
Khartoum
„
„
84
„
„
95
„
„
144
„
„
149
in
Sight
....
Back to the Nile
After the Charge
The Grenadiers Heliograph
Colonel MacDonald
.
.
(Photogravure Portrait)
.
The Lincolnshire Regiment
.
.
Charge of the Baggara Horse
The Customs of the River "War
.
face page
150
(By Angus McNeill) page
159
.
„
.
The Target of the Howitzers (Obverse)
„
The Target (Reverse)
M
1
to
...
A Surgical Operation
Homewards Ho
!
The Railway Station
Sir Leslie
Bundle
The Sultax
.
.
....
....
....
.
163
v
19o
206
„
207
„
200
„
M
215
n
„
223
„
„
239
„
„
249
Loot
A Captured Gun
M
(Photogravure Portrait)
face page
270
[By Angus McNeill) page
306
to
MAPS AND PLANS
IN
THE SECOND VOLUME
No.
1.
The Nile from Cairo to Wad* Halfa
To face page
1
\
(Repeated from Vol.
2.
Thk Grand Advance
3.
The Reconnaissance
I
)MDURMAN
J.)
SO
.
of Kerreri
98
:
4.
The First Attack
5.
The
6.
The Khalifa's Attack
154
7.
The Attack on MacDonald
156
8.
MacDonald's Change of Front
160
9.
Noon
10.
128
.
harge of the 21st Lancers
C
:
September
2,
The Dervish Dead
1898
144
.
172
.
224
.
11.
The Action near Gedaref
260
12.
The Attack on Gedaref
272
13.
The Campaign on the Blue Nile
14.
The Action at Kosaires
15.
The Shirkkla Reconnaissance
16.
....
The Nile from Abu Hamed to Shabluka
(Repeated from Vol. 1.)
page
28f)
To faee page
286
page
299
415
CAIRO
Statute Miles
Suez
40
CO
loo
Rculnujs
i
na
Peninsula
i
Girga
BaltLarLa
rux.
uxor
L
-
-
-
\
l
8t
Cataract
snail
4~
i
•rosko
Toski
MAP
THE NILE
from
I
CAIRO TOWADYHALFA
ady Haifa
—A
—
THE EIVEE
AY A E
CHAPTER XV
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
21st
LANCERS
— Alexandria — Movements of
troops — The 21st Lancers leave Cairo — Cavalry transport — The
-ervoirs— The wealth of Egypt — A vital
Philistine— Shellal — The
nect sgity — The advantages of irrigation— The financial aspect
Cass,
scheme — The dam at Assuan— The Temple of Phihe—
human sacrifice— Stern-wheelers— The gloomy valley— Wady Haifa
The Atbara — Harmony Row— The enterHailway
On the
A change
of
Btyle
— Final
preparations
r.
l'g
l>.
M-rt
prising Greek
'
4
-The beginning
of the
game.
Whosoever has persevered thus
River
the
Kit
War
will
far in the
account of
have formed a deckled opinion.
He
her his interest has been excited, or his dislike.
cannot have remained indifferent, or he would long ago
have thrown the hook aside with a weary
sigh.
If
he
be pleased, and think his hours profitably spent, he will
some relaxation of the severe and formal tone
which the tale has hitherto been told, and will allow
forgive
in
me
to adopt
with
greater
details
a
more
He will consent
many incidents and
familiar style.
willingness,
since
which history must perforce
disdain, yet
which
are of interest and value, are within the wider range
of personal narrative.
who
He may
even, like the sculptor,
averts his eyes from the cold and lifeless chastity
VOL.
II.
§*
B
WAR
THE RIVER
2
them on the
of the splendid statue to rest
less classic
though more alluring beauties of the model, experience
a feeling of
him
human
account become more
that, if the
not be
Besides, I will pledge
satisfaction.
less exact.
Thus
from the auditorium.
far,
Now
lively, it shall
he has watched the drama
he
is
invited to step
on
to
the stage and take an actor's interest in the final scenes.
on the other hand, the story and the manner of its
telling has aroused his hostility, I fear lest lie may have
If,
many
read so
pages against his inclinations, only with
the malevolent design of assailing
words.
If this
cate his detestation.
It is
may make
have no apology from me.
ful evil
;
with taunting
unhappily be true, and he has been
ing to suffer himself that he
shall
me
A bad
another
he
suffer,
I rejoice to recipro-
man's dislike
the dislike of a bad
will-
man
is
but a doubt-
only a venial crime.
with the amiable reader that I
am
concerned.
All through the earlv months of the summer, while
the British brigade was sweltering
of Darmali,
among
the sand dunes
the preparations for the final
advance
were steadily proceeding. A second British brigade
was ordered to the Soudan. A new battery of
Howitzer
artillery,
the
37th,
enormous
firing
shells
charged with Lyddite, was despatched from England.
Two
large
Another
40-pounder guns were
Maxim
from men
British
formed in Cairo
from Cairo.
sent
battery of
four guns
wa>
of the Eoval Irish Fusileers.
Three new screw gunboats of the largest
size
and most
formidable pattern had been pa-sed over the indefatigable railway in sections, and were
clear
now launched on he
waterway south of the Atbara encampment.
t
The
—
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
number
21st
LANCERS
3
of medical officers with the Expeditionary Force
was largely increased, and the supply of hospital
A
and appliances augmented.
stores
and energetic
large
body of war correspondents set out for the scene of
action, and last, though not least, a British cavalry
regiment was ordered up the Nile.
1
Amid
these excitements I returned from India to
England, and forthwith proceeded to the
My
a^k for employment.
War
Office to
application, though perhaps
presumptuous, was by no means singular, and I found
that
hundred other
several
similar errand.
rance.
I
Success,
was attached
to the 21st Lancers,
had been on a
officers
however, rewarded perseve-
for
duty during the campaign
and instructed to make
mv way
to
Egypt without delay. This I accordingly proceeded to
do, and as the voyage was unmarked by incident or
accident, the sea smooth, the food indifferent,
and the
may
dispense
unexceptionable,
passengers
with the^account.
the reader
Yet, since the traveller should alwaj^s
preserve the fruit of his experiences for the benefit of
others,
it
may be
right to observe that of the three
most usual routes to Egypt
sageries
Mari times,' via Brindisi by P.
Trieste
by
'
'
far the
'
—the
first
is
'
most
the
the second the most speedy, and the last
salubrious,
by
Austrian Lloyd
by Mesand 0.,' and via
via Marseilles
most comfortable.
Frank Rhodes (Times), the Hon.
H. Howard (Times), Messrs. Fred Villiers (Globe and Illustrated
London Neivs), Charles Williams (Daily Chronicle), Frank Scudamore
(Daily News), Hamilton Weldon (Morning Post), Bennett Burleigh
(Daily Telegraph), W. T. Maud (Graphic), Rene Bull (Black and
White), W. Maxwell (Standard), G. W. Steevens (Daily Mail), and
Lionel James (Renter's Agency).
1
Including,
among
others,
Col.
B
•7
WAR
THE EIVER
4
Alexandria was
hotel
full
of the rumours of war.
was enlivened by the presence of
officers
—
belonging to regiments, but mostly departmental
The
some
—who
were either about to proceed south or hoping that they
were soon to be ordered thither. In these days, when
British
wars are not
there are as
the front.
sufficiently
many mournful
Disconsolate
dangerous to be
terrible,
spectacles at the base as at
young gentlemen endeavouring
to fight their country's battles disguised as journalists
who have been found
officers
some
;
and vainly
for
to
;
vices are necessary at the base
;
wish their husbands employed
;
who wish
wives who
anxious wives
husbands were safely back
their
unfit,
go back to their regiments after
whom there is no room others whose ser-
hope to be allowed
all
medically
;
;
ambitious
such
is
the unregarded
overflow at the head of the channel of communications.
On
reaching Cairo
wise to hurry
it
I
had been
Most of the troops had
The squadron of Lancers to
found myself attached, was to start the very
next day.
table.
it
on the road.
already been despatched.
which
was evident that
It
I will not be
is,
wearisome by quoting the time
however, necessary to relate the departures
of the different units on their long journey to the point
of concentration on the Atbara.
On
successive days,
beginning on the 29th of July, the regiments
battalions, batteries,
following order
Grenadier
:
—
and squadrons
—
left
— by
half-
Cairo in the
32nd Field Battery,
Howitzer and Maxim batteries,
Eifle Brigade,
Guards,
5th Fusileers, 21st Lancers by squadrons, Lancashire
The journey occupied eleven days, and the
of the force would reach the Atbara by the 18th of
Fusileers.
last
—
'
UP THE RIVER AVITH THE
LANCERS
5
Before the construction of the Desert Kailwav
August.
movement
this
21st
of troops could not possibly have been
carried out in less than four months.
The reader
acquainted with the line of communi-
having studied
cations,
I shall ask
Yet
is
him
it
in the previous campaigns.
accompany
to
in imagination the
squadron whose ranks will henceforward be the standpoint from which he will view the operations.
On
the 2nd of
modern war
August we paraded
in the
1
khaki uniforms, sun-helmets,
belts, revolvers, field-glasses,
panoply of
Sam Brown
and Stohwasser gaiters
The railway runs conveniently
at
Abbasiya barracks.
by
the cavalry lines, and a long train of carriages for
men and
the
of
cattle
trucks
for
the horses was
The entraining of troops is always a wearyarrayed in what they call
ing affair. The soldiers
Christmas Tree order,' and dangling from every
waiting.
—
'
part
with water-bottles, havresacks,
of their bodies
cloaks,
canteen-straps,
awkwardly
into the carriages.
for food
business
are
all
is
and
and
clank
Then the baggage has
filtered water.
laborious
carbines
must be stowed, and provision
to be loaded, kit-bags
made
swords,
;
With
infantry the
but with cavalry the
difficulties
more than doubled. Saddlery, forage, and above
When I
horses, have to be packed into the trucks.
mention that the horses were
easily
stallion
Arabs,
it
will
be realised what a kicking and squealing the
stowage of
this
last
item caused.
But perseverance
overcomes everything, even the vivacity of the little
Arab horse, though at times he seems to be actually
infected with the fanaticism of the
human
inhabitants
THE EIVER
6
of the
At length
land of his birth.
accomplished.
The band
For a moment the
train
WAE
things are
up Auld Lang
Syne.'
linked to the platform
by the
strikes
is
all
'
handshaking of those who go and of those who
Then
it
slowly moves
off,
the distance graduall}
the cheering and the
Whither ?
off.
beyond
—
T
,
gaining pace and increasing
until its
Southward
to
of the band.
must
We may
only where there
We
are
to the
Atbara camp divides
toil.
We
fly airily
is
all
of which
need not drag onward as
along the miles and pause
something to look at or something
Twenty-four hours from Cairo by train the
to discuss.
halt
drowns
Khartoum and perhaps
naturally into four stages, through
slowly.
rattle
perhaps very far beyond for some.
the troops
first
growing
fitful strains
The journey from Cairo
itself
stay.
is
reached
—Khizam.*
Here we are on the
The railway is left, and progress is by steamer.
One was already waiting. The versatile and ubiquitous
Cook had undertaken the arrangements, as his name
painted on everything clearly showed. The horses had
to be moved from the trucks and persuaded, in spite
of their protests, to enter two great barges.
On these
Nile.
they were tightly packed
—so
tightly, indeed, that
they
could not kick, and biting was the sole expression they
The baggage was then
shipped, and when this task was finished the steamer
took the barges in tow, and pushing out into the
stream began its journey to Assuan. The barges were
heavy, the currents adverse, and hence the progress
was slow and tedious. At times, getting into slack
could give to their feelings.
.
*
Map, The Nile from Cairo
4
to
Wady
Haifa,' to face page
1.
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
water,
we made
21st
LANCERS
nearly four miles an hour
;
7
at others
the speed diminished to about two, and on one occasion,
narrow place, the steamer had only about half a
Had the stream been a
mile an hour the best of it.
in a
little
Still
stronger, progress
would have ceased
altogether.
the voyage, though slow, was comfortable and the
nights cool.
Indeed, even the days were not oppressive,
r
/
JUL
EMBARKING TRANSPORT MULES
the
merely
by
represented
were
Avar
of
horrors
and the
improved
not
was
which
of
plainness
original
food, the
by
the misdirected efforts of the cook.
plodded
steamer
the
nights
four
For four days and
hours,
of
couple
for
a
stopped
we
Luxor
At
up the Nile.
visit.
flying
a
it
paid
I
temple.
the
almost moored to
pillars
great
the
of
shapes
Something in the strange
THE RIVER AVAR
8
appeals to the
human love
of the myst ical.
It
imagination to roof the temple and
effort of
hall with the awe-struck worshippers, or to
requires no
great
its
fill
occupy the
odd, nameless chambers at the far end with the powerful
priests
who crushed
Now
Egypt.
into
nooks
beauty of
the
purposes.
body and soul out of ancient
that the roof
the
all
the
is
and
and the sun shines
off'
we may admire
corners,
work without
the
fearing
its
evil
be
It is also a favourite place for tourists to
photographed
The
in.
science and the triumph of the
living century are displayed in vivid contrast with the
art
We
and repose of the century long dead.
minded of the bright
The truth
butterfly on the tomb.
when
of the simile, however, vanishes
are re-
the photographs
of the tourists are proudly shown by the local photo-
We
grapher.
'
were not without Philistines on board.
Have you been
officer.
*
No, certainly not
have dragged
shall
We
to see the temple
all
round there
last,
disembarkation began again.
asked an
I
'
supposing I
;
reached Assuan at
?
am
killed, I
for nothing.'
and the business of
The
First Cataract
ol*
the Nile opposed the further passage of the original
but
steamer;
From Assuan
The
above
to
the
Shellal
rapids
is
a
another
march of
six
waited.
miles.
horses, delighted to stretch their limbs, enjoyed
The heat and the dust moderated the
enthusiasm of their riders.
The baggage went by
themselves.
train,
with a
sufficient escort.
The scene when we arrived
strange.
palm-trees,
at
Shellal
was indeed
In the foreground, under the shade of the
whose sombre
tints
were
brightened
by
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
the glow of the evening sun,
which were to carry us to
Wady Haifa.
The shore was
On
the banks piles
of military stores were accumulated.
Great stacks of
of small-arm ammunition in boxes with red
shovels,
Maxim-gun ammunition
of
labels,
green, of medical stores, of
in
The
conveyed us from Assuan drew up
An
boxes painted
the varied necessaries
all
of an army, rose on every side.
this.
9
lav the fresh steamers
barges and gyassas.
lined with
LANCERS
21 sx
which had
train
the midst of
in
array of coolies and of convicts
—
same
of the
appearance as the coolies, but for heavy chains on their
legs
— was drawn up
to assist the soldiers in unloading
The work began.
the trucks and loading the boats.
The
was concerned,
Blue-clothed brown
spectacle, so far as the foreground
was one of singular animation.
men and brown-clad
busy whirlpool.
men
white
Whistles
bustled
about in a
trumpets
blew,
sounded,
the horses fought and squealed, officers shouted
among
behind,
were
outlined
against
exuberant
vitality,
taunt that
can
am one
I
and walls of the Temple of Phike
sunset
the
The past
sky.
on the present, and, offended by
looked down
acre
and
dark rocks of the river gorge,
the
the broken pillars
:
seemed grimly
fling at
vouth
:
to repeat
'
its
the last
A^ou will be as I
of these days.'
viewed the celebrated ruins of the temple with
am provoked
an hostility so keen that I
digression.
reservoir
of
construction,
Assuan
the
and
the
is
great
site
irrigation
which,
of
to a long
the
southern
works now under
when completed,
supply with abundant and perennial Avater
are
all
to
the
—
THE RIVER WAR
10
land
from Assiut to the
this irrigation
Mediterranean.
hope of the increase
from
on
is
system that Egypt must depend for the
Without the sure
revenue to develope the Soudan.
derived
It
this
prosperity which
of
tremendous
enterprise,
will
be
the
re-
conquest of the lost provinces would never have been
undertaken.
The
reservoirs are therefore essential to
the military operations
;
and the
fact
— that
which carried and sustained the army
means be actually enabled
which
it
alone
rendered
to
pay
by
will
for the
necessary and
the Xile
these
campaigns
possible
The Eiver War.'
The wealth of Egypt depends on water. The Kile
Hows through the desert. Spread the water on the
land, and the desert will immediately pay a bountiful
return annually. There is a mighty volume of water and a
vast expanse of desert. To join the two in fruitful union
the greater the scale of
is the function of the dams
affords another reason for the title of
'
;
The vary-
irrigation, the greater the increase of wealth.
ing flow of the Nile
—
at times a vast flood rushing- waste-
fully to the sea, at times a
through the thirsty land
comparative trickle winding
— has been the great
which Egyptian engineers, from the
difficulty with
earliest dynasties,
—
To build reservoirs which, by
storing the excess of the autumn to supply the scarcity
of the summer, would regulate the flow of the river to
have been confronted.
an even volume, and thus at
all
industrious peasant of the fruits
times
of his
assure
toil
the
—was
a
prospect which had long glittered before the eyes of
every thoughtful
man who
lived in the
recent years the need of a certain
Delta.
summer supply
In
of
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
21st
LANCERS
11
become imperative. The area under cotton
and sugar-cane in Egypt has grown from 1,000,000
The steady
acres in 1883 to 1,700,000 acres in 1899.
increase of these two valuable crops depends entirely
on the summer supply of the Nile. The cotton and
water
lias
sugar-cane crops of 1883 required 9,000 cubic feet per
second; those of 1899 demand 15,000 cubic feet per
Now
1878 the whole summer supply of
the Xile caught by the existing irrigation works was
only 7,000 cubic feet per second it was 8,000 cubic
second.
in
;
1890
was 9,000 cubic
feet in
1889
1892
was 10,000 cubic
it
;
in
it
feet
feet,
and
These
per second.
in
dis-
charges are hopelessly inadequate for the increased
summer
crops.
liver has
Since 1893 the
But
been exceptionally good.
that the poor years
returned
summer supply
— and
return
—have,
certain
is
indeed, already
with them the most terrible loss of
wealth and even of
tecting the
Avill
it
of the
summer
life.
The
vital necessity of pro-
crops drove the irrigation question
into the first place.
A
Two
practical plan
was produced by the engineers.
regulating
dams, three locks, a
great
canal,
and subsidiary works were to be constructed at a cost
2
The amount of water stored would
of £E2,000,000.'
be distributed as shown on the following page.
3
The works which were proposed, and
their respective estimated cost,
were as follows
L Assuan dam and lock
2. Assiut dam and lock
.
.
3. Ibrahimia canal, regulator, and lock
4. Land and subsidiary works
.
5. Customs duty on water and plant
:
Total
£E1,400,000
425,000
....
....
.
.
.
.
83,000
49,000
41,000
£E 1,998,000
—
»
WAR
THE RIVER
12
To Upper Egypt
170,000,000 cubic metres
„
Middle Egypt
„
Lower Egypt
The Ghiza Province
„
510,000,000
Making a
....
300,000,000
85,000,000
total of 1,065,000,000 cubic
In return for
metres
regions would, on
these
this,
*
the
lowest computation and within an incredibly short
time of the good
yearly income
gift,
grow
by the following
richer
:
Upper Egypt
Middle Egypt
Lower Egypt
and the Ghiza Province
Making a
Besides
not
this,
by £E420,000
1,176,000
.,
600,000
212,000
total benefit of i'E2,408,000 a
year
the certainty that the cotton crop would
be injured by drought has been calculated as
worth £200,000 a year, thus raising the grand
of the
increased riches
the
Government
of the Egyptian people
From
£2,608,000 a year.
would
total
this
to
augmentation of wealth
every year
derive
a
pro-
portionate increase of revenue from
Upper Egypt
Middle Egypt
Lower Egypt
and from the Ghiza Province
Making a
Beyond and above
of .t'E63,000
.
total of
.
.
.
„
198,400
H
85,200
„
31,800
£E378,400
this increase of revenue, there
be an acquisition of
capital.
would
The amount of water
stored would enable 102,000 acres of waste land
now
in
Government to be reclaimed and
The rate of £E10 per acre for land
the possession of the
rendered
fertile.
6
with good drainage and an assured water-supply
summer
is
not
at
all
high.
in
There should, then,
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
eventually result from
the
tracts a total capital
sum
that land reclamation
is
sale
21st
LANCERS
of these
£E1 ,020,000.
of
13
reclaimed
It is true
a very slow process, and that
these sales will probably extend over a considerable
number
of years
but there
;
the whole area will be sold.'
The
nation
is
no doubt that in time
3
direct accession of wealth to the
once enlarges
at
and
revenue,
anticipates
the
all
mass of the
branches of the public
Egyptian
Government
a considerable increase
shrewdly
of receipts both
from Customs and State railways as a consequence of
the
But
dams.
Nile
this
advantage
grasp of practical calculations.
The
bevond the
is
profits
from the
investment of two millions in irrigation are, however,
shown
to
be rather more than two and a half millions,
or approximately 125 per cent, per
annum, with an
additional bonus of one million spread over, let us say,
the
first fifty
years.
Such was the bright promise, and
it
was not
wonderful that the Administrators embraced
The Egyptian Government were
delight.
was upon the whole the best investment
it
offered
with
what
in all history.
Occasionally gold mines have yielded profits as high.
None have ever paid on such a scale. All have been
precarious properties.
Seams and pockets become
exhausted
;
was eager
difficulties,
The
itself.
but the Nile flows on for ever.
Everyone
to carry the enterprise forward.
Serious
however, interposed.
financial
position
of Egypt again obtrudes
The Government required two
*
Report by Sir Ehvin Palmer.
millions.
They
THE RIVER AVAR
14
sum by
could not raise such a
prohibited
by
They were
taxation.
the authority of the Caisse de la Dette
Thev could not save out of
revenue in order to pay by instalments, until that
revenue was increased by the improved irrigation.
The deadlock was complete. The dams could not be
The money could not be
built without the money.
from contracting a loan.
obtained without the dams.
able
difficulty
had
This apparently insuper-
several years
for
undertaking, had kept the whole
and
had
from
withheld
which
advantages
were
Alfred Milner wrote
is
:
'
Egypt
prevented the
scheme nebulous,
the
promised.
extraordinary
In
The creation of a
1893
Sir
reservoir
indeed the burning question of Egyptian irrigation
the present day.'
at
4
He
then proceeded to discuss
the financial obstacles, but
was unable
to
make any
better suggestion for overcoming these than that, as
England had profited greatly by the Suez Canal shares,
would not be a very enormous sacrifice or a very
it
4
extraordinary act of generosity,'
if
she were to
make
Egypt a present of the money needed for the reservoirs.
This might be magnificent, but it was not business
and successive Chancellors of the Exchequer had
;
remained impassive in
So the
affair
spite of the eloquent appeal.
dragged, and Egypt thirsted until the
The expenses of the Soudan campaign,
and the prospect of the heavy charge on Egypt which
would be involved by the developement of the territories
soon to be re-conquered, compelled the Government to
year 1897.
appeal to private enterprise.
4
England
Several great capitalists
in Egypt, p. 315.
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
21st
LANCERS
15
They considered the question.
They reflected that Egypt was prohibited from contracting a loan, and unable to pay anything for five
In five years much might happen Omdurman
years.
had not then been fought Fashoda was as yet only
the name of a swamp.
It did not seem possible to
were approached.
;
;
evade the restrictions of the Caisse in view of the fact
that French influence might at some future date be
paramount
Government turned
come
the
Long
and again
embarrassed
and invited him
to Ernest Cassel
to Egypt.
much
after
declined,
all
At length
project languished.
the
to
So they
in Egypt.
consultations followed, and
inquiry Cassel formulated his well-known
scheme.
However impatient the reader may be
the seat
of the war, he will do well to tarry a
longer near the
cavalry
the
of the Great Eeservoir.
site
squadron
baggage, and there
start
to return to
plenty of time.
is
without him.
embarking
is
me
Let
its
little
Besides,
horses and
They
shall not
briefly explain the financial
scheme.
You
shall acquire
your reservoirs on the instalment system.
Make your
Government
Cassel said to the
:
'
Begin the work forthwith.
contracts for the dams.
Pay
your contractors, not with money, but with promissory
notes.
is
As
the construction progresses, and the
money
needed, so you shall issue these promissory notes
my
or " pay-warrants."
I
cash them at sight.
Five years hence you shall begin
to
and
repay us, or those to
the " pay-warrants,"
by
friends undertake
whom we
to
have passed on
sixty half-yearly instalments,
THE RIVER WAR
16
commencing July
You
You
reservoirs.
five years.
ness,
Thus you
1903.
1,
will obtain
your
have to pay anything
will not
for
be incurring indebted-
will, it is true,
but you will not have to contract a loan.
In
by a charge which you can meet easily
out of your dam-fed revenue, you will be quit of all
thirty years,
liability,
and your reservoirs
It will
will
be your own.'
be evident that, from the investors' point of
view, the vital part of the scheme was the form in which
the
'
pay-warrants
the market were
place for their
is
which were
'
drawn
full text.
up.
ment
to
This
Their
to give the holders a lien
to the right
to
be introduced into
is
not,
however, the
effect, briefly stated, is
on the
reservoirs, subject
and obligation of the Egyptian Govern-
take possession of them by paying a fixed
price within a fixed period.
The actual
which was
plan,
in accurate
and
legal
make its
with delight by the
expression as complicated as I have tried to
explanation simple, was hailed
Administrators,
and immediately adopted.
Cassel formed the
'
In 1898
Irrigation Investment Corporation,'
and entered into an agreement with the contractors,
Messrs. John Aird
whole of the issued
the thirty-five
&
'
Co., to purchase from
them the
pay-warrants,' which, spread over
years to elapse before their complete
redemption by the Egyptian Government, amounted to
i?4,71G,780.
5
The construction of
the reservoirs
was
then immediately be«un.
5
be noticed that the amount of pay-warrants to be issued is
more than twice as large as the amount actually needed for the construction. The difference, of course, arises from the fact that no interest is
paid for five years, and that the capital is repaid only within thirty years.
It will
*
'
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
To completely understand
LANCERS
21st
17
the details of the scheme,
necessary to see them at work.
The contractors
require money.
The Government pays them by paywarrants of the prescribed form, which are cashed by
it is
6
'
the Irrigation Corporation, placed
in trust at the
in
the
form
Bank
of
by
that Corporation
of England, and sold to the public
Trust Certificates
may become
as
necessary.
The
enterprise proceeded.
senting the
'
The
repre-
certificates
pay-warrants,' as they were issued
by
the
Bank of England, were eagerly bought by the public.
The amount required for the first issue was within a
few hours subscribed several times over.
stantial
profits
which usually accrue
to
direct the greater evolutions of capital
The sub-
who
those
were not the
only reward of the wise and ingenious financier
;
and
Grand Officer of the Mejidie and the degree
of knighthood which were conferred upon Ernest
the rank of
Cassel are not the least deserved of the
won up
'
many honours
the river.'
The dams will therefore be built. That at Assuan
A massive wall of granite
is the more interesting.
masonry in the ancient Egyptian style, one mile and
a
quarter long, twenty-four feet broad at the
one hundred
feet thick at the
top,
bottom, and holding up
one hundred feet of water in the deepest channel, will
run from bank to bank.
When the Nile
the sluice-gates will be open,
river will rush roaring
is
in full flood
and the red water of the
through 200 culverts twenty-
four feet high and six and a half feet broad.
When
the violence of the flood has passed and the compara-
VOL.
II.
c
THE RIVER
18
WAR
tively clear water of the winter is flowing, the sluice-
gates
will
slowly
in
the
be gradually lowered and
filled, until
the
reservoir
an enormous volume of water
is
pent
dark gorges above Assuan and the river for
more than a hundred miles up stream lias become
a vast lake, from which the summer supply will be
maintained.
By
these operations the annual income
by more than two and a
revenue by nearly £400,000. I
of Egypt will be increased
half millions and the
approach the temple of
All
Phila3.
the
foregoing
remarks are based upon the consideration that the
reservoirs are to hold 1,06-3 million cubic metres of
water.
If the
Assuan dam were raised eight metres,
which would be possible
at
cost, instead of storing 1,065
a
comparatively small
million
it
would
2,550 million cubic metres of water; that
is
store
to say,
more than twice as much. The profits of the people
and Government of Egypt would be more than
doubled. The wealth and happiness of the amiable
peasants of the Delta would grow their contentment
would react on the prosperity of other countries. All
the world would gain advantage from those extra eight
;
metres of masonry.
The Temple of Philas intervenes.
the water-level would submerge it.
the small but beautiful ruin.
whom
The
raising of
I will not assail
Let us believe that the
was raised was once worthy of human
reverence, and would willingly accept as a nobler
memorial the life-giving lake beneath which his temple
god
to
it
would be buried. If it were not so, then indeed it
would be time for a rational and utilitarian generation
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
monument
to tear the
that
LANCERS
21st
19
of such a monster to pieces, so
no stone remained upon the other, and
thus
prevent for ever the sacrifice of 1,485 million cubic
metres of water
most senseless
— the
most
most wicked, and
cruel,
sacrifice ever offered
on the
altar of a
But the quarrel of the philosopher is
not with the temple. Behind it stand the archaeologists.
false
religion.
Because
a
few
persons
whose
functions
removed from those which may
are
far
mankind
benefit
chippers of stone, rummagers in the dust-
profitless
—have
the
account of the
being
blood of Egypt —
heaps of the past
raised an outcry, nominally
tourists,
is
sacrifice of
offered up.
water
The
—the
State
on
life-
must
struggle and the people starve, in order that professors
may
exult and tourists find
scratch their names.
squadron
— into
the
some space on which
to
Let us return to the cavalry
real
world of honest
effort
and
common-sense.
The work of loading passed the hours away, and we
The steamers on this reach of
did not start till dusk.
the
liver are
To convey
Two
much
smaller than those lower down.
the squadron of cavalry two were provided.
gyassns
and a barge,
all
full
of horses,
were
lashed to the sides of each of these, and thus, four
boats abreast,
we moved
slowly up the
river.
The
white steamer between the boats and barges
suggested
O
CO
a tall soldier with three somewhat disorderly women
The effect was increased when
one of the gyassas put up a great white sail, like an
enormous feather sticking out of a bonnet.
The steamers themselves are worth looking
at.
O
hanging on his arms.
c 2
WAR
THE RIVER
20
water.
of
inches
few
only
a
The v draw
Their boilers
power
to
the
carries
steam-pipe
are in the bows, and a
pistons
The
quarter.
the
of
side
either
a cylinder on
which
paddle-wheel
great
turn
a
from these cylinders
protrudes from
The appearance
the stern.
is
peculiar.
inches
eight
about
dip
only
wheel
the
of
The red blades
the
whole
over
thick
and
brown
it
splash
and
water,
the
in
The machinery
of the stern.
—
everything
is
exposed, and
UP THB
that I
wonder
it
does not
— wheels, cranks,
is
pistons,
so drenched with spray
RIVKl:
all
become
rusty.
On
the
lie
officers
the
this
beneath
and
roof is an awning,
the
of
warnith
the
and
day
the
of
during the heat
night.
Above
changed.
Assuan
The
the
character;
belt of cultivation
of
the
river
is
which bordered the
green,
strip
of
mere
to
a
dwindled
has
reach
lower
varying from ten to a hundred yards in breadth, and
often
broken by long intervals of barrenness.
The
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
21st
LANCERS
21
and consequently deeper.
Few sandbanks are to be seen. Kock, indeed, is the
channel
itself
narrower,
is
The gorge
characteristic of this stage of the journey.
which the great river has laboriously cut
The
deep.
of black
walls
is
dark and
rock on either side are
heaped with stone debris and marked clearly by the
The sombre appearance harmo-
action of the water.
muddy
nises with the sad colour of the
by
relieved only
the bright-coloured
water, and
sand.
It is im-
possible not to realise the desolation of the scene
a
tree, not
— not
a shrub, not a blade of grass brightens the
ragged amorphous summits of the
^onii
is
be a hot and hungry
hills,
man who
and he would
should wander on
these forsaken peaks.
Here and there along the banks are villages hardly
distinguishable from the rocks on and of which their
poor, miserable houses are built.
inhabitants.
to
the
Little,
water's
Still
they contain
black, naked children run
edge to wail 'Backsheesh!'
passing steamers mournfully, as
if
they
knew
down
at
the
before-
hand they would get nothing. Their elders stand in
blue and white clothes further off, or sit on donkeys
gazing dully at the crowded boats.
I marvelled how
Their apparent property consists of
these people live.
forty or fifty date-palms, perhaps
corn,
an acre of Indian
and the water-wheel, without which nothing
would be possible
than those
As
below, this
the banks
last
is
of
here are higher
more
construction than the simple lever and
elaborate
counterpoise
arrangement which punctuates the miles from Cairo to
Assuan.
There
is
a sort of stone tower, in which two
;
THE KIVEK AVAR
22
lean bullock- circle slowly and unwillingly, turning
;i
This wheel, by means of cogs, turns
horizontal wheel.
a vertical wheel, the bottom of which dips in the river.
Bound
ware
the vertical wheel
When the
pots.
an endless chain of earthen-
is
oxen march forward both wheels
revolve, the pots dip in the water, are
upwards and around, and empty
a wooden
pipe.
filled,
are carried
their contents into
Thus, to the droning
hum
of the
machinery, a continual stream of water Hows to the
and such
thirsty sand,
water that
The device
the
is
the
power of
sand forthwith
ingenious,
its
wonderful
this
bursts
a crop.
into
aspect not unpicturesque
complete the scene, we must add the date-
for, to
palms, which rise in a
cluster thickly
There
busy
is
is
row from the
river's
round the vivifying wheel.
one other sign of life, and
it is
that belongs to a civilised age.
life
of the river runs the telegraph-wire.
slender poles and white insulators
—
background of rock
not to experience a
glow of confidence
which can thus
of the earth with
pioneer
its
link the most
greatest city
Along the >a k
Looking at the
1
1
—
it is
1
is
impossible
in the
power of
desolate regions
and keep the modern
ever within hail of home.
gested another reflection.
a sign of the
for the wire itself
invisible against the
science,
brink and
Xor was
The wire sug-
I the only
one
who
wondered what news that thread of instant communication would presently carry back to England
whether
of success or failure, of advance or retreat, or whose
—
would Hash homeward as being of no more
account to living men.
names
it
All this time the steamer was toiling up the strong
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
stream,
making
LANCERS
21st
23
miles an hour, and
at the best three
on some occasions scarcely able to hold
its
own
against
But though our progress was slow
the current.
continuous, and on the 12th
we disembarked
at
it
was
Wady
and packed the baggage and horses into the
Haifa,
trucks
of the
military
The distance from
railway.
Haifa to Bail-head at the Atbara
is
nearly 400 miles.
The. train accomplishes this in about thirty-six hours.
It is
an unpretentious-looking
nor
paint
padding
A
uncomfortable.
adorns
train,
its
but though neither
carriages,
it
not
is
long horse-truck was provided for
A
the officers, and others for the men.
roof of odd
pieces of board protects the occupants from the sun.
A
canvas blind hanging
earthenware
we
filter
landed, and
desert.
The
smote
full
We
evaporation.
tion
round excludes some of the
In the middle of the carriage stands a large
dust.
the
all
when
it
full force
one when
of water, agreeably cooled
started
became daylight were
a
the
mid-
landscape was surveyed
— the
thirsty
impressed with their
in
of that abomination of desola-
ive relief to the picture
to
same night that
the
through a hole in the canvas blind.
would give
by
The mirages alone
relief
castaway.
number.
that salt water
I
was
Never was
chiefly
optical
Wherever the eye might wander,
the mocking shimmer of unreal waters deceived and
tantalised.
The traveller turned with eagerness to the
earthenware filter, and, drinking deep, thanked Heaven
that Nature is not often swayed by the spiteful, mischievous imp who prompted such a grim joke.
The whole countenance of the land is terrible. As
illusion so
cheap.
WAR
THE RIVER
24
as the
wide
sea,
it
less hospitable,
is
barrenness without any of
its
and has
The
beauty.
all
its
train plods
an
along
hour,
miles
an
ten
about
making
wearily,
monotony
the
varies
Nothing
track.
endless
apparently
of the
scene.
The telegraph-posts
are
the most en-
Mile after mile slips by, and they are
livening feature.
hot.
are
and
all
passes,
hour
after
Hour
all the same.
only
distinguished
stations
at
stopped
we
intervals
At
by numbers and consisting of a wooden hut and a
All day long we travelled in these unsignal-post.
propitious lands, without a sample of which no well-
ulated
Inferno would be complete, and with the
- reached
Abu Hamed.
Scarcely a year before
an armed patrol mounted on swift camels might have
approached the walls, only to turn and gallop away
amid the whistle of pursuing bullets. Now the train
steamed into the station, and the engine, uncoupling,
moved
off
towards an engine-house, whence a fresh
locomotive was already approaching.
Civilised
man
can accomplish a great deal in a very short lime if lie
We paid the tribute of
takes off his coat to the work.
recollection to the gallant officers
in
the*
whose white crosses
burving-ground commemorate
at
once their
conquest and their death, and then slept while the
train, during the hot hours of the night, hurried on
through Berber and
Darmali to the
cam})
of
the
Atbara.
The railway runs
land which
river
line
lies
right to the end of the tongue of
between the north
and the east bank of the
was a huge depot,
.
Nile.
side of the
Atbara
At the end of the
Mounds and
ridges of biscuit
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
LANCERS
21st
boxes, of ammunition boxes, and of stores of
filled
a space of
many
25
all
kinds
Three months' supplies
acres.
had been accumuThis great reserve secured the army against
for all troops south of this point
lated.
the
had been sustained
that
Suppose a repulse
most unlikely contingencies.
Arab
the
in front
tribes
all
Omdurman, suppose
of
were to have
of communication
attenuated line
the
alon<>-
suppose even
risen,
that a foreign force occupied Egypt, the
army on
the
be a factor to be reckoned with
might return to the north might strike east to the Bed
Upper Nile would
still
;
;
Sea and Suakin, or south-east to Kassala
in
any case have time to look about
for
;
and would
an object of
attack or a loophole of escape.
The whole advanced base, except where protected
by the river, was surrounded by a strong entrenchment, the profile of which rose at least ten feet above
the ground, and against which it was hoped in the
spring that the Emir Mahmud would dash himself.
Outside
second
entrenchment
the
The
brigade.
British
was
brigade,' as they called themselves
camp
the
first
— or
'
of
the
Fighting
—had already moved
on in steamers to the point of concentration before
Shabluka.
Nearly
all
the Egyptian Infantry
south by road or river.
we
the
arrived,
Northumberland
21st
Lancers
Bifles,
all
the
Grenadier
Fusileers, the
numerous
General Gatacre and
population,
There were however, when
of
details,
whom
us, three
the
Egyptian
some Maxim guns, and
— altogether
Staff
Guards,
two squadrons of the
who had preceded
battalions,
had gone
a considerable
were to move south
in a
few
THE RIVER
26
WAR
days and leave the Atbara camp deserted.
ing feature of the place
is
is
that
strik-
geographical position
its
and exactly defined to everybody's intelwould have been easy to take a pin and in
so clearly
ligence.
It
marked the very acre
the ordinary school atlas to have
on which one stood.
Looking
at the point of junction
of the two broad, deep, rushing rivers,
at
One
once to recognise the
The
original
mud
it
was possible
map on
the actual ground.
village
of
Dakhila had been
improved by the presence of the army and the arrival
of the railway.
a considerable
Besides the great depdt, there were
number of
substantial
The Sirdar had a good-sized house
bank.
Many
were besides two large
mud rooms
engaged on
buildings.
close to the river-
of the railway and transport officers had
themselves handsome
built
also
mud
hospitals,
habitations.
There
and a long terrace of
occupied by polite but important people
all
kinds of special undertakings of their
—foreign Military Attaches, heads of various departments,
Branch
and — representing
the fourth
—Colonel lvhodes and Hubert Howard.
own
Intelligence
officers,
as
estate
In
s
Harmony Bow,'
as the terrace
was
called,
we had
several cheery meetings.
as
the
eager to
The constant resident was
hear the latest from London as to tell
newest from the south.
plentiful
;
Drinks were cool and
over the scene there hung the exhilarating
consciousness of impending war
and the place
pleasant memories and only
;
is
one
sad
One other
the bazaar.
feature of the Atbara
must be described,
Between the railwav and the river, but
•
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
outside the entrenchment, there
At
street.
least thirty
enterprise of the
Dangers,
remarkable.
had grown up an actual
shops and stores of various kinds
The
were nourishing.
27
LANCERS
21st
difficulties,
Greek trader
and discomforts
crease his charges, but do not prevent his trade.
is,
I think,
class
He
The
influence of
— though thev do not look imposing— upon
the developement of the
Soudan must be
encouragement should be
not be high-souled
They had
respect.
in-
even more adaptable and energetic than the
Parsee in India and on the frontier.
such a
is
;
Every
great.
shown them.
They may
nevertheless they are worthy of
lost
no time.
Prices were high, but
THE SIRDAR'S HOUSE AT THE ATBARA
business was brisk.
Here, in the deserts of Africa, on
a spot occupied a year before only by a dozen miserable
Arabs and goats,
of
all
and
it
was possible to purchase groceries
kinds, cigarettes, writing-paper
and fountain pens,
by a cheque on any London bank.
under the shadow of the Egyptian flair,
settle the bill
All the
camp
lay
whose red colour and white crescent and star were
everywhere conspicuous. Only over the Headquarter
Office
of
the
Union Jack
;
British
yet
division
was
there
that proclaimed the
a
small
substance of
power, and perhaps accounted for the growth of trade.
—
THE RIVER WAR
2S
The whole Expeditionary Force had passed through
the Atbara on their way to the front.
The Egyptian
cavalry and the Soudanese had come from Berber the
;
first
British
brigade from Darmali
the second from
:
The two companies of the Warwickshire
Regiment, which to their disgust had been kept in the
Dongola province during the Atbara campaign, had
England.
Half the 6th Egyptians had
rejoined the battalion.
marched from Suakin.
The 17th and
towing their
with
supplies
Every
Merawi.
unit
—large
was moving southwards
road: and
all
;
make
battalions/'
come
them, had
from
or small, horse or foot
some
paused for a few
of the rivers, to
1 Stli
final
in steamers,
some by
da)^s at the confluence
preparations and
await
their turn to depart.
Our squadron readied
the great
camp
at
noon on
the 15th of August, and on that date the actual cam-
We
paign as far as we were concerned began.
were
already two hundred miles further south than the Biver
Column had succeeded
after five
in getting in the old
months of weary and tremendous
to this point the reinforcements
easily as if thev
men had been
and from steamer
shifted
Up
effort.
had been brought
had been travelling
train to steamer,
campaign
in
England.
From
to train, horses
with speed and method.
as
and
The
system of moving troops and the arrangements for
their comfort on the iournev niav be said to have
been
perfect.
Hitherto
tourists
on a
pleasure
was to
be
change.
a
we
trip.
had
been
passengers,
Henceforward
The squadron
These battalions were only raised in 1897.
— from
Editor.
there
mere
—
UP THE RIVER WITH THE
stores of
to
21st
LANCERS
29
men, horses, weapons, and saddles— was again
become a
strong, mobile, fighting
unit.
The toy
who had been brought so far carefully packed
paper and wadding, were now taken out of the box,
soldiers,
in
quite fresh and brand-new, put
on
their
and
horses,
up in rows. The game was going to begin and
though it was not a child's amusement, we felt that
it was worth playing if directed by the strong hands
7
us
far
carried
so
so
well.
that had already
J
-et
;
cannot resist telling a story which shows how the easy concentraAn officer of
tion was regarded by the men who had made it possible.
the newly arrived brigade dined with the Sirdar at the Atbara.
What
sort of a journey up did you have ? inquired the General's Aide-de-Camp,
7
I
'
1
Captain Watson.
Oh,' replied the officer,
we had an awful time. It
Really
said Watson
took us ten days to get here.'
it took us three
years.'
Editor.
1
'
9
6
!
'
;
—
—
r
THE EIVER WA1!
30
CHAPTER XVI
THE
*
FINAL CONCENTRATION
— Preparations for the march —Transport
A protest —A personal digression —Lost in the desert —The Nile at
dawn —A magic word —Pantomime — The convoy again — Weary
animals — A khor —A motley troop — Magyriah — From the other side
The scenery — Metemma — The Imperial progress — Before Shabluka
— Under the palm-trees —The great camp — The Khalifa's mood
Some reflections — The grand army of the Nile — Dervish defences at
Shabluka— Up the Sixth Cataract with the flotilla— Round the heights
with the cavalry — Royan.
The cavalry convoy
El Tahra
Events now began to move rapidly.
Within three weeks
of the arrival of the reinforcements the
war was
within five weeks the British troops were returning
home.
There was no delay
at the
Atbara encampment.
Even before the whole of the second brigade had arrived,
some of its battalions were being despatched to Wad
Hamed, the new point of concentration. This
was a few miles north of Shabluka, and only fifty-eight
miles from Omdurman.
It was evident, therefore, that
the climax of the three years'
war approached.
The
Staff, the British infantry, one squadron, the guns and
the stores, were carried south in steamers and barges.
The Egyptian division had already marched to Wad
Hamed by brigades. The horses of the batteries, the
transport animals of the British division (about 1,400
Map, The Nile from Abu Hamed to Shabluka.' to face n
'
THE F1XAL COXCENTKATIOX
in
number), the chargers of the
31
officers,
some
cattle,
and most of the war correspondents were sent along the
left bank of the river escorted by two squadrons of
the 21st Lancers and two Maxim guns.
The convoy
was ordered
march
to
daylight
at
The squadron to which
not arrive until noon of the 14th.
August.
I
on the 16th of
was attached did
We
therefore
occupation to pass the hours of the single day
sufficient
during which we halted at the Atbara.
and forage
saddles, stores of all kinds,
had
first
itself a
very
had
The
horses,
for the
march,
to be transported across the river.
The Arab horses, although
considerable business.
stiff
This was in
from their long journey in train and steamer,
soon recovered their power of kicking and fighting, and
many
— though
refused to
4
they are
fearless
walk the plank
beasts
— obstinately
which led from the shore
Their objections were eventually over-
to the barge.
'
come, and as the boats were
across the Nile
by
translated
from
Despite her
name
the
the
little
filled
they were towed
steamer El Tahra, which,
Arabic,
means
The
the Tahra had a past, and
its
Virgin.
history
amuse the reader who has followed the long
sequence of events. She was originally one of General
Gordon's steamers, and had been sent to Khartoum in
ma}'
She had never been put together and when
sections.
the
town
fell
integrate.
the Dervishes captured the boat
They assembled
—
still
dis-
her, probably with the en-
forced assistance of their prisoners, and, since no infidel
foot
had ever
El Ta/wa.
defiled her deck,
proudly christened her
But the Tahra would be no Vestal, and
be £an a career of usefulness in 1896, after the action at
THE RIVER
32
WAR
Hafir, where, as has been related, she
fell
into the hands
of the Egyptian troops.
When
by her
the squadron had been transported
agency across the
river,
we camped
a
in
mud
fort
which had been among the works erected to resist
Mahmud. In this, our first bivouac by the banks of
the Xile, the enormous size of the river
came home
to
We
had followed its course nine days from
Khizam by steamer. At Haifa the railway had cut of!
Yet here was the
a loop of nearly seven hundred miles.
evervone.
Nile twice as large as before, a vast volume of brown,
swirling water streaming towards the sea with a current
of nearly six miles an hour and a surface which, dis-
turbed b}
frequent eddies and upheavals, resembled
r
when it is being filled.
next day we busied ourselves in
that of a deep lock
All the
for the
preparation
Saddles had to be cleaned, carbines
march.
and lances examined, horses to be exercised, stores to
be packed ready to load on the camels. It was night
was completed, and very few of the officers
had any opportunity of recrossing the river and studyThey were occupied
ing the attractions of the camp.
before
all
with the selection of their kits and in searching for
transport
convey
to
arrival in Cairo, I
were to take the
them
to
the
front.
had inquired on what
field.
On my
scale officers
It is usual in India to
publish
an order stating the conditions of the campaign and
whether the troops move on the 160-lb., the 80-lb.,
or the
the
'
40-lb.
80-lb.
scale.
scale.'
At the best I had hoped for
To my astonishment I learned
that officers were allowed 200 lbs. of baggage.
Such
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
oo
generosity was so unlooked for that I experienced a
Nevertheless on the principle of
feeling of incredulity.
much
you can, as far as you can,' I
selected a comprehensive and convenient kit, and drew
comparisons which were greatly to the disadvantage of
Here was the country where
the Indian Government.
Thus in hisrh
the individual officer was considered.
6
taking
as
as
content I had arrived at the Atbara.
round
my
for
I
now looked
Not an
There was none.
transport.
ounce of carrying power was provided for officers' baggage on the march. There were, however, plenty of
camels and donkeys for sale at high prices, and the sugThis digression
gestion was too plain to be ignored.
is
intended to introduce a protest against the unjust and
undignified principle of illegally squeezing
money
for
the public service out of the pockets of private indi-
Here was one
vidual-.
But the practice
case.
by
is
no means confined to Egypt or to active service. A
It is customary in
cavalry regiment goes to India.
India for the mounted soldiers to be protected on the
shoulders from sword-cuts by
Xo
chains.
It
is
irrant
suggested
perhaps
officers
50/.,
is
that
should
made bv
ever
either
be subscribed
by the men.
Year
private
On
soldiers are compelled to
means
a
considerable
incidental
expenses.
improper,
and
VOL.
II.
The
actually
Fund
contrary
to
every occasion
pay out of
system
to
is
camps and
proportion
whole
to
by the
—that
after year
manoeuvres are held in England.
and
the Government.
money, which amounts
the
or taken from the Canteen
say, subscribed
officers
epaulettes of steel
little
law.
of
is
their
the
mean,
In this
D
THE RIVER AVAR
34
instance a marvellous and necessary
some excuse
British
but
;
excuse
this
is
economy furnished
not one of which the
and Indian authorities ran well avail themselves.
Early on the morning of the 16th, while the stars
were yet in the sky, the convoy and its escort started.
The Lancers, with their broad helmet-shades, their volu-
minous
and
kits
were scarcely graceful.
horses,
little
Yet the khaki uniforms, the bandoliers filled with cardges, the lances with their pennons tightly rolled
an
lent
without
off
As
pleasure.
its
which was not
scene
of reality to the
air
the sun rose they
marched
towards the south, and soon were lost among the
thorny scrub and palm-trees.
remained behind, having to hand over surplus
I
stores,
and intending to catch up the column
evening at
first
its
camp, about
fifteen
the
in
miles away.
The business I had to do consumed more time than
I had anticipated, and it was not until the sun was on
the horizon that the little ferry steamer Tahra landed
me
again on the west bank.
the road.
just
'
It
made
inquiries about
1
You
camp-fires,
and
perfectly simple,' they said.
is
go due south
until
then turn towards the
I
I
you
see the
This I proceeded to do.
river.'
had gone about a mile when the sun sank and the
The bushes by the
world went into darkness.
Nile
were thick and thorny- and to avoid these I struck
into the desert, steering due south by keeping my back
to the Pole star.
hours, thinking
moment when
a drink.
all
I rode
on
at a trot for nearly
the time that
I sat
down
Suddenly, to
it
would be a welcome
to dinner,
my
two
and alx>ve
all
to
dismay, the sky began to
!
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
cloud over, and
my
guiding-star and the pointers of the
Great Bear faded and became
hour
I
was out
every moment.
At
was
I
disguised.
my old direction, but the
of my bearings grew stronger
pony
la^t the
Xo
lost.
truth could be no longer
dinner, no drink
whom
nothing
;
nothing to do but wait for daylight
;
One thing seemed clear in
futile to go on at random and
on
For another
invisible.
endeavoured to pursue
realisation that I
for the
35
alone depended
my
the obscurity.
It
was
to exhaust the animal
chance of catching up the
So I selected a sandy spot behind a rock and,
troops.
passing the reins round
my
endeavoured to
waist,
sleep.
p
Thirst and
vented
pony
the fidgeting of the
this,
effectually pre-
my
and philosophic meditation was
and altogether
sole
Although the
insufficient consolation.
sky remained clouded, the night was hot.
The view
in
every direction was concealed by the darkness, but the
barrenness of the desert was none the less apparent.
The
realisation
grew.
A
of
hot, restless,
waste
utter
its
and
desolation
weary wind blew continuously
with a mournful sound over the miles and miles of sand
and rock,
less
as if conscious of its
wind over
a sterile soil.
own
was
tot)
on, the
The
remote to be considered
annoyance
discomfort of
sensation
—a
my
at missing a
that
and
will not
It
was more wind
possibility of Dervishes
;
but as the night wore
needed dinner and the
position were intensified
horrible sensation
which a man
like
be stopped.
a rain-
:
In the distance there was
a noise like the rattle of a train.
blowing over more desert.
uselessness
feels
by another
of powerlessness, just
when
his
horse
bolts
Supposing morning should.
D 2
THE RIVER AVAR
3G
reveal nothing but desert, and
the trees
bv the Nile
should be hidden b) the ground and by the low
r
and knolls which rose on
all
sides
!
Of course, by
hills
riding
towards the rising sun, I must strike the Xile sooner or
later.
But how
was
far
I
from
The
it?
distance might be beyond the powers of
idea that the
my horse jarred
Reason, coming to the rescue, checked
unpleasantly.
such imaginings with the comfortable reflection that
twenty miles was the most
I could
have ridden
alto-
Meanwhile the hours passed without hurrying.
At about half-past three in the morning the clouds
gether.
cleared from one
part
constellation of Orion
giant look
more
came
splendid.
rode in his direction, for
lies
of the
north.
Never did the
Forthwith I mounted and
into view.
at this
along the Nile before
sky and the glorious
season of the year he
dawn with
his
head
to the
After two hours' riding the desert send) rose
into higher bushes,
and
these,
becoming more frequent
and denser, showed that the Nile was not far off.
Meanwhile the sky in the east began to pale, and
against it there drew out in silhouette the tracery of the
and palm-trees by the river's brink. The thirsty
pony pricked up his ears. In the gloom we brushed
through the thorny bushes, spurred on by a common
Suddenly the undergrowth parted, and at our
desire.
feet, immense and mysterious in the i>rowino- li<>ht.
foliage
gleamed the
river.
off
my
my
Here
have written much of the great
thrusts itself on the page.
Jumping
Nile.
it
I
horse, I walked into the flood
till it
knees, and began eagerly to drink
many a
thirsty
man
has done before
;
its
rose above
waters, as
while the pony,
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
plunging
his
37
nose deep into the stream, gulped and
gulped in pleasure and
swallow enough.
as
relief,
if
he could never
AVater had been found
;
it
remained
to discover the column.
After
much
riding I reached their camping-ground,
Thev had already marched.
There was a village near by. Once it had consisted of
many houses and had supported a large population.
Now only a few miserable people moved about the mud
walls.
War and famine had destroyed nine-tenths of
the inhabitants. I selected one of the remainder, whose
tarboush, or fez, proclaimed him a man of some selfonlv to find
it
deserted.
and perhaps even of some local importance,
He
and applied to him for breakfast and a guide.
respect,
spoke nothing but Arabic
:
I
only one word of that
we conversed fluently. By opening
and shutting my mouth and pointing to my stomach,
Then I
I excited his curiosity, if not his wonder.
language.
Still
employed the one and
indispensable
After that
all difficulties
Backsheesh!
a corner of the
mud
Arabic word,
melted.
From
house in which he lived he produced
From another corner
some doura satisfied the pony. From an inner apartment, which smelt stale and acrid, three women and
several children appeared. The women smiled amicably
and began to wait on me, handing me the dates one by
a clean white cloth
full
of dates.
one in fingers the dark skin of which alone protected them
from the reproach of dirt. The children regarded the
strangely garbed stranger with laro-e eyes which seemed
full
of reflection, but without intelligent result.
Mean-
while the lord of the-e splendours had departed with a
THE RIVER WAR
38
wooden bowl.
Presently
lie
returned, bearing
with fresh, sweet, but dirty milk.
repast which,
epicure,
mud
would not gratify the palate of the
if it
traveller.
proceeded to ask for information as to the
With
column.
red
This completed a
might yet sustain the stomach of the
I next
filled
it
the point of
my
sword
I
—
wall the picture of a Lancer
drew on the
grotesque, dis-
proportioned, yet, as the event proved, not unrecogni-
The women laughed, the man talked and gesEven the children became
ticulated with energy.
Such a one had passed
Yes, it was true.
excited.
sable.
through the village early that morning.
at the
one
sun and then to the eastern horizon.
— many.
—
lie
gone on
pointed
But not
He began to make scratches on the wall to
show how many.
river
He
They had watered
their horses in the
lapped vigorously from his hand
He
swiftly.
— and
pointed southwards, and
the motion of running.
Then he gazed hard
had
made
at
me,
and, with an expression of ferocious satisfaction, pro-
nounced the word
4
Omdurman.'
He was
of the Jaalin,
and, looking at the ruins and the desolation around,
I
could not wonder that he rejoiced that the strong and
implacable arm of civilisation was raised to chastise his
I replied to his speech
merciless enemies.
by repeating
with considerable solemnity the word Backsheesh, and
more ado, he put on his boots and
a dirtier blue shirt, picked up his broad-bladed sword,
and started. But I will not be wearisome with a
at this, without
further account of
my
wanderings in the riparian bush,
or of the -other meals of dates and milk I was forced,
and indeed
fain, to
eat.
In the evening I caught up
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
39
camp, and washed away the taste and
recollection of native food and native life with one of
the
column
at its
modern world.
In two marches the convoy had made
the most popular drinks of the
miles, and, although this
is
forty-five
no great distance for cavalry
moving independently, the necessity of conforming to the
long
seem
way
the
made
pack-animals
slow
the
of
pace
rocks
The
weary.
very
were
camels
The
tedious.
and
THE TRIUMPH OF ART
of the desert
had cut
ground had broken
their soft feet,
to
.99
and
on barges
o
make them march
all
stone on their backs.
tinct.
fight
After being cramped for nearly
scarcely energy to kick.
S5«TT?>v
The Arab horses
each other, and had
their toe-nails.
were no longer anxious to
a fortnight
and the uneven
in trucks,*
it
was a severe
trial
day long with nearly seventeen
However, the orders were dis-
The convov was
to reach
Wad Hamed
on the
THE RIVER WAR
40
Colonel Martin had no choice but to push on,
24th.
and the camels had perforce to 'pad the hoof the next
Several of the horses who had gone lame and
day.
The heat of the sun
could no longer march were shot.
was
intense,
and
was not long before men began
it
suffer as well as animals.
apoplexy occurred.
mound
in the river
Four or
to
five cases of heat
One ended .fatally, and a little
scrub marked the solitary crave of a
British soldier.
The next morning the march was resumed, and
this
day the road lay nearer the Nile among the thorn-
The dark, almost
bushes of the belt of vegetation.
trees
leafless
contrast
from
rose
the
pale
—black plants from a white
was impressively
sand
strong
in
The scenery
Yet the trees gave some shade,
stern.
soil.
we
eagerly
availed ourselves, only to be driven from the
ground
of which on
the
occasion of a halt
first
multitudes of ants whose tempers were as hot as the
sand in which they lived.
From
time to time a wide
detour was necessitated to avoid the khors,
were
full.
Perchance the reader's curiosity
know more
A khor is
exactly what a khor
Let
a water-course, usually dry.
be called a nullah
Australia a gutty.
is
is.
;
in
all
is
me
of
which
excited to
be
explicit.
In India it would
South Africa a donga
The dimensions vary
;
;
sometimes
in
it
a formidable ravine, at others merely a crease in the
sand.
When
these khors
lie
close to the flood Nile, the
waters of the river flow up
impassable.
They have
them and make them
the appearance of tributaries,
whereas they are just the reverse.
They
are
indeed
similar to the subsidiary canals of an irrigation system.
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
Iii
41
the Punjaub and in other parts of India the result
produced by
artificial
irrigation system,
devices
for
means.
But the Xile
and has found out
all
is
is
a natural
the eimrneerino-
Although they may obstruct the
itself.
path and delay the journey, the traveller assuaged by
a cool and unexpected drink will
we [rested by such
not complain.
a khor, and thus were
spared the extra mile of inarching to the river.
many more
In
A good
had gone lame, with a peculiar
form of laminitis which comes on quickly and is not
It is caused partly by the hard, hot ground
incurable.
horses
and partly by the sand wearing away the frog of the
and
hoof,
very painful.
is
The unfortunate horse can
hardly-walk, and doubtless takes each step with agony.
more were shot. More tales of woe came from
the camels, and the hardy mules alone remained
Several of the war correspondents also
contented.
Several
expressed themselves strongly about the length of the
marches and the practice of moving
day.
I
admit that
moon was
not then
in the heat of the
was undesirable, but as the
and the ground usually broken,
this
full,
march by night.
The next day all the cripples among the horses who
gave any hopes of getting well if they had a day's rest,
were relieved of their loads. To carry the men and
it
would have been impossible
to
twenty donkeys and a dozen
saddles
borrowed from the infantry transport.
troop
I
strange
war.
tiny
was given command.
one,
First
for
The
we moved with
came two
tall
camels
Of
this
spectacle
were
motley
was a
the precautions of
Lancers sitting sidewavs on
donkeys and carrying their carbines
in their hands.
THE RIVER AVAR
42
was a camel loaded up with saddles and
led by a sergeant on a mule. There followed a drove of
seven or eight little donkeys, carrying more saddles and
driven by an Arab boy and eighteen cavalry horses, all
dead lame, and led three at a time by Lancers on
Next
in order
;
Another sergeant with a lance prodded the
donkeys.
wretched beasts along, but
in spite of his efforts
occasionally stopped, jerking the Lancer
and whose donkey was unbridled,
Yet
ground.
destroy
led them,
ignominy to the
at the sight of the fateful pistol that
who could
all
in
who
they
must
not march they started again.
The rear of this strange procession was brought up bv
more camels with saddles, and one with two sick soldiers
in cacolets, holding on to an enormous Soudan umbrella,
and
—
if
the ridiculous
—by me.
march was
the
the reader can bear so swift a leap to
short
Thus we journeyed, and though
we
were, since our progress was
scarcely a mile and a quarter an hour, glad to reach
our destination after ten hours of sun and dust.
On
the morning of the fourth da}'
we reached
pleasant spot, and bivouacked in a great palm-grove
a
by
The ample foliage of the trees
gave an agreeable shade. The swift and abundant
the edge of the Nile.
.
waters of the
Not
far
away
who looked
river increased
the delicious coolness.
there was fair grazing for the horses,
The ground
was smooth, level, and soft to sleep on. More than
this, the Egyptian cavalry who had preceded us had
camped on this very spot, and had left a large number
of shelters cleverly made from the branches of the
palm-trees.
Here it was determined to halt for an
eagerly for some green thing.
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
43
and to
entire day, to let the transport animals recover
i>ive
its
The bivouac must take
village
Magyriah. It was
the horses a needed rest.
name from
the nearest
the most fertile
to see in the
—
and hospitable place
Soudan
;
it
was
my
fortune
and yet the dry earth was nearly
barren of grass, and thorn bushes cumbered the ground.
Only the river was splendid as it streamed by in a.
great flood, nearly a mile from bank to bank and very
Nor was
deep.
it
by any means
SIX MILES AN
deserted.
Steamboats,
HOUR
gunboats, tugs, sailing-vessels, natives floating swiftly
down stream on logs
great
waterway with
of
wood
life
or inflated skins,
and the
affairs of
filled
the
men. One by
one I watched seven steamers, each with four barges
lashed to its sides, beating their way up the Nile towards
Khartoum.
From end
to
end, from top
to
bottom,
they were crowded with the MaH-clad infantry of the
second British brigade.
bivouac
jokes
among
and
All
came near enough
to our
the palm-trees for the soldiers to shout
friendly
chaff
at
one
another.
Severa
a
WAR
THE EIVER
44
boats
we had
and half the
as
The Grenadiers, both Fusileer
could no longer march.
battalions,
on board such sick
to stop, to put
during the day.
Eifles passed us
General Gatacre and his aide-de-camp Captain Brooke
were on one of the steamers, and both came to
1
visit
our bivouac under the palm-trees.
It
was a remarkable sight
carrying up
British
to
infantry,
armed
to the teeth, as if they
stores,
dumping them down
tion
and returning swiftlv
watch these steamers
full
and
of fierceness
were so many tons of
at the point of concentra-
witli the
current of the river,
as if lio'ht-hearted as well as lightly laden, for more.
Nor was
it
a spectacle which the Dervishes would have
admired had they been there to
see.
Perhaps to these
savages, with their vile customs and brutal ideas,
we
The British subaltern, with his jokes, his cigarettes, his meat lozenges,
and his Sparklet soda-water, was to them a more
ferocious creature than any Emir or fanatic in Omdurman.
The Highlanders in their kilts, the white
appeared as barbarous aggressors.
loopholed gunboats, the brown-clad soldiery, and the
Lyddite shells
must
all
were
elements
of destruction
have looked ugly when viewed from the
And
opposite side.
yet there was no
terms but fight or death were offered.
or
apology
outrance.
which
could
The red
be
made.
The
way
No
nt
ion
was
a
repai
quarrel
light of retribution played
bayonets and the lances, and civilisation
No
out.
on the
—elsewhere
sympathetic, merciful, tolerant, ready to discuss or to
argue, eager to avoid violence, to submit to law, to
1
Captain E. G. Brooke, 7th Hussars.
THE FIXAL CONCENTRATION
compromise
effect a
4-3
—here advanced with an expression
of inexorable sternness, and, rejecting
all
other courses,
offered only the arbitrament of the sword.
Eefreshed and invigorated, horses and men, camels,
mules and donkeys started from the palm-grove after a
The road
day's rest.
still
lay in the bush
by
the river,
and we had further opportunities of studying the face
of the land and of .speculating on
The
its possibilities.
was here several miles broad, and
belt of vegetation
afforded a shelter to various creatures, both birds and
We
beasts.
had not proceeded
musketry from an advanced patrol
up his
drawn
ears.
But
when a splutter of
made everyone prick
far
was only a herd of gazelle that had
The antelopes fled from the encounter
it
their fire.
leaving one wounded,
who
followed more slowly and
was speared by the pursuing Lancers.
One
were the tracks of hares.
down
re
in a
volvers.
bush and had
He dodged
to
of these
was marked
run the gauntlet of a dozen
swiftly in
up by the
spurts of dust kicked
Here and there
and out among the
bullets, just like a
man
under similar circumstances, and so escaped, though
The
without dignity.
birds were
some of the smaller very
more numerous, and
beautiful.
Indeed, they are
the only bright
specks in the sombre picture of the
Soudan
Hardly
Few
scrub.
a butterfly
is
flowers
grow from
seen on the wing.
the
earth.
Coveys of sand-
grouse and sometimes a great bustard were flushed by
the advanced patrols, and near the village the trees were
full
of pigeons.
But
these, with every variety of biting,
crawling, stinging insect, completed the visible fauna.
The
villages themselves
were not without significance
THE RIVER
46
WAR
The whole bank of the river is dotted with them, and
their extent and number showed clearly that human
industry might
from the
soil
the future, as
in
But the
in ruins.
past, raise
livelihood of a
by the river-bank the
considerable population.
and
the
in
were empty
villages
Hardly an inhabitant was to be
seen.
Eiding in the woods, we might learn the explanation.
Under the
trees,
of the ground,
its
behind a broken wall, in a hollow
among
silent accusation,
the rocks, the skeleton
and imagination swiftly
made
filled in
the picture of the flying natives, hunted hither and
thither in the scrub, only to
clutches of their pursuers
the Baggara
Arab means.
been added the
fall
one by one into the
and learn what the mercy of
To
the cruelty of
hostility of Nature.
men had
Famine had com-
what war had begun. The riverain peoples, are
scarcely a tenth of what they were before the rise of
pleted
the
Mahdi and the
twentieth
of their
revolt in the
Soudan
number before the
scarcely a
;
first
Egyptian
conquest-
Continuing the march for twenty miles,
Metemma.
The convoy had
to
make
we reached
a deflection into
the desert to avoid the rocky hills near the Nile.
we turned again towards
on to the plain of Metemma.
After
came out
In the distance by the
water there rose a grove of palm-trees. To the right
a large expanse occupied by mud huts.
lay the town
The sun blazed over the scene, and we were glad to
this
the river, and
—
take refuge in the grove until the evening approached.
Then, while the shadows grew, we rode slowly on among
the sandhills which rise near the Nile, and bivouacked
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
47
about two miles south of the town, almost on the spot
where the Desert Column had reached the hard-won
Several officers rode over
water thirteen years before.
Abu Kru
the field of
— or
Gubat, as
The trenches which the
called.
sometimes
is
it
dug when they waited before Metemma
1885 are
in
visible, as are also the
graves of the officers and
who perished there.
we looked at the
was with
It
had
British soldiers
still
men
a strange emotion that
scene of the end of that historic
march, and reflected on the mournful news the steamers
had
dared
who
those
to
Khartoum
from
back
brought
<-
With the ground before me I could
encumexhausted,
weak,
Column
Desert
the
ne
imag
bered with wounded, yet spurred by a maddening
when
or,
the
river;
towards
painfully
toiling
thirst
and done so much.
—
—
they had learned they were too
marching
late,
off
We
disconsolately across the plain towards the north.
were the
first
British soldiers to
Instead
since then.
continual attack,
picket
line.
already
we
of having to hold
The receding
tides
the ground
out
of barbarism
was
already
at
Wad
Hamed,
had
Omdurman
high and dry.
remained, but no one doubted the issue.
that
against
and with a slender
slept peacefully
Metemma
left
camp on
the
The
army
steamers
gunboats
the
battalions,
fresh
up
towing
were
that
dominating the river, the railway that poured
supplies
the
to
were
front,
There would be no mistake.
strong enoimh it had started
;
the
year;
it
had plenty
satisfactory thoughts a
conclusive
evidence.
The expedition was
at
the best season
of time.
mournful
of
Yet amid such
reflection obtruded.
THE RIVER WAR
48
We
also
were too
the lonely
late
—
man who had
mouldered in
thirteen years too late
and
;
looked for help had long since
a nameless grave.
Is this
our method of war and conquest
always to be
—blunders,
follies,
bloodshed, an ill-timed or ill-conceived expedition, use-
heroism and withdrawal, and then years afterwards
less
army
a great
striking an
Government of India
Buner and 1,000 soldiers
In 1898 another com-
assailed
on the Umbeyla
?
In 1803 the
has been so on other occasions.
It
fell
overwhelming blow
Pass.
2
mander with a stronger force invaded the country
and subdued the tribesmen with the loss of a single
man. It may be so in South Africa, too at any rate,
we have the shame and failure perhaps the rest will
;
—
The
follow.
pity
is
that the
first
cannot be made the
successful expedition, and that the lash of disaster or
defeat
is
always needed before victory
is
won.
The town of Metemma is a study in sepia nor
would the artist who should paint it require any other
Before it stretches the plain where Mali mud
colour.
and his army of nearly 20,000 men and women were
encamped for several weeks at the beginning of the
The whole place was covered with the bones
year.
;
of animals, and not always of animals.
donkeys, and
camels,
from their
strips
within
—dotted
ffarbage
Fat,
ribs
mules
and
the ground.
was strewn about.
bald-headed
vultures
— the
hide
Carcases of
hanging
in
revealing dark cavities
Every kind of
filth
and
There was a sickly smell.
circled
lazily
overhead
composedly up to the cavalry, as
and waddled
2
Major-General Sir Bindon Blood.
if
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
49
speculating on the value of their reversions.
All was
Nor were we sorry
to depart
squalid and miserable.
after the night
was passed.
The slow pace and the heat of the
sun, while they
did not depress the spirits of the cavalry, increased
their desire to conclude the
The reader may
march.
be tired of the peregrinations in the bush, and share
with the squadrons the satisfaction of arriving at
Wad
The two marches on from Metemma passed
uneventfully; nor can I recall any circumstance which
On the morning of the
is worthy of record or remark.
24th of August the convoy approached its destination.
Hamed.
In the distance over the tops of the scrubby bushes
we
could see the dust-clouds which marked the great
camp, and beyond these again there rose the long, dark
range of Shabluka, the
army and the Dervish
last
strong position between the
capital.
was about two o'clock and during the greatest
heat of the day that the Lancer squadrons emerged
It
from the scrub, trotted across the open space which
had
around the zeriba been cleared of bushes, and
all
camp
entered the
at
Wad
Hamed.*
Several officers of
the Staff and of the Egyptian cavalry had ridden out to
meet
us,
and
to witness the
cavalry on active service.
cipal
entrance, Ave
unusual spectacle of British
Passing through the prin-
made our way
to the appointed
camping-ground, attracting the attention of
all
men
some by our appearance, others by the clouds of dust
which rose from the horses' feet, and was whirled all
a mono-
the tents and
Map,
VOL.
II.
'
bivouacs by the strong south
The Grand Advance,'
to face
page 80.
E
THE RIVER
-50
WAR
The distance was short, and the regiment dismounted on a smooth piece of ground close to the
river-bank.
Here an agreeable surprise awaited the
troopers.
A numerous fatigue party of Egyptian
wind.
cavalrymen arrived to water, picket, and
horses,
the
feed
and help the marching column to pitch
their
The hospitable forethought of the Egyptian
cavalry officers had also provided a meal for the weary
men, which was now ready in a palm-leaf shelter near
the lines.
The British soldier's heart was touched.
His sense of gratitude was aroused.
The Lancers
never forgot the incident, and thereafter loudly and
consistently proclaimed that 'them Egyptians' (they
would never call them Gippies ') were good enough,
camp.
6
despite their
The
'ides.'
officers
halted to
invitation.
4
were not forgotten, and, as we had not
eat since daylight, Ave gladly accepted an
In a pleasant grove of palms
patch of green and shade for miles
cellent
when
— the
only
— we discussed an ex-
luncheon with our amiable hosts.
Afterwards,
the cigarette-smoke curled upwards in the
still,
hot
annoy the beetles on the palm-trees, we discussed
many other subjects, and spoke of war and sport, of
the impending battle and the Gaiety burlesque, of the
air, to
Khalifa and the Cesarevitch.
All the thirteen squadrons of cavalry remained three
days longer at
Wad
march we were glad
about, of visiting
Hamed.
After the fatigues of the
have an opportunity of looking
regiments known under other circumto
and of writing a few letters. This last was the
most important, for it was now known that after leaving
stances,
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
Wad Hamed
51
would be no post or communication
with Cairo and Europe until the action had been fought
and all was over. The halt was welcome for another
reason.
It
there
The camp
itself
was well worth looking
at.
lay lengthways along the river-bank, and was nearly
two miles from end
The Nile secured it from
On the western and southern
to end.
attack towards the east.
^ides
were strong
lines of
and forming a zeriba
by a deep
;
artificial
waters of the river to
down
and the north face was protected
watercourse which allowed the
make
Standing on the bank of
see the
thorn bushes, staked
this
a considerable inundation.
work, the observer might
whole camp displayed.
Far away to the south-
ward were the white tents of the British division. A
little nearer rows and rows of grass huts and blanket
shelters displayed the bivouacs of the Egyptian and
The Sirdar's large white tent,
with the red flag of Egypt flying from a high staff, stood
on a small eminence. To the right the grove of palmtrees marked the mess of the officers of the Egyptian
cavalry.
The whole riverside was filled by a forest of
masts.
Crowds of gyassas, barges, and steamers were
moored closely together and while he looked at the
furled sails, the tangled riggings, and the tall funnels it
Soudanese brigades.
;
was easy for the spectator to imagine that
the docks of
some populous
this
was
city in a well-developed
The foreground of the picture was
occupied by the cavalry lines, which covered a large
and
civilised land.
a rea
of ground, and the spectacle of successive rows of
horses'
backs was,
But the
if
not imposing, at least remarkable.
significance of the picture
grew when the
E 2
'
THE RIVER WAR
52
mind, outstripping the eye, passed beyond the long, low
heights
of the gorge and cataract of Shabluka and
contemplated the ruins of Khartoum and the city of
Omdurman.
There were known to be at
thousand fighting-men collected
We might imagine
in their last
least
fifty
stronghold.
the scene of excitement, rumour, and
The Khalifa declares
The
that he will destroy the impudent invaders.
Mahdi has appeared to him in a dream. Countless
The
angelic warriors will charge with those of Islam.
resolve in the threatened capital.
'enemies of God*
Loud
whiten the broad plain.
many
and
perish
will
is
their
the boasting, and
are the oaths which are taken, as to
ment the
infidel
The
streets
resound with their voices.
of fear.
what
treat-
dogs shall have when they are come
to the city walls.
and defiance.
bones will
And
swarm with men and
Everywhere
yet over
all
is
preparation
hangs the dark shadow
Nearer and nearer comes
this great serpent of
an army, moving so slowly and with such terrible
A week ago it was
deliberation, but always moving.
sixty miles away,
twenty miles
now
it is
will intervene,
but
Xext week on
fifty.
and then the creep of the
serpent will cease, and, without argument or parley,
one way or the other the end
will
come.
was a strange war, in every way different from
other expeditions on which British troops are sent.
Usually the game gets warmer by degrees. One day
It
comes the news that a patrol of the enemy has been
The next there is some
seen -perhaps fired on.
—
skirmishing at the outposts and a few
are brought into camp.
Then
there
is
a
wounded men
little
1
sniping
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
dashin
53
Gradually the forces close
and the more serious operations develope.
But
this
was
There were no enemv within thirty miles of
Hardlv a shot had been fired since the action on
different.
us.
The camp was
And yet we knew
the Atbara in April.
Aldershot or Bisley.
ing the guns would begin to
as peaceful as
that one morn-
and a big battle open.
fire
The consciousness of the impending event coloured
most people's thoughts and actions, although it was
In the lomr avenue of life which draws
little discussed.
away from the eye of youth there was an obstruction.
Something lay across the track and blurred or obscured
that
all
was beyond.
seemed certain
on the further
;
the strange barrier
)r
to
point
this
everything
was misty and
side all
Nevertheless everyone was ea^er to examine
vague.
(
Up
;
and that
there was another
—Wad
Hamed
as speedily as
might be.
picture which rose in the
The camp was
again pitched by the river-bank. The men had their
towards home. The boats were
faces to the north
moored to the bank. The horses stood quietly in their
lines.
The canvas city was full of life and movement.
some had been left further
Yet some were missing
It remained unsouth.
The question was, Who ?
mind
a month
later.
—
;
Nor
answered.
be answered.
did the wise
man
wish that
The great romance
of
life
we skip the pages and look on ahead or
Such
reflections,
the order to
necessities
camp was
which
in the
should
spoiled
if
to the end.
camp were
cut short
march, are now interrupted by the
The road to the next
though Eoyan island, opposite
of the narrative.
a long
is
it
one
;
for
:
THE KIVER
•34
to
which the
site for
was only seven miles
to
march
the next
camp had been
in the direct line,
miles
eight
WAR
into
the
it
selected,
was necessary
desert
avoid the
to
Shabluka heights, and then to turn back to the
The
were
infantry
therefore
provided with
Nile.
camel
transport to carry sufficient water in small iron tanks
for
one night
half-way,
morning,
and they were thus able
;
and
to
thus
to bivouac
complete the journey on the next
making
a
two days' march.
The
mounted troops, who remained at Wad Iiamed till all
had 2fone south, were ordered to move on the 27 th,
and by a double march catch up the rest of the army.
Wad Hamed
then ceased for the time being to exist
except in name.
All
the stores and transport were
moved by land or water to the south of Shabluka, and
an advanced base was formed upon Eoyan island.
Communications with the Atbara encampment and with
Cairo were dropped, and the army carried with it in its
boats sufficient supplies to last until after the capture
of
Omdurman, when
the
immediately sent back.
It
British
division
would be
was calculated that the scope
of this operation would not be greater than three weeks,
and on the 27th the army was equipped with twenty-one
days' supplies, of which two were carried by the troops,
five
by the regimental barges, and fourteen
transport
sailing-vessels.
posited at
Eoyan
island,
in the
army
All surplus stores were de-
where a
field hospital
was
also
formed.
The Expeditionary Force which was thus concentrated,
moment
equipped,
and supplied
of the Eiver
for
the
War, was organised
culminating
as follows
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
Commander-in-Chief:
55
THE SIRDAR
The British Division
Major-General Gatacre Commanding
1st
Brigade
2nd Brigade
4
Brigadier-Gen. Lyttelton
1st Btn. Northumberland Fusileers
Grenadier Guards
Lancashire Fusileers
2nd
Brigadier-Gen. Wauchope
1st Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regt
3
91
Lincoln Regiment
Cameron Highlanders
Seaforth Highlanders
9?
Rifle Brigade
The Egyptian Division
Major-General Hunter Commanding
1st
Col.
MacDonald
Col.
Col. Lewis
Maxwell
XHth Soudanese
3rd Egyptians
4th
XHIth
7th
XlVth
15th
8th Egyptians
2nd Egyptians
IXth Soudanese
Xth
Xlth
21st Lancers
Colonel Martin
•>
4th Brigade
Col. Collinson
1st Egyptians
3rd Brigade
2nd Brigade
Brigade
5th {half) „
17th
„
18th
„
Mounted Forces
Camel Corps
Major Tudway
Colonel Broadwood-
8 companies
9 squadrons
4 squadrons
Egyptian Cavalry
Artillery
Colonel Long Commanding
37th
t)
||
The Horse
(with 2 40-pounder guns) 8 guns
6
(5 -inch Howitzers)
95
Battery, E.A. (Krupp)
axim
Egyptian
•{
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
6
6
11
6
If
6
6
5?
5?
Machine Guns
6
Detachment 16th Co. Eastern Division R.A.
British
Koyal Irish Fusileers
Maxima
|
4
i
5 '
2
Egyptian
f
x
4
1
Maxim guns
batteries
to
each of the
five
Egyptian
10
Brigadier-General H. G. Wauchope, C.B., C.M.G.
Brigadier-General Hon. N. G. Lyttelton, C.B.
Colonel B. M. Martin, 21st Lancers.
J5
WAR
THE RIVER
56
"
Engineers
Detachment of Royal Engineers
The
Flotilla
Commander Keppel
1898 Class armoured screiv gunboats
(3)
2 Nordenf eldt guns
Sultan
Melik
Sheikh
.
1
{
each carrying
y 8
'
^k-firing 12-pounder
J
11 Howitzer
4
Maxims
1896 Class armoured stern- wheel gunboats (3)
Fateh
1 quick-firing 12-pon
v
Naser
I
each carrying J 2 6-pounder guns
)
Zafir
4 Maxims
gun
/
1
Old Class armoured stern-wlieel gunboats
(4)
Tamai
Hafir
6
Abu Klea
Metemma
each carrying
1
1
12 "P°™der g«n
(2 Maxim-Nordenfeldt guns
t
Steam Transport
~>
Steamers
:
Dal, Akasha, Tahra, Okma, Kaibar.
The total strength of the Expeditionary Force
amounted to 8,200 British and 17,600 Egyptian
soldiers, with 44 ouns and 20 Maxims on land, with
36 guns and 24 Maxims on the river, and with 2,469
horses, 896 mules, 3,524 camels, and 229 donkeys,
besides followers and private animals.
While the armv was
of the river
irregulars,
— the
to
move along
Omdurman
side
had broken
•been
West bank
force of Aral)
clear
would
that of any
tribes,
All the debris which the Egyptian advance
off
Empire was thus to be
State.
Eager to plunder,
the Dervish
hurled against that falling
6
a
formed from the friendly
march along the East bank and
Dervishes.
—
the
The steamer El Teb, wrecked at the Fourth Cataract
refloated, and to change the luck was renamed Hafir.
in 1897,
had
THE FINAL CONCENTliATIOX
57
anxious to be on the winning side, Sheikhs and Emirs
Soudan had hurried,
with what following the years of war had left them, to
Wad Hamed. On the 26th of August the force of irrejm-
from every tribe
lars
in the Military
numbered about 2,500 men,
also comprising
vivors, but
principally Jaalin sur-
bands and individuals of
Hadendoa from Suakin
camel-breeders of Batahin. who had
Bisharin
of
;
suffered a bloodv
;
diminution
vexatious
:i
Gordon s
and lastly some Girniab Arabs under
Znbair Pasha.
The command of the
at the Khalifa's
allies
of Shukria, the
;
;
reputed son of
hands
;
of Shaiggia,
7
whole motley force was given to Major Stuart-Wortley,
Lieutenant
Wood accompanying it
8
of these
the position
as Staff Officer
among
officers
the
Earned, and
made
to
and
cowed and
untrustworthy Arabs was one of considerable
Meanwhile we waited our turn
:
peril.
march
at
Wad
ourselves as comfortable as possible.
Every few hours the camp dwindled, and acres of
blanket shelters or white tent
and
left
bare
ir
-
collapsed, disappeared,
round behind, thus marking the de-
partures of the different divisions and brigades.
the
26th
the
arrived, having
and steamer.
squadron of
third
the
21st
On
Lancers
come the whole way from Cairo by rail
Thev had, however, waited a week at
the Atbara, and their horses were not so
stiff
as ours
their
welcomed
bv
Thev were eagerly
n
comrades who had marched, and were overwhelmed
with tales of hardship and fatigue, which they received
had been.
without interest, beimr anxious to
tell
of their
<
7
"
Montagu- Stuart-Wortley, C.M.G., 60th Rifles.
Lieutenant C. M. A. Wood, Northumberland Fusileers.
Major E.
J.
own
THE RIVER
58
experiences on the river.
WAR
The regiment was
at last
complete and formed three squadrons, each at least
For the purposes of the war they were
130 strong.
now formed
into four squadrons,
by an extraordinary
operation which must be more fully discussed in the
chapters reserved for military and other criticism.
While the infantry
divisions
the heights of Shabluka to the
island, the steamers
were marching round
camp
opposite
Koran
and gunboats ascended the stream
and passed through the gorge, dragging up with them
The northern
end of the narrow passage had been guarded by the
five Dervish forts, which now stood deserted and dismantled. They were well built, and formed nearly a
straight line
four on one bank and one on the
other. Each fort had three embrasures, and may, when
the whole fleet of barges and gyassas.
—
occupied, have been a formidable defence to the cata-
The embrasures were badly designed, and allowed
no sweep of fire to the guns. Some tactical knowract.
ledge was, however, displayed in the construction of the
They could combine
works.
was held on
end.
Much
strict
tactical
their
fire,
and the gorge
principles at the enemy's
care had been devoted to the building of
we might imagine
their garrisons when the
these defences, and
the doubt and
the suspicion of
Khalifa ordered
The great guns, by which such
store was set, must be hoisted out and towed back
to Omdurman.
The forts, which had taken so many
their
abandonment.
weeks to build, were to be relinquished.
was not
well.
Surely
all
Yet the Khalifa had said that he would
destroy the infidel pigs on the Kerreri Plain, and had
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
59
who
stands before
not the counsels of the Mahdi,
lie
Throne of the True God, amid the choicest houris
of Paradise ? It were impious to question.
Perchance
the
it
was
a trap
— a stratagem.
Thrashing up against the current, the gunboats and
stern-wheelers
The
Nile,
to a bare
one after another entered the gorge.
which below
cliffs,
nearly a mile across, narrows
The pace of the stream becomes
200 yards.
more swift. Great
High on either side
is
swirls
and eddies disturb
rise black,
its
surface.
broken, and precipitous
looking like piles of stones thrown carelessly on a
roadway.
Through and among them the
flood-river
poured with a loud roaring, breaking into foam and
rapids wherever the submerged rocks were near the
Between the barren heights and the water
surface.
is
The bright verdant
colour seems the more brilliant by contrast with the
muddy water and the sombre rocks. It was a forbidding passage. A few hundred riflemen scattered Afridi-
a strip of green bushes
wise
the
among
mud
and
grass.
the tops of the
forts
by
hills,
a few field-guns in
the bank, and the door
would be
shut.
was fortunate that the Khalifa had decided to
back to Kerreri or Omdurman. But for this the
It
fall
name
'
Shabluka
'
strange significance
might have been invested with a
;
for the attack of
such a position
would have been a costly enterprise. It is true that
it could be turned from the landward side by troops
marching eight miles into the desert. But even then
it would have been a difficult place to assault.
The
broken ground would have sheltered a swarm of riflemen.
The hollows among the
hills
might have con-
THE
60
11IVER
WAR
The turning force would
have had to leave the river, and fight with the
wilderness behind it, and with only such water as
Nor could the gunboats
could be carried on camels.
cealed masses of spearmen.
have assisted; for until the heights were taken the
gorge was closed, and the steamers could onlv have
ascended at the greatest
restricted
while
peril,
bv the walls of rock on
their lire
was
either bank.
t
What seems
really wonderful
is
that the Nile has
not discovered that the Shabluka ridge can be turned.
Why
a river should charge a range of mountains
force a
wav through
their rocks,
when
and
the circle of a
few miles would have given a sand bed and an unobstructed channel
onlv
is
difficult
conclude that the
gorge
to
of
We
explain.
the
can
Shabluka
igneous, not aqueous, and that the Nile found
its
is
bed
made by an even mightier hand.
The mounted forces marched from Wad Hamed at
dawn on the 27th and, striking out into the desert,
already
skirted the rocky hills.
Besides the 21st Lancers and
nine squadrons of Egyptian cavalry, the column con-
Camel Corps, 800 strong, and the battery of
Horse Artillery and it was a fine sight to see all these
horsemen and camel-men trotting swiftly across the
tained the
;
sand by squadrons and companies, with a great cloud of
dust rising from each and drifting away to the north-
As
ward.
the road lay close to the heights,
we were
which the
Dervishes had abandoned without a struggle and when
we rounded the long ridge and turned again to the
able to admire the strength of the position
;
Nile,
it
was with the
satisfaction
of
knowing that
THE FINAL CONCENTRATION
lav
between the army and
Kerreri hills
any enemy
and the enemy
;
its
(31
goal except the
indeed, there were
if,
— a fact which some had begun to doubt.
As the cavalry neared the camp, and the bushes
be</an to get thicker and taller, we overtook the two
infantry brigades
their half-way
who had
started at daybreak
camping-ground and were
still
from
on the
They had had a long march, and we reduced our
pace and picked our way, to avoid smothering them with
our dust. In consequence we all reached the camp at
Uoyan together. The zeriba had been already made
and much of the ground cleared by the energy of the
road.
Soudanese division, which had been the
first
to arrive.
advanced depot was established at Eoyan island,
which was covered with white hospital tents, and near
An
which there was a perfect forest of masts and sails. The
tall, gleaming, white shapes of the gunboats rose above
the jungle
— a curious spectacle.
The barges and boats
containing the stores and kits awaited the troops, and
they had oidy to
shelter
bivouac along the river-bank and
themselves as quickly as
possible
from the
fierce heat of the sun.
The dark
hills
of Shablnka,
among and beneath
which the camp and army nestled, lav behind us now.
To the south the country appeared a level plain covered
and only broken by occasional peaks of
rock.
The eternal Xile flowed swift lv bv the tents
and shelters, and disappeared mysteriously in the gloom
with bush
and on the further bank there rose a
from the top of which
great mountain
Jebel Eoyan
it was said that men might see Khartoum.
of the gorge:
—
—
THE RIVER AVAR
62
CIIA1TKK XVII
THE
(i
RAND
A
I)
VANCE
— Under great trees — Woman's rights — The loss
of a gunboat — Dervish mining — Through the hush— A notable capof Merreh — The enemy in sight — The prisoner
ture — On the
again —The night of the 30th — The advance continues — The infantry
on the inarch —With the cavalry once more — The Dervish encampment — A reckless patrol — The gunboat —The telegraph — The night
The army on the march
hill
of the 31st of August.
The whole army broke ramp
August
Wady
at lloyan
on the 28th of
at four o'clock in the afternoon,
and marched to
el
1
Abid, six miles further south.
We now moved
which could immediately be converted
This was the first time that
into a fighting formation.
infantry,
it had been possible to see the whole force
on the inarch at once. In the clear
cavalry, and guns
air the amazing detail of the picture was displayed.
on a broad
front,
—
—
composed of twentyfour battalions; yet every battalion showed that it
was made up of tiny figures, all perfectly defined on the
There were
six brigades of infantry,
The cavalry, starting later, rode through the
army, and had an excellent view of the whole scene
plain.
;
and the impression of straight lines and clean-cut
blocks of men of varied race and different uniform,
yet
all
clothed in the
1
On
brown colours of
field service,
the left bank of the Nile opposite I'm Teref.
—
THE GRAND ADVANCE
and
all
looking forward over the plain with interested
and confident
eyes,
were that desired.
colours in
its
a
leading company.
its
Nor were
1
Seaforths
the
The Grenadiers had
by which they set great
marched under a yellow
ensign
little
the
was one not to be forgotten, even
Every Egyptian battalion carried
without their emblems.
British
63
store, while
which
flaa*
bore their crest and the motto Cuidich n righ
—
'
I serve
The other regiments had indulged their
fancies, and the Divisional Staff was marked bv the
gaudy Union Jack made of silk and torn by the
Such was
bullets in the attack on Mahmud's zeriba.
King.'
CD
the
the
moving panorama.
A
Soudanese brigade had been sent on to hold the
ground with pickets
But a
a zeriba.
until the troops
single Dervish
had constructed
horseman managed to
evade these and, just as the light faded, rode up to the
Warwickshire
Regiment and flung
man
bold
this
broad-bladed
So great was the astonish-
spear in token of defiance.
ment which
his
unexpected apparition created, that the
actually
made good
his
escape uninjured.
We
camped that night under great trees, and the fact
that it was dark before the zeriba was finished kept
many of the troops at work till a late hour. The
The
21st Lancers bivouacked close to the Nile bank.
was here
river
very
deep
close
forward eagerly
of our
horses, stretching
fell
and was instantly swept
1
in.
The
;
away.
and
to
one
drink,
After that
army have only one colour, which is
each company carries a camp colour of different
battalions of the Egyptian
but besides this
design according to the
green
inshore,
officer's taste.
Editor.
;
THE
04
IirVKli
wa
1
At length,
they had to be watered from nose-bans.
however, silence descended on the camp, and the sleep
army was only disturbed by the multitudes of
insects, centipedes, scorpions, and other odious, crawling
of the
creatures
On
who
the 29th the
all coiners.
forces remained
Um
halted at
and only the Egyptian cavalry went
Trref,
out
to
They searched the country for eight or
and Colonel Broadwood returned in the
reconnoitre.
nine
held the ground against
miles,
afternoon, having found a convenient camping-ground,
but nothing
The
else.
were greatly perturbed
been employed on
I
of the
officers
their regiment not
at
this reconnaissance.
remembered the wav
Lancers
21st
which
in
having
my
For
part
British cavalry are
treated in India, being deprived of any opportunity of
seeing active service, and I
the -ame in the Soudan.
Sirdar,
they
was afraid that
be
kept
might be
Colonel Martin went to the
and expressed the alarm of
should
it
his regiment lest
and
reserve,
in
the
Sirdar
promised that he would find them something to d
which he afterwards kept
We
had the day
our friends in
t]ie
to ourselves,
camp or
invaluable Soudan umbrellas
there like
quarters
mushroom
—or under
and passed
it
visiting
resting either under the
—which,
rising here
and
marked the officers'
whose leaves irave agood
clusters,
the trees,
shade and some relief from the glare. Fatigue parties
of Egyptian soldiers soon arrived with axes to destroy
these natural shelters that the
gunboats might have
wood, and
were cut down except
le
in spite of protests all
because
it
gave shade to the
THE GRAND ADVANCE
mess and partly because
it
was
65
too thick, was
left
which arose out of
this
standing.
One
incident I
must
relate
The army had been accompanied by a
large number of black women, presumably the wives
These the Sirdar had
of the Soudanese soldiers.
wood-cutting.
THE SOUDAN UMBRELLA
constantly endeavoured to banish, refusing to
make any
them and forbidding them to follow the
But they treated his orders with proline of march.
found disdain, and they were seen daily trudging along
after the troops, carrying their goods and chattels on
their heads, in spite of the dust, the sun, the danger, and
F
VOL. XL
provision for
—
THE RIVER WAR
06
the length of the road.
bad often
I
felt
sorry for them
Yet I suppose theirs was a labour
of love. Four of these beauties were now encamped
advanced
soldier
Egyptian
stalwart
A
tree.
a
beneath
and
their fatigues.
Forthwith
orders.
his
to
according
down
to cut
they summoned him to desist, and on his paying no
it
attention to
their
imprecations the whole four rose
bunch and rushed upon him, knocking him down,
beating him, and pulling his ears. The soldier, rising
with a "reat effort, succeeded in freeing himself, and
in a
by the taunts of the damsels,
which was not cut
their tree
incontinently fled, pursued
who
retired
again to
down.
Conversation throughout the
the news of two river disasters
the second to our foes.
On
camp was
—the
tending thereafter to ascend
—overtaken now,
on Dongola, by misfortune
spite
first
to ourselves,
the 28th the gunboat Zafir
was steaming from the Atbara
Suddenly
stimulated by
to
Wad Hanud,
in-
the Shahluka Cataract.
as on the eve of the advance
—she sprang a
leak, and, in
of every effort to run her ashore, foundered
deep water near Metemma. The
board, among whom was Keppel, the
by the
head
officers
on
commander
in
of the whole
flotilla,
had scarcely time to
leap from the wreck, and with difficulty
made
their
where they were afterwards found
verv cold and hungry. The Sirdar received the newHis calculations were disturbed by the
at Roy an.
way
to the shore,
loss
of a powerful vessel, and
it
was expected
that
he would not be good company after hearing the
report.
But he had allowed
for
accidents,
and
in
THE GRAND ADVANCE
07
consequence accepted the misfortune very phlegmatiThe days of struggling warfare were over, and
cally.
the
General knew that he
had
a
margin of
safe
strength.
The other catastrophe afflicted the Khalifa, and its
advancing army by the
tale was brought to the
who
Intelligence spies,
forces
were closing
to
the last
— even
when
the
— tried to pass between them.
Not
#
building
with
content
batteries
along
the
banks,
Abdullahi, fearing the gunboats, had resolved to mine
An
the river.
old officer of the old Egyptian army,
long a prisoner in
Omdurman, was brought from
and ordered
chains
were
boilers
filled
to
construct mines.
with gunpowder, and
it
Two
his
iron
was arranged
these should be sunk in the Xile at convenient
that
Buried in the powder of each, was a loaded
spots.
pistol
On
with a string attached to the trigger.
the string the pistol,
and consequently the mine, would
So the Khalifa argued;
was resolved to lay one mine
be exploded.
wrong.
17th of
It
A
i
in' ii.^t
pulling
nor was he
first.
the Dervish steamer Ismailia
On
the
moved out
into the middle of the Xile, carrying one of the boilers
fullv
charged and equipped with
pistol
detonator.
Arrived at the selected spot, the great cylinder of
powder was dropped over the side. Its efficiency as
a destructive engine was immediately demonstrated,
on the string being pulled by accident, the
discharged itself, the powder exploded, and the Ismailia
for,
and
on board were blown to pieces. f
Undeterred bv the loss of life, and encouraged by
all
the manifest
power of the contrivance, the Khalifa
F 2
THE RIVER
68
WAR
be
to
boilers
two
the
of
second
the
ordered
immediately
sunk in the stream.
been killed by
As
the old Egyptian officer
the explosion, the
Emir
had
in charge of the
arsenal was entrusted with the perilous business.
He
taken
first
having
and,
occasion,
the
to
however,
rose,
the precaution of letting the water into the boiler so as
to
the powder, he succeeded in laying the second
damp
mine in mid-stream,
to the joy
and delight of Abdullahi,
who. not understanding that it was now
whelmed him with praise and presents.
useless, over-
Beguiled with such stories and diversions, the day
of rest at
beetles,
Wady el Abid
passed swiftly.
bugs, and ants as before,
Night brought
and several men
—
were stung by scorpions a most painful though not
dangerous affair. Towards morning it began to rain,
and everyone was drenched and chilled, when the
sun rose across the river from behind a great conical
and dispersed the clouds into wisps of creamy
Then we mounted and set out. This day the
flame.
army moved prepared for immediate action, and all
hill
the cavalry were thrown out ten miles in front in a
great screen which reached from the gunboats on the
liver to the Camel Corps far out in the desert.
The 21st Lancers were on the* left nearest the Nile,
and had consequently the thickest scrub to search.
The squadron to which I was then, and I trust the
reader is now, attached was the left of the whole line
and in the most dense bush. It was impossible to see
a hundred yards, and it was with the greatest difficulty
that
connection with
the
squadrons was maintained.
supporting
and
The thorny bushes
flanking
necessi-
THE GRAND ADVANCE
tated continual detours, and
it
69
was almost impossible
to
Had the enemy been wise
men could have delayed the
preserve the true direction.
hundred well-posted
five
whole advance and inflicted severe
loss.
It
was necessary
to proceed with the very greatest caution, halting con-
and always expecting a shot. But none came.
The woods were as silent as the grave. Here and there
tinually
we discovered
deserted Dervish encampments
— one
of
Hundreds of angaribs lay scattered
around, with earthenware vessels and the ashes of
numerous fires. These signs of the enemy greatly
considerable
size.
excited the Lancers,
who ranged about
the scrub like
a pack of hounds.
At length the bush became
desirable to dismount a few
in front
ten
a
and
fire
so thick that
men with
carbines to
should they see anyone.
At
half-past
glimpse of the Dervishes was obtained.
horsemen appeared
galloped away.
for a
The
moment
in a clearing,
was
go on
it
Two
and then
soldiers did not fire, not
having
yet disabused their minds of the idea that they would
do wrong
to kill a
man.
After another mile
tion,
we
halted to ensure communica-
and while thus waiting
I
saw a Dervish
in
orthodox
patched jibba and armed with several spears emerge suddenly from the bushes about a hundred yards away and
advance towards the nearest vedette
—who,
of course,
continued to look steadfastly in the opposite direction.
(
Hi
my
shouting the soldier turned swiftly, saw the
Dervish, and thrust at
him with
avoided the thrust with great
attempt to
attack
the
his lance.
agility,
Lancer.
I
The native
and made no
had
meanwhile
THE EIVEE AVAE
70
arrived,
7
and now invited him to lav down his arms.
•
The
This he did, making friendly gestures.
spears,
which were of the barbarous fish-hook pattern, became
the spoils of war, and the prisoner was proudly con-
Had he been
ducted to the rear by a corporal.
seen in
the thick bush, instead of in a comparatively open space,
he would assuredly have been shot
When we had
advanced a
at
little
— and perhaps
hit.
further, there arose
above the scrub the dark outlines of a rocky peak, the
hill
The whole regiment now concentrated
of Merreh.
and, trotting quickly forward, occupied this position,
whence a considerable tract of country was visible.
Here we dismounted and waited for some time, everybody searching the ground with his field-glasses. We
were hardly twenty-five miles from Khartoum, and of
that distance at least ten miles were displayed.
there were
Had
no enemy.
they
Yet
Would
Omdurman
fled ?
all
there be no opposition?
Should we find
deserted or submissive
These were questions which
?
occurred to everyone, and
tively.
many answered them
affirma-
Several correspondents rode up to look over
among them Mr. Howard, who always
followed the fortunes of the cavalry.
I had known him
for several years, and we ate some biscuits and chocothe plain, and
*
late
and discussed the
situation
and
its
probabilities.
Colonel Martin had meanwhile heliographed back
the
Sirdar that
all
the ground
was up
to
to this point
and that there were no Dervishes to be seen.
After some delay orders were signalled back for one
clear,
squadron
to
remain
the hill and for the
till
rest
sunset
in
on
Major
observation
to return to camp.
THE GRAND ADVANCE
Finn
may
71
squadron was selected to remain, and the reader
rejoice that he is thus enabled to see the first
s
powder burned by British troops in the campaign.
With two troops thrown out a mile in front we
waited watching on the hill. Time passed slowly, for the
^un was hot.
who
this
Wormald
3
of the 7 th Hussars
was, like me, attached to the 21st Lancers and to
squadron
He had
Lieutenant
*
seen
—
proceeded to make some excellent soup.
war
in
South Africa
;
and as they have few
followers or native servants there, the subaltern learns
to
be handy in
all
matters of
While he was engaged
assisting
camp and
and
in this occupation,
him by encouraging remarks,
cooking.
it
I
was
suddenly
became evident that one of the advanced troops was
signalling energetically.
The message was spelt out.
4
The officer with the troop Lieutenant Smyth
per-
—
—
ceived Dervishes in his front.
our
glasses.
It
was
true.
We
looked through
There, on a white patch of
sand among the bushes of the plain, were a
brown
moving slowly across the
spots,
lot of little
front of the
cavalry outposts towards an Egyptian squadron, which
was watching
There
far out to the
may have been
The soup boiled
our eyes
westward.
seventy horsemen altogether.
over, unattended.
off those distant specks,
far, if possible,
to destroy.
We
could not take
we had
travelled so
Presently the Dervish patrol
approached our right troop, and apparently came nearer
than they imagined, for the officer
2
3
4
who commanded
Major H. Finn, 21st Lancers.
Lieut. P. W. Wormald, 7th Hussars.
Lieut. R. M. Smyth, 21st Lancers.
ft
J
'
'
THE RIVER
72
Lieutenant
carbines,
Conolly
5
WAR
— opened
fire
on
them with
and we saw them turn and ride back, but
A
without hurrying.
message had now to be sent to
the Egyptian squadron, and after an hour the trooper
returned with an answer.
the
enemy
The
officer there
had seeu
There were several bodies of them
too.
THE FIRST VIEW
knocking about
so
he
said.
But
he
had
seen
plenty of Dervishes in the last three years, and was not
much
impressed by the sight.
We, however, enjoyed
The sun no longer seemed hot or
After nil, they were there. We had
the hours long.
not toiled up on a fruitless errand. The fatigues of
ourselves immensely.
5
Lieut. T. Conolly, Scots Greys.
'
THE GRAND ADVANCE
73
the march, the heat, the insects, the discomforts
We
were forgotten.
4
were
glorious thing to be, since
it
wear a bright and vivid
life
in touch
makes
'
;
all
—
and that
all
is
a
the features of
flush of excitement,
which
the pleasures of the chase, of art, of intellect, or love
can never excel and rarely equal.
The long day passed slowly, and at length the sun
drew towards the desert, and the squadron collecting
rode back to camp weary, hungry, but contented,
—
too,
my
was proud of
Then
army.
He was
we reached
the
Dervish was no
this
employ of the Intelligence Department, who had
—news
lived to
fit
until
a most important individual
been spying in Omdurman, and
news
—
appeared that
it
ordinary Dervish.
in the
prisoner
now
which he might very
tell.
returned to
easily
tell his
have never
Naturally several young gentlemen saw
on the
to be facetious
subject.
Mr. Lionel James,
Reuters correspondent, even proposed to telegraph some
account of
on him not to do
The cam])
different place
But I prevailed
noteworthy capture.
this
so,
having a detestation of publicity.
we returned was a very
one we had left in the morning.
which
to
from the
Instead of lying along the river-bank,
it
was pitched
in
The bushes had on all sides been
ground cleared, and an immense oblong
the thinner scrub.
cut down, the
zeriba
was
built,
drawn up, and
around which the
six brigades
were
which cavalry, guns, and transport
were closely packed. The fact that there were enemies
into
within a few miles provoked a feeling of exhilaration
throughout the whole force.
enthusiasts
Indeed, I think some
would have welcomed a
little
6
sniping
THE RIVER WAR
74
which, had this been the Indian frontier, they would
most assuredly have got,
was a deep khor
within 500 yards of the camp.
The Dervishes, however, confident of their strength, disdained such puny
tactics.
Why should they disturb those who would
shortly be
destroy
?
dead,
for there
or harass
whom
they intended to
So the night passed quietly.
Very early next morning the advance was continued.
The army paraded by starlight, and with the
first
streak of the
dawn
the cavalry were again flung
for out in advance.
The cantankerous niav remark
that I write of nothing but the squadrons, and that
there is no account of the doings on the march of the
mass of infantry of which an army is composed, and
to which artillery is only an adjunct and cavalry an
ornament.
Let
me
hasten to disarm such criticism.
Secure behind the screen of horsemen and Camel
Corps, the infantry advanced in
regular array.
Up
August the force marched by divisions.
The arrangements in the British division, which did not
differ materially from those of other divisions, may be
to the 27th of
given as a specimen.
The brigades followed one another, each of their
battalions in column of route, all four battalions of the
brigade being abreast (at from 50 to 100 yards interval)
Maxims, Engineers, and 32nd Field Battery
(attached for the march) fitting in wherever convenient.
This proved a simple and flexible formation.
The
the
baggage camels and the
rear of the division
;
field hospitals
were massed
the brigade in rear finding one
battalion as baggage and rear guard.
THE GRAND ADVANCE
On and
commenced
after the 30th of
march
was on
70
August the whole
force
The
the left, the Egyptian army on
British division
All the brigades marched in line, or in a
the right.
The flank brigades kept their flank batslight echelon.
Other British battalions
talions in column or in fours.
had six companies in the front line (in company column
The Egyptian
of fours) and two companies in support.
to
fighting
in
formation.
brigades usually marched with three battalions in front
line
and one in reserve, each of the three
in front line
having four companies in front and two in support.
An
A
British Brigade
3rd btn. 2nd btn. 1st btn.
4th btn.
i
Egyptian Brigade
3rd btn. 2nd btn. 1st btn.
4th btn
Day
day and hour
after
progression was maintained.
At
after
to rest, as
is
hour
this
method of
intervals they halted
prescribed in the Drill Book,
and on
such occasions rumours of enemies beyond the next
ridge or on the further
of their
hill
relieved the tedious miles
march and the monotonv of
their reflections.
Arrived at the camping-ground, the zeriba had to be
built
;
and
this involved a
long afternoon of fatigue.
In the evening, when the dusty, tired-out squadrons
returned, the troopers attended to their horses, and so
THE 1UYER WAR
76
was then that the dusty,
tired-out infantry provided sentries and pickets, who in
a ceaseless succession paced the zeriba and guarded
went
its
to sleep in peace.
It
They were sustained by the knowledge
duties were important, and animated no
occupants.
that
less
their
by the excellence of
their discipline than
commanders.
activity of their
will prefer to ride
Yet I think the reader
with the cavalry screen, with nothing
in front of the patrols
but the hostile army.
Trotting out the next morning
light strengthened,
— the
we soon reached
The sun had
the top to view the scene.
was
displayed.
wards
its
A
clear.
31st
—
as the
the hill of Merreh,
and while the horses were being watered,
the atmosphere
by the
I
climbed to
just risen,
and
wonderful spectacle was
The grand army of the Nile marched togoal a long row of great brown masses of
:
infantry and artillery, with a fringe of cavalry dotting
the plain for miles in front, with the
chocolate-coloured
men on cream-coloured camels
stretching into the desert
on the
gunboats stealing
up the
scrutinising the
the
transport
in front
Camel Corps
silently
riaht,
river on
banks with their guns.
trailed
away
and the white
the
left,
Far in rear
into the mirage,
and
fai
the field-glass disclosed the enemy's patrols
Behind the moving army a long thread of wire made
an Empire share its quarrel before it a long account
;
awaited settlement.
After Merreh Hill was passed, the country
more open
became
and as the enemy were believed to be near,
the 21st Lancers and the Egyptian cavalry each concentrated, and we rode on for several miles in forma;
THE GRAND ADVANCE
Presently
tion.
merely dark
About
eight
began
hills,
We
Still
earth
Had
?
Kerreri,
were only
now
till
shape and
them we
nothing was
Had
Dervish army.
of
to take
from
miles
long hour passed.
Omdurman.
heights
the
77
halted,
detail.
and
fifteen miles
be seen
to
a
from
of
the
they vanished off the face of the
they fled
to
Kordofan
?
few scattered patrols the only warriors
Were
who
these
should
march ? While everyone was doubting,
a hurried order was given to mount.
In line the whole regiment trotted, and cantered
dispute our
forward for another
Ai>ain
we
halted.
six
The
miles, all
hills
again expectant.
were now very near, and
underneath them there were some curious white patches
The field-glass translated them into a
sreat number of flag's of different colours waving in
It was a Dervish camp, and apparently
the breeze.
and
blurs.
occupied.
The Egyptian cavalry were
far
away
to the right,
watching several small parties of horsemen who had
appeared from the
meantime
Colonel Martin had four squadrons.
6
ing of Lieutenant Pirie
tenant de Montmorency, started on
The two
camp and
some
disappeared.
patrol consist-
officers
its
own account
to
rode towards the Dervish
Meanwhile we waited and
ate
Suddenly there were several shots in the
food.
distance.
A
the Adjutant, and of Lieu-
7
reconnoitre.
Nevertheless
desert.
Presently the independent patrol returned
unhurt with information and a Dervish spear.
6
Lieut. A.
7
Lieut.
M. Pirie, 21st Lancers.
Hon. R. H. L. J. de Montmorency,
21st Lancers.
They
THE RIVER WAR
78
had ridden quite close to the camp, they said, and had
discovered that it was not strongly occupied. A few
Dervishes had fired at them, and they had fired back
The distance was considerable for
nevertheless one Dervish had been seen
with their revolvers.
such weapons
to
tumble
;
off his horse,
actual injury
though whether from
was impossible
it
back they had picked up a
I cannot let
officers to ride
it
to say.
Such was
spear.
pass without comment.
out alone on such a quest,
possible to send a troop of cavalry
was reckless and
Had
foolish.
they would have been killed.
fired
only two
lucky
spirit that costs
brave
officers as the
shots.
the
way
their tale.
For two
when
it
was
and proper supports,
they taken such liberties
with any enemy but the Dervishes,
young men
On
flight or
The
It is this
who scorn stragglers,
Afridis
would have
reckless, happy-go-
the country the lives of
years pass.
It is to
many
be expected
whenever they get an opportunity, particularly till they have been shot at a good
There is some excuse for the two officers of the
deal.
The responsibility falls upon their superiors.
21st.
that
After
will dare
considering
all
the
circumstances Colonel
Martin decided not to attack the Dervisli camp. The
enemy might be in greater force than was expected,
and the
might bring on a considerable action,
which would not have suited Sir Herbert Kitchener's
fight
We
plans.
therefore returned slowly towards the in-
fantry, leaving
one squadron, as before, in observation.
The army had by this time reached the new camping8
ground which Sir Henry Rawlinson had been ordered to
*
Captain Sir H. Rawlinson, Bart., Coldstream Guards.
THE GRAND ADVANCE
79
The position was a strong one, on a high swell
of open ground which afforded a clear field of fire in
-elect.
every direction.
It
was, however, nearly a mile from the
and we therefore took our horses to water before
Meanwhile the sudden, rapid adentering the camp.
river,
vance of the Lancers had been seen from the canrp,
and
was reported
it
to
Sirdar
the
He
sharply engaged with the enemy.
a
gunboat to support the cavalry.
swiftly
sight
up the
that they were
therefore ordered
The Sheikh steamed
river to the Kerreri Hills, and, catchin
of the Dervish flags,
opened
fire.
The boom-
came down to us as we watered our
horses, and when we reached the camp everyone was
standing on tip-toe in the hopes of seeing what was
going on. The cannonade had no other results. The
ing of the guns
Dervish post was not a strong one, and on the approach
of the smnboat the horsemen withdrew behind the
hill.
After firing about thirty shells the Sheikh came back
with the current of the stream, and was again moored
to the bank.
Such were the
6
operations
of the 31st of August.
'
They had produced a good deal of pleasure, and caused
no loss of life. The affair was much magnified by the
newspaper correspondents, who naturally were eager
to bring the public interest in
and
this
was of course the
England
to a climax,
event.
There was,
first
however, no necessity to exaggerate
thereafter,
for
the events of the two succeeding' days were in themselves sufficiently tremendous.
Everyone that night lay
down to sleep with a feeling of keen expectancy. One
way or the other all doubts would be settled the next
80
TPIE
RIVER
WAR
The cavalry would ride over the Kerreri Hills
if they were not occupied by the enemy, and right up
If the Dervishes had any
to the walls of Omdurman.
army if there was to be any battle, we should know
day.
—
within a few hours.
In the evening I talked to Slatin
Pasha, whose emotions on approaching the scene of his
#
long captivity were strangely mixed.
He
said
there
would be fighting, and that it was not impossible that
But a great
riflemen would attack the camp that night.
many
people of knowledge and experience thought that
the Khalifa
had
and that there would be only a
fled,
bloodless triumph.
The telegrams which were despatched that evening
were the last to reach England before the event?.
During the night heavy rain fell, and all the country
The telegraph-wire had been laid
was drenched.
alons^ the ground, as there had been no time to pole
it.
The sand when dry
when wet
all
its
a sufficient insulator, but
is
non-conductivity
is
destroyed.
Hence
communications ceased, and those at home who
had husbands,
sons, brothers, or friends in the
ditionary Force were
left in
Expe-
an uncertainty as great as
—
which we slept and far more painful.
The long day had tired everyone. Indeed, the
whole fortnight since the cavalry convoy had started
that in
from the Atbara had been a period of great exertion.
know not what the experience of the other troops
may have been, but the Lancers, officers and men, were
I
glad to eat a hasty meal, and forget the fatigues of the
|
day, the hardness of the ground, and the anticipations
of the
morrow
in
deep
sleep.
The camp was watched
.
Miles
Bivouac of
Note,
t
J.
or JebeL means 3UL
the Infantry
Brigades,
on the march from Wad Homed
round the heights of Shabluka on
th
,h
August
nights of2S and 26
EI
Buadier
THE GRAND ADVANCE
cap*
Es Sulcitat
1898
St-i
4*1
I
'I
t
Captured by /rrea ufar^l^
v
pfi \V,
0
\
/
I
T
.J
fre the first
»
*z\
Dervish patrols*.
were seen 29t h Auq by 21
^Lancers'*
1
x-^
Tajnarviai>
.[at)
v
r
jr \
JP^
.4
a,
(i
Shcorihi
3Z6
tyght of 30 t(? Aug
9
n
5>
0.
O
5u/y
•
el£bid>
•
KEIMeEighd
334
V
and 29** Aug.
J.EIGhizj
1
A
394
•
ight
A.
/
295
27*Aug.
u Ye: ah'
'Atshan
TV6xh
a b
u)
I
k
AbuSc
a
)
J. El
Ghezl
394
^RocUyHills
/i
(
Explanation
~
March ofAnglo EgyptLzn'Army
(
25, OOO mrrvj
*Jr£ Lit
Umbautiene
I
'
,
500 men,)
March, ofJaalirv Irregulars
( 2,
Dervish, Arm^
(55,OOOrrveivf
S
v
'•VS
J
8/vouqc of
the Infantry Rrt
on the march from Wad Homed
round the heights ofShahlukaon
h
ntghts of 2S th Qnd 2G* August.
f
Longmans. Creen ^ Co London. New York & Bomb ay.
Ill
El
Hasaka
J
,
!
El
Buadier
THE GRAND ADVANCE
Es Suleitat
1898
- -°
*4*
-rr
-7
eLSager
End
St
Captured by Irregu
r
29'* Au
^
Au$vL
Sep
l£uba/0
Merreh
I
EogiaH'' /
*From heft the first Derv/Jh patrols*,
were seen 29* Aug. by 21*1
Lancer *
—
s*
[ARTOUM
in Ruins)
TajnaruLat
Shconi
^&'3ht or 30** Aug.
j.S> ur
ghamf
Ta
\tr-u.lil.
^S-^X Qoz, Warake.
ai^y el AhixL
334
d29 th Aug
J. El
.
GhA
394
Night: oY
M/
™
«0*
;«
•
°
—
295
27*Aug.
§
ear the city till I* Sept
OMDURMAJST
/#
5
394
Expl an a tion
March o rAnglo Egyptian,Army
( 25,
March ofJaalin Irregulars
( 2,
Dervish Army
( 55,
UmbaUsiene
OOO men*)
500 men,)
OOO men,
-igades,
imed
luka on
gust
"s
*
THE GRAND ADVANCE
by
the
infantry,
the daylight.
whose labours did
At two
81
not end
with
o'clock in the morning I was
awakened by rain and storm. Great blue flashes of
lightning lit up the wide expanse of sleeping figures,
of crowded animals, and of shelters fluttering in the
and from the centre of the camp it was even
possible to see for an instant the continuous line of
wind
;
who watched throughout
vigilance.
Nor was this all.
sentries
less
Kerreri Hills,
village.
The
I
ragged
quenched by the
flashes
of
the
saw the yellow
rain,
forks
of
and only
lightning.
the niffht with cease-
Far away, near the
light
of a burning
flame
shot
up,
invisible in the bright
There was war
to
southward.
vol. n.
un-
G
the
;
THE RIVER WAR
82
CHAPTER XYIII
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
SEPTEMBER
'
1898
1,
— Khartoum in sight— The plain of Omdurman— The Dervish army — First blood — The advance of the
enemy— The Khalifa's dispositions — The bombardment — The
regulars — An incident — The Mahdi's Tomb — Retirement — A bird'sview — The
eye
Sirdar— A
luncheon party — Skirmishing— The
night — In
the
the darkness — The
searchlight — The perils of
disposition of the force — The chances
attack — Silence.
The
large birds of prey
'
ir-
of
I do not doubt that the reader
the walls of
affair, as
as anxious to see
come
to
in the
Whether
impending
battle, or
I shall
But he
start at
shall at
any rate
nor will I palter with
tales of
wearied him with the
not presume to inquire.
once with the cavalry,
how
the chilled soldiers
warmed themselves before the fires
camp and cooked the breakfasts of
of carbines, rusted
by the
their bolts slide
saddled
end of the
because I have interested
this is
monotonies of the march,
make
to the
were the army on the morning of the 1st of
September.
him
Omdurman and
is
—lame,
;
rain,
that lighted the
a hurried meal
swabbed with
of weary horses once
girth-galled,
oil
to
more
or sore-backed notwith-
armed men
forming silently under the stars, while the light grew
gently in the east.
These are impressions he must
some day gather for himself or forgo for ever.
standing
;
of great masses of brown-clad,
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
S3
The British and Egyptian cavalry, supported by the
Camel Corps and Horse Artillery, trotted out rapidly,
and soon interposed a distance of eight miles between
them and the army. As before, the 21st Lancers were
on the left nearest the river, and the Khedivial
squadrons curved backwards in a wide half-moon to
While we were moving off, the
was seen to be in motion. The white
ascend the stream leisurely. Yet their
protect the right flank.
gunboat
flotilla
boats began to
array was
significant.
Hitherto they had
long and indefinite intervals
—one
moved
following perhaps
a mile, or even two miles, behind the other.
regular distance of about
Now
a
300 yards was observed.
Our orders were to reconnoitre
to
at
Omdurman
bombard it.
We had not accomplished more than a
;
their task
mile,
when
about a hundred enormous vultures joined us, and
henceforth they accompanied the 21st Lancers, flying or
waddling lazily from bush to bush, and always lookin
Throughout the Soudan it is
believed that this portends ill-fortune, and that the
heavy
suffer
will
circle
vultures
which
over
troops
was
event
of
the
nature
ominous
the
Although
losses.
struck
by
were
alike
men
and
officers
us,
to
known
not
the strange and unusual occurrence and it was freely
back
at the
horsemen.
;
knew
two armies
a
meant
this
that
and
other,
each
were approaching
difficult
to
be
would
It
feast.
battle, and hence a
The
instinct.
of
possibilities
the
to
limitations
l
asserted that these birds of prey
sceptic
must
that
admit that the vultures guessed
they did not know. Yet we thought
at least
aright, even if
G 2
THE RIVER
84
WAR
them wrong, when we found the steep Kerreri Hills
abandoned and the little Dervish camp, which had
been shelled the day before, deserted and solitary.*
The regiment halted at the foot of the Kerreri Hills
The
as soon as it was known these were deserted.
scouts, Colonel Martin and a few other officers,
ascended, taking signallers with them.
some
eating
sent
us
filled
KHAKTOUM
over the
we
crest.
spelt out the
More than
man
waited,
Then presently a message was
breakfast.
down which
We
all
with curiosity to look
IN SIGHT
wagged tirelessly, and
following words
Khartoum in sight*'
The
signal-flag
thirteen years
:
'
had passed since an English-
could have said that with truth.
After a short halt the advance was resumed, and,
turning the shoulder of the
hill, I
saw
in the distance a
yellow-brown pointed dome rising above the blurred
horizon.
*
It
was the Mahdi's Tomb, standing in the very
Map, The Reconnaissance
'
of Kerreri,' to face
page 98.
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
heart of
Omdurman.
glass disclosed
From
the high ground the field-
rows and rows of
dark patch on the brown of the
river, steel-grey in the
85
morning
mud
houses, makii -
To
plain.
light,
the
left
forked into two
channel-, and on the tongue of land between
them the
gleam of a white building showed among the trees.
Then we knew that before us were the ruins of Khartoum and the confluence of the Blue and White Xiles.
A
black,
position and
from
it
there
solitary
rose
hill
A
Omdurman.
between the Kerreri
long,
low ridge running
concealed the ground beyond.
was a wide,
For the
rest
sandy plain of great extent,
rolling,
surrounded on three sides bv rocky
hills
and
ridges,
and patched with coarse, starveling grass or occasional
bushes.
The
picture on the
village stood.
river
— the
left,
and bv
This,
inevitable river
its
— framed
banks a straggling
though we did not know
it,
the
mud
Avas to
Omdurman.
It was deserted.
Not a living soul could be seen.
And now there were many who said once and for all
be the
field
that there
at the
of
would be no
fight
;
for here
we
were, arrived
very walls of Omdurman, and never an enemy to
bar our path.
Then, with our four squadrons looking
very tiny on the broad expanse of ground,
steadily forward.
At
the
we moved
same time the Egyptian cavahy
and the Camel Corps entered the plain several miles
further to the west, and thev too began to trot across
it.
was about three miles to the hill and ridge of
which I have written, the last ridge which lav between
us and the citv.
If there was a Dervish army, if there
It
was
to be a battle, if the Khalifa
would maintain
his
—
THE RIVER AVAR
8G
IkkW and accept the arbitrament of war, much mustbe visible from that ridge. We looked over. At first
nothing was apparent except the walls and houses of
Omdurman and
up from the
Then four miles away on our right
the sandy plain sloping
river to distant hills.
front, I perceived
It
a long black line with white spots.
was the enemy.
It
there might be 3,000
It is
men behind
we
looked, that
a high dense zeriba
There would in anv case be a skirmish.
scarcely necessary to describe
now from one
point of view,
our tortuous
position.
Looking at
now from
another, but
movements towards the Dervish
it
us, as
That, said the officers, was better
of thorn-bushes.
than nothing.
seemed to
always edging nearer, the cavalry slowly approached
it,
and halted
in the plain
about three miles away
—
men the light-coloured
much longer and a blacker
three great serpents of
the 21st Lancers
the
;
a
Egyptian squadrons
;
one,
one,
a mottled one, the Camel
Corps and Horse Artillery.
From
we
this distance a clearer
distinguished
many horsemen
and front of the broad dark
crest of the
view was possible, and
slope.
A
riding about the flanks
line
which crowned the
few of these rode carelessly
towards the squadrons to look at them.
not apparently acquainted with the
the
Lee-Metford carbine.
Several
long
They were
range of
troops were
dis-
was made on them.
Two were shot and fell to the ground. Their companions, dismounting, examined them, picked up one,
let the other lie, and resumed their ride, without
acknowledging the bullets by even an increase of pace.
mounted, and at 800 vards
fire
;
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
While
this passed, so did
nearly eleven o'clock.
the time.
87
was now
It
Suddenly the whole black
which seemed to be zeriba began to move.
made
Behind
of men, not bushes.
masses and lines of
men appeared
it
line
was
It
other immense
over the crest
;
and
wonder of the sight,
the whole face of the slope became black with swarmFour miles from end to end, and as it
ing savages.
seemed in five great divisions, this mighty army advanced swiftly. The whole side of the hill seemed
while
we watched, amazed by
the
—
to
Between the masses horsemen galloped con-
move.
tinually
before them
;
many
patrols dotted the plain
above them waved hundreds of banners, and the sun,
glinting
on mam' thousand
a sparkling cloud.
a lifetime
;
It
hostile spear-points, spread
was, perhaps, the impression of
nor do I expect ever again to see such an
awe-inspiring or formidable sight.
now known that the Khalifa had succeeded in
concentrating at Omdurman an army of more than
He remembered that all the former vic(10,000 men.
tories over the Egyptians had been won by the Dervishes
He knew that in all the recent defeats they
attacking.
had stood on the defensive. He therefore determined
It is
.
not to oppose the advance at the Shabluka or on the
march thence
on the
to
Omdurman.
issue of a great battle
All
was
to
be staked
on the plains of Kerreri.
The Mahdi's prophecy was propitious. The strength
When
of the Dervish army seemed overwhelming.
the
4
Turks
'
arrived, they should be driven into the
Accordingly the Khalifa had only watched the
advance of the Expeditionary Force from Wad Hamed
river.
THE RIVER AVAR
88
On
with a patrol of cavalry about 200 strong.
the
30th he was informed that the enemy drew near, and
0
on the 31st he assembled
his
bodyguard and regular
men needed
army, with the exception of the
river batteries, on the
Omdurman
for the
He
parade ground.
harangued the leaders, and remained encamped with
The next day
troops during the night.
all
his
the male
population of the city were compelled to join the armv
in the field,
river-face
and only the gunners and garrisons on the
remained within.
In spite, however, of his
utmost vigilance, nearly 6,000
men
deserted during the
nights of the 31st of August and the 1st of September.
This and
the detachments in the forts
reduced the
force actually engaged in the battle to 52,000 men.
The host
that
now advanced towards
the British and
Egyptian cavalry was perhaps 4,000 stronger.
Their array was regular and precise, and, facing
north-east, stretched for
A
flank to flank.
more than four miles from
strong detachment of the mulazemin
or guard was extended in front of the
Wad-Helu, with
his bright green
line to the left
and
;
Degheim and Kenana
flag,
tribes,
prolonged the
soon began to reach out
The centre and main
force of the
army was composed of
formed
squares under
Osman Azrak.
Ali-
his 5,000 warriors, chiefly of the
towards the Egyptian cavalry.
in
centre.
the regular troops,
Osman Sheikh-ed-Din and
This great body comprised 12,000 black
riflemen and about 13,000 black and
Arab spearmen.
In their midst rose the large, .dark green flag which the
Sheikh-ed-Din had adopted to annoy Ali- Wad-Helu, of
whose
distinctive
emblem he was
inordinately jealous.
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF K.EKREM
The Khalifa with
his
89
own bodyguard, about
strong, followed the centre.
In rear of
all
2.000
marched
—nearly
all
swordsmen and spearmen, who with those extended
in
Yakub with
the Black Flag and 13,000
army
front of the
men
constituted the guard.
The
wing was formed by the brigade of the Khalifa
consisting of 2,000 Danagla tribesmen,
ensign was a broad red
right
Sherif,
whose principal
Osman Digna, with about
flag.
1,700 Hadendoa, guarded the extreme, right and the
Hank nearest Omdurman, and
fame needed no
his
flag.
Such was the great army which now moved swiftly
towards the watching squadrons and these, pausing on
;
the sandy ridge, pushed out a fringe of tentative patrols,
as
if
to assure themselves that
what they saw was
real.
The Egyptian cavalry had meanwhile a somewhat
Working on the
different view of the spectacle.
right of the 21st Lancers, and keeping further from the
river, the leading
squadrons had reached the extreme
western end of the Kerreri ridge
From
here the Mahdi's
rocks of
Surgham
point, the
British
at
Tomb was
about seven o'clock.
visible, and, since the
did not obstruct the view from this
officers,
looking through their
field-
saw what appeared to be a long column of
blown spots moving south-westwards across the wide
plain which stretches away to the west of Omdurman.
glasses,
The
telescope,
an invaluable aid to reconnaissance.
developed the picture.
The brown objects proved
be troops of horses grazing
;
and beyond,
to the south-
ward, camels and white flapping tents could be
dis-
There were no signs that a retreat was
tinguished.
in progress
to
;
but from such a distance
— nearly
four
THE RIVER "WAR
90
miles
—no certain
information could be obtained, and
He
Colonel Broadwood decided to advance closer.
accordingly led his whole
command south-westward
which rose about four
miles from the end of the Kerreri ridge and was
one of the more distant hill features bounding the
towards a round-topped
on
plain
moved
the
western
hill
side.
The
Egyptian cavalry
slowly across the desert to this
On their way
observation.
new
point of
they traversed the end of the
khor Shambat, a long depression which
is
the natural
drainage channel of the plains of Kerreri and Omdur-
man, and joins the Nile about four miles from the city.
The heavy rain of the previous night had made the
low ground swampy, and pools of water stood
soft,
wet sand.
great difficulty,
in the
The passage, however, presented no
and at half-past eleven the Egyptian
squadrons began to climb the lower slopes of the roundtopped hill. Here the whole scene burst suddenly upon
army was
advancing with the regularity of parade. The south
wind carried the martial sound of horns and drums and
Scarcely three miles
them.
—
far
more menacing
away
the Dervish
—the deep murmur of a multitude
to the astonished officers.
three miles
away
to their
Like the 21st Lancers
left,
at the
end of the Ion
sandy ridge which runs westward from Surgham
the soldiers remained for a space spell-bound.
But
all
drawn from the thrilling spectacle of
the Dervish advance by the sound of guns on the river.
At about eleven o'clock the gunboats had ascended
eyes were soon
the Nile, and
banks.
now engaged
the enemy's batteries on both
Throughout the day the loud reports of
their
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
91
guns could be heard, and, looking from our position
on the ridge, we could see the white vessels steaming
slowly forward
against the current, under clouds of
black smoke from their furnaces and amid other clouds
of white smoke from the
mounted nearly
fifty
The
artillery.
forts,
guns, replied vigorously
;
which
but the
The
crushing.
fire
their
and
accurate
was
aim
British
the
of
many
and
bits
to
smashed
were
embrasures
which
trenches
rifle
The
dismounted.
gum
Dervish
The
guns.
Maxim
the
by
swept
were
forts
the
flanked
heavier projectiles, striking the
mud
walls of the works
the
into
high
dust
red
the
dashed
and houses,
scattered destruction around.
air
and
Despite the tenacity and
from
driven
were
they
gunners,
Dervish
courage of the
the
of
streets
the
among
refuge
took
their defences and
in
breached
was
Omdurman
of
wall
great
The
many
places,
and
a large
number
of unfortunate non-
combatants were killed and wounded.
Meanwhile
the
Arab
Irregulars,
under
Major
officer's
That
engaged.
Wortley, had been sharply
taking
by
flotilla
the
with
co-operate
orders were to
in rear the forts
of the river.
and
As
fortified villages
soon as the gunboats
on the
east
bank
had silenced the
to
Irregulars
the
ordered
Wortley
lower forts, Major
the
placed
He
houses.
advance on them and on the
men
trustworthy
only
the
practically
were
who
Jaalin,
according
tribes
the
formed
and
in his force, in reserve,
to their capabilities
and prejudices.
On
the order to
strong,
some
3,000
attack being given, the whole
Dervishes
the
which
from
advanced on the buildings,
they
yards
500
within
Arrived
fire.
opened
at once
force,
;
t
THE
92
halted,
and began
ElVElt AVAR
to discharge their rifles in the air
they also indulged in frantic dances expressive of their
fury and valour, but declined to advance any further.
Major Wort ley then ordered the Jaalin
These
to at lack.
— formed in a long column, animated by the desire
upon the
village at a slow pace, and, Surrounding
and slew
house after another, captured
it
fenders, including the Dervish
Emir and
followers.
— moved
and being besides brave men
for vengeance,
The
Jaalin
all its
one
de-
of his
3-30
themselves suffered a loss of
about sixty killed and wounded.
While the attack was
in
progress, a party of five
Baggara horsemen issued from the village and charged
gallantly.
Major Wortley and Lieutenant
watching the
On
two
fight,
Wood
protected by an escort of
fifty
the approach of the Baggaras the escort
British
A
tied.
horseman galloped
Wood, who awaited
The Dervish
Arabs.
The
defended themselves desperately
officers
with their revolvers.
tenant
were
levelled
his
at Lieu-
his charge pistol in hand.
broad spear, and scarcely
missed the subaltern's throat by an inch.
His out-
arm shot over the officer's left shoulder, and
latter, meeting him in violent collision, thrust his
stretched
the
revolver in the wild face and pulled the trigger.
Encouraged bv the resistance of the white
dozen of the escort
rallied, and,
officers,
a
returning to the fight,
destroyed the Baggara horsemen,
who were impeded
by the heavy ground and mud.
The capture of the
village by the Jaalin was accompanied by man}' horrid
acts of vengeance.
As the Dervishes were dragged out
of the houses, they were brought
still
struggling towards
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
the water's edge and there despatched.
disgusted the British
officers
;
restrain the fury of the Jaalin
;
distinguish the prisoners from
flash of steel
The spectacle
but no
efforts
nor was
it
the
could
possible to
captors
until the
and a confused scrimmage marked the
bloody settlement of the tribal feud.
however, brought to the
river, close
The Emir was,
to where a gun-
boat was waiting, mortally wounded, but
As he
93
lay on the
bank an Egyptian
alive.
still
soldier
walked
along the gang-plank to the shore, and, approaching
him with
the old chief, kicked
deliberation.
Fortu-
Gordon witnessed the perpetration of
act, and the Egyptian, who had probably
nately Major
this brutal
expected to be complimented on his courage, was, to
his intense
amazement, forthwith strapped across the
breech of the gunboat's howitzer and soundly flowed.
The village being captured, and the enemy on the
East bank killed or dispersed, the gunboats proceeded
to engage the batteries higher up the river.
The
howitzer battery was
now
bombard
Tomb.
the Mahdi's
landed, and at 1.30 began to
This part of the proceedings was plainly visible to
us, waiting
and watching on the
even distracted
my
The dome
of
the
above the
mud
burst over
it
and
its
interest
attention from the Dervish army.
tomb
rose
houses of the
— a great
flash,
after a pause, the dull
Another followed.
ridge,
tall
city.
and
A
prominent
Lvddite shell
a white ball of smoke, and,
thud of the distant explosion.
At the
third shot, instead of the
white smoke, there was a prodigious cloud of red dust,
in
which the whole tomb disappeared.
When
this
—
THE RIVER AVAR
94
cleared
away we saw
was now
it
flat-topped.
with like
effect,
that, instead of being pointed,
Other
shells
continued to strike
some breaking holes
others smashing off the cupolas,
it
in the
dome,
enveloping
all
it
in
dust, until I marvelled alike at the admirable precision
and the wasteful
folly of the practice.
1
All this time the Dervishes were coining nearer, and
the stead v and continuous advance of the srreat
army
compelled the Egyptian cavalry to mount their horses
and
trot
off
to
some
Broadwood conceived his
threatened, and shortly
a regular retirement.
point of view.
safer
Colonel
direct line of retreat to
after
camp
began
one o'clock he
Eight squadrons of Egyptian
cavalry and the Horse Artillery
moved
companies of the Camel Corps, a
off first.
Maxim gun
Five
section,
and the ninth squadron of cavalry followed as a rearguard under Major Tudway. The Dervish horsemen
contented themselves with firing occasional shots, which
were replied to by the Camel Corps with volleys whenever the ground was suited to dismounted action.
From
time to time one of the more daring Arabs would
gallop after the retreating squadrons, but a shot from a
carbine or a threatened advance always brought the
The retirement was
continued without serious interference, and the boggy
ground of the khor Shambat was recrossed in safety.
adventurous horseman to a
halt.
There is plenty of evidence to show that the bombardment of the
tomb produced a discouraging effect upon the Dervishes, who had believed
This result could, no doubt, have been obtained without
it indestructible.
the long and continued shelling to which it was subjected, but it must
be also remembered that the Arsenal, the Khalifa's house, and other
important buildings, which it was necessary to bombard, were known to
be near the Mahdi's Tomb. Editor.
1
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KEERERI
As soon
as the Egyptian squadron s
under the dark
hills
to the
95
darker mass
westward
wei
seen to
be in retirement, Colonel Martin withdrew the 21st
Lancers slowly along the sandy ridge towards the
rocks of Surgham
— the
whence we had
position
first
/
/
/
/
/
i
I
4»
V
-1
BACK TO THE NILE
The regiment wheeled about
and fell back by alternate wings, dropping two
detached troops to the rear and flanks to make the
But when the
enemy's patrols keep their distance.
Arab horsemen saw all the cavalry retiring they became
seen the Dervish army.
ft/
very bold, and numerous small groups of
fives
and
THE RIVER WAR
96
draw nearer at a trot. Accordingly,
whenever the ground was favourable, the squadrons
In
halted in turn for a few minutes to fire on them.
this way perhaps half-a-dozen were killed or wounded.
sixes be<ran to
The
others, however, paid little attention to the bullets,
was
it
until
at
last
curiously,
pry
to
continued
and
thought necessary to send a troop under Lieutenant
Taylor
2
to drive
them away.
The score
galloped back towards the inquisitive
of Lancers
patrols
in
a
most earnest fashion. The Dervishes, although more
numerous, were scattered about in small parties and
unable to collect. They declined the combat, and we
t
saw them scurrying away towards their own ranks,
exactly like startled rabbits running back into the
The great army, however, still advanced
majestically, pressing the cavalry back before it; and it
was evident that if the Khalifa's movement continued,
bracken.
being nearly one o'clock, there would
and
in spite of
be a
collision between the
was sent back
To make
it
main
forces before the night.
I
to describe the state of affairs to the Sirdar.
certain of the position of the Expeditionary
Force before starting in search of it, I climbed the
around.
looked
and
Sursham
hill
of
black
From
the summit the
scene was
extraordinary.
size
of
the
dwarfed
by
was
The
the landscape to mere dark smears and smudges on
another
army
east,
Looking
plain.
the
of
brown
the
was now visible the British and Egyptian army. All
six brigades had passed the Kerreri Hills, and now
oreat
armv
of Dervishes
—
stood drawn up in a crescent, with their backs to the
*
Lieut. A.
H. M. Taylor, 21st Lancers.
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
Nile.
The transport and
Egeiga
filled
97
the houses of the village of
Neither force could see
the enclosed space.
the other, though but five miles divided them.
I looked
That of the enemy was, with-
alternately at each array.
out doubt, both longer and deeper.
Yet there seemed a
superior strength in the solid battalions, whose lines were
drawn with a
so straight that they might have been
ruler.
The urgency of my message allowed only a
momentary view. But the impression produced by the
sight of two armies thus approaching each other with
for the Arab advance was very rapid
hostile intent
—
was so tremendous, that
I
found
necessary, lest
it
my
excitement should be apparent, to walk for a quarter of
a mile before delivering
The
my
account.
by a dozen
Sirdar, followed
Staff officers,
was
riding a few hundred yards from the zeriba.
He had
not yet seen the Dervish army, and was at the
moment
going to the
hill
of
Surgham
Nevertheless, he invited
me
to take a general view.
to describe the situation
from the advanced squadrons. This I did,
though neither at such length nor perhaps with
such facility as in these pages. The swift advance
as seen
of the
enemy brought
the
moment very
were now but four miles away.
continued
All
the
their
results
In an hour,
movement, the action
of
manv
years
of
They
near.
if
they
must begin.
preparation
and
war must stand upon the issue of the
If there had been a miscalculation, if the
event.
expedition was not strong enough, or if any accident
three years of
or misfortune such as are
common
occur, then utter ruin would descend
VOL.
IJ.
in battles
upon the
were to
enterprise.
H
98
Till:
lilYER AVAL'
was very calm.
communicated to his Staff.
Tlie Sirdar
they said.
Here
come to-dav
well
It
in
'
good
a
4
We
want nothing
They may
field of lire.
me
that
if
was
the action
would be prudent
it
better,'
as
as to-morrow.'
occurred to
an hour,
is
His confidence had been
to
before returning to the regiment, so I
to begin
have some lunch
the Staff and
left
rode into the zeriba.
The cam]) presented an animated
appearance. The troops had piled arms after the
march, and had already built a slender hedge of thorn-
Now
bushes around them.
dinners,
and
they were
in high expectation of a fight
army had been ordered
to stand to
in formation to resist the attack
Dervishes were about
Intelligence
—an
much pleasure
3
we
at
The whole
two o'clock
it
seemed the
I
passed the
.
kindly offered
to the
camp,
ate a substantial meal.
lunch before the big event.
Attaches were of the party.
Next
was Baron von Tiedemann, the
tember,' he said.
day
;
enthusiastic.
8
I
to
It
had
and the Foreign
me, on
officer of the
'This
was
Colonel Win-
my
is
left,
German
General Staff selected to watch the operations.
He was
me
Standing at a table spread
gate, Slatin Pasha, Colonel Rhodes,
talked.
their
which, since food was
had come
in accepting.
in the wilderness,
As
to deliver.
invitation
the quest on which I
arms
which
mess, Major Friend
some luncheon
like a race
eating
We
the 1st of Sep-
Our great day, and now vour great
Sedan and Soudan.'
I
laughed at his ponderous
nor have I since been able to decide whether or
not it cloaked a rather bitter sarcasm.
wit
;
!
Major L. B. Friend, R.E.
I
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KHAL/r
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KHALIFA SHCGlF
YAKUB
Dervishes having
W0\W^^o
Omdunma
form Army
.ARAB IRREGULARS
(under Major WortlmyJ
OPERATIONS
OF THE
02^)URMAN
FIRST SEPT?
TIME 130
Scale, 126^20
1000
P.M.
or i Licli-lMilc
3000
HI.
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Longmans, Greea
Co.Limdon.NewYarlclBam^ay.
St>$OTv}
L ondoTv 6iLi**rpool
a
THE RECOXXAI-SAXCE OF KERRERI
99
Meanwhile the 21st Lancers remained among the
sandhills to the west of the Snrgham Hill, and watched
had hardly rejoined them, when
At a quarter to two the Dervish army
eased.
it
Their drill was excellent, and they all stopped
halted.
the hostile advance.
I
<
as
by a
single
command.
discharged their
rifles in
barbaric feu de joie.
Then suddenly
their riflemen
the air with a great roar
—
The smoke sprang up along the
whole front of their array, running from one end to the
down on
other.
After this they lav
became
certain that the matter
the ground, and
would not be
it
settled
that day.
We
remained
in
our position among the sandhills
of the ridge until the approach of darkness, and during
afternoon various petty encounters
the
took
place
between our patrols and those of the enemy, resulting
in a loss to them of about a dozen killed and wounded,
and
to us of
one corporal wounded and one horse
Then, as the light failed,
we returned
to
killed.
the river to
water and encamp, passing into the zeriba through the
ranks of the
British
division,
where
ollicers
and men,
looking out steadfastly over the fading plain, asked us
whether the enemy were coming
And
it
was with confidence and
— and,
if
when.
so,
satisfaction that
we
and they heard, 'Probably at daylight."
When the gunboat! had completed their bombard-
replied,
ment, had sunk a Dervish steamer, had silenced
hostile batteries,
all
the
and had sorelv battered the Mahdi's
Tomb, they returned leisurely to the camp, and lay
moored close to the bank to lend the assistance of
their guns in case of attack.
As the darkness became
H
2
THE RIVER WAR
100
complete they threw their powerful searchlights over
the front of the zeriba and on to the distant
The
hills.
wheeling beams of dazzling light swept across the
The Dervish army
the night along the eastern slope of the Shambat
desolate, yet not deserted, plain.
lay for
depression.
their
All the 50,000 faithful warriors rested in
companies near the
flags of
The
their Emirs.
Khalifa slept in rear of the centre of his host, surrounded
by his generals.
by a
Every-
them was bathed in an awful white
Far away by the river there gleamed a
around
illumination.
brilliant
lit
Abdullahi and the chiefs sprang up.
pale glare.
thing
Suddenly the whole scene was
circle
of light
— the
cold,
eye of
pitiless
a
The Khalifa put his hand on Osman Azrak's
shoulder Osman, who was to lead the frontal attack at
demon.
—
dawn
6
— and
whispered,
Sire,' replied
a great fear
Osman.
filled all
'
'
What
is
this strange
they are looking at
their minds.
us.'
thing?'
Thereat
The Khalifa had a
small tent, which showed conspicuously in the searchlight.
He had
it
Emirs covered their
would follow
it
faces, lest
the baleful rays should
in
the
passed on
path of the
light.
And
— and swept
then
— for the sapper who worked
lens could see nothing at that distance but the
plain
of the
All feared that some terrible projectile
blind them.
suddenly
Some
hurriedly pulled down.
the
brown
along the ranks of the sleeping army,
rousing up the startled warriors, as a wind sweeps over
a field of standing corn.
The
soldiers of scientific
such terrors
;
war were
assailed hy
yet the consciousness of the limitless
]
sibilities
of the
morrow delayed
the sleep that phys
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KERRERI
101
weariness invited, and a desire to inspect the precautions
for defence led
me around
the perimeter of the zeriba.
The arm}' had not formed a quadrilateral camp, as on
other nights, but had lain down to rest in the formation
Every
for attack they had assumed in the afternoon.
fifty
yards behind the thorn-bushes were double sentries.
Every hundred yards a patrol with an
officer
was
to
be
Fifty yards in rear of this line lay the battalions,
met.
armed and accoutred, but
sprawled into every conceivable attitude which utter
weariness could suggest or dictate. The full moon,
men
the
in all their ranks,
rising early, displayed the
whole scene.
Imagination
was stimulated; and I would set down some of my
impressions and reflections, did I not fear that the
cynical reader would observe that others had thought
the same on similar occasions before.
A
few military comments may, however, be per-
mitted.
The enemy, twice
tionary Force,
were within
as strong as the Expedifive
miles.
They had
advanced that day with confidence and determination.
When
they halted, I gave them credit for more wit than
they possessed.
seemed impossible
It
to believe that
they would attack by daylight across the open ground.
Two
explanations of their advance and halt presented
themselves.
Either they had offered battle in a position
where they could not themselves be attacked until four
o'clock in the afternoon, and hoped that the Sirdars
army, even though victorious, would have to fight a
rearguard action in the darkness to the river or they
;
intended to
make
a night attack.
that an experienced
It
was not
commander would accept
likely
battle at
THE RIVER WAR
102
SO late an hour in the day.
If
the Dervishes were
the army would remain strictly on the defensive
rate, until there
tive
remained
was plenty of
— a night
—
The
daylight.
But
them.
for
anxious to attack
any
at
alterna-
attack.
Here lay the great peril which threatened the exWhat was to be done with the troops during
pedition.
the hours of darkness
little
of their enemy.
was
the
But
front
which
their
could
fire
was a matter of grave doubt whether
could be kept and the attack repelled.
it
The consequences
of the line being penetrated in the
The sudden
swarming to the
darkness were appalling to think
of.
crowds of figures
appearance of
attack through the gloom
ketry and artillery
still
when 400 yards
at night,
extreme range at
be opened,
the
In the daytime they recked
?
coming on
all
;
the wild outburst of mus-
along the zeriba
in spite of the bullets
;
;
the
the crowds
fire
getting
uncontrolled, ai*l then a great bunching and crumpling
of some part of the front, and
a multitude of fierce
mad
confusion, in which
swordsmen would surge through
the gap, cutting and slashing at every living thing
which transport animals would stampede and
wildly in
all directions,
destroying
in
rush
upsetting every formation and
attempts to restore order, in which
all
regiments and brigades would
fire
;
savagely on
all
shift for
themselves and
sides, slaving alike friend
and
foe
:
and out of which only a few thousand, perhaps only a
few hundred, demoralised men would escape in barges
and steamers to
The picture
tell
the tale of ruin
— true or
false
and
defeat.
— flamed before
the eyes
THE L'ECOXXAISSAXCE OF KEKRERT
of
the
all
thoughts
leaders
night
that
may have
been,
whatever their
but,
;
their
103
were bold.
tactics
Whatever advice was given, whatever opinions were expressed, the responsibility was Sir Herbert Kitchener's.
Upon
was taken must be
that
all
ditch
IEe
round the
or built
as
might have
infantry,
making them
the
resting
on the
l
formed
iver
infantrv
four
dug
and
as
time
as
big a
allowed.
join the buildings with hasty
little
space in which to
squeeze cavalry, transport, and guns.
lie
mass
numerous houses with the
entrenchments, and so enclose a
of the sort,
solid
into a
zeriba
a
the
filled
him.
ft/
perimeter,
high
to
attributed solelv
He might have formed the armv
of men and animals, arranged
deep
and the decision
his shoulders lay the burden,
his
armv
He
did nothing
in a long thin curve,
and enclosing a wide area of ground,
about which baggage and animals were scattered in
open order and luxurious accommodation. His line was
but two deep and only two companies per battalion
;
and one Egyptian brigade
lie
(Collinson's)
were in reserve,
thus obtained the greatest possible developement of
lire,
and waited, prepared
necessary to stake every-
if
thing on the anus of precision, but hoping with fervour
would not be compelled to gamble by night.
It was only necessary to walk round the zeriba to
There
It was neck or nothing.
realise the position.
that he
were
manv anxious
faces.
Yet those who had seen a
night attack before, trusted the musketry; and those
who had warred long
Soudan had confidence in
the luck of the General and the conceit of the enemy.
As for the Lancers, thev were too tired to distrust
in the
THE RIVER WAR
104
anyone; and having eaten their dinners, shaved themcarefully in anticipation
selves
counted the horses
about
a
dozen
who
— thev
of the morning, and
died of exhaustion
down
lav
to
—there were
sleep
and thanked
Heaven they were not generals and had nothing but
their lives to lose.
The
soldier
may
slumber, but the chronicler must
persist in the inquiry.
Sir
H. Kitchener's dispositions
They were neither
condemned by disaster nor sustained by success. The
Khalifa, as the world knows, did not make a night
that the messengers which the
attack.
It is said
General sent from time to time to his camp with news of
an impending attack by the British and Egyptian forces
for the night
remained unproven.
deterred him.
many
will prefer to think,
that the
night
may have been
This
attack
on
but
judging from past experience,
?
:
What would
gains no weight from
its
the result of such
to pronounce.
by the
The opinion
author and must stand simply
as an arrangement of words.
allowed
a
question,
I feel myself compelled
course of the narrative
gunboats gave at
The
general principles.
attack have been
moon
;
Arabs detested the darkness and avoided
nevertheless, remains
aji
the reason
The
search-liuhts of the
least 1,000 yards' notice
400 yards
of
clear
the
;
full
The
fire-space.
infantry were trained men, mostly experienced in war,
and
all
confident in
the weapons they held.
weapons were of amazing power.
may produce
The
fire
Their
of musketry
great results at long range, but
creases in intensity as the distance shortens,
the last hundred yards that destroys the attack.
it
and
init is
If the
THE RECONNAISSANCE OF KEEEERI
105
Dervishes had assaulted during the night, they would
have been met with such a storm of bullets
at short
ranges that their slaughter would only have been the
greater.
rather a poor compliment to the
It is
manhood
of
disciplined troops to say, as one distinguished military
has said,
writer
zeriba
the
the
that
army
the
if
would
enemy had penetrated
been
have
destroyed.
would then only have begun.
The
Disciplined Europeans are difficult to kill.
Indeed,
the
struggle
Soudanese would have enjoyed the confused combat.
The Egyptians would
selves
certainly have defended
with steadiness.
them-
took nearly 14,000 Zulus
It
more than three hours to exterminate 900 soldiers
Here were more than 20,000
Isandlwhana.
at
The brigades
bayonets, 7,000 of which were British.
There
would have fallen back to the river-bank.
would have been very heavy losses perhaps 3,000
men. But the mornino- lio-ht would have revealed the
greater part of the force vengeful and undefeated.
Hand-to-hand fighting cuts both ways. The Arab loss
—
in
the
would have been
With the dawn the troops might assume
assault
enormous.
and
afterwards
way among the heaps
surviving enemy from the
the offensive, and, picking their
of
slain,
would drive the
§
field.
Fortified
by
such
'%
reflections,
'§§^WSB
I
slept.
Others
Yet none were anxious to have
The night
the question decided, and all had doubts.
was, however, undisturbed
and the moonlit camp,
thought
differently.
;
with
its
anxious generals,
its
weary
soldiers, its fearful
THE RIVER
106
WAR
machinery of destruction, all strewn along the
the
great
river,
remained plunged in
bank of
silence,
as
if
the
and
morrow
the
of
chances
brooding over the
failures
of
the
past.
—
equally brave — was
another army
And
hardly four miles away
twice as numerous, equally confident,
waiting impatiently for the morn-
ing and the final settlement of the long quarrel.
—
107
CHAPTER XIX
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
SEPTEMBER
1898
2,
—
—
—
The dawn— The reconnaissance— The Dervish host Their advance The
incoming tide The beginning of the cannonade The White Flags
Within the zeriba With the infantry The machinery of death
Broadwood's cavalry action The Camel Corps The gunboat
The Horse battery Collapse of the first attack The 21st Lancers
again— On the ridge— The explanation of their advance The
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
'
4
—
—
charge of the 21st Lancers Some incidents Private Byrne, V.G.
Death of Lieutenant Grenfell The second phase The march to O]
durman— The echelon The field hospitals The British division— The
news of the charge The Khalifa's attack on MacDonald— The Sirdar's
—
counter- stroke
—
—Death
of
—
—
—
Yakub— The
—
attack from Kerreri
— Mac-
Donald's change of front The Lincolns— Kepulse of Osman and Ali
The death -ride of the Baggara cavalry Flight of the Dervishes
The end
of the battle.
The bugles
all
over the
camp by
the river began to sound
The cavalry trumpets and the drums
at half-past four.
and
—
of the British division joined the chorus, and
fifes
everyone awoke amid a confusion of merry or defiant
notes. The infantry, who had slept armed and accoutred
in
ranks,
their
had but
to
stand
indulged in a more elaborate
ourselves
callous,
set
it
— many
who had
toilet,
with especial care.
seen
much
war, or
themselves to eat enough to last
grew gradually
lighter,
and the
The cavalry
and we dressed
up.
Those who were
who were
practical
Then
cavalry mounted
till
night.
their horses, the infantry stood to their arms,
and the
THE RIVER WAR
108
gunners went to their batteries
;
while the sun, rising
over the Nile, revealed the wide plain, the dark rocky
hills,
and the waiting army.
liminaries were settled, the
remained but the
Even before
and
British
final act
Egyptian
was
as if all the pre-
"round cleared, and nothing
and
became
it
It
4
the rigour of the
light several
game'
squadrons of
cavalry were pushed swiftly
forward to gain contact with the enemy and learn his
The first of these, under Captain Baring,
occupied Surgham Hill, and waited in the gloom until
intentions.
the whereabouts of the Dervishes should be disclosed
by the dawn.
was a perilous undertaking,
might have found them unexpectedly near.
As
zeriba
for
he
the sun rose, the 21st Lancers trotted out of the
and threw out a spray of
one of these
Surgham
not
It
know
it
Hill.
was
my
We
With
officers' patrols.
fortune to be sent to reconnoitre
galloped forward, and as
that the Egyptian squadron and
we
its
did
officer
had already looked over the ridge, we enjoyed all the
excitement without any of the danger, and were also
by the thought that we were the first to see
what lay beyond. As there had been no night attack, I
had exj)ected that the Dervish army would have retired
elated
to their original position or entered the town.
the idea
ground
absurd.
hearts
that
they would advance
across
I rejected
the
open
by daylight, as it seemed
appeared more probable that their
to attack the zeriba
Indeed,
had
failed
it
them
in the night,
melted away into the deserts.
and that they had
But these anticipations
were immediately dispelled by the scene which was
visible
from the crest of the
ridcre.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
It
was a quarter
to
The
six.
growing stronger every minute.
light
109
was dim, but
There in the plain lay
the enemy, their numbers unaltered, their confidence
and intentions apparently unshaken. Their front was
now nearly five miles long, and composed of great
masses
men
of
joined
by thinner
together
lines.
From
Behind and to the flanks were large reserves.
where
stood thev looked dark blurs and streaks,
I
relieved
and
an odd-looking shimmer
diversified with
of light from the spear-points.
After making the necessary reports I continued to
watch the strange and impressive
became broad daylight
minutes
to
six
—
—that
suddenly
I
is
As
spectacle.
to
about
say,
realised
that
all
masses were in motion and advancing swiftly.
Emirs galloped about and before their ranks.
and patrols scattered themselves
all
it
ten
the
Their
Scouts
over the front.
Then they began to cheer. They were still a mile
away from the hill, and were concealed from the
army by the folds of the ground. The noise
shouting was heard, albeit faintly, by the troops
Sirdar's
of the
down by
But to
the river.
us,
watching on the
hill,
tremendous roar came up in waves of intense sound,
the tumult of the rising wind and sea before a storm.
spite of the confidence
civilisation
ness
—
for all
I felt in the
clear the
In
weapons of
aspect of this great host of im-
hurrying eagerly to the attack of
the zeriba, provoked a feeling of loneliness, which
shared, I think,
like
doubts had dispersed with the dark-
—the formidable
placable savages,
which
a
by the
rest of the little patrol.
was
Partly to
mind of such unnecessary emotions, and
also
no
THE RIVER
WAR
with the design of thereafter writing this account, I
moved
to a point
on the ridge which afforded
a
view of
both armies.
The
with
its
British
back
and Egyptian force was arranged
Its flanks
to the river.
were secured bv
t
moored
the gunboats lying
in line
in the stream.
Before
it
was
the rolling sandy plain, looking from the slight elevation
of the ridge smooth and
flat
as a table.
To
the right
rose the rocky hills of the Kerreri position, near which
the Egyptian cavalry were
of
men and
On
horses.
drawn up
— a dark
solid
mass
the left the 21st Lancers, with
a single squadron thrown out in advance, were halted
who climbed about Surgham
forward beyond it, or perched, as we
watching their patrols,
Hill, stretched
did,
on the
ridge.
The ground sloped gently up from the
it
seemed as
if
the landward ends of the
river, so that
Surgham and
Kerreri ridges curved in towards each other, enclosing
what lay between. Beyond the long swell of sand
which formed the western wall of this spacious am
theatre the black shapes of the distant hills rose in
The challengers were already
misty confusion.
arena
;
in the
their antagonists swiftly approached.
Although the Dervishes were steadily advancing, a
belief that their musketry was inferior encouraged a
nearer view, and
of
Surgham
enemy's
trotted round the south-west slopes
Hill until
side,
day before.
minute
we
detail.
we reached
among which
the sandhills on the
the regiment had waited the
Thence the whole array was
It
seemed that every
single
thousands could be examined separately.
visible in
man
of
all
the
The pare of
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
111
march was fast and steady, and it was evident that
it would not be safe to wait long among the sandhills.
Yet the wonder of the scene exercised a dangerous
their
and
fascination,
for a while
we
tarried.
The emblems of the more famous Emirs were
On
distinguishable.
the extreme left the
soldiers of the Bright
Green
flag
easily
and
chiefs
gathered under Ali-
Wad-Helu
between this and the centre the large
Dark Green flag of Osman Sheikh-ed-Din rose above
a dense mass of spearmen, preceded by long lines of
warriors armed presumably with rifles over the centre,
commanded by Yakub, the sacred Black banner of
;
;
the
Khalifa
the
right
floated
high and remarkable; while on
a great square of Dervishes was arrayed
under an extraordinary number of White
flags,
amid
which the Eed ensign of Sherif was almost hidden.
All the pride
massed on
who had
and might of the Dervish Empire was
this last great
dav of
its
existence.
helped to destroy Hicks, spearmen
Abu
Eiflemen
who had
Gondar,
Emirs who saw the sack of
Baggara fresh from raiding the Shillooks,
warriors
who had
charged at
Klea,
besieged
Khartoum
—
all
marched,
by the memories of former triumphs and embittered by the knowledge of late defeats, to chastise
inspired
the
impudent and accursed invaders.
The advance continued.
stretch
ont
across
the
The Dervish
plain
right
pursued a
would,
began
towards Kerreri
thought, to turn our right flank.
the Black Flag,
left
— as
I saw, pass
I
Their centre, under
moved directly towards Surgham.
line of
to
advance south of that
hill,
The
and
over the ground on which I stood.
THE RIVER WAR
112
This mass of
men was
the most striking of
could not have mustered
was
1
less
than 6,000.
They
all.
Their array
They displayed a great number of
perfect.
perhaps 500
—which
though they were
flags
looked at the distance white,
really covered with texts
from the
Koran, and which by their admirable alignment made
army look like the old
representations of the Crusaders in the Bayeux tapestry.
I called them at the moment the 'White Flairs' to
distinguish them from the other masses, and that name
of the Khalifa's
division
this
will
do as well as any other.
The attack developed.
strong,
toiled
the
across
The
plain
nearly 20,000
left,
and approached the
The leading masses of
Egyptian squadrons.
the centre
deployed facing the zeriba and inarched forthwith to
the
direct assault.
force
—
from
my
One small brigade of
their great
—halted 500 yards
A few horsemen —dark-brown
about
—approached us
perhaps about 2,000 strong
patrol.
who moved
nearly that
figures
in their
it
front
was necessary
so
on them.
to fire
This
apparently annoyed the others, for they immediately
paid us the compliment of detaching a score of riflemen
from our point of observation.
the Khalifa and his flag, surrounded by at
to drive us
men, were
also
drawing near.
The
tide
Meanwhile
least
was
10,000
rising fast.
mound of sand after another was
submerged by that human flood. It was time to go.
Besides, the riflemen had now begun to find the range,
One
and
rock,
one
their bullets
hummed
dust on the sandhills.
was now expedient,
to
overhead or knocked up the
had long been desirable, it
move round the hill out of their
It
THE BATTLE OF OMDUEMAX
We
fire.
did so at a gallop, amid quite a splutter of
musketry, and
hurt, for
113
was
it
very- fortunate that
would have been
it
difficult
no one was
to carry
him
off
amid such circumstances.
We
rid<>e.
fire
—a
spirits.
regained in safety our former position on the
The Lancers, delighted at having been under
new experience for all of them were in high
The enemy's centre was no longer visible;
—
a spur of the
hill
now
obstructed our view; but the
White Flags were of sufficient interest and importance to occupy the attention. As the whole Dervish
army continued to advance, this division, which had
'
now been echeloned
until
up
the
into
general
in rear of their right,
southern slopes of Surgham
range of the zeriba, I
have something
they and
and
their
to
ridge,
sheltering
spectators,
their
was within good
knew that they would
hill
occupy
when
their attention
banners appeared over the shoulder
of the
crest
yards
else to
They, too, saluted
Hill.
us 'with musketry; but as the
artillery
began to climb the
and
line
moved
and we therefore remained
among
right flank.
the
rocks
about
300
Meanwhile yet another
body of the enemy, comparatively insignificant in
numbers, who had been drawn up behind the 'White
moving slowly towards the Nile, echeloned still further behind their right, and not far from
These men had evidently
the suburbs of Omdurman.
Flags,'
was
been posted to prevent the Dervish army being cut
off
from the city and to secure their line of retreat and
with them the 21st Lancers were destined to have- a
;
much
closer acquaintance
VOL.
II.
about two hours
My
later.
I
THE EIVER WAR
114
attention
was distracted from
their
movements by the
t
loud explosion of artillery.*
The Dervish centre had come within range. But
it
was not the British and Egyptian army that
began the battle. If there was one arm in which the
Arabs were beyond
adversaries,
it
was
all
comparison inferior to their
in guns.
Yet
it
they opened their attack.
that
swiftly to the direction
of the Dervish line
were two
About
puffs
was with this arm
The eye travelled
of the noise.
now marching
of smoke.
I
In the middle
in frontal assault
looked to the zeriba.
yards short of the thorn fence two red
fifty
clouds of sand and dust sprang up, where the projectiles
had
struck.
It
immediately answered.
looked like a challenge.
It
was
Great clouds of smoke appeared
along the front of the British and Soudanese brigades.
all
One
after another four batteries
opened on the enemy
The sound of the
•cannonade rolled up to us on the ridge, and was reechoed by the hills. Above the heads of the moving
masses shells began to burst, dotting the air with
at a
range of about 3,000 yards.
and the ground with bodies.
smoke-balls
But
the}
were nearly two miles away, and the distance rendered
me
I
had a nearer tragedy to witne s.
White Flags
they were
looked back to the
unsympathetic.
I
'
'
nearly over the crest.
;
In another minute they would
become visible to the batteries. Did they realise what
would come to meet them ? They were in a dense
mass, 2,800 yards from the 32nd Field Battery and
The ranges were known. It was a
the gunboats.
*
A
Map, Omdurman
4
the First Attack,' to face page 128.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
matter of
115
The more distant slaughter
the mind was fascinated by the
machinery.
passed unnoticed, as
impending horror.
I
could see
it
coming.
In a few
seconds swift destruction would rush on these brave
They topped the
men.
view of the whole army.
them conspicuous above
of their
r
enemies, the)
and drew out into
crest
full
Their white banners made
As they saw
all.
discharged their
the
rifles
camp
with a
great roar of musketry and (juickened their pace, and
I
was alarmed to see a
solitary British officer, Lieutenant
Conolly, attached to the 21st,
front
fifty
feet
below them, but
yards' distance.
look
galloping across
behind the
He had been
hill.
onlv a hundred
at
sent out to take a final
Fortunately he returned
and with the necessary information.
safety,
moment
their
in
For a
the white flags advanced in regular order, and
the whole division crossed the crest and were exposed.
Forth with the gunboats, the 32nd British Field Battery,
and other guns from the zeriba opened on them. I
was but 400 yards awav, and with excellent glasses
could almost see the faces of the Dervishes
About twenty
minute.
Some burst
fearful
shells struck
fire.
%J
first
who met
the
them
in the
air,
others
high in the
exactly in their faces.
Others, again, plunged into the
sand
dashed
and,
splinters,
exploding,
and bullets amid
banners toppled over in
again
all
their
men
of
ranks.
directions.
immediately, as other
die for the
clouds
.
The white
Yet they rose
pressed
MahdTs sacred cause and
red dust,
forward to
in the defence of
the successor of the True Prophet of the Only God.
It
was a
at
terrible sight, for as vet thev
had not hurt us
l
2
THE RIVER WAR
110
all,
and
it
seemed an unfair advantage
when they could not
cruelly
watched the
close
of the
effect
and convenient
average
Under
fell
:
their influence the
I
most carefully from
a
men on the
were manv shells.
About
position.
to everv shell
Nevertheless
reply.
fire
to strike thus
and there
five
mass of the
*
White Flags
T
dissolved into thin lines of spearmen and skirmishers,
and came on
in
altered
and
formation
And now,
numbers, but with unabated enthusiasm.
whole attack being thoroughly exposed,
diminished
it
the
became the
duty of the cavalry to clear the front as quickly as
possible,
and leave the further conduct of the debate
the infantry and
the
Maxim
back to
trotted or cantered
guns.
All
patrols
tin-
their squadrons,
to
and the
regiment retired swiftly into the zeriba, while the shells
from the gunboats screamed overhead and the whole
length of the position began to burst into flame and
Nor was it long before the tremendous banging
of the artillery was swelled by the roar of musketry.
smoke.
Taking advantage of the shelter of the river-bank,
we dismounted,
watered
our
horses,
wondered what was happening.
the tumult grew louder and more
And
Maxims could
above the continuous
din.
was
in
above
feet
action.
every
and
moment
intense, until even the
flickering stutter of the
perhaps twenty
waited,
scarcely be heard
Eighty yards away, and
us, the
The nimble
32nd Field Battery
of the
figures
gunners
darted about as thev busied themselves in their comt
plicated
process of destruction.
The
officers,
some
standing on biscuit-boxes, peered through their glasses
and studied the
effect
of the
fire.
Once a galloper
a
THE BATTLE OF OMDUEM.VX
117
passed along the line with some message.
and the
left-flank
But that
companies of the Bine Brigade
—
brown double row of men monotonously firing volleys
was the extent of our vision
and we remained
huddled up in the low ground, consumed with curiosity.
I had, indeed, one glimpse.
With another officer I
—
;
built a pile of biscuit-boxes
on the edge of the
slope,
and, climbing thereupon, obtained some view of the plain.
men was
Eight hundred yards away a ragged line of
coming on desperately, struggling forward
of the pitiless
ing
— white
fire
banners tossing and collaps-
white figures subsiding in dozens to the ground
;
white puffs from their
little
spreading in a row
ing shrapnel.
all
rifles,
;
larger white puffs
along their front from the burst-
The picture
memory remains
for ever.
lasted only a
moment, but the
Then a few
bullets passed
our heads and we were ordered to rejoin our
over
troops, though the sight
to see.
Thereafter
was worth running many
we were again compelled
But the chronicler
lies
under no such
oppress the subaltern of horse.
must
in the face
—make
the
risks
to wait.
disabilities as
He may
—indeed,
he
Now
campaign with every arm.
it
was the turn of the infantry. The long line of bayonets
had been drawn up even before the sun had completely
risen.
grow
The
officers
in the plain,
and men had watched the light
and had scanned the distant
nearer ridge with eager, anxious eyes.
difference to
It
hills
made
them whether they were attacked
and
a great
in their
impregnable position or had to clear the streets and
houses of
Omdurman
— the difference probably between
200 killed and wounded and 2,000.
They watched the
THE RIVER WAR
118
squadrons push out towards the
and might see
hills,
the tiny patrols vanish on the further side
suddenly horsemen began to come back.
ing important
news, returned
and then
;
Orderlies, bea r-
—spurring
weary
their
A
rumour ran along the line.
The enemy were advancing. The squadrons in the plain
turned and retired towards the zeriba. Patrols drew in
from all sides, leaving the dark outlines of Sur^ham
Hill again deserted, catching up their squadrons, and
horses to a
full gallop.
disappearing in the ranks.
Presently the whole expanse
of ground
was bare and deserted
but not for long.
One by one rows of flags appeared jerkily over a blur
of dirty-white, which the field-glass developed into
;
They approached, continually gainthe left, and stretching out towards
thousands of men.
ing ground
to
Then a forest of white banners appeared over
the shoulder of Surgham ridge, and about the same time
Kerreri.
the guns began to
the infantry
fire
watched the
front of the attack.
smoke
on both
shells
sides.
exploding
Nor, until a
flashing into existence
For a
feAv
in
lit
while
tie
the air in
strange balls of
high above their
own
heads admonished them, did they realise that all this
was not only magnificent, but also war. Battalion by
battalion
—the
Guards
first
at
2,700 yards, then the
Seaforths at 2,000 yards, and the others following ac-
cording to the taste and fancy of their commanding
officers
—the
British division
began
to
fire.
As
the
range shortened Maxwell's Soudanese brigade, and a
moment
MacDonalds, joined in the fusillade, until
by 6.45 more than 12,000 infantry were engaged in
later
that mechanical scattering of death
which the
polite
—
THE BATTLE OF OMDUEMAN
119
nations of the earth have brought to such monstrous
perfection.
They
fired steadily
excitement,
officers
in
the
for
careful.
stolidly,
enemy were
the
without hurry or
away and
far
Besides, the soldiers
work and
mere
the
and
were interested
took great pains.
But presently
became
The
act
physical
tedious.
figures seen over the slide of the back-sight
little
The
grew hot
tiny
seemed a
each successive volley.
larger, but also fewer at
rifles
the
— so hot that they had to be changed
The Maxim guns
exhausted all the water in their jackets, and several had
to be refreshed from the water-bottles of the Cameron
for those of the reserve companies.
Highlanders before they could go on with their deadly
empty
The
work.
cartridge-cases,
tinkling
to
the
ground, formed small but growing heaps beside each
man.
And
side bullets
all
the time out on the plain on the other
were shearing through
flesh,
smashing and
splintering bone; blood spouted from terrible
men were
valiant
on through a
struggling
wounds;
of
hell
whistling metal, exploding shells, and spurting dust
Such was the
suffering, despairing, dying.
of the battle of
first
phase
Omdurman.
The Khalifa's plan of attack appears to have been
complex and ingenious. It was, however, based on an
extraordinary miscalculation of the power of modern
weapons
;
with the exception of
not necessary to criticise
it.
this cardinal error,
He
first
it is
ordered about
t
L"),000
men, drawn
Sheikh-ed-Din and
Osman Azrak,
chiefly
placed
from the army of Osman
under
to deliver a frontal
command of
He himself
attack.
the
120
TIIK
RIVER
AVAli
waited with an equal force near Surgham Hill to watch
the result.
If
move forward
Arab army, and
succeeded, he would
it
with his bodyguard, the flower of the
complete the victory.
If
The Dervishes who were
other chance.
was yet an-
failed, there
it
first
launched
against the zeriba. although verv brave men, were not
by any means
his best or
most
destruction might be a heavv loss, but
Osman
it
would not
While the attack was proceeding,
end the struggle.
the valiant
consisting of the rest of the
left,
Their
reliable troops.
Sheikh-ed-Din, might
army
move unnoticed
to the
northern flank and curve round on to the front of
zeriba held
by
the Egyptian brigade.
was meanwhile to march
remain out of range and,
them.
if
to
the
t
lie
Ali-Wad-Helu
Kerreri Hills, and
possible, out of sight
among
Should the frontal and flank attacks be un-
happily repulsed, the 'enemies of God,'
their easy victory over the
strong place and
city.
of
march
faithful,
exulting
would leave
to the capture
in
their
and sack of the
Then, while they were yet dispersed on the plain,
with no zeriba to protect them, the chosen warriors of
the True Religion
would abandon
all
concealment, and
hasten in their thousands to the utter destruction of
the accursed
— the
Khalifa with
them from behind Surgham
;
15,000 falling upon
Ali-Wad-Helu and
all
that
remained of Osmans army assailing them from Kerreri.
Attacked at once from the north and south, and encompassed on every side, the infidels would abandon hope and
order, and Kitchener might share the fate of Hicks and
Gordon.
Two
circumstances,
which
will
appear as
the account proceeds, prevented the accomplishment of
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
121
The second attack was not executed simultaneously bvthe two divisions of the Dervish army and
even had it been, the power of the musketry would
this plan.
:
have triumphed, and though the Expeditionary Force
might have sustained heavier losses the main result
could not have been affected.
The
last
hopes of bar-
barism had passed with the shades of night.
Colonel Broadwood, with nine squadrons of cavalry,
the Camel Corps, and the Horse Artillery, had been
ordered to check the Dervish
left,
and
prevent
it
enveloping the down-stream flank of the zeriba, as this
was held by the Egyptian brigade, which,
thought desirable to expose to the
attack.
With
this object, as the
full
it
was not
weight of an
Dervishes approached,
he had occupied the Kerreri ridge with the Horse
battery and the Camel Corps, holding his cavalry in
reserve in rear of the centre.
The Kerreri
ridge, to
which reference has so
fre-
quently been made, consists of two main features, which
rise to
the height of about 300 feet above the plain,
are each above a mile long, and run nearly east and
west, with a
dip or trough about
1,000 yards wide
between them. The eastern ends of these main ridges are
perhaps 1,000 yards from the river, and in
this inter-
vening space there are several rocky under-features and
knolls.
The Kerreri
hills,
the
spaces between
them,
and the smaller features are covered with rou<>h boulders
and angular stones of volcanic origin, which render the
movements of horses and camels difficult and painful.
The cavalry horses and camels were in the dip
between the two ridges; and the dismounted men of
THE RIVER WAR
122
Camel Corps were deployed along the crest of the
most southerly of the ridges, with their right at the
desert end.
Next in order to the Camel Corps, tin
the
centre of the ridge was occupied by the dismounted
The Horse
cavalry.
were on the
Artillery
The
left.
remainder of the cavalry waited in the hollow behind
the guns.
The tempestuous advance of Osman soon brought
him into contact with the mounted force. His real
intentions are still a matter of conjecture.
Whether
he had been ordered to attack the Egyptian brigade,
or to drive back the cavalry, or to disappear behind
the Kerreri Hills in conformity with Ali-Wad-IIelu,
impossible to
He
clear.
pronounce.
•/
J
He
was, however,
could
not
Egyptians
safely
the
with
assail
7
C%/ IT
*
a
His action
ia
powerful
cavalry
threatening
force
move
therefore continued his
his
rear.
left
across the front of
Keeping out of the range of infantry
the zeriba.
fire,
bringing up his right, and marching almost due north,
he
fell
upon Broadwood.
This
officer,
to have to deal with small bodies
who had
expected
on the Dervish
flank,
found himself suddenly exposed to the attack of nearly
15,000 men,
many
of
whom were
riflemen.
seeing the situation from the zeriba, sent
withdraw within the lines of
Broadwood, however, preferred to
to
infantry.
retire
He
The
through the
after
to be abandoned.
The
replied to that effect.
first
Dervishes,
Colonel
Osman
Kerreri Hills to the northward, drawing
him.
The Sirdar,
him an order
position
had soon
advancing in
attacked the Kerreri
hills
a
north-easterly
obliquely.
direction,
They immediately
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
123
enveloped the right flank of the mounted troops holding
them.
It will
be seen from the
map
that as soon as the
Dervish riflemen gained a point west and in prolongation
of the trough between the two ridges, they not only
turned the right flank, but also threatened the retreat of
the defenders of the southerly ridge
;
for they
sweep the trough from end to end with
to
were able
their
fire.
became certain that the southerly ridge
could not be held any longer, Colonel Broadwood retired
As soon
as
it
the battery to the east end of the second or northern
ridge.
was
This was scarcely accomplished
enfiladed,
when
the dip
and the cavalry and Camel Corps who
followed lost about
fifty
men and many
horses
and
The Camel Corps were
They were soon encumbered
camels killed and wounded.
the
most unfortunate.
with wounded, and
it
was now painfully evident
that in
rocky ground the Dervishes could go faster on their
than the soldiers on their camels.
Pressing
feet
on im-
petuously at a pace of nearly seven miles an hour, and
unchecked by a heavy
w
if
if
a less effective
rapidly
and
from the zeriba and
artillery fire
from the Horse battery, the Arabs
1
fire
diminished
the
distance
Under
their enemies.
Broadwood decided
between themselves
these circumstances Colonel
to send the
Camel Corps back
to
the zeriba under cover of a gunboat, which, watchfully
was coming downThe distance which divided the com-
observing the progress of the
stream to
assist.
fight,
batants was scarcely 400 yards and decreasing every
minute.
1
The cavalry were drawn up across the eastern
The Horse batten were only armed with 7-pounder Krupps
obsolete pattern.
of
an
K
THE
124
lUVEEl
"NV
A
The guns of the Horse
battery fired steadily from their new position on the
But the Camel Corps were still
northern ridge.
or river end of the trough.
struggling in the broken ground, and
was one of great
their position
it
was clear that
The Dervishes
peril.
already carpeted the rocks of the southern ridge with
dull yellow swarms, and, heedless of the shells which
still
to
assailed
push
them
in reverse
from the
zeriba,
On the very instant that
Camel Corps make for the river they
their attack
they saw the
home.
realised that
what they had deemed
trying, like a
hunted animal, to run
the lines of infantry.
of
war which
attack
is
their
prey was
ground within
to
"With that instinctive knowledge
the heritage of savage peoples, the whole
swung to
to east,
continued
the right, changed direct ion from north
and rushed down the trough and along the
southern ridge toward-
the Nile, with
tention of cutting off the
Camel Corps and driving them
the plain
in-
into the river.
It appeared
to the
The moment was critical.
cavalry commander that the Dervishes would actually
succeed, and their success must involve the total
That could not, of
destruction of the Camel Corps.
The whole nine squadrons of
course, be tolerated.
The British
cavalry assumed a preparatory formation.
officers
believed
that
They would meet
in
a
terrible
But
enable the
the ground
overwhelming
;
swarms of
down the trouirh.
The
direct collision
men who were hurrying
diversion might
charge impended.
was bad;
the
Camel Corps
the
to
escape.
enemy's force was
the Egyptian troopers were prepared
THE BATTLi: OF O MI) UK MAX
obey
to
— but
that
was
125
There was no exalted
all.
enthusiasm such as at these moments carries sterner
Few would
breeds to victory.
Nevertheless,
return.
The Camel Corps
were already close to the river. But thousands of
Dervishes were running swiftly towards them at right
angles to their line of retreat, and it was certain that
the operation appeared inevitable.
if
the camelry attempted
the
enemy thev would be
to cross this
annihilated.
lay in maintaining themselves
by
new
front of
Their only hope
their fire near the
river-bank until help could reach them, and, in order
the
cavalry
Dervish
attack,
the
weaken
and
delay
to
would have to make a desperate charge.
lint
at
the critical
moment
the
gunboat arrived
on the scene and began suddenly to blaze and flame
from Maxim guns, quick-firing guns, and rifles. The
range was short
:
the effect tremendous.
The
machine, floating gracefully on the waters
wreathed itself in smoke.
ful white devil
—
slopes of the Kerreri Hills,
cing thousands,
—a
terrible
beauti-
The
river
crowded with the advan-
sprang Up into clouds of dust and
splinters of rock.
in
tangled heaps.
It
was too hot even
The charging Dervishes sank down
The masses
in rear paused, irresolute.
The approach of another
The Camel
discomfiture.
for them.
gunboat completed their
Corps, hurrying along the shore, slipped past the fatal
point of interception, and saw safety and the zeriba
before them.
Exasperated by their disappointment, the soldiers of
Osman Sheikh-ed-Din turned
again upon the cavalry,
and, forgetting in their anger the mobile nature of their
THE RIVER WAR
126
foe,
pursued
the- elusive
squadrons three long miles to the
The cavalry, intensely relieved by the escape of
the Camel Corps, played with their powerful antagonist,
north.
Colonel Broad wood
as the banderillo teases the bull.
thus succeeded in luring this division of the Dei vi-h
away from the field of battle, where they were
The rough ground, however, delayed
sorely needed.
They lagged, as the Camel Corps
the Horse battery.
army
far
had done, and caused constant anxiety.
of their guns stuck
men and
last in
amarshy
spot,
At length two
and as several
horses were shot in the attempt to extricate
them Broadwood wisely ordered them to be abandoned,
and thev were soon engulfed in the Dervish masses.
Encouraged by
command
this capture, the
daringly
But they were
attacked
effectually
horsemen of Osman's
the
retreating
cavalry.
checked by the charge of a
squadron under Major Mahon.
Both gunboats, having watched the Camel Corps
safely into the zeriha,
now
returned with the current
and renewed their attack upon the Arabs.
heavy and accurate
fire
upon
Opening a
their river flank, they
them westward and awav from the Xile.
Through the gap thus opened Broadwood and his
squadrons trotted to rejoin the main body, picking up
on the way the two smns which had been abandoned.
He had distinctly diverged from the Sirdar's orders,
but his action, perilous as it was, had an important
effect on the course of the whole engagement.
For by
the time Osman had recovered control of his
gry
men, had re-formed them, and had returned to the
drove
battlefield, his
chance of useful action was for ever gone.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
127
The Egyptian brigade had also been completely shielded
from attack. The good understanding which existed
between the Sirdar and his trusted cavalry leader alone
t
The
rendered this beneficial disobedience possible.
paramount advantage of mutual confidence and intimate
knowledge between the superior officers of an army is
again
strikingly
good fortune
know
to
Few
displayed.
have
generals
Of
their subordinates.
all
the
the
advantages enjoyed by Sir Herbert Kitchener in the
campaigns on the
Xile, this
was the
greatest.
While these things were passing on the northern
flank, the frontal attack
of
the
4
White Flags
whole 14,000
was
joined
'
forward
pressed
gradually spreading out
formations, and
80(1
and
The debris
the centre, and the
in progress.
the
against
and abandoning
zeriba,
their dense
At about
gradually slowing down.
yards from the British division the advance ceased,
they could
Soudanese,
make no headway.
who were armed
Opposite
only with
the
the Martini-
came within 300 yards; and
one brave old man, carrying a flag, fell at 150 paces
from the shelter trench. But the result was conThe attack was shattered.
clusive all along the line.
Henry
The
rifle,
the assailants
leader, clad in his
new
jibba of
many
on steadfastly towards the inexorable
pierced by several bullets, he
the
end of the stubborn
wicked Osman Azrak,
viving Dervishes lav
fell
warrior
faithful
down on
colours, rode
firing-line, until,
lifeless.
of
many fights-
unto death.
the ground.
advance, thev were unwilling to retire
;
Such was
and
men, taking advantage of the folds of the
The
sur-
Unable to
their rifle-
plain,
opened
THE RIVER AVAR
128
and maintained an unequal combat.
By eight
o'clock
it
was evident that the whole attack had failed. The loss
of the enemy was more than 2,000 killed, and perhaps
many wounded.
as
with their
rifles, it
To
who were busy
the infantry,
had scarcely seemed a
Yet
fight.
all
along the front bullets had whizzed over and into the
ranks, and in every battalion
were casual! ies.
there
Captain Caldecott of the Warwicks was killed
Camerons had two
tenant Nicholson,
officers,
severely
one, Captain Bagot.
his horse
near the
2
Captain Clarke and Lien-
wounded
;
the Grenadiers
Colonel F. Rhodes, as he
Maxim
the
;
sat
on
battery of the 1st British
Brigade, was shot through the shoulder and carried
from the
field just
attack reached
as the
There were, besides these
officers,
its
climax.
about 150 casualties
anion <r the soldiers.
Compared with
the Dervish slaughter, the loss was
insignificant; without such a comparison
been more appreciable.
I
it
In any case,
cannot sympathise with those
was no
it
who seem
it
would have
was
sufficient.
to regret that
The reserve companies, who shared
greater.
the danger without the absorbing occupation of shooting, declare
that
they heard j^hmty of bullets.
only a few hundred
men were
question arises irresistibly
have heard?
Guard on
front
will
a
198.
Only those
%J
firing at the zeriba.
Yet
The
What must the Dervishes
who were with the Prussian
:
the glacis of St. Privat, or with Skobeleff in
of the
Grivica Redoubt, can
know
;
and the}
never be able to make others realise what they
For the
full
designations of these officers see the casualty
list,
page
1
)
'
J
.
BATTLE
OMDTJRMAN
THE FIRST ATTACK
TIME 6-45 A.M.
Seals
D
lards looo
THE KHALIFA AND YAK UB
a*.
;
.
.
15 Inches
or-
500
2000
MQei
2000
0
(The Black Flag
WAD HELU
ALI
halted
f
Bright Green Flag
5000
\
1
thje'SL
J?
V
A'
at!
*
V
2*
n
f ro ntal
1
1
.o
4
*
KERRERl HILLS
1*3
*
1
r./
o^HS
7, 7
****
4
2
St
700
BQpQj
*j
t'
Pi
7
KJ
laden d<&i
halted
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1/
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tersected
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erreri
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Gunboat
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-of
one Gycssos
M
Longmans,
Green ^
Co. London
.
NewYbrt &Bomoay
^1
Gunhoa tM
1
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
suffered.
my
For
my
part, I shall
129
be content to
live
with
curiosity unsatisfied.
The enemy's rifle fire
the heavy firing ceased it
The ground, although it
The attack had languished.
continued, and as soon as
began
be annoying.
to
appeared
flat
and
level to the eye, nevertheless con-
tained depressions and swellings which afforded good
cover to the sharpshooters, and the solid line behind
the zeriba
was an easy
target.
to clear out these depressions
The
by
artillery
now began
their shells,
and
in
work they displayed a searching power very remarkable when their flat trajectory is remembered.
As the shells burst accurately above the Dervish skirthis
mishers and spearmen
who were
taking refuge in the
by hundreds and by fifties
Instantly the hungry and attentive Maxims and
to fly.
the watchful infantry opened on them, sweeping them
some in death, others in terror.
all to the ground
Again the shells followed them to their new concealment. Again they rose, fewer than before, and ran.
Again the Maxims and the rifles spluttered. Again
they fell. And so on until the front of the zeriba was
folds of the plain, they rose
—
un wounded men for at least half a mile. A
few escaped. Some, notwithstanding the vices of which
they have been accused and the perils with which they
clear of
were encompassed, gloriously carried
off their injured
comrades.
After the attack had been broken, and while the
was beiim cleared of the Dervish
riflemen, the 21st Lancers were again called upon to
act.
The Sirdar and his generals were all agreed on
front of the zeriba
VOL.
II.
i
—a
THE RIVER WAR
130
They must occupy Omdurman before the
Dervish army could get back there. They could fight
as many Dervishes as cared to come in the
among the houses it was different. As the Khalifa
one point.
anticipated, the infidels, exulting in their victory,
had
were eager, though for a
city.
And
this
they were
Arabs were out
different reason, to seize the
now
in a position to do.
A
in the deserts.
The
great part of their
The troops
They were bound to
interior lines.
reach Omdurman first. The order was therefore given
But first the Surgham
to march on the city at once.
ridge must be reconnoitred, and the ground between
army was even
could move on
away
as far
as Kerreri.
the zeriba and
Omdurman
with infantry
necessary, but with cavalry
if
cleared of the Dervishes
if possible,
because that would be quicker.
the fusillade slackened, the Lancers
As
their horses.
and the
rest
stood to
Then General Gatacre, Captain Brooke,
of his Staff came galloping along the rear
of the line of infantry and guns, and shouted for Colonel
was
Martin.
There
stretched
arm pointing
were
a
conversation
brief
at the ridge
—an
— an
order,
out-
and we
scrambling into our saddles and straightening
all
We
the ranks in high expectation.
two or three
started at a trot,
patrols galloping out in front, towards the
high ground, while the regiment followed in mass
great square block of ungainly
hung
horses,
all
brown
glitter
;
;
and
little
over with water-bottles, saddle-bags,
picketing-gear, tins of bully-beef,
together
figures
—
all
jolting
the polish of peace gone
horsemen without grace
;
;
but
and jangling
soldiers without
still
a regiment
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
of
cavalry
light
operation
active
in
131
against
the
enemy.*
t-
The
We
was only half a mile away.
crest of the ridge
found
The rocky mass of Surgham
unoccupied.
it
obstructed the view and concealed the great reserve
around
collected
Black Flag.
the
But southward,
between us and Omdurman, the whole plain was exIt was infested with small parties of Derposed.
moving about mounted and on foot, in tens and
Three miles away a broad stream of fugitwenties.
vishes,
tives,
of wounded, and of deserters flowed from the
Khalifa's
army
to the city.
distorted the picture, so that
walked in
air
and some through water, and
misty and unreal.
the fiercest
excite
scattered
parties
Clerk,
was
set to
But the
sight
instincts
of
the plain
in
a glorious pursuit.
3
The mirages blurred and
some of the routed Arabs
The
was
were
all
to
sufficient
Only
cavalry.
the
appeared to prevent
signalling officer, Lieutenant
heliograph back to the Sirdar that the
ridge was unoccupied and that several thousand Dervishes could be seen flying into
Omdurman.
Pending
and looking back northwards,
across the front of the zeriba, I perceived, where the
first attack had been stopped, a greyish-white smudge,
the answer,
we waited
;
The
perhaps a mile long.
disclosed
glass
details
hundreds of tiny white figures heaped or scattered;
dozens hopping, crawling, staggering away a few horses
;
standing stolidly
men dragging
*
Plan,
«
among
off
the corpses
their
The Charge
;
comrades.
a few
unwounded
The skirmishers
of the 21st Lancers,' to face
page 144
Lancers
K
2
THE RIVER AVAR
132
Surgham soon began to fire at the
regiment, and we sheltered among the mounds of sand,
among
the rocks of
while a couple of troops replied with their carbines.
Then
the heliograph in the zeriba began to
of
flashes
light
that
The actual order
helio,
'
is
and clear the
but
could
it
was
in
opened and shut capriciously.
important.
Advance,* said the
'
and use every
left flank,
prevent the enemy re-entering Omdurman.'
all,
talk
effort to
That was
In the distance the enemv
sufficient.
Omdurman
be seen re-entering
hundreds.
in
There was no room for doubt.
They must be stopped,
and
parties
these
incidentally
small
might be brushed away.
We
Two
patrols
parties of Dervishes
plain
was
desirable to
were sent out.
The small
who were
and the slopes of the
it
scattered
hill
all
over the
prevented anything
less
than a squadron moving, except at their
The
first
patrol,
plain
remounted; the ground
looked smooth and unbroken; yet
reconnoitre.
the
in
under Lieutenant
Pirie, the
peril.
Adjutant
Omdurman, and
between the scattered Dervishes, who
and showed great excitement. The
of the regiment, struck out towards
began to push
in
fired their rifles
4
other patrol, under Lieutenant GrenfeJl, was sent to see
what the ground looked like from further along the
ridge and on the lower slopes of Surgham.
The riflemen among the rocks turned their fire from the
regiment to this nearer object. The five brown figure*
cantered over the rough ground, presenting
targets,
but under continual
the spur.
I
4
fire,
diflicult
and disappeared round
expected casualties.
However,
Lieutenant R. G. Grenfell, 12th Lancers.
in
two or
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
133
three minutes they reappeared, the riflemen on the hill
making a regular
musketry, amid which the
rattle of
Lancers galloped safely back, followed
their odicer,
who
last of all
remember thinking
looked, I
by
at the
he picked his way composedly among the
time, as
broken ground and tasted his
first
experience of war,
the beau-ideal of the cavalry subaltern.
He
said that
the plain looked as safe from the other side of the hill
as
from where we were.
this
moment
the other
They, too, had had good fortune in
patrol returned.
their
At
adventurous
Their information was exact.
ride.
They reported that
in a shallow
and apparently practi-
cable khor about three-quarters of a mile to the southwest,
and between the regiment and the
was drawn up
strong.
a
fugitives, there
formed body of Dervishes about 1,000
Colonel Martin decided on this information to
advance and attack
this force,
between him and the Arab
which alone interposed
Then we
line of retreat.
started.
But
all this
enemv had been busy.
the Khalifa had posted
time the
beginning of the battle
At the
a small
men on his extreme right, to prevent his
This
retreat to Omdurman being harassed.
force of 700
line
of
detachment
was composed
entirely of the
tribesmen of
Osman
flag,
by one of
Digna's
his subordinate Emirs,
able position in
Hadendoa
and was commanded
who
the shallow khor.
selected a suit-
As soon
-1st Lancers left the zeriba the Dervish scouts
top of Surgham carried the news to the Khalifa.
said that the Knulish cavalry
<>ll*
from Omdurman.
were coming
to
as
the
on the
was
cut him
It
Abdullahi thereupon determined
THE RIVER
134
to strengthen his extreme
WAR
right
;
and he immediately
ordered four regiments, each 500 strong, drawn from
the force around the Black Flag and under the
Emir
Ibrahim Khalil, to reinforce the Hadendoa in the Jchor.
While we were waiting for orders on the ridge these
men were hurrying southwards
along the depression,
and concealed by a
Surgham
spur
of
Lancer patrol reconnoitred the
risk of their lives, while
original 700
it
Jchor,
Hill.
at the
The
imminent
was only occupied by the
Galloping back, they reported
Hadendoa.
was held by about 1,000 men. Before they
rejoined the regiment this number was increased to
that
it
2,700.
The
we had no means
This, however,
of knowing.
Khalifa, having despatched his reinforcement, rode
donkey with a scanty escort nearly half a mile
from the Black Flag towards the Jchor, in order to watch
on
his
the event, and in consequence he
was within 500 yards
of the scene.
As the 21st Lancers left the ridge, the fire of the
Arab riflemen on the hill ceased. We advanced at a
walk in mass for about 300 yards. The scattered parties
of Dervishes
fell
straggling line of
back and melted away, and only one
men
in
quarter of a mile to the
a hundred strong.
dark blue waited motionless a
left front.
They were
scarcely
I marvelled at their temerity.
The
regiment formed into line of squadron columns, and
continued at a walk until within 300 yards of this
body of Dervishes. I wondered what possessed
them. Perhaps they wanted to surrender. The firing
behind the ridges had stopped. There was complete
small
silence, intensified
by the recent tumult.
Far bevond
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
the
135
row of Dervishes the fugitives were
streaming into Omdurman. And should these
thin blue
visible
few devoted
men impede
a
regiment
Yet
?
were
it
wiser to examine their position from the other flank
before slipping a squadron at them.
squadrons wheeled slowly to the
breaking into a
column of
began to cross the Dervish front in
Thereupon and with one accord the
trot,
troops.
men dropped on
blue-clad
left,
The heads of the
and the Lancers,
out a loud, crackling
fire
their knees,
and there burst
of musketry.
It
was hardly
possible to miss such a target at such a range.
and men
fell
at once.
The only course was
Horses
plain and
The Colonel, nearer than his regiment,
already saw what lay behind the skirmishers.
He
welcome
ordered
to
4
all.
Eight wheel into line
trumpet jerked out a
the
trampling
rifles.
On
shrill note,
of the horses
the instant
all
The
to be sounded.
'
heard faintly above
and the noise of the
the sixteen troops
round and locked up into a long galloping
the 21st Lancers were committed to their
swunsf
line,
first
and
charge
in war.
Two hundred and
men were firing madly
fifty
yards away the dark-blue
in a thin film of light-blue smoke.
Their bullets struck the hard gravel into the
air,
and
the troopers, to shield their faces from the stinging dust,
bowed
their helmets
forward, like the
Cuirassiers at
The pace was fast and the distance short.
Yet, before it was half covered, the whole aspect of the
affair changed.
A deep crease in the ground a dry
watercourse, a khor appeared where all had seemed
smooth, level plain and from it there sprang, with the
Waterloo.
—
;
—
THE EIVER WAB
136
suddenness of a pantomime
a dense white mass of
yell,
front
effect
men
and about twelve deep.
a dozen bright flags rose as
if
and a high-pitched
nearly as long as our
A
score of horsemen and
by magic from the
earth.
Eager warriors sprang forward to anticipate the shock.
The rest stood firm to meet it. The Lancers acknowledged the apparition only by an increase of pace.
Each man wanted
sufficient
The
sucli a solid line.
momentum
to drive
through
flank troops, seeing that they
overlapped, curved inwards like the horns of a moon.
But the whole event was a matter of seconds. The riflemen, firing bravely to the last, were swept head over
heels into the khor,
and jumping down with them,
at full
gallop and in the closest order, the British squadrons
struck the fierce brigade with one loud furious shout.
was prodigious. Nearly thirty Lancers,
men and horses, and at least two hundred Arabs were
overthrown. The shock was stunning to both sides, and
for perhaps ten wonderful seconds no man heeded his
enemy. Terrified horses wedged in the crowd bruised
The
collision
;
and shaken men, sprawling
and stupid, to their
Several
fallen
feet,
in heaps, struggled,
dazed
panted, and looked about them.
Lancers had even time to remount.
Meanwhile the impetus of the cavalry carried them
As
on.
a rider tears through a bullfinch, the officers forced
their
way through
the press
;
and as an iron rake might
be drawn through a heap of shingle, so the regiment
followed.
They shattered the Dervish
array, and, their
pace reduced to a walk, scrambled out of the khor on
#
the further side, leaving a score of troopers behind them,
and dragging on with the charge more than a thousand
•
;
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
Then, and not
Arabs.
thereafter each
till
man saw
137
then, the killing
the world
began
his
own
strange tale to
and
along his lance,
under his guard, or through the back-sight of
and each had
;
his pistol
tell.
Stubborn and unshaken infantry hardly ever meet
stubborn and unshaken cavalry.
run away and are cut down in
heads and destroy nearly
On
musketry.
this
Either the infantry
flight,
or they keep their
by
their
walls
had
the horsemen
all
occasion two
living
The Dervishes fought manhamstring the horses. They fired
actually crashed together.
fully.
They
tried to
their rifles, pressing the muzzles into the very bodies
opponents.
of their
They cut
and
reins
stirrup-
They flung their throwing-spears with great
They tried every device of cool, determined
dexterity.
men practised in war and familiar with cavalry and,
besides, they swung sharp, heavy swords which bit
The hand-to-hand fighting on the further side
deep.
of the khor lasted for perhaps one minute. Then the
leathers.
;
got
horses
creased,
into
again,
stride
pace
the
and the Lancers drew out from among
Within two minutes of the
antagonists.
living
their
man was
who had
fallen
clear
of
were cut
the
at
stopped quivering, but no
attempted.
their
collision every
Dervish
mass.
with swords
artistic
in-
till
mutilations
All
they
were
The enemy's behaviour gave small ground
for complaint.
Two hundred
rallied,
yards
away the regiment
halted,
faced about, and in less than five minutes were
re-formed and ready for a second charge.
The men
were anxious to cut their way back through their
*
L
THE RIVER WAIi
138
enemies.
We
— the
were alone together
ment and the Dervish brigade.
curtain between us and the
The
arm v.
t
was forgotten, as
it
was unseen.
cavalry rein-
ridije
hum?
like a
The general battle
This was a private
i
The other might have been a massacre but
here the fight was fair, for we too fought with sword
and spear.
Indeed, the advantage of ground and
numbers lay with them. All prepared to settle the
quarrel.
;
debate at once and for ever.
But some realisation of
began to come to those
the cost of our wild
ride
who were
Riderless horses galloped across
the plain.
responsible.
Men, clinging to
lessly about,
wounds.
their saddles, lurched help-
covered with blood from perhaps a dozen
Horses, streaming from tremendous gashes,
limped and staggered with their
five officers,
In 120 seconds
riders.
65 men, and 119 horses out of
400 had been
killed or
The Dervish
line,
less
than
wounded.
broken by the charge, began to
They closed up, shook themselves
re-form at once.
and prepared with constancy and courage for
another shock. But on military considerations it was
together,
desirable to turn
them out of the khor
deprive them of their vantage-ground.
drawn up, three squadrons
again
fourth
in
column,
now wheeled
in
to
first
and thus
The regiment
line
and
the right, and,
galloping round the Dervish flank, dismounted
opened a heavy
fire
the
and
with their magazine carbines.
Under the pressure of this fire the enemy changed front
to meet the new attack, so that both sides were formed
at right angles to their original lines.
vish
When
the Der-
change of front was completed, they began to
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
advance against the dismounted men.
^
But the
fire
little
doubt that the moral
of the charge had been very great, and that
effect
brave enemy was no longer unshaken.
this
may, the
it
was
/
accurate, and there can be
a>
139
fact
Be
remains that they retreated
this
swiftly,
though in good order, towards the ridge of Surgham
Hill, where the Khalifa's Black Flas? still waved, and the
21st Lancers remained in possession of the ground
and of
their dead.
Such
[
is
the true and literal account of the charge.
have described the event in
detail,
perhaps scarcely warranted by
although the engagement
is
its
still in
and
at
a length
importance.
Yet,
progress, the reader
care to hear a few incidents of valour
may perhaps
Colonel Martin, busy with the direc-
and adventure.
drew neither sword nor revolver,
and rode through the press unarmed and uninjured.
tion of his regiment,
Major
(
'role
Wyndham
5
had
by a Dervish who pressed
firinir.
From out of
the officer fought his
its
his horse shot
muzzle into
its
under him
hide before
the middle of that savage
way on
foot
and escaped
crowd
in safety.
Lieutenant Wormald, of the 7th Hussars, thrust at a
man
with his sword, and that weapon, by a well-known
London maker, bent double and remained thus. I myself saw Serireant Freeman trying to collect his troop
His face was cut to pieces, and as
after the charge.
he called on his
men
to rally, the
whole of
his
nose,
amid red bubbles. Surely
some place might have been found in any roll of honour
cheeks, and
for
such
a
lips
man
flapped
!
Major W. G. Crole Wvndham,
21st Lancers.
THE RIVER AVAR
140
Lieutenant Molvneux
W
of the enemy.
self
from
6
the I'hor into the midst
fell in
In the confusion he disentangled him-
his horse,
drew
and jumped
his revolver,
out of the hollow before the Dervishes recovered from
the impact
Then they attacked him.
the nearest, and at the moment of firing
The
across the rii»ht wrist by another.
of the charge.
lie fired at
was slashed
from his nerveless hand, and being wounded,
pistol fell
dismounted, and disarmed, he turned in the hopes of
by following the
regaining,
of the
line
squadron, which was just getting clear.
charge, his
Hard upon
his
came the enemy, ea<>er to make an end. Beset
on all sides, and thus hotly pursued, the wounded
track
ollicei
perceived a single Lancer riding across his path,
Whereupon
the trooper,
Frivate Bvrne, although alreadv severely
wounded bv
lie called
a bullet
on him
for help.
which had penetrated
his right
arm, replied
without a moment's hesitation and in a cheery voice,
'All right, sir!' and turning, rode at four Dervishes,
who were about
had partly paralysed
his
arm, prevented him
grasping his sword, and at the
fell
a
His wound, which
to kill his officer.
first
ineffectual
from
blow
it
from his hand, and he received another wound from
spear in
the
But
chest.
his
checked the pursuing Dervishes.
solitary charge
had
Lieutenant Molyneux
regained his squadron alive, and the trooper, seeing that
his object
saddle.
was
attained, galloped away, reding in his
Arrived at his troop, his desperate condition
was noticed, and he was told to
fall
out.
But
this
he
refused to do, urging that he was entitled to remain on
"
Lieutenant Hon. R.
I".
Molvneux, Roval Horse Guards.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
duty and have
6
another
At length he was
them.'
</o at
141
pelled to leave the field, fainting from loss of blood
When
the whole facts of this
case are dispassio-
nately considered, there will be few
who can
recall
act of greater devotion or can imagine a braver
The spectacle of
than Byrne.
practically helpless, riding
handed
—
this soldier,
the hell from
man
crippled,
to save his officer
to the attack of four Dervishes,
—
single-
and back into
which he had once escaped,
will not pale
before the finest stories of antiquity or romance.
war
an
The
where troops have been handled in
large numbers and in formed bodies
unlike the war
on the Indian frontier has not afforded many opporin the Soudan,
—
—
courage and conduct.
tunities for personal
public were desirous of making one
hero of the Eiver
would not
soldier.
his
find
He
wearing
War
man
But
if
the
the physical
in its last three campaigns, they
an unworthy Paladin in
this
brave Irish
has since received the Victoria Cross, and
it
enhance the value of that
will rather
order.
Lieutenant
Nesham
7
had an even more extraordinary escape than Molyneux.
He had scrambled
out of the khor when, as his horse was nearly stopping, an Arab seized his bridle.
He struck at the
man
his
with his sword, but did not prevent him cutting
The
off-rein.
released, flew
at
a single
out,
stroke
Then they cut
at
and,
as
nearly
him from
through his helmet
7
bridle-hand, unexpectedly
officer's
it
did
severed
all
sides.
so,
it
a swordsman
from
One blow shore
and grazed
his head.
Nesham,
21st Lancers.
Lieutenant C.
S.
his bodv.
Another
—
THE RIVER AVAR
142
inflicted a
deep wound in his right
A
leg.
third, inter-
cepted by his shoulder-chains, paralysed his right arm.
more, missing him narrowly, cut right through
the cantel of the saddle and into the horse's back.
all
of
youngest
the
was
he
subaltern
wounded
The
Two
—
A man
on either side seized his legs to pull
the
into
struck
long
spurs
The
ground.
the
him to
horse's flanks, and the maddened animal, throwing up
reeled.
head and springing forward, broke away from the
crowd of foes, and carried the rider bleeding, fainting,
its
—
but
alive
still
—
among
to safety
the rallying squadrons.
Lieutenant Nesham's experience was that of the
who were
only that he escaped to describe
killed,
men
it.
have written thus of others, and vanity encourages
the belief that the reader may care to know something
I
of
my own
desire
—and
my
stances
I
fortunes.
mine
luck
—were
is
would
it
willingly
gratify his
not that in such circum-
of a negative character.
As on
an-
came safely through, one of the very
whose saddlery, clothes, or horse were un-
other occasion, I
few
officers
touched, and without any incident that
down
putting
Two
I
will,
whole scene flickered exactly
besides,
and,
event seemed to pass in
shots,
however, record.
like
a
The
cinematograph
remember no sound. The
The yells of
absolute silence.
I
shouts of the soldiers, the firing of
the enemy, the
many
worth while
here.
impressions
picture;
is
the
clashing of sword
and spear, were
unnoticed by the senses, unregistered by the brain.
Several others
for the
say the same.
whole of a man's
Perhaps
faculties to
it
is
possible
be concentrated
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
in
143
the eye, bridle-hand, and trigger-finger, and with-
drawn from all other parts of the body.
It was not until after the squadrons had re-formed
I
that
heard of the death of Lieutenant Grenfell of
This young
the 12th Lancers.
personal charm and high
who
officer,
to
great
courage added talents and
industry which gave promise of a successful and even a
famous military career, and who had just before the
charge reconnoitred the enemy under a hot fire in a
manner that excited general admiration, had been cut
And at this shocking news the
down and killed.
exhilaration
of the
gallop,
excitement
the
moment, the joy and triumph
faded from the mind and the
;
realisation
it
as
Nor was
it
nised that there are
came home
you may,
a dirty, shoddy business, which only a fool
take.
the
successful combat,
of
with awful force that war, disguise
of
is
but
would under-
until the night that I again recog-
some things that have
matter what the cost
may be.
with the knowledge that he
With
felt,
to
be done, no
this reflection,
probably,
little
and
pain
;
—
—
no fear; Eobert Grenfell's friends among
whom I am sorrowfully proud to count myself may,
8
indeed must, be content. Captain Kenna and Lieutenant
certainly,
de Montmorency,
who made
recover the body, have
since
Cross.
Corporal Swarbrick,
awarded
—
tion
I
know
a courageous attempt to
received the Victoria
who
assisted
them, was
not on what grounds of discrimina-
— the Distinguished Service medal.
The Lancers remained in possession of the dearly
bought ground. There was not much to show that
s
Captain P. A. Kenna, 21st Lancers.
THE RIVER WAR
144
A
there had been a desperate fig
quarter of
the
Close
noticed
away nothing would have be
scene looked like a place where rubbish is thrown, or
where a fair has recently been held. White objects,
dirty bits of newspaper, lay scattered here
like
their
—the
bodies
of
the
enemy.
Brown
and
objects,
almost the colour of the earth, like bundles of dead
grass or heaps of manure, were also dotted about
AFTER THE CHARGE
the bodies of soldiers.
Among
these were goat-skin
broken weapons, torn and draggled flag-,
In the foreground lay a group of
cartridge-cases.
water-bottles,
dead horses and several dead or
was
<
donkey
3.
It
all litter.
We
gathered reverently the poor remains of what
edubefore
been
the
hour
an
of
quarter
a
but
had
cated soldiers of a civilising Empire, grieved at their
m
'
I
All'
If
<2
urgham
Regiment dismounted II I r
her t p&id fog orders ||||
Hill
7c?
^"'tf/,
ZertboL i
Mile
THE KHALIFA ANLf^'C
RESERVE OF DERVISH ARMY
.-.
«
4'
:
v*v
-
•
Small parties
-
of Dervishes
#
•
\«
4.
a*
111!
5
Dervishes retreating & 20 a
-
m
"
*
f
•
•
*
flack Flag
™
r
The swell ofaroundL
1
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that cover
WW
f f/
1111
Meryish rnovenuavb
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8.30. a m
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lit**
>
11
i
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8.37. a.
9
15
''Ill'
am
CHARGE
OF THE
21
IV
ST
.
LANCERS
ACTION NEAR OMDURM AN
8.50 a
SEPT. Z»> 1696
•
•
•
Lid hors+s
r
•
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To
Not*
.
JmS diagram, is not <h-a*vn to scole.
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OmJurma/L Svu^rs
.
9
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f
Longmans
Gra«n & Co Londcm. Net? York I Bomb ay
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ft.
•
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
145
The wounded were sent with a
small escort towards the river and hospitals.
An
9
officer, Second Lieutenant Brinton,
was despatched
with the news to the Sirdar. Then we remounted, and
fnghtful wounds.
looking at
I observed,
my
watch, that
only breakfast-time, that
nine;
comfortable England.
who were unhurt
At any
that there
rate, I deferred
and on the
I daresay
my
instant, as if to
neglect, both
it
was
half-past
is
to say, in
it
occurred to others
was
distant
plenty of time.
still
thanks until a later hour;
approve the prudence of the
cannonade and
fusillade
broke out
a<>ain
behind the ridge, and grew in a crashing crescendo
the whole landscape seemed to vibrate with the
until
The second phase of the
sound of explosions.
battle
had begun.
Even before the 21st Lancers had reconnoitred
Surgham ridge, the Sirdar had set his brigades in
motion towards Omdurman. He was determined, even
at
a very great risk, to occupy the city while
was
it
empty and before the army in the plain could return
The advantage might be tremendous.
to defend it.
Nevertheless the movement was premature.
The
Khalifa
remained undefeated west of Surgham
still
Ali-Wad-Helu lurked behind Kerreri
Hill.
;
Osman
I
was
rapidly
men on
35,000
was
it
There were
re-forming.
the
field.
possible to enter
still
least
at
Nor, as the event proved,
Omdurman
until they
had been
beaten.
As soon
had replenished
as the infantry
munition, they wheeled to the
9
VOL.
II.
Second Lieut. O.
W.
left in
Brinton,
their
am-
echelon of brigades,
'21st
Lancers.
L
THE
146
lilVER "WAR
and began to march towards Surgham ridge.*
movements of a great
that
desirable
echelon,
Surgham
fire,
the
British
are
slow.
division,
It
was not
which led
the
should remain in the low ground north of
—where
was commanded, had no field of
nothing and accordingly both these
it
and could see
brigades
force
The
—
moved forward almost together
Thus two
crest of the ridge.
to
occupy the
steps of the ladder
were
run into one, and Maxwell's brigade, which followed
Wauchope's, was 600 yards further south than it would
have been had the regular echelon been observed.
the zeriba
MacDonald had been next
In
to Maxwell.
But
now made.
a very significant change in the order was
General Hunter evidently conceived the rear of the
echelon threatened from the direction of Kerreri.
Had
the earth swallowed
all
the thousands
across the plain towards
would have
the
his best brigade
hills ?
and
his
who had moved
At anv rate, he
most experienced
general in the post of possible danger.
the Egyptians should not be exposed,
At any
rate,
lie therefore
ordered Lewis's brigade to follow Maxwell, and
MacDonald
last
of
all,
batteries of artillery
marched with the
left
strengthening him with three
and eight Maxim guns.
transport.
Collin son
MacDonald moved out
westward into the desert to take his place in the Echelon,
and also to allow Lewis to pass him as ordered. Lewis
hurried on after Maxwell, and, takimr bis distance from
him, was thus also 600 yards further south than the
regular echelon admitted. The step which had been
absorbed when
*
both
Map, Omdurnian
«
:
British
brigades
moved
off-
the Khalifa's Attack,' to face page 154.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMA>'
advisedly
147
— together, caused a double gap between Mac-
Donald and the
rest of the
And
army.
this distance
was further increased by the fact that while he was
moving west, to assume his place in correct echelon,
the other five brigades were drawing off to the southward.
I
am not
MacDonald's
At
seeking to
criticise,
but only to explain,
isolation.
army was marching south in
rear brigade at rather more than
9.15 the whole
echelon, with
the
Collinson had
double distance.
already started with
the transport, but the field hospitals
still
the deserted zeriba, busily packing up.
Btaff
had about 150 wounded on their
Sirdar's orders
had been
i
to
follow the transport.
lie
hospital barges,
The medical
hands.
The
that these were to be placed
and that the
on
remained in
were
field hospitals
a
But the moving of wounded
painful and delicate affair, and by a stupid and
o-ric\ ou>
mistake the three regular hospital barges, duly
men
is
prepared for the reception of the wounded, had been
lowed across to the right bank.
It
was necessary to
ammunition barges, which, although in no
arranged for the reception of wounded, were
use three
way
luckily at hand.
doctors,
Meanwhile time was passing, and the
who worked with devoted
energy,
became
suddenly aware that, with the exception of a few
detachments
from
the
British
division
and
three
Egyptian companies, there were no troops within half
a mile, and none between them and the dark Kerreri
Hills.
The two eunboats who could have guarded them
from the river were downstream, helping the cavalrj
MacDonald with
the rear brigade
was out
in the plain
L 2
;
THE RIVER
148
WAR
along
hurrying
the
bank
with
his
was
The
unprotected.
and
alone
were
They
transport.
pointing
huge
V
formed
a
together
army and the river
of
the
redan,
gorge
the
extremity—
south. The northern
and
from
Kerreri
towards
open
gaped
as it were
first
warning
the
like
come,
to
began
Kerreri there now
Collinson
—
;
drops before a storm of
of Dervish cavalry.
rain, small straggling parties
The
interior of the
V
was soon
and
one
patrols,
predatory
these
by
invaded
lly
horse
watered
Baggara
of
score
a
perhaps
troop of
their ponies within
hospitals.
300
of
yards
the
unprotected
Behind, in the distance, the banners of an
alarmwas
situation
The
reappear.
to
began
army
the
barges,
to
on
bundled
were
wounded
The
in<>\
them,
tow
to
steamer
no
was
there
since
although,
they were scarcely any safer
when embarked.
While
Colonel
busied,
thus
were
officers
medical
the
of
some
10
the
of
gauntlet
the
running
and,
off,
galloped
Slo^aett
Baooara horsemen, hurried to claim protection for the
hospitals and their helpless occupants. In the midst
of this
excitement and confusion the wounded from
the cavalry charge began to trickle
in.
had moved out of the
zeriba, a few skirmishers among the crags of Surgham
Each
Hill alone attested the presence of an enemy.
brigade, formed in four parallel columns of route, which
When
the British division
closed in until they were scarcely forty paces
and both
at
deploying interval
the river, the
right
—hurried on, eager to
10
second brigade
almost in line with
irest
first
—the
see
apart,
it
and on
what lav bevond the
Colonel A. T. Sloggett, R.A.M.C.
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
All was quiet, except for a few
ridge.
— the
third
in
sniping
But gradually
from the top of Surgham.
brigade
6
149
echelon
the
'
shots
as Maxwell's
—approached
the
became more numerous, until the
summit of the peak was spotted with smoke-puffs.
The British division moved on steadily, and, leaving
hill,
these
shots
these bold skirmishers to the Soudanese, soon reached
the crest of the ridge.
At once and
for the first time
THE GRENADIERS HELIOGRAPH
—
panorama of Omdurman the brown and
battered dome of the Mahdi's Tomb, the multitude of
mud houses, the glittering fork of water which marked
the confluence of the rivers
burst on their vision. For
the whole
—
a
moment thev
was distracted
stared entranced.
;
Then
their attention
for trotting, galloping, or halting
and
gazing stupidly about them, terrified and bewildered, a
dozen
crest
riderless troop-horses
—for the ridge was
appeared over the further
flat-topped
—coming
from the
THE RIVER WAR
150
plain, as yet invisible, below.
to
— faces
still
first
news
who
in twos
and threes began
way between the battalions, all covered
blood and many displaying most terrible injuries
make
with
was the
Details soon folio wed in the
of the Lancers' charge.
shape of the wounded,
It
their
cut to rags, bowels protruding, fishhook spears
stuck in their bodies
—
realistic
pictures from
t
lie
Thus absorbed, the soldiers hardly
But
noticed the growing musketry fire from the peak.
suddenly the bang of a field-gun set all heads looking
backward. A battery had unlimbered in the plain
between the zeriba and the ridue, and was
" — be
""o
The report of the guns
shell the summit of the hill.
darker side of war.
seemed to be the signal
From
far
away
for the
whole battle to reopen.
to the right rear there
came the sound
of loud and continuous infantry firing, and
immedi-
ately Gatacre halted his division.
Almost before the British had topped the crest of
the ridge, before the battery had opened from the
plain, while Colonel Sloggett was still spurring across
the dangerous mound between the river and the army,
the Sirdar knew that his enemy was again upon him.
Looking back from the slopes of Surghani, he saw that
MacDonald, instead of continuing his march in echelon,
had halted and deployed. The veteran Brigadier had
seen the Dervish formations on the ridge to the west
ked
of Surgham, realised
and, resolving to anticipate the enemy,
immediately
brought his three batteries into action at 1,200 yard-.
Five minutes later the whole of the Khalifa's reserve,
1-3,000
strong, led
by Yakub with the
Black Flag,
—
1
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
151
the bodyguard, and 'all the glories' of the Dervish
Empire, surged into view from behind the
hill
and
advanced on the solitary brigade with the vigour of
the first attack and thrice its chances of success.
Thereupon
Herbert Kitchener began to throw his
Sir
brigades about as
no wonderful
if
emergency or the
man
entirely
unmoved
ordered Maxwell to change front to the right
He sent Major Sandbach
Lewis to conform and come into
right.
by the
either
scale of the event.
and storm SurghamHill.
tell
I discern
the manoeuvres, but they were
skill in
certainly those of a
He
they were companies.
He
line
11
to
on Maxwell's
galloped himself to the British division
conveniently halted by General Gatacre on the northern
crest
of the
ridge
—and
ordered Lyttelton with the
second brigade to form facing west on Maxwell's
south of Surgham, and
back to
to hurry
MacDonald.
fill
Wauchope with the
first
brigade
the wide gap between Lewis
Last of
he sent an
all
officer to
left
and
Collinson
and the Camel Corps with orders that they should swing
round to
By
.
their right rear
movements the army, instead of facing
these
south in echelon, with
in the desert,
in the desert
It
and close the open part of the
its left
was made
and
on the river and
to face west in line, with
1
its
its
right reachina
back
right
its left
to the river.
had turned nearly a complete somersault.*
In obedience to these orders Lyttelton's brigade
brought up their
advanced west
1
;
left
shoulders, deployed into line, and
Maxwell's Soudanese scrambled up the
Major A. E. Sandbach, R.E.
Map, Onidurman: the Attnck on MacDonald,'
'
to face
page 156.
THE K1YER
152
Surghmn
"NVAli
rocks, and, in spite of a sharp
fire,
cleared the
peak with the bayonet and pressed on down the further
side; Lewis
MacDonald, against whom the Khalifa's attack was
first entirely directed, remained facing south-west, and
right
at
began to come into action on Maxwell
;
was soon shrouded
in the
own musketry
brigades 'which were now
smoke of
his
ft
The three
moving west and away from the Nile attacked the
right flank of the Dervishes assailing MacDonald, and.
compelling them to form front towards the river, unand
artillery fire.
doubtedly took
much
of the weight of the attack
There remained the gap between
the isolated brigade.
—
Lewis and MacDonald.
in
four
oil*
But Wauchope's brigade still
columns of route had shouldered
—
parallel
completely round to the north, and was
swiftly across the
plain to
fill
now
doubling
the unguarded space.
With the exception of Wauchope's brigade and of
Collinson's Egyptians, the whole infantry and artillery
force was at once furiously engaged.
The firing became again tremendous, and the sound
was even louder than during the attack on the zeriba.
As each fresh battalion was brought into line the tumuli
steadily
The three
increased.
leadinsr brigades con-
tinued to advance westward in one long line looped
up over Surgham
back in column.
Hill,
As
and with the right battalion held
drew nearer,
the possibility of the Dervishes penetrating the gap
between Lewis and MacDonald presented itself, and the
flank battalion was wheeled into line so as to protect
the right flank.
at this
the forces gradually
The aspect of
moment most
formidable.
the Dervish attack
was
Enormous masses of
THE BATTLE OF OMDUKMAN
men were hurrying towards
attack
that
Other masses turned to meet
almost hid MacDonald.
the
smoke-clouds
the
which was
on
developing
their
right.
Within the angle formed by the three brigades facing
west and MacDonald facing nearly south a great army
of not less than 15,000
of sheep
British
men was
by the
in a fold,
enclosed, like a flock
brown lines of the
As the 7th Egyptians,
thin
and Egyptian brigades.
the right battalion of Lewis's brigade and nearest the
gap between that unit and MacDonald, deployed to
protect the flank, they became unsteady, began to
bunch and waver, and actually made several retrograde
movements. This was the only battalion in the army
not commanded bv a British officer. There was a
moment of danger but General Hunter, who was on
;
two reserve companies of
the 15th Egyptians under Major Hickman to march
the spot, himself ordered the
Their morale
up behind them with fixed bayonets.
was thus restored and the peril averted.
The advance
of the three brigades continued.
Yakub found
himself utterly unable to withstand
His
attack from the river.
the
Donald
The
languished.
terrible losses in his
Bishara and
manv
own
musketry was
crowded ranks.
the
civilised
The
troops
were
producing
Wad
valiant
other less famous Emirs
fell
dead.
was evident
But
the stronger.
Graduallv he began to give ground.
that
attack on Mac-
It
who
position, must have known
for when he launched Yakub
even before the attack was repulsed, the Khalifa,
watched
that the
at
from
a
dav was
MacDonald,
it
close
lost
;
was
clear
that
the
only chance
THE RIVER
154
of success
WAR
and
depended on Ali-Wad-Helu
Osman
Sheikh-ed-Din attacking at the same time from Kerreri.
And
with bitter rage and mortification he perceived
that,
although the banners were
now gathering under
and Osman were too late, and
the Kerreri Hills, Ali
attacks
the
would
which should
only be consecutive.
have
been
The
simultaneous
effect
of
Broad-
now
wood's cavalry action upon the extreme right was
becoming apparent.
Eegrets and fury were alike
futile.
The
three
brigades advancing drove the Khalifa's Dervishes back
into
the
Along a mile of front an intense
desert.
The 32nd
British Field Battery on the extreme left was drawn by
The Maxim
its hardy mules at full gallop into action.
guns pulsated feverishly. Two were even dragged by
the enterprise of a subaltern to the very summit of
and destructive
fire
Surgham, and from
with bloodv
effect.
flared
this elevated position
Thus the long
in irresistible strength.
Egyptian
and crackled.
flag, careless
line
intervened
moved forward
In the centre, under the red
of the bullets which that con-
spicuous emblem drew, and which inflicted some loss
among
those around him, rode the Sirdar, stern and
sullen,
equally
unmoved by
fear
or enthusiasm.
A
away to the rear the gunboats, irritated that the
fight was passing beyond their reach, steamed restlessly
up and down, like caged Polar bears, seeking what they
mile
might devour.
Before that terrible line the Khalifa's
The whole ground was
strewn with dead and wounded, among whose bodies
division
the
began
soldiers
to
break up.
picked their steps with the customary
v
1
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OMDTJKMAN
THE KHALIFA'S ATTACK
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THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
1
0)
Surviving thousands struggled
Soudan precautions.
away towards Omdurnian and swelled the broad
stream of fugitives upon whose flank the 21st Lancers
Yakub and the defenders
already hun<r venuefully.
of the Black Flag disdained to
fly,
and perished where
when
they stood, beneath the holy ensign, so that
dark
their conquerors reached the spot the
folds of the
banner waved only over the dead.
While
moving
speed
at
was taking place
this
all
— the
1st
— for
events were
Brigade was
British
still
doubling across the rear of Maxwell and Lewis to iill
As they
the gap between the latter and MacDonald.
had wheeled round, the regiments gained on each other
according to their proximity to the pivot flank.
ade assumed a formation which
as
may be
described
an echelon of columns of route, with the Lincolns,
who were
actually the pivot regiment, leading.
time that the right of Lewis's brigade
had begun
the British
Khalifa's attack
Cmwds
thickly.
pses of
Baw a
tirely
it
By
the
was readied and
was evident
his force
that the
was
in
near foreground the Arab dead lay
of fugitives were trooping off in the
The Black Flag alone waved defiantly over the
distance.
tight
to deploy,
was broken and that
In the
full retreat.
(
The
its
defenders.
was over.
In the fron t of the brigade
But those who looked
a
way
to the right
What appeared to be an ennew army was coming down from the Kerreri Hills.
different spectacle.*
While the
soldiers looked
A mounted
arrived.
officer
and wondered, fresh orders
galloped up.
There was a
report that terrible events were happening in the dust
*
Map,
«
Omdurman
:
the Attack on MacDonald,' to face page 156.
THE EIVER WAR
156
and smoke to the northward.
with MacDonald's brigade
The spearmen had closed
were crumpling
;
his
line
had already broken it. Such were
the rumours.
The orders were more precise. The
nearest regiment
the Lincolnshire
was to hurry to
MacDonald's threatened flank to meet the attack. The
from the flank
;
—
rest of the brigade
o
remain in support.
—
was
to
change
front
half
C?
right,
o ?
and
The Lineolnshires, breathless but
elated, forthwith started off again at the double.
They
began to traverse the rear of MacDonald's brigade,
dimly conscious of rapid movements by its battalions,
and to the sound of tremendous independent firing,
which did
not,
venomous
the
Had
however, prevent them from hearing
hiss of bullets.
the Khalifa's attack been simultaneous witli
which was now developed, the position of MacDonald's brigade must have been almost hopeless.
In
that
was one of extreme peril. The
attack in his front was weakening every minute, but
the far more formidable attack on his right rear
grew stronger and nearer in inverse ratio.
Both
attacks must be met.
The moment was critical
the actual event
it
;
the
danger near.
All
depended on MacDonald, and
who by valour and conduct in Avar had
won his way from the rank of a private soldier to
the command of a brigade, and will doubtless obtain
that officer,
still
higher
employment,
was
equal to
the
emer-
gency.
To meet
the Khalifa's attack he had arranged his
force facing south-west, with three battalions in line and
the fourth held
back
in
column of companies
in rear
BATTLE
THE KHALIFA
AND
P
THE ATTACK ON MACDONALD
*
YAKUB
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TIME 1015 A.M.
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THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAX
of the right flank
—an
As the attack from
157
inverted L-shaped formation.*
the south-west gradually
weakened
and the attack from the north-west continually increased,
he broke off his battalions and batteries from the longer
L
side of the
an( l transferred
them
He
to the shorter.
timed these movements so accurately that each face of
his brigade
the enemy.
was able
As soon
to exactly sustain the attacks of
as the Khalifa's force
began to
waver he ordered the Xlth Soudanese and a battery on
his left to move across the angle in which the brigade
was formed, and deploy along the shorter face
i
he
ing
impending onslaught of Ali-Wad-Helu.
this,
the IXth Soudanese,
who were
to
meet
Perceiv-
the regiment in
column on the right of the original front,
the right from column into line without
orders, so that two battalions faced towards
and two towards the fresh attack. By this
wheeled to
waiting for
the Khalifa
was
clear that the Khalifa was practically repulsed, and
MacDonald ordered the Xth Soudanese and another
battery to change front and prolong the line of the
IXth and Xlth.
lie
then
moved
the
time
it
2nd Egyptians
diagonally to their right front, so as to close the gap at
the angle between their line and that of the three other
battalions.
These
under a heavy
difficult
fire,
manoeuvres were carried out
which in twenty minutes caused
over 120 casualties in the four battalions
the losses in the artillery batteries
the determined attacks of an
the troops
them
*
by seven
to one
to be victorious.
Plan,
*
—and
enemy who outnumbered
to close with
the roar of the firing and
Omdunnan MacDonald's Change
:
in the face of
and had only
Amid
— exclusive of
of Front,' to face page 160.
THE RIVER
158
the dust, smoke,
WAR
and confusion of the change of
the General found time to
summon
front,
the officers of the
them
for
having
rebuked
him,
around
Soudanese
IXth
wheeled
requested them to
The
of his
anticipation
line in
into
drill
more
and
order,
steadily in brigade
three Soudanese battalions were
now
confronted
from
attack
Kerreri.
Dervish
of
the
fury
whole
with the
The bravery of the blacks was no less conspicuous
They evinced an
than the wildness of their musketry.
extraordinary excitement
—
firing their rifles
without anv
attempt to sight or aim, and only anxious to pull the
the
vain
British
In
again.
pull
it
and
re-load,
trigger,
officers strove to
they called
calm
In vain
their impulsive soldiers.
upon them by name,
or,
taking their
The
from them, adjusted the sights themselves.
dependent
firing
was
utterly
beyond
rifles
control.
in-
Soon
the ammunition began to be exhausted, and the soldiers
turned round clamouring for more cartridge-, whiHi
doled out to them by twos and threes
their officers
hopes of steadying them.
in the
them
fired
all off
It
and clamoured
was
useless.
for more.
They
Meanwhile,
although suffering fearfully from the close and accurate
fire
of the three artillery batteries and eight
and to a
trims,
less
extent from the
random
Maxim
firing of
drew nearer in thousands,
that there would be an actual
the Soudanese, the Dervishes
and
it
seemed certain
collision.
The
valiant blacks
prepared
themselves
meet the shock, notwithstanding the
overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Scarcely three
rounds per man remained throughout the brigade. The
with
delisrht
-
batteries
to
opened a rapid
fire
of case-shot.
Still
the
THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN
150
THE RIVER WAR
100
of
survivors
their
first
the
and
advanced,
Dervishes
hundred
yards
away.
a
scarcely
were
assault
wave of
Behind them both Green
pressed forward over
flags
rolling
on
as
they
humanity,
armed
of
masses
enormous
now
believed to victory.
At
this
moment the Lincoln Regiment began to
As they doubled along the rear of the
come up.
the
days
round.
Id
looked
blacks
the
Soudanese,
Xth
numbers,
known
by
each
were
regiments
British
when
of which had a glorious significance, the Lincolnshire
was
called the 10th Foot.
Officers
and men
still
cherish
with
labelled
a
are
they
although
number,
famous
the
and throughout the
shoddy, modern territorial title
;
war
li
on
thev called the
'
— to the
Xth Soudanese 'our black
batta-
intense delight of those military savages
The Soudanese had for the most part ceased firing
and wei
having come to the end of
waiting with
conflict
bayonets for
fixed
which now seemed
the
inevitable.
hand-to-hand
Suddenly they
—
saw the English regiment their own English regiment
coming to their help. All along the line they turned
a succession of grinning faces, and emitted wild cries
of satisfaction and of welcome.
intent
on business.
Captain Maxwell's
As soon
12
— cleared the
brigade, they formed
dent
as
But the English were
the leading company
line,
right of MacDonald's
and opened an indepen-
obliquely across the front of the Soudanese.
fire
Groups of Dervishes in twos and threes were then
The great masses were
within a hundred yards.
within 300 yards. The independent firing lasted two
1-2
Captain E. P. Maxwell, Lincolnshire Regiment.
]
r
1
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2
KHALI FA
AND YAKUB
*
9
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THE BATTLE OF OMDUIiMAN
161
minutes, during which the whole regiment deployed.
Its
was
effect
to clear
away
The deployment
Arabs.
with the
Sloggett,
who
of
having been accomplished
men, including Colonel
shot through the breast while at-
of
loss
the leading groups
a
fell
dozen
tending to the wounded, section volleys were ordered
With
excellent discipline the independent firing
was
in-
and the battalion began with machine-
stantly stopped,
carry out the principles of modern
like regularity to
musketry, for which their training had efficiently pre-
pared them and their
They
fired
finally
rifles
were admirably
suited.
on an average sixty rounds per man, and
repulsed the attack.
The Dervishes were weak in cavalry, and had
About 400 of
scarcely 2,000 horsemen on the field.
these,
mostly the personal retainers of the
various
Emirs, were formed into an irregular regiment and
attached to the flag of AH-Wad-Helu
.
Now when these
horsemen perceived that there was no more hope of
victory, they arranged themselves in a solid mass and
charged the
of MacDonald's brigade.
left
The distance
was about 500 yards, and, wild as was the firing of the
Soudanese, it was evident that they could not possibly
succeed.
Nevertheless,
their hands,
and
all
many
carrying no weapon in
urging their horses to their utmost
speed, they rode unflinchingly to certain death.
were killed and
fell
as they entered the zone of fire
three, twenty, fifty,
two hundred,
and one out beyond them
the sandy plain.
A
all
—a
sixty,
thirty,
brown smear
II.
five
across
few riderless horses alone broke
through the ranks of the infantry.
VOL.
All
M
THE RIVER WAR
1G2
by
discounted
been
has
deed
their
of
valour
The
' Mad fanatic ism
the
is
tale.
the
told
have
those who
'
depreciating
to be a cruel
comment of their conquerors. I hold
injustice. Nor can he be a very brave man
motive,
and
nobler
with
a
them
credit
not
who will
from
honour
the
their
clear
to
died
they
that
believe
stain of defeat.
Why
should
we regard
as
madness
in
civilised
?
men
in
sublime
would
be
what
savage
the
our
own
upon
come
should
days
evil
if
that
For I hope
collapsing
Emj
which
a
army
last
the
and
country,
could interpose between London and the invader were
dissolving in rout and ruin, that there would be some
even in these modern days
—who
would not care
accustom themselves to a new order of
tilings
to
and
tamely survive the disaster.
After the failure of the attack from Kerreri the
whole Anglo-Egyptian army advanced westward,
ofbavonets and artillery nearh
in a
(1
drove the Dervishes before them into the deserts, so that
thev could bv no means rally or re-form. The Egyptian
cavalry,
who had
returned along the river, formed line
on the right of the infantry in readiness to pursue. At
half-past eleven Sir H. Kitchener shut up his glasses, and,
remarking that he thought the eneinv had been given a
4
<'ood dusting,' gave the order for the brigades to
their interrupted
which was
march on Omdunnan
possible,
now
—a
resume
movement
that the forces in the plain
The Brigadiers thereupon stopped the
massed their commands in convenient formations,
were beaten.
firing,
and turned again towards the south and the city. The
Lincoln-hire Regiment remained detached a< a rearguard.
THE BATTLE OE OMDURMAN
*
#
#
163
»
31
2
THE EIVER
164
Meanwhile the
advanced
great
at sunrise in
WAR
Dervish army, which had
hope and courage,
fled in utter
by the Egyptian cavalry, harried by the
21st Lancers, and leaving more than 9,000 warriors
dead and even greater numbers wounded behind them.
Thus ended the battle of Omdurman the most
signal triumph ever gained by the arms of science
over barbarians. Within the space of five hours the
strongest and best-armed savage army yet arrayed
rout, pursued
—
against a
modern European Power had been destroyed
and dispersed, with hardly any
difficulty,
comparatively
small risk, and insignificant loss to the victors.
—
165
CHAPTER XX
THE FALL OF THE CITY
— The flight of the Dervishes—A prisoner
The advance of the army — Khor Shambat— The Grenadiers — The
Egyptian cavalry — The march on Omdurman— The surrender of the
city — Within the great wall—At the Mahdi's Tomb— Mr. Hubert
— The wealth of the Empire—The escape
Howard — An adventurous
of the Khalifa— Arab loyalty— The pursuit by the Egyptian cavalry
The pursuit by the 'friendlies —A young Baggara— Neufeld — Repose
Some military questions — The merit of the victory— Doubtful
wheel — The failure to pursue — Treatment
points— The premature
of the wounded Dervishes—The 'glory of Omdurman — The casualties
\mniunition expenditure — Dervish losses.
Some
results of the charge
life
'
left
'
Now when
army
the
Khalifa Abdullahi saw that the last
that remained to
him was broken,
that all his
had failed, and that thousands of his bravest
warriors were slain, he rode from the field of battle in
attacks
haste, and, regaining the city,
proceeded like a brave
and stubborn soldier to make preparations for
defence, and like a prudent
own
flight
man
ombya
to
arrangements for his
should further resistance be impossible.
ordered his great war-drum to
be blown, and for the
its
He
be beaten and the
last
time those dismal
boomed through the streets of Omdurmaru They
were not heeded.
The Arab army had had enough
fighting.
They recognised that all was lost. Besides,
to return to the city was difficult and dangerous.
The charge of the 21st Lancers had been costly, but
notes
THE RIVER "WAR
166
it
was not
ineffective.
The consequent retirement of
the Dervish brigade protecting the extreme right exposed
The cavalry were resolved to take
full advantage of the position they had paid so much to
gain, and while the second attack was at its height we
their line of retreat.
were already trotting over the plain towards the long
lines of fugitives
who streamed
across
With
it.*
the
experience of the past hour in our minds, and with the
great numbers of the
many
enemy
in
our front,
that a bloody day lay before us.
not gone far
when
seemed
it
to
But we had
individual Dervishes began to walk
towards the advancing squadrons, throwing down their
weapons, holding up their hands, and imploring mercy.
As soon
was apparent that the surrender of
individuals was accepted, the Dervishes began to come
at first by twos and threes,
in and lay down their arms
as
it
—
then by dozens, and finally by scores.
who were
still
intent
to avoid the cavalry,
on
Meanwhile those
made a wide detour
flight
and streamed past our front
mile's distance in uninterrupted succession.
'
at a
It looked."
to quote an officer's description, 'just like the people
hurrying into Newmarket town after the Cambridgeshire.'
The disarming and escorting of the
delayed our advance, and
escaped from the
field.
many thousands
pri -oners
of Dervishes
But the position of the cavalry
and the pressure they exerted shouldered the routed
army out
into the desert, so that retiring they missed
the city of
Khalifa's
Omdurman
summons
altogether, and, disregarding the
to defend
it
and the order- of their
Emirs, continued their flight to the south.
Map, 'Omdurman
:
Noon, September
2, 1898,' to face
To harry
page 172.
THE FALL OF THE CITY
107
and annoy the fugitives a few troops were dismounted
with carbines, and a constant fire was made on such as
come
did not attempt to
in
and surrender.
Yet the
crowds continued to run the gauntlet, and I myself saw
good their escape. Many
;it least 20,000 men make
of these were
still
bullets, fortunately at
been madness
and replied to our
vicious,
very long range.
for three
It
fire
with
would have
hundred Lancers to gallop
in
amongst such masses, and we had to be content with
The need of a fresh
the results of the carbine fire.
Of course
would have involved more
cavalry brigade on this flank was apparent.
an additional cavalry force
more expense, and it cannot be denied
Yet I
that a sufficient result was obtained without it.
could not help thinking of my Frontier friends, and of
transport and
the effect which three smart regiments of Bengal Lancers
would have produced.
point of view.
I write
From any
other
only from the tactical
it
was evident that there
Even the carbine
(ire seemed a stern reckoning, for it was apparent that
My troop was
the enemy were hopelessly routed.
among those detached on this duty, and we blazed
away merrily for some time without, I am glad to say,
doing much harm at stray groups of Dervishes who
ried to make short cuts across our front into Omdurman. We took one of the wounded Arabs prisoner.
The rest were carried off by their friends. As the
had been enough
killing that day.
—
—
t
troop approached this
man he threw down
his
weapons
had been shattered
by a bullet which had struck him in the heel. He,
however, grinned civilly as soon as he realised he was
in
token of surrender.
His
left foot
THE RIVER
168
not
to
WAR
be immediately put to death.
picked up his spears and smashed his
The troopers
and he was
rifle,
then invited, in something of the spirit of Grant's
proclamation
plough
to
Confederates,
the
may be
He
task.
profitless
and began to limp
foot sponging the
and
As he did not understand
his native sands.
English, he
depart
to
excused for not undertaking that
rose
off
from the ground
painfully
towards the
ground with blood
and I thought I had seen the
city, his
as he progressed,
him but he was
dilemma before the
last of
destined to relieve us of a painful
injured
;
day was out.
While all this had been going on, the advance of
Nor was it
the army on Omdurman was continuing.
long before we saw the imposing array of infantry
topping the sandhills near Surgham and flooding out
into the plain which lay between them and the city.
Hmh
o
over the centre brigade
flew
the
Black
Fla<?
of
the
C
O
Khalifa, and underneath a smaller flash of red marked
The black
masses of men continued to move slowly across the open
Ground while we fired at the flvhw Arabs, and at twelve
o'clock we saw them halt near the river about three
the position
of the
miles from the city.
Headquarters
Orders
Staff.
now reached
us to join
them, and as the sun was hot, the day dragged,
all
were
and hungry, and the horses needed water,
Ave
were
tired
not long in complying, and the remnants of the Dervish
army made good their retreat unmolested.
We marched back to the Xile. The whole force
had halted to drink, to eat, and to rest at Khor Shambat.
The scene was striking. Imagine a six hundred
THE FALL OF THE CITY
yards stretch of the
169
Both banks are
Suez Canal.
The
completely covered with the swarming
crowded with brown- or chocolate-clad
northern side
is
figures.
Thousands of animals
infantry of the British Division.
the horses of the cavalry, the artillery mules, the
transport camels
—
fill
the spaces and the foreground.
Multitudes of MaH-clad
the
are sitting in rows on the
Hundreds are standing by the brim or actually
slopes.
in
men
muddy
red
All are
water.
Two
or three carcasses, lying in the
that
the
On
all
soldiers
are
Nile,
refresh the
shallows,
show
thirsty rather than particular.
sides water-bottles
welcome
drinking deeply.
are beinsr filled
which has come
into
the
from the
desert
weary animals and men.
After the horses had been watered, and while the
were at the
to
tins of bully-beef
men
they had carried laboriously
throughout the day, I mingled with the crowd, and was
so
fortunate
as to
discover the mess camels
of the
The good news brought the other officers
of the regiment to the spot, and it was not long before
we were provided with a sufficient meal. The reader
21st Lancers.
may
perhaps object that I
set great store
by such an
uninteresting feature of the account as the occasions of
eating.
My
he knows
it
action
is
designed
;
for
he must learn, an
not already, that nothing in war
is
so im-
The wise man on the field of honour will be
distinguished by his appetite, which at once proclaims
portant.
his care for the future, his disdain for the past,
his
composure
and
in the present.
The Grenadier Guards were near the scene of our
unexpected picnic. They were equally fortunate, and
THE RIVER WAR
170
had even
— such
sort of shelter
was
enterprise
their
—erected
some
They were disgusted
from the sun.
that
were in
had been so easily obtained, and
apparent dudgeon that they had not been
severely
engaged.
the result of the day
Omdurman.
town
first.
it
be
looked as
in
street-lighting
if
the
in
the infantry had
But they scouted
The Soudanese brigades were to enter the
Her Majesty's Guards were not to have
plenty of
the idea.
the
Indeed,
consolation
offered
would
there
that
suggestion
still
We
work before them.
honour of losing
among
their lives
mud
the
hovels
All
was certainly monstrous
nor were their remarks
inquired about the charge
of barbaric slums.
It
!
;
less
complimentary than their
I
curiosity.
tried
to
obtain some reliable estimate of the casualties, but no
one had any definite statement to make.
with pain that Major
was
Mahon
We
learned
of the Egyptian cavalry
had been
seriously wounded.
Such are the strange rumours
that spread through an army!
The latter was easily
disproved, and when the Egyptian cavalry returned
killed,
and I was myself informed that
from their pursuit to water at the khor the
was happily found
From
I
first
report
also incorrect.
Colonel Broadwood's officers
account of their share in the
last
we
learned some
phase of the
battle.
During the attack on MacDon aid's brigade the Egyptian
cavalry had watched from their position on the
southern slopes of the Kerreri
hills,
ready to
inter-
and support the infantry by a
charge.
As soon as the Dervish onsets had ended and
the whole mass had begun to retreat, Broadwood'*
vene,
if
necessary,
-
THE FALL OF THE CITY
171
cavalry brigade formed in two lines of
five
four and of
squadrons respectively, and advanced in pursuit
first
and then south-west
west for two miles,
for
Eound-topped
Hill.
Like the 21st Lancers, they were delayed by
many
miles
three
Dervishes
more
towards
who threw down
whom
the
their
arms and surrendered,
was necessary to escort to the river.
But as they drew nearer the mass of the routed
army, it became apparent that the spirit of the
Stubborn men
enemy was by no means broken.
fired continually as they lay wounded, refusing to ask
quarter doubting, perhaps, that it would be
for
Under every bush that gave protection from
granted.
and
it
—
the lances of the horsemen
make
a desperate
stand.
little
groups collected to
Solitary
spearmen awaited
unflinching the charge of a whole squadron.
Men who
had feigned death sprang up to fire an unexpected
shot. The cavalry began to suffer occasional casualties.
In proportion as they advanced the resistance of the
enemy
increased.
abandoned, but
the retreating
The
in the
direct pursuit
had soon
to
be
hope of intercepting some part of
mob Major Le
Gallais,
who commanded
the three leading squadrons, changed direction towards
the river, and, galloping nearly parallel to
charged and cut into the
array.
tail
of the enemy's disordered
The Arabs, however, stood
firing their
rifles
wildly in
Khor Shambat,
all
their ground,
and
killed
and
directions
good many horses and men, so that the
squadrons were content to bring up their right still
wounded
a
more, and finally to ride out of the hornet swarm,- into
which they had plunged, towards Surgham
Hill.
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THE RIVER "WAR
172
pursuit was then suspended, and the Egyptian cavalry
joined the rest of the
It
was not
army by
the Nile.
until four o'clock that the cavalry received
orders to ride round the outside of the city and harry
such as should seek to escape.
The Egyptian squadrons
and the 21st Lancers started forthwith, and, keeping
about a mile from the houses of the suburbs, proceeded to make the circle of the town.
had already entered
patter of shots
it,
as
The
infantry
was evident from a continual
and an occasional
rattle of the
—
Maxim
—
The leading Soudanese brigade Maxwell's had
moved from Khor Shambat at 2.30, formed in line of
company columns and in the following order
guns.
Direction of Advance
XlVth
Xllth
8th
32nd
t
Maxims
Soudanese Soudanese ®
Egyptians Field Battery
The
Sirdar, attended
by
his
whole
Xlllth
Soudanese
with the
Staff',
Black Flag of the Khalifa carried behind him and
accompanied by the band of the Xlth Soudanese, rode
XlVth battalion. The regiments were
Soon enveloped by the numberless houses of the
suburbs and divided by the twisting streets but the
in front of the
;
whole brigade pressed forward on a broad front.
Behind followed the rest of the army battalion after
battalion, brigade
after brigade
—
—
until
all,
swallowed
up by the maze of mud houses, were filling the
open spaces and blocking and choking the streets
and alleys with solid masses of armed men, who
marched or pushed their way up to the great
wall.
The Sirdar had not penetrated the suburbs more
THE FALL OF THE CITY
173
than half a mile when three Dervishes, their jibbas
turned
out
inside
and
bearing a white
ran
flag,
forward to meet him, and threw themselves at his feet,
imploring him to accept the surrender of the city and
to spare the lives of
The conqueror
inhabitants.
its
required the principal Emir, and after a short delay an
old
man approached on
to the ground,
He
a donkey.
and then
abased himself
rising offered the keys of the
These were accepted, and the Sirdar informed
gates.
him, in Arabic, that he would spare
all
who
should lay
The old man kissed the General's
hand, and ran back towards the great wall, shouting
down
their arms.
the <rood news.
Immediately there arose a loud cry
of relief from the hidden thousands
who awaited the
now had seemed
The suburbs, which till
occupied only by the advancing infantry, sprang to
From every house men, women, and children
life.
answer.
appeared in dozens and scores.
tants rushed towards
the officers,
the
Staff,
Many
of the inhabi-
kissing the boots
of
down
shaking their hands, and calling
was nearly pulled
from his horse by the numbers of old friends and
The Sirdar
recent enemies who fawned on him.
himself received a royal welcome from the city he
blessings
on
their
heads.
Slat in
had taken; nor can he be blamed because
despatch he chose to regard
in
his
this natural manifestation
of joy on the part of the townsfolk at hearing they were
not to be put to the sword as their satisfaction at their
deliverance from the rule of the
is,
however, the true explanation.
Khalifa.
The
The
cries of
first
the
populace were loud, but the heaps of dead on the plain
THE RIVER AVAR
174
bore "more convincing testimony to the real wishes of
the people.
For two miles the progress through the suburbs
continued, and the General hurrying on with his Staff
soon found himself with the band, the Maxims, and the
Several hundred
artillery at the foot of the great wall.
Dervishes had gathered for
its
defence; but the fact
had been made on which they could
fire prevented their resistance from being
A few ill-aimed shots were however fired, to
that no banquette
stand to
effective.
which the Maxim guns replied with vigour. In a
quarter of an hour the wall was cleared. The Sirdar
then posted two guns of the 32nd Field Battery at its
northern angle, and then, accompanied by the remaining four guns and the
XlVth Soudanese, turned
east-
wards and rode along the foot of the wall towards
the river, seeking
some means of entry
into the inner
The breach made by the gunboats was found
temporarily blocked by wooden doors, but the main
gate was open, and through this the General passed
Within the wall the
into the heart of Omdurman.
The
scenes were more terrible than in the suburbs.
effects of the bombardment were displayed on every
side.
Women and children lay frightfully mangled in
the roadway.
At one place a whole family had been
crushed by a projectile. Dead Dervishes, already in
city.
m
the fierce
ground.
*
I
r
heat beginning to decompose, dotted
The houses were crammed with wounded.
Hundreds of decaying carcasses of animals
air
the
with a sickening smell,
filled
the
Here, as without the wall,
the anxious inhabitants renewed their protestations of
Till;
loyalty
and welcome
narrow
FALL OF THE CITY
;
175
and interpreters, riding down the
proclaimed the merciful conditions of
alleys,
the conquerors and called on the people to lay
Great
their arms.
piles of
in the streets, guarded
down
surrendered weapons rose
Many
were others who
by Soudanese
soldiers.
Arabs sought clemency; but there
and the whirring of the Maxims, the
disdained it
;
crashes of the volleys, and a continual dropping
fire
was fighting in all parts of the
All
city into which the columns had penetrated.
Dervishes who did not immediately obey were shot or
bayoneted, and bullets whistled at random along or
But while women crowded round
across the streets.
his horse, while sullen men fired carefully from houses,
while beaten warriors cast their spears on the ground
attested
that
and others
there
still
resisting
the Sirdar rode steadily
the
stench,
and
the
were despatched in corners,
onward through the confusion,
danger, until
he reached the
Mahdi'sTomb.
The open
Here a shocking accident occurred.
space in front of the mausoleum was filled with troops,
burst
and
overhead
screamed
shell
a
suddenly
when
All looked up in
close to the General and his Staff.
blank amazement, and when two more shells followed
in quick succession everyone hurried from the square
in
excitement and alarm.
But Mr. Hubert Howard,
who had dismounted and was standing in an adjacent
doorway, was killed by a fourth shell before he could
The two guns which had been left outside the
follow.
town had suddenly opened
fire
on their attractive
target.
Apparently their orders, which directed them to shell
THE RIVER AVAR
176
the
tomb under
action
;
nor does
officer in
certain
it
circumstances, justify their
seem that any blame attaches to the
command, who had received
his instructions
personally from Sir H. Kitchener.
After the
artillery
had been stopped the
firing
town and his
search for the Khalifa. At the mosque two fanatics
charged the Soudanese escort, and each killed or badly
wounded a soldier before he was shot. The day was
now far spent, and it was dusk when the prison was
Sirdar continued his examination of the
reached.
The General was the
and gloomy den.
first
to enter that foul
Charles Neufeld and some
heavily shackled prisoners were released.
thirty
Neufeld,
who
was placed on a pony, seemed nearly mad with delight,
and talked and gesticulated with queer animation.
Thirteen years,' he said to his rescuer, have I waited
£
'
From
for this day.'
the prison, as
it
was now dark, the
Sirdar rode to the great square in front of the mosque,
in
which
his
Headquarters were established, and where
both British brigades were already bivouacking. The
rest of the army settled down along the roadways
through
suburbs,
the
and
only
Maxwell's brigade
remained in the city to complete the establishment of
law and order a business which was fortunately hidden
—
by
the shades of night.
Thus the occupation of Omdurman was accomplished,
and only the sad and terrible accident which caused the
death of Mr. Hubert Howard marred the good fortune
of the capture.
Of
this event, as of the Sirdar's entry, I
for the cavalry
hung upon
saw nothing,
the flanks of the city until
—
THE FALL OF THE CITY
was
nil/lit
I
far
advanced
heard the news. At
no
are
limits
;
nor was
it
seemed
first it
177
until ten o'clock that
incredible.
But there
to the devilish ingenuity of malicious
and the truth became certain that the man who
had passed through many dangers, and who had that
fortune,
morning escaped unhurt from a charge where the
casualties reached nearly
killed
by
twenty per
Amid
a British shell.
cent.,
had been
the perils of
all
war
he was the victim of an accident.
Mr. Hubert Howard was a
man
of some reputation
and of much greater promise.
had already led him several
The love of adventure
times to scenes of war and
tumult.
In 1895 he passed the Spanish lines in Cuba,
and
six
for
Cuban
weeks fought and was hunted with the
whose privations and dangers he
insurgents,
shared, and whose cause he afterwards pleaded warmly.
At
this
time I was with the Spanish forces, witnessing
operations,
their
and the
opposite sides proved a
fact that
we had been on
bond of union.
Thereafter I
—
saw him frequently. His profession that of the law
gave him more opportunities for travelling than fall to
the lot of a subaltern of horse.
On
the outbreak of the
Matabele war he hurried to South Africa, and in the
autumn of 1896 he
acted as adjutant of Bobertson's Cape Boys, and displayed military qualities which left no doubt, in the
attack on Sekombo's kraal in the
minds of those
soldier, not
army.
who
saw, that he should have been a
only for his
Having on
his
and nearly precipitous
tactical value,7 he
VOL.
II.
own sake, but for that of the
own initiative captured a steep
hill,
which proved of considerable
was severelv wounded
in the ankle.
«
N
THE RIVER
178
He
refused to leave the
WAR
and continued
field,
till
the end
directing
and
inspiritabout,
himself
drag
to
day
the
of
His services on this occasion, not
ing his men.
his
i
known
of secretary
abilities,
obtained for him the position
The
Lord Grey.
to
less
recrudescence of
Mashonaland and Matabeleland in 1897 led
him again to the field, and in many minor engagements
those unheeded skirmishes by which unrewarded men
he added to his reputation as a
build up the Empire
trouble in
—
soldier
On
and
man.
as a
his return to
England he passed without
diffi-
culty the needful examinations for admission to the Bar,
and had been dulv called
The considerable
in his blood.
He
His literary powers
imagination.
proceeded to Egypt in August as
correspondent
joint
but war was
military expedition preparing on the
Nile fascinated his
were known.
;
of
the
newspaper
Times
with
Colonel Ehodes.
I
need not write of
how
pleasant
him on our long marches from
it
was
to ride with
the Atbara river, of the
arguments and discussions which arose, of the plans
for the
future
which were formed.
week does ardent and
Many
times a
energetic youth, strong with the
strength of undefeated ambitions and unassailed ideals,
conquer the world in anticipation.
Whoever is
familiar
with the good-fellowship of a camp knows that the best
of friends are
life
made
in the
open
air
and when
peril of
exists or impends.
A
close
and warm acquaintance was formed between
him and the
officers of the
21st Lancers.
With
their
squadrons he witnessed the Reconnaissance of Kerreri
THE FALL OF THE CITY
on the
1st of September.
With
all
179
of us he rode out the
One of the first to
force his way through the enemy's line, he was the first to
ride up and offer his congratulations to the Colonel.
morning
on
the
of
the
2nd.
charge
CD
CD
But the firing behind the ridge attracted him, and, as he
aspired to share
new
all
adventures.
was* so
memory if words
brave a man that pity
and the
feeling remains that
would pay some tribute
I
were of any
He
avail.
seems almost an
will
the dangers, he rode off in search of
insult,
to his
not have minded, whatever
wo ild.
It is of the
sentative of those
may
lie
beyond
He was
type that I write.
he
this
a repre-
young men who, with famous names
and belonging to the only true aristocracy the world
now show,
can
carry their brains and enthusiasm to the
farthest corners of
our wide Empire, and infuse into the
whole the energy and vigour of progress.
which
in the national life of
directed soleiv to
%J
%J
solely
to
commercial
fortunate State
ing for roads
men
like
military,*
all
That force
France and Germany
and in the United States
enterprises,
animates
in
parts of the public service.
by which
to advance the
Howard spread
is
to
our
Seek-
commonweal,
our farthest provinces.
His
Their graves, too, are scattered.
lies in
the desert
Thither his brother
Omdurman.
enrrespondents carried his body on the morning after
near
the
city
of
the action, and General Hunter, passing at the
halted
a
Soudanese
brigade
to
pay
full
moment,
military
honours.
When
paper in
the
newsgreat
news reached England,
O
O
whose service he perished, not less worthily
the
7
R
THE RIVER
180
!
WA
than any soldier of the Queen's armies, found some
1
lines in
Childe Harold
of his ancestor
which, since they were written
'
who was
of the
killed in the charge
10th Hussars at Waterloo, are so appropriate that
must transcribe them
.
.
.
I
:
And when showered
.
The death-bolts deadliest the thinned files along,
Even where the thickest of war's tempest lowered,
They reached no nobler breast than thine, young, gallant Howard.
While the Sirdar with the infantry of the army
was taking possession of Omdurman, the British and
Egyptian cavalry had moved round to the west of the
There for nearly two hours we waited, listening
city.
dropping fusillade which could be heard within
to the
great wall and wondering what
was happening.
Large numbers of Dervishes and Arabs, who, layingaside their jibbas, had ceased to be Dervishes, appeared
the
among
the houses at the edge of the suburbs.
Several
hundreds of these, with two or three Emirs, came out to
make
their submission
;
and we were presently so loaded
was impossible
interesting trophies had
with spears and swords that
them,
and
destroyed.
many
It
was
just
it
getting dark
Colonel Slatin galloped up.
to
cany
to
be
when suddeidy
The Khalifa had
fled
The Egyptian cavalry were at once to pursue him.
The 21st Lancers must await further orders. Slatin
appeared very much in earnest. Nor, knowing the
whole story, did
manner
I marvel.
to Colonel
He
talked with animated
Broadwood, questioned two of the
surrendered Emirs closely, and hurried off into the
dusk, while the Egyptian squadrons mounting also rode
THE FALL OF THE CITY
181
Looking at their weary horses, I
was quite prepared to back the Khalifa. As events
proved, my confidence was well founded.
away
It
a
at
trot.
was not
for
some hours
after
he had
of battle that Abdullahi realised that his
left
the field
army had not
obeyed his summons, were continuing their retreat, and
that only a few hundred Dervishes remained for the
He
defence of the city.
seems,
if
we may judge from
the accounts of his personal servant, an Abyssinian boy,
have faced the disasters that had overtaken him with
He rested until two o'clock, when
singular composure.
to
he ate some food.
and
Thereafter he repaired to the
in that ruined shrine,
shell-fire,
amid the wreckage of the
the defeated sovereign appealed to the spirit
of
Mohammed Ahmed
It
was the
last
The
grave.
ZD
Tomb,
to help
him
in his sore distress.
prayer ever offered over the Mahdi's
celestial counsels
seem
to
have been in
accord with the dictates of common-sense, and at four
o'clock the Khalifa, hearing that the Sirdar
was already
entering the city, and that the English cavalry were on
mounted a small donkey,
principal wife, a Greek nun
the parade ground to the west,
and accompanied by his
as a hostage, and a few attendants, rode leisurely
towards the south.
score
of swift
Eight miles from
Omdurman
manv
disheartened friends
in this evil plight,
armed.
that
he arrived he had no escort
The
;
fugitives
Here
but the fact that,
he found any friends at
recorded in his favour and in
When
a
camels awaited him, and on these he
soon reached the main body of his routed army.
he found
off
all
must be
of his subjects.
—was,
had good reason
indeed, un-
to be savage.
WAR
THE RIVER
182
To cut
Their leaders had led them only to their ruin.
the throat of this one
their sufferings
it
innocent.
man who was
all
would have thought
as easy as they
was
the cause of
The
Yet none assailed him.
tyrant, the
oppressor, the scourge of the Soudan, the hypocrite, the
abominated Khalifa
;
the embodiment, as he has been
depicted to European eyes, of
the vices
all
the object,
;
bitter
people's
of
his
England,
in
believed
was
he
as
hatred, found safety and welcome among his flying
The surviving Emirs hurried
soldiers.
Many had gone down on
the
his
to
Osman
plain.
fatal
side.
Azrak, the valiant Bishara, Yakub, and scores whose
names have not obscured these pages, but
g
who
;
were,
men
great
nevertheless,
of
war,
lay
up at the stars. Yet those that remained
Ali-Wad-Helu,
never wavered in their allegiance.
was
splinter,
shell
a
by
shattered
had
been
whose leg
staring
but the Sheikh-ed-Din, the astute
charge
the
withstood
who
Khalil,
Ibrahim
Di<ma,
Osman
tin
rallied
to
note
of
less
others
and
Lancers,
21st
the
of
senseless with pain
:
side of the appointed successor of
and
did not, even in this extremity,
And
so
ness,
a confused
all
warriors
men
still
hurried
his cause
on through the gathering dark
—
pitifully
along
laden with household goods;
30,000
abandon
and miserable multitude dejected
preserving their trashy rifles, and wounded
hobbling
dragging
Mohammed Ahmed
children
little
altogether;
;
with
;
camels and donkeys
women
all
little
in
crying, panting,
thousands
food and
—nearly
less
water
them the deserts before them, the gunboats
on the Nile, and behind the rumours of pursuit and
to sustain
;
THE FALL OF THE CITY
a
broad
of dead and dying to
trail
183
mark
the path of
flight.
Meanwhile the Egyptian cavalry had already started
on
The squadrons were
their fruitless errand.
The men carried food
horses barley enough to last
reduced in numbers.
morning, the
To supplement
this
slender
greatly
until the
till
noon.
provision a steamer had
been ordered up the river
to
meet them the next
day with fresh supplies. The road by the Nile was
choked with armed Dervishes, and to avoid these
dangerous fugitives the column struck inland and
marched southward towards some hills whose dark
outline
was
showed against the
swampy.
and
difficult
The unknown ground
At times the horses
sky.
floundered to their girths in wet sand
;
at others
rocky
horses and camels
march
blundered and fell. The darkness complicated the
At about ten o'clock Colonel Broadwood
confusion.
decided to go no further till there was more light. He
Jchors
the
obstructed
therefore
drew
halted on
a
off the
;
column towards the
comparatively dry spot.
desert,
and
Some muddy
which were luckily discovered, enabled the bottles
be filled and the horses to be watered. Then,
pools,
to
having posted
slept,
many
sentries, the
waking from time
to time to listen to the inter-
mittent firing which was
direction of
exhausted pursuers
still
audible, both from the
Omdurman and from
that
in
which the
Dervish army was flying.
I desire to complete
before returning to
Omdurman.
At 3
the account
of the pursuit
the 21st Lancers, halted outside
a.m.
on the 3rd Colonel Broadwood's-
THE RIVER AVAR
184
moved on
freshed, and by
force
again.
Men and
horses seemed re-
the aid of a bright
was covered at a good pace.
By
moon
the ground
seven o'clock the
squadrons approached the point on the river which
She had
had been fixed for meeting the steamer.
already arrived, and the sight of the funnel in
and
distance
anticipation
the
of
a
good
the
meal
had scarcely had anything to eat
But as the troopers
since the night before the battle.
drew nearer it became evident that 300 yards of
shallow water and deep swamp intervened between
Closer approach was prethem and the vessel.
cheered
vented.
all,
for they
There was no means of landing the
the hopes of finding a suitable spot further
stores.
In
up stream
march was resumed. The steamer kept pace along
The boo'oy ground delayed the columns,
the river.
but by two o'clock seven more miles had been covered.
Only the flag at the masthead was now visible, and an
the
impassable morass separated the force from the river
was impossible to obtain supplies. Without
food it was out of the question to go on.
Indeed, great
bank.
It
privations must, as
The
it
was, accompany the return march.
was emphasised by the reports of captured fugitives, who all told the same tale. The Khalifa
had pushed on swiftly, and was trying to reorganise his
army. Colonel Broadwood thereupon rested his horses
till the heat of the day was over, and then began the
necessity
homeward march.
It
was not
until eleven o'clock on
the 4th of September that the worn-out and famished
cavalry reached their
camp near Omdurman.
the pursuit as conducted
by the regular
Such was
troops.
Abdel-
THE FALL OF THE CITY
185
Azim, with 750 Arabs, persisted still further in the
Lightly equipped, and acquainted with the
chase.
country,
miles
reached
they
Shegeig,
south of Khartoum,
nearly
on the
hundred
a
Here they
7th.
The Khalifa had two
days' start, plenty of food and water, and many camels,
lie had organised a bodyguard of 500 Jehadia, and was
besides surrounded by a large force of Arabs of various
obtained definite information.
numerous and powerful following
he was travelling day and night towards El Obeid,
which town was held by an unbeaten Dervish garritribes.
With
this
son of nearly 3,000 men.
friendly
Arabs determined
the pursuit, and
came
On
hearing these things the
—not unwisely—
boastfully
back
to
to
abandon
Omdurman.
After the Egyptian cavalry and the Camel Corps
gloom on the evening of the 2nd
of September the 21st Lancers and the Horse Artillery
had disappeared
in the
awaited further orders for three hours, at the end of
which time Colonel Martin decided
to
make
his
way
#
into the outskirts of the city in order to bivouac for the
night near one of the infantry brigades.
With every
precaution that the experience of the day and the noises
of the night (for a continual fusillade was audible in
Omdurman
itself)
could suggest, the regiment passed
through the shattered huts and emerged upon a great
open space surrounded by mud houses, but lit by the
camp-fires of the 2nd British Brigade.
Here the horses
were unsaddled and picketed for the night.
While we were
all
the extreme hardness
noticed
among
busy about
of the
this latter task,
soil
rendered
which
difficult, I
the horses" hoofs a small dark object.
THE RIVKR WAR
186
Lieutenant Wormald,
whose troop was next
stooped and picked
up.
little
it
to mine,
Loosely wrapped up in a
piece of cloth, but otherwise quite naked, there
lay a tiny
baby only
who
a few hours old,
forthwith
began loudly to bewail the misfortunes of the
The story was
simple.
panic in the city
;
The cannonade
State.
in the plain
;
the return of the defeated warriors
;
the flight; the wretched mother struggling to keep up,
oppressed with the pains of maternity, falling by the
way, and then dragged on by force
she could not have
into
the deserts
left
baby
the
of the
south.
— since
— and
And
otherwise
away
hurried
the
babv
!
t
He
The whole
had already lived an adventurous life.
regiment had walked over him in column of troops
him unharmed. He had been bombarded.
Now he was a prisoner of war. Yet his captors were
more embarrassed than he.
We laid him on the
and
left
ground clear of the horses, and continued the business
Meanwhile
of picketing.
tation
done
to
?
his cries passed
He was
fury.
hungry.
from lamen-
What was
Perhaps, had there been milk,
to
be
we might have
kept him as a pet, to be brought up with especial care
young
tiger cub,
he should become vicious
and have to be put
in a cage.
But there was no milk,
until, like a
and we could scarce
While we
still
invite
him
to share our sausages.
who should come
Dervish who had been shot
debated,
darkness but the
out of the
in the foot ?
Evidently he fancied himself a favourite, since he had
not been killed, and meant to take advantage of his
position.
Here was one solution of the
put the baby,
still
difficulty.
We
protesting, in the Arab's arms, and,
THE FALL OF THE CITY
187
him a few ration biscuits, bade him go. Much
astonished, and by no means pleased, he departed and
giving
disappeared in the night
what happened
where
were armed
all
and
baby
the
to
;
I
have wondered since
—a
frail
where the strongest
helpless
;
naked
being,
mercy of the world where all
men were fierce and busy. Perhaps the wounded
Dervish caught up the fugitives and the mother
had been
killed
;
at the
regained her son, who,
it
probable),
as a
king
;
or perhaps (and
weary and
burden into
in
Soudan of the invading Turks
future years purge the
and rule
may
guided by fortune,
it
is
the
more
in pain, the Dervish flung his
some deserted corner, where
its
wails
passed unheeded and presently ceased altogether.
But
even then I do not think the baby will have missed
very much.
After this incident was satisfactorily settled, being
too tired to go to sleep at once, I prowled off in search of
information.
On
The Headquarters Camp was very
silent.
a native bed, his slumbers ensured and protected
A
a sentry, lay the Sirdar in well-deserved repose.
by
few
away Colonel Wingate was stretched on the
ground, busily writing by an uncertain light the telegram announcing the victory. In the background
yards
stood
a strange
figure
—a
pale-faced
man
with
a
ragged red beard and whiskers, clad in a blue-andwhite Dervish jibba.
weak
voice and indifferent English.
was busv about his
occasional clink.
was
He spoke
Charles
feet
The
Neufeld,
continuously in
A native
with a hammer.
sergeant
There was an
clink explained matters.
thirteen
years
a
the
This
Khalifa's
—
THE RIVER AVAR
188
prisoner, having his fetters
two
The smaller
sets of leg-irons.
an inch each wav
knocked
—he
There were
off.
— with
links about
had worn, so he said, ever
The larger I could
since he was captured in 1885.
he had worn for a
just lift the shackle with one hand
month onlv. Three enormous iron rings were about
—
—
They could break the coupling chains, but
had to remain till the morning. He talked
The remark that seems most worthy of record
each ankle.
the rings
volubly.
was
this
'
:
1
have forgotten
the fact that he
walk
I thouerht.
!
'
looked well
of the
The news obtainable, on the night of the
battle,
Bastille prisoner in
Headquarters
was
briefly
'
A Tale
—
—The
after
this:
Omdurman from end
in the
Two
Cities.'
the fount of knowledge
troops
had marched through
They would occupy it
The Khalifa and the remains of his
leaving about 10,000 dead on the field.
morning.
themselves in the city,
Our
davli«ht.
men.
all,
of
to end.
army had fled,
The survivors of various
at
to
fed,
in spite of
at
how
loss
factions
were fighting among
and would be
was under 500
4
dealt
with
officers
and
All this seeming satisfactory, I returned to
my
squadron, and having supped agreeably on sausages and
jam, made the
and went
acknowledgments to Providence
to bed, or rather to ground.
The time
that the soldiers devoted to sleep
employed by the reader in
profitably
is
fitting
may
reflection,
and
be
it
perhaps better to discuss the conduct of the action
while
its
events are fresh in the
such criticism for
It will
its
mind than
to reserve
peculiar chapter.
be said, that the completeness of the victory
THE FALL OF THE CITY
and any from canvassing the conduct
that the results were good enough to
should prevent
of the battle
justify the
189
all
;
means
;
and
when an
that,
affair
has been
managed well, it is idle to inquire how it could have
been managed better. I do not agree. If the comparative were beyond criticism, the superlative would be
beyond attainment. Perfection must remain the human
Besides, the defeat of the Dervishes at
ideal.
Omdurman
was so easily accomplished, that many are tempted to
ask whether
Among
was
it
really a task of great
who fought
those
difficulty.
in the Expeditionary Force
was scarcely a doubt when once the night of
the 1st of September had passed.
No officer or man
there
Arabs could
believed
that
prevail.
They were confident
weapons,
strength.
in
the
discipline,
I omit that
and in
by any
possibility
in their superiority in
their great
numerical
they were confident in their
commander, not because they doubted
his
capacity,
but because no one thought about that part of the
question.
is
Hard
necessary
skill
lighting
before
on more or
soldiers
of the General-in-Chief.
been sorely
less
consider
An
equal terms
the
army,
personal
till
it
has
itself.
But, on what-
ever they built their confidence, the
foundation was
tried, believes
in
The Nile Expeditionary Force was equal to
all contingencies.
Whether they were handled well or
badly, the destruction of the enemy seemed assured.
One single brigade was actuallv able, though it was
sufficient.
admittedly a terrible strain, to withstand
<>f
more than half the Dervish army.
six brigades.
When
this has
been
the attack
The Sirdar had
said, the question of
THE RIVER
190
whether
this or that
WAR
movement was
preferable becomes
one of minor importance.
Let us take the
by military
It
critics.
not have opened
point which has been raised
first
fire
said that the troops should
is
as early as they did,
but should
have allowed the attack to come within 700 or 800
yards, and then inflicted
Probably,
closer range.
still
more
terrible losses at this
had been fought
the battle
if
over again the next day, this would have been done
:
but I do not think any General could be expected to
tempt fortune under the actual circumstances.
ordinary risks of war are quite
The second observation
sufficient.
raises
a larger question
Omdurman
Should the Sirdar have tried to enter
mediately after the repulse of the
of settling with the
enemy
The
first
in the field
:
im-
attack, instead
There can be
?
no dispute that the echelon movement was premature.
The event proved that
it
could not be taken until
was impossible. The town
the Dervishes were routed.
The Sirdar desired, speaking in general terms, to wheel
his army to the left and march southwards into the
He was compelled to wheel it to the right and
city.
At
roll the enemy back northward towards Kerreri.
if critical moment there was
the critical moment
—
—he
handled his great force with surprising ease.
The reader who
will
look at the diagram of Mac-
Donald's change of front
plicated
affair
is
the sudden
ponderous brigades.
because the
may
1
It
realise
movement of
six such
was successfully carried out
rearmost brigade held
-J
1
what a com-
See Plan to face page 160.
its
own.
Had
THE FALL OF THE CITY
brigade been
that
been a fearful
of
first
weapons
was not broken is due,
the tremendous power of modern
That
it
secondly, to the great military qualities of
;
MacDonald; and
Hunter,
broken, there would indeed have
peril.
to
all,
191
who
thirdly, to the foresight of General
and of
deliberately
his
own
initiative,
transposed the rear brigades, so as to put Mac -Donald
and the best Soudanese regiments
echelon and in the most exposed
command
Maxim guns.
attached to MacDonald's
artillery
and eight
at the rear of the
and who
position,
three batteries
The
of
destructive
musketry of either British brigade would, of course,
have held
think
its
•ould
But there are many who
in the Egyptian army, no
front.
%J
no brigade
that
brigade in any
•
own
army not equipped
witli
magazine
rifles,
have repulsed the attack of Ali-Wad-Helu and
the Sheikh-ed-Din without the powerful assistance of
artillery and,
It
his
may
even more, of machine guns.
therefore be contended that the Sirdar
premature movement towards
difficult
situation
— from
the
The
commander was
the city
to
But
first
enter
let
me
pursue
Omdurman.
To
was the paramount consideration.
should be made.
attempted.
The
It
him
As Kitchener
Hunter trusted in MacDonald
was deceived.
This
is
the
His sub-
it
onlv
wav
in
must be
Hunter
gave the order.
took measures accordingly.
so
seize
that the trial
might be dangerous, but
Sirdar, then,
this
object in the brain of
ordinates were in agreement with
Hunter,
created a
which, not he, but his sub-
ordinates extricated the army.
matter to the end.
Omdurman
by
relied
:
on
neither
which an
THE RIVER WAR
192
army can be commanded
to
his
objects
;
the
The Chief looks
in the field.
principal
arrange
subordinates
by which they may be carried out. The
that
points
is
the
argument
this
which
to
conclusion
Sirdar picked good men and trusted them implicitly.
the details
Their credit
counted bv
also his,
is
and
his
triumph
only
is
dis-
the great inequality of the combatants in
weapons
The
-
important question
third
is
raised
meral disposition of the mounted forces.
be
doubt that the presence
little
of
it
left
of the Dervish
the
There can
the
Egyptian
cavalry and Camel Corps on the Kerreri ridge,
leading the
by
army and
by
mis-
attracting
northwards, contributed materially to the result
the battle.
Through
ol*
their pursuit of the cavalry the
Dervishes, before thev attacked MacDonald's brigade,
had been on the move since daybreak, had expended
much of their ammunition, and had perhaps lost some
confidence in the leaders who had led them against
so intangible a foe.
Sheikh-ed-Din
in
Moreover, the forces of Osman
their
attack
northwards
became
and the blows dealt by them afterwards were
and consequently defeated in detail. The
delivered
prisoners, many of whom were intelligent men of much
scattered,
—
—
experience in war, expressed the opinion that the cause
of their defeat was due to this useless fight with the
cavalry at Kerreri.
I have already written that their
chances had departed with the darkness of the preceding night, but the fact that the Dervishes regarded
the cavalry as so powerful a factor in their ruin has a
certain significance.
THE FALL OF THE CITY
The charge of the 21st Lancers and
193
fortunes of the day have also been described
all
justice has
but,
;
when
been done to the employment of the
mounted arm, the objection may
fruits of victory
many
on the
its effect
were not gathered.
prisoners were taken.
of the horses and
be urged that the
still
It is
true that
Indeed, the best energies
men were wasted
in capturing these
The paramount object for the
Examined
cavalry was the capture of the Khalifa.
wretched subordinates.
from any standpoint, but especially from
this,
the whole
On whom
troopers, who
pursuit must be called a hopeless failure.
Not on the
both thev and their horses were
does the responsibility
rode and fought
exhausted
till
lie ?
who handled
not on the cavalry leaders,
;
their divided
commands with
a skill and courage
of
which the reader may be himself a judge but upon the
First of all the mounted
Sirdar, and on him alone.
;
The proportion which cavalry
forces were too few.
in an
army should bear
ainis
has
Napoleon
to the strength of the
always been a
rated
it
modern preference
2
Colonel Henderson
allowed to
fall
high
as
is
fairly
for
a
as
constant
quantity.
The
one to four.
little
in a recent
other
less.
work,
'
says
'If,'
the cavalry
is
below the usual proportion of one
trooper to every six
men
of the other arms, the
army
1
The reason is apparent. Infantry and artillery may win battles, but the mounted aim alone
can profit by their success. The proportion of cavalry
suffers.
arms in the Anglo-Egyptian force
to the other
below the recognised standard.
2
VOL.
II.
If the cavalry
fell
far
were too
Professor of Tactics at the Staff College
O
;
THE RIVER AVAR
194
few compared with the army to which they belonged, they
were hopelessly outnumbered by the great Dervish host.
A handful of perhaps 1,200 horsemen were expected to
pursue effectively a multitude of exasperated savages,
not have numbered
who could
probably reached a far larger
But few
as
less
than 20,000
— and
total.
were the British and Egyptian cavalry,
a better result might have been achieved
had they been
more advisedly disposed. The utter lack of all combination between the 21st Lancers and Colonel Broadwood's brigade, and the ^reat interval bv which these
units
were divided, prevented the whole cavalry force
advancing together as soon as the enemy were in
retreat.
in
an
The Egyptian cavalry expended
full
their strength
ineffective direct pursuit at the tail of the Dervish
The 21st Lancers, having at a heavy cost gained
an excellent position on the flank of the line of retreat,
army.
found themselves too few to seriously
profit
by the
ad-
vantage they had won.
The
retreating
molested
a
;
The results were unsatisfactory.
Arabs marched from the field almost un-
the Khalifa escaped to rally his followers
force bitterly
hostile
to the
Egyptian Government
holds Kordofan and disturbs the other provinces;
the
prospect of a difficult expedition clouds the horizon;
and the name of Omdurman must be added
list
of battles
in
to that long
which the victorious army
take advantage of their triumph.
It will
failed to
no doubt be
urged that an extra cavalry brigade would have caused
an extra expenditure of money.
ness of Kitchener's campaigns.
I applaud the cheap-
But there
economy of
is
no worse
soldiers
THE FALL OF THE CITY
10")
Yet another matter delays the conclusion of this
Too much
It cannot, however, be omitted.
chapter.
has been said and written about the treatment of the
Dervish wounded
for
anyone who attempts
to write a
comprehensive account to avoid the discussion.
I shall
not hesitate to pronounce, though the question
is
about which everybody
is
a partisan.
one
The reader may
Mahmud's zeriba the
wounded were to be spared.
recall that before the attack on
Sirdar issued orders that the
r
THE CUSTOMS OF THE RIVER WAR
It
is
scarcely possible to believe that he wished other-
wise at
Omdurman.
It is nevertheless
a pity that his
former order was not republished to the troops
;
for I
must personally record that there was a very general
impression that the fewer the prisoners, the greater would
be the satisfaction of the commander.
that the British soldier
which never
fails to
is
The sentiment
incapable of brutality,
is
one
win the meed of popular applause
;
but there are in fact a considerable proportion of cruel
men
in every
army.
The mistaken impression
I
o 2
have
THE RIVER
196
alluded
encouraged
to
this
WAR
The unmeasured
class.
terms in which the Dervishes had been described in the
newspapers, and the idea which had been laboriously
of
circulated,
was quite
it
regard their enemy us vermin
to
The
live.
avenging Gordon,' had inflamed their
and had led them to believe that
passions,
correct
4
—
to
unfit
was that there were many wounded
result
Dervishes killed.
wounded Dervishes
I divide these
The
first,
and bv
who were
far the largest, class consisted of those
dangerous.
There can of course be no
objection to destroying as
been necessary
ment of the
into three classes.
many
for the safety
of these as
may have
and the Convenient move-
The second class comprised those
who, being terribly wounded, were killed to put them
out of their misery. Whether <»r not that is justifiable,
is
troops.
Those who think,
a difficult philosophical question.
as I do, that extreme, prolonged
greater evil than death, will
about the
and
useless pain
disturb
not
a
is
themselves
About the third
class there can be no dispute.
A certain number how
many I cannot tell, but certainly not le^s than a hundred
wounded Arabs were despatched, although they threw
second
fate of this
class.
—
—
down
their
arms and appealed
examined and
this point,
and
for
quarter.
I
have
listened to a urreat deal of evidence
it
does not appear that there were more
than a score of such cases
and the 21st Lancers
severely reproved
by
;
and
in
the
British
in everv case the
their officers,
repeating their brutal acts.
ever, passed over
on
The
division
men were
and prevented from
British troops,
how-
ground not very thickly strewn with
THE FALL OF THE CITY
197
who
perished were
muled Dervishe>, and nearly
all
by the Soudanese and Egyptian troops, and in
3
s
particular by Maxwell brigade.
Many atrocious acts
were also perpetrated by the camp-followers but their
intervention was a feature which no General could have
killed
;
foreseen before the battle, and
lasted.
and
Such are what
were busy while
all
I believe to
be the actual
I also record in contradistinction, that
it
facts,
thousands of
wounded Dervishes survived the day, that many were
succoured by the soldiers, and that upwards of 5,000
prisoners were taken.
It
would be therefore unjust
to
make any charge of barbarity against the army, and
still more so against the leader, upon whom the only
legitimate criticism
that he did not republish his
is
former merciful order.
But,
when
all
this
has been
mind turns with disgust from the spectacle of
unequal slaughter. The name of the battle, blazoned
on the colours, preserves for future generations the
said, the
memory
of a successful expedition.
exult in the part they played.
instruction
from
t
lie
carry from the
field
may draw
But the individual
soldier
only a very transient satisfaction,
and the 'glory of Omdurman'
five
Military experts
may
surprising demonstration of the
power of modern weapons.
will
Eegiments
seem
will
to
any who may
years hence read this book a very absurd expression.
In the battle and capture of
Omdurman
the losses
of the Expeditionary Force were as set forth in pages
198, 199.
3
I
was not present
after
Omdurman,
but,
if
such incidents took place,
they were certainly a new feature in Soudan warfare for I must record
that, having ridden over many Soudan battlefields, I have never seen a
;
man who had thrown down
his
arms refused quarter.— Editor.
WAR
THE RIVER
108
British Division
British Officers and Others ranking as Officers
Killed
;
(3)
Regiment.
Warwickshire
Royal
1st
Caldecott,
Capt. G.
Lancers.
21st
attached
Lancers
Royal
12th
Grenfell,
G.
Lieut. R.
:
Hon. H. Howard,
21st Lancers
Col. F. Rhodes, D.S.O.
:
correspon-
correspondent of the Times.
:
Lieut.
R.A.M.C.
L. Bagot, 1st Grena-
Lieut.-Col. Sloggett,
Hon. W.
dier Guards
Capt. S. S. S. Clarke, 1st
Cameron
Lieut. A. D. Nicholson, 1st
and Adj. A. M.
:
Pirie, 21st
Guards
:
Nesham,
Lieut. C. S.
21st Lancers
Mr. C. Williams, correspondent of
C.
J.
Came-
Lancers
Lancers
Lieut.
Royal
ron Highlanders
Lieut. Hon. R. F. Molyneux, Royal
attached 21st
Horse Guards
Highlanders
Lieut,
1st
Warwickshire Regiment
dent of the Times
Capt.
E. Etches,
C.
Brinton,
the Daily Chronicle
2nd Life
attached 21st Lancers
Su mmary of Loss in
the Division
Wounded
Killed
Total
j
1
Officers
20
21st Lancers
1st
Grenadier Guards
1st
Northumberland Fusiliers
Royal Warwick Regiment
Lincolnshire Regiment
1st
1st
4t
46
4
2
6
71
17
8
18
6
18
31
9
1
1
2
3
3
136
175
6
.
.
1
.
2
17
27
2
1
5
2
8
Army Med
R.
Corps
Correspondents
Meu
1
Highlanders
1st Cameron Highlanders
2nd Rifle Brigade
Detachment Army Serv. Corps
1st Seaforth
Officers
1
i
of
Casualties
1
*
2nd Lancashire Fusiliers
Detachment
Men
number
1
2
i
.
Totals
.
25
3
11
!
|
j
* 'Attached.'
4
The curious
fatality
much remarked on
4
Including
two
attached.
t
which attends attached
i
1
officers,
4
and which was
the Indian Frontier, receives a singular demonstration
in the case of those attached to the 21st Lancers.
THE FALL OF THE CITY
199
Egyptian Army
British Officers and N.C. Officer
Wounded
H. de Rougemont, E.A.
Capt. N. M. Smyth, Intelligence
Capt. C.
I
Lieut.
H.
C. B. Hopkinson,
Camel
Corps
Lieut. C. F. S. Vandeleur, D.S.O.
Staff
Lieut.
(6)
H. A. Micklem, R.E.
Staff- Sergt.
Hooper
Native Ranks
Men
Officers
Killed
Cavalry
....
Artillery
Camel Corps
1st
Egyptians
.
.
.
1
Wounded
2
1
1
2
4
.
;
2nd
!
3rd
4th
5th
7th
8th
„
.
»
.
„
„
„
:
IXth Soudanese
Xth
„
Xlth
„
Xllth
XlVth
1
17
5
4
4
1
....
....
.
.
.
j
1
1
1
i
i
3
10
2
40
23
[
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
1
31
2
2
.
j
XHIth
5
.
.
„
„
.
.
31
26
88
1
.
..
Wounded
Killed
1
1
-
5
10
7
;
15th Egyptians
17th
„
18th
„
Transport
.
.
.
.
4
i
7
.
Totals
General
2
1
i
2
.
total
:
8
18
273
19 British officers and 463 men. 5
5
The proportion of killed to wounded in the Egyptian army is
It will be
curiously low, and quite at variance w ith average results.
seen that almost half those killed in the army were in the 21st Lancers.
T
:
:
THE RIVER WAR
200
The following approximate statistics of the expendii of ammunition may be of technical interest
British Division (Lee-Metford
rifle)
Egyptian Army (Martini-Henry
MacDonald's Brigade
Maxwell's
.
Lewis's
.
.
.
.
,
.
160,000
75,000
37,000
'
Total
Artillery (case
Maxim
....
....
.
.
and shrapnel)
guns, British
Egyptian
172,000 rounds
rifle)
...
.
.
272,000
„
444,000
„
3,500 shell
'
37,000
30,000
67,000 rounds
The Dervish losses were, from computations made
on the field and corrected at a later date, ascertained
to be 9,700 killed, and wounded variously estimated
from 10,000 to 16,000.
There were, besides, 5,000
prisoners.
6
The two
Egyptian army fired 913
single battery in one day.
of the
The 4th battery
probably a record for a
British batteries together fired 800 shell.
shell.
This
is
—
—
CHAPTER XXI
AFTER THE VICTORY
—Funerals— The hoisting the flags — The memorial
service — The prize of war— The Great Wall — The Khalifa's house
the conquerors — The Arsenal
The Mahdi's Tomb — The chivalry
of battle — The Lancers' trap
The passing of barbarism — The
Courage and corruption — The Dervish dead — The story of the fight
horror— The dregs
vengeance
Home
The wounded — A scene
The
hospital barges
of
of
field
of
to
The
of
Omdurman.'
night passed without misadventure, although con-
tinual firing
and occasional volleys could be heard within
v
the city
the
1
;
and neither the hardness of the ground nor
threatening noises could deprive the weary
men
of
Early next morning orders reached
dreamless sleep.
the 21st Lancers to
move round
Omdurman, and remain
to the south side of
there in observation during
the day.
It fell to
to the
my
lot
to be sent
to
and wants of the
condition
who had been wounded
make
inquiries as
and men
officers
whom we
the day before, and
had not seen since they rode or were carried bleeding
and
in pain
from the scene of the charge.
After some
searching I found the barges which
contained the wounded.
they were
1
all
in
The arrangements
a later chapter.
good
In
spirits.
spite
1
for the care of the
of circumstances
Colonel Ehodes was
wounded
will be discussed in
'
•
THE RIVER WAR
202
propped up against the
there,
a Imllet through
ever
—the
brave and cheery as
hospital, as formerly of the
Sentenced to dentli by the Boers, he had been
cam]).
shot
his shoulder, but
and soul of the
life
railing of the barge, with
by the Dervishes.
Truly he
lias
many
suffered
things at the hands of the low-grade races of Africa.
But he has laughed and
Colonel Sloggett,
fortunes.
was upon the whole
t
The
who
—
his
all
mis-
I write judicially
he most popular officer with the
Expeditionary Force, lay
an angarib.
through
lived
bullet
silent,
but fully conscious, on
had entered
his
left
breast
above the heart, had traversed the lungs, and, passing
completely through the body, found exit near his spine.
was said that he had only a few hours to live. His
own knowledge of surgery confirmed the opinion of the
He could not speak, but even in this dark hour
others.
It
he greeted me
—
comparative stranger
a
smile of recognition.
—with a bright
Bv what seems almost
he has since made a recovery
as-
a miracle,
complete as any that
possible from so terrible a shock.
would be
tinguished
part
that he took in the action,
The
and
dis-
his
ride across the dangerous ground, have been described.
His
services,
not
only in the
final
campaign
throughout the war, were duly recognised.
but
His repu-
was high. His friends are
anxious to do justice to the
tation as a medical officer
legion.
Royal
The War
Army
Office,
Medical Corps, determined to advise Her
Majesty to confer the Distinguished Service Order on
this gallant
by a
on the
slight
list.
and accomplished doctor.
error they put
down
the
Unfortunately,
wrong name?
Another received the coveted
prize,
and
AFTER THE VICTORY
203
Colonel Sloggett has had to content himself with the
universal
and sympathy of
respect
his
comrades-in-
arms.
We
his left
it
had heard that Lieutenant Nesham had
hand, and
might be saved.
from the
field.
was with
it
He
told
He was
lost
relief that I learned that
me
of his return to
Brintom
bleeding terribly.
him
camp
2
had managed,
though his own arm was useless, to get a tourniquet from
his pocket
and had made a soldier put it on Xesham's
arm, explaining the method to the man. This had
himself in like plight, had seen
;
;
saved the subaltern's
Otherwise, said the doctors,
life.
he would have bled to death.
These are the sort of
facts that brighten the picture of
colours,
till
from a distance
it
war with
beautiful
looks almost magnificent,
and the dark background and dirtv brown canvas are
scarcely seen.
Nothing of historic importance happened on the
The usual tidying-up that follows an
There
action occupied the army and passed the hours.
were of course funerals, chieflv of soldiers who had
3rd of September.
The others had been already
interred.
The long wail of the Dead March sounded,
not for the first time, by the banks of the Nile,
and a silent column of slow-pacing British soldiers
accompanied a yet more silent row of bodies to their
died of their wounds.
last
resting-place.
On an eminence which
overlooks
the hazy desert, the green trees of
Khartoum, and the
mud
before
houses of
Omdurman, and
which
the
majestic river sw eeps with the cool sound of waters, a
9
Lieutenant
J. C.
Brinton, 2nd Life Guards.
THE RIVER WAR
204
The piles of reddish stones,
and the protecting crosses which the living raised as
the
bill
for
paid
all
had
who
those
to
tribute
last
a
new churchyard appeared.
the fun and glory of the game, will not, I think, be
most enduring monument. The destruction of a state of society which had long become an anachronism an insult as well as a danger
to civilisation; the liberation of the great waterway;
their only or their
—
perhaps the foundation of an African India
the settlement of a long dispute
which
will scarcely
;
;
certainly
these are cenotaphs
be unregarded during the present
generation.
The 4th
of
French Kepublic
September
—the
— may become memorable for
Detachments of
great event.
anniversary of the
officers
another
and men from
every regiment, British and Egyptian, were conveyed
across the Nile in the gunboats and steamers to take
Gordon Memorial Service, and to witness the
of the British flag amid the ruins of Khartoum.
part in the
hoisting
Personally I devoted leisure to repose.
Nevertheless,
Surrounded
the scene and ceremony were impressive.
by the
he had directed with terrible
soldiers
and
glorious effect, the successful General ordered the flags
to be hoisted
;
and the
little
and a great Union Jack
run up the
staffs,
presented arms,
red flag of the Khedive
— four
times
as
big
— were
while the officers saluted, the
men
and the band played the Egyptian
Anthem and our own. Then the Sirdar called
three cheers for Her Majesty. Nor was the response
National
for
without that subdued yet intense enthusiasm which
stirs
the sober and phlegmatic races of the North only
AFTER THE VICTORY
And
on rare occasions.
some who cheered
some in exultation of
there were
men
because of a victory over
;
some that a heavy debt had
and others that the war was over
the conquest of territory
been heavily paid
205
;
;
and thev would presently return home.
my
have raised
But I would
honour of that
voice and helmet in
— often
persevering British people who-
checked, often delayed
— usually get
affronted, often
their
own way
in
the end.
The memorial service
followed, and the solemn
words
of the English Prayer-book were read in that distant
More than
garden.
decapitated trunk
by
insulted
of the
Aral)
the
had passed since the
Imperial
Envoy had been
The lonely man
mob.
memory had proved a spell
countrymen through many miles and many
perished
liis
thirteen years
but his
;
that thev might
and near
death,
draw
to
dangers,
do him honour and clear their own.
unknown
his
had
grave, on the scene of his famous
might pay the only tributes of respect and
affection
which
within the power of men, however
lie
Strongly they be banded together, however well they
may
be armed.
The bands played their dirge and Gordon's favourite
hymn, 'Abide with me'; a gunboat on the river
crashed out the salute, Bending the live shells
they had no blank ammunition
White Nile
;
and
the
thus
the
— spinning
Highlanders piped a
ceremony was
thousand of those
duly
who would have
— for
away up
the
long lament
fulfilled.
prevented
;
Nine
it
lay
dead on the plain of Omdurman.
Other thousands
were scattered
crawled wounded
in the wilderness, or
'
THE RIVER WAR
206
And
to the river for water.
if
the British people had
cared to indulge in the more indecent pleasures of
triumph, they might reasonably have
stonemason to bring
commanded
hammer and
his
his
cut on the pedestal of Gordon's statue
Square the
sinister
word
*
Avenged
chisel
the
and
in Trafalgar
!
THE TARGET OF THE HOWITZERS (OBVERSE)
After the service was over the Sirdar turned and
shook hands with
his generals
and principal
officers,
and each congratulated the other upon the fortunate
termination of the long and difficult task.
Major Snow
produced his pint of champagne, which had lagged so
long on
its
journey to Khartoum.
of a few friends
who had
With
the assistance
passed, like the bottle and
owner, safely through the actions of
its
Abu Klea and Abu
Kru, and the battles of the Atbara and Omdurman,
it
I
YFTEli
was
THE VICTORY
207
opened, and caused more enthusiasm than
at last
so small a quantity of
unless assisted
by the
wine could possibly have created
local circumstances.
Having defeated the enemy and taken
his
city,
was neither inappropriate nor unlikely that the
conquerors should wish to examine the prize of war,
and there were many visitors to Omdurman. The
it
victorious
army
lay straggled along the river from the
THK TARGET (RKYKRSK
muddv
waters of Khor Shambat to the suburbs of the
t
town, a distance of nearly three miles.
The southern
end of the camp was already among the
Vet
it
was
a ride
The toad was
by much
by the
houses.
of twentv minutes to the Great Wall.
as
traffic.
the end the
mud
dome
shells, rose
broad as Piccadilly and beaten
On both
sides
were
of the Mahdi's
mud
houses.
level
At
Tomb, much damaged
conspicuously.
About a quarter of
a
mile from this
we reach on
THE 1UVER WAR
208
the
left,
as
Baedeker would say, the
Avail
of the city
As an obstacle the wall appears most formidaThe stones are well laid in regular courses, and
ble.
The officers who had toiled
the thickness is great.
with the big 40-pounder guns all the way from
They had
Cairo eyed it with disappointed appetite.
itself.
hoped to smash
it
Unfortunately, the foolish
to pieces.
people had opened their gates and prevented the fun.
It
was
possible,
on the water
however, to see the
side.
of the artillery
effect
Here the gunboats had been
at
The results were
Great round holes had been made in
remarkable.
They
the wall, which was perhaps eight feet thick.
ork at close and effective range.
were as neat and clean as
There was no
in leather.
if
they had been punched
debris.
A
storming party
would not have had to stumble over ruins of bricks
and mortar.
everything
The impact of the
—disintegrated
shells
had removed
The wind had
even^thing.
blown the powder that remained away. Where there
had been an obstacle, there was now an open doorway.
Within the wall were many horrible sights. Much
killing
and the paying-off of old scores had followed
power and preceded the
organisation of the new government.
It had been a
stormy interregnum. Dead bodies of men and women
lav about the streets and in the narrow alleys.
Some
the downfall of the Khalifa's
were the victims of the bombardment, some of the
Maxim guns which had been
but the
o-reater
number were a
results
of the
continual
the nisrht of the battle.
used to clear the walls.
firimjf
silent
statement of the
we had
listened to
on
AFTER THE VICTORY
The
Khalifa's house, the Mahdi's
209
Tomb,
the Arsenal,
and the Treasury were situate outside the great wall
Omdurman. The
tensions.
The house
of
first is
itself
a building of some pre-
was one-storeyed, but there
was an annex which attained to the dignity of two rows
of windows.
but solid staircase which gave access to
—an
apartment about twenty
may
contents
originally
What
feet square.
have been,
'LOOT
,
it
its
was impossible
.
The whole place was picked
to say.
up a narrow
the upper room
I visited this first, climbing
clean,
and nothing
had escaped the vigilant eye of the Soudanese plunderer.
There was a hole in one of the walls, and
ceiling
were spotted with
scars.
The
shell
floor
and
which had
caused the damage lay in splinters on the ground.
The yellow sublimate of the Lyddite furred the
surfaces of the pieces of iron
powder.
From
VOL.
For the
the
II.
rest the
interior
with an evil-smelling
room was
bare.
windows a view might be obtained of the
P
THE RIVER WAR
210
The whole prospect was revealed. Row after
row, and line on line of mud houses extended
The sight was not inspiring. The ugliness and
side.
city.
eye
and
the
on
unpleasantly
jarred
squalor
universal
Yet we may imagine the Khalifa only a week
before standing at this verv window and looking over
the homes of the thousands he ruled, proud of their
fancy.
numbers, confident of their strength, ignorant of their
It was true Malimud was prisoner and
degradation.
the accursed
It was true
army scattered.
fidels had crawled with their host to the south
his
Shabluka, so that thev were but
It
was true that
the gates before
this,
yet.
their steamers
thirty miles
But the
There were 50,000
oi*
away.
and cavalry would be
at
t/
many hours had passed.
there was no doubt.
in-
battle
Of this, a ad all
was not fought
faithful Dervishes
ready to die
or conquer for their dread Lord and for the successor
of
'
the expected Mahdi.'
Surely they should prevail
against the unbeliever, despite his big guns, his
guns, and
all his
would not
let
iniquitous contrivances.
the True
Faith
Shrine of his Mahdi be defiled.
perish
little
Surely Allah
or
the
They would be
Holy
vic-
—
They would kill this Egyptian rabble he
thought of ways and means whose backs thev had
seen so often and they would roll back to Cairo, a^
torious.
—
;
they had done before, the pestilent white
men who
had come from out of the unknown to annoy them
*
and disturb their peace.
by such comfortable
And
reflections,
the Khalifa,
soothed
remembered that he
had that dav married a new wife, and turned his
thoughts to the house he would build for her, when the
t
AFTER THE VICTORY
bricks should
211
be ferried across from the Khartoum
ruins.
The
injured
rest of the Khalifa's
by
the
house was practically un-
It
shell-fire.
was an extremely good
The doorway gave access to a small central
hall paved with black stone, and with rooms and offices
opening out on each side. One of these contained a
fine large bath, with brass taps for hot and cold water.
dwelling.
The other chambers may have been used for
eating, or study
;
but as they had been
sleeping, or
st ripped
of every
was impossible to tell. The
house had been, at any rate, the abode of one who
must have possessed civilised qualities, since he was
cleanly and showed some appreciation of the decencies
of furniture,
stick
of
it
life.
From the
Tomb. The
Khalifa's house I repaired to the Mahdi's
reader's
mind
is
possibly familiar with
its
was much damaged by
The apex of the conical dome had been
the shell-lire.
One of the small cupolas was completely
cut ofT.
The dome itself had one enormous and
destroyed.
shape and architecture.
It
several smaller holes smashed in it; the bright sunlight
streamed through these and displayed the
Everything was wrecked.
Still, it
interior.
was possible to
dis-
tinguish the painted brass railings round the actual
sarcophagus, and the stone beneath which the body
presumably
lay.
This place had been for more than
ten years the most sacred
people
of the Soudan
and holy thing that the
knew.
Their miserable lives
had perhaps been brightened, perhaps
in
some way
ennobled by the contemplation of something which
p 2
WAR
THE RIVER
212
they did not quite understand, but which they believed
exerted a protecting influence.
for
desire
instinctive
creatures possess, and which
By
future state.
explanation,
it
4
Haifa.
Nile.
querors
came
to
it
to
be
a
Tomb
the
The
The head was
up.
official
— a phrase
be understood to mean,
case
remained,
it
affair
who ordered
the
this
was passed from hand
the
Wady
progressive destiny and
a
Sir EL Kitchener's orders
in
Here
until
perhaps the strongest
preserved for future disposal'
must
Cairo.
human
all
from the body, and, to quote the
separated
that
is
Mahdi was dug
of the
which
gratified thai
profaned and razed to the ground.
has been
corpse
had
mystic which
the
reason for believing in
It
to
an
the
hand
it
reached
interesting
trophy,
ears of
immediately
till
Lord Cromer,
reinterred
The limbs and trunk were
Such was the chivalry of
at
flung
into
the
con-
f
Whatever misfortunes the life of Mohammed Ahmed
may have caused, he was a man of considerable nobility
of character, a priest, a soldier, and
a patriot.
He
won great battles he stimulated and revived religion.
He founded an empire. To some extent he reformed
Indirectly, by making slaves into
the public morals.
;
soldiers,
he diminished slavery.
It
is
impossible for
any impartial person to read the testimony of such
men as Slatin and Ohrwalder without feeling that the
only gentle influence, the onlv
hard
rebel.
Mohammedan
State,
humane element
emanated from
The Greek missionary writes of
smile, pleasant
6
this
in the
famous
his unruffled
manners, generosity, and equable
tern-
AFTER THE VICTORY
perament.'
When
3
accept
the
the
213
Christian
having
priests,
Koran, were assailed by the
refused
to
soldiers
and the mob and threatened with immediate
it
was the Mahdi who, 'seeing them in
death,
in
report
to
and
them
ordered
camel for protection.'
front of his
went
back
turned
danger,
the
death
of
4
to
walk
When
Slatin
unhappy French
the
adventurer Olivier Pain, the Mahdi 'took
much more than
prisoners
he showed kindness,
remarkable by comparison with
5
all
To many
the
more
surroundings and
his
treatment which he would have received had
wit h the
To some he gave employment;
fortune failed him.
others a
to heart
the Khalifa, said several sympathetic
word-, and read the prayers for the dead."
of his
it
little
niouev from the Beit-al-Mal, or a
from his own
plate.
To
all
little
to
food
he spoke with dignity and
Thus he lived; and when he died in the
enjoyment of unquestioned power, he was bewailed by
the army he had led to victory and by the people he
patience.
had freed from the voke of the 'Turks.'
It may be worth while to examine the arguments of
who
those
.seek to justify the
demolition of the Tomb.
Their very enumeration betrays a confusion of thought
which suggests
insincerity.
Some say
Soudan no longer believed
of the
in
that the people
the
Mahdi and
cm red nothing for the destruction of a fallen idol, and
that
therefore
the
matter was of
little
consequence.
Others contend on the same side of the argument that so
3
4
'
Ohrwalder, Ten Years' Captivity in the
Ibid.
Slatin,
Fire and Sword in the Soudan.
MahdVs Camp.
'23
THE RIVER WAR
4
was the Mahdi's influence, and so powerful was
had
been
overthrow!
successor
his
though
that
memory,
tomb would have become a place of pilgrimage,
and that the conquering Power did not dare allow
his
such an element of fanaticism to disturb their rule.
The contradiction is apparent. But either argument is
absurd without the contradiction.
If the people of the
Soudan cared no more for the Ma hdi, then it was an
act of Vandalism and follv to destroy the onlv fine
building which might attract the traveller and interest
the historian.
It is a
Soudan that the
the
gloomy augury
first
action of
for the future of
civ ilised
its
con-
querors and present ruler should have been to level the
one pinnacle which rose above the
the other hand, the people of the
mud
houses.
Soudan
still
If.
on
venerated
—
Mahdi and more than oO.OOO had
fought hard only a week before to assert their respect
memory
the
of the
— then
and belief
I shall not hesitate to declare that to
destroy what was sacred and holy to them was
act, of
which the true Christian, no
less
wicked
a
than the philo-
sopher, must express his abhorrence.
Xo man who
the
old Liberal
holds by the splendid traditions of
party,
no man who
is
in
sympathy
with the aspirations of Progressive Toryism, can consistentlv
consent to such behaviour.
It will also
be
condemned by quite a different school of thought by the
,
wise public servants
It
is
who
administer the Indian Empire.
an actual offence against the Indian Penal Code
any person nor is it a valid
plea that the culprit thought the said religion false.'
to insult the religion of
;
6
When
Sir
Bindon Blood had forced the Tanga Pass
—
AFTER THE VICTORY
and invaded Buner, one of his
first
215
acts
was
to permit
Mohammedan soldiers to visit the Tomb of the
Akhund of Swat, who had stirred the tribes into revolt
his
and caused the Umbeyla campaign of 1863.
because
respect
is
always shown
religious feeling in India
rule
by
to
all
Soudan
is
to
is
shades of
the dominant race, that our
accepted by the mass of the people.
is
It
If the
be administered on principles the reverse
of those which have been successful in India, and
such conduct
is
to be characteristic of
its
if
Government,
A CAPTURED GUN
then
it
would be better
nor Kitchener
won
if
Gordon had never oiven his life
his victories.
The road from the Tomb
6
to the Arsenal
was crowded
with Soudanese soldiers, dragging captured cannon from
the river batteries to a convenient storage place.
Arsenal
itself
The
consisted of a large and strongly built
square building in a courtyard, surrounded by a high
and I agree with Lord
Cromer that the destruction of the Mahdi's Tomb and the removal of his
body were necessary and justifiable, though I do not approve of the
manner in which it was done. Editor.
,;
I differ
from the Author on
this matter,
THE 1MVER W AR
216
Military material of all kinds and of
stone wall.
periods was heaped and littered about.
— taken,
army — stood near
Gatling and
j)erhaps, at the destruction of
Nordenfeldt guns
Hicks Pasha's
all
armour
suits of chain
which a Crusader may once have worn. Spears of all
Here
sorts and patterns were piled into great stacks.
were heaps of Remington
rifles;
were
there
battle-
The Krupp and the war-drum lay
Among all, and carelessly scattered
axes and javelins.
br side.
about, was gunpowder
side
little
I
black heaps on the ground.
do not purpose to
enumeration
the
in bags, in barrels, or lying in
of
down an inventory. Yet
items may be of interest,
set
six
and may show how diverse was the collection which
years of rapine had gathered into this
house,
'k
curious store&sf%~
i'i/f-y'-
There was a
fine
drum-major's
staff
ornamented
with gold and surmounted by the Lion of Abyssinia.
This was presumably captured from King John's
There was a wooden provision box con-
fated army.
taining sardines and other potted meats,
wrapped up
in a
bearing
date
the
evidently,
to the
ill-
which were
sheet of the Etoile Beige newspaper
March
24,
from the Congo.
gay Lothaire.
1894.
Perhaps
This had come,
it
had belonged
There was an excellent chrono-
meter by a well-known London maker, in perfect order,
and probably taken from some wrecked ship
in
the
0
Eed
Sea.
General Gordon's telescope, as bright and
had looked through it from
the palace roof towards the north and hoped against
clean as on the last day he
hope, stood in one of the
rooms.
On
the
floor of
;
AFTER THE VICTORY
217
another lay the bell of the Khartoum church.
Last of
would notice the Khalifa's carriage.
This vehicle, which should one day grace Madame
It was shaped
Tussand's halls, stood in the courtyard.
all I
like a victoria,
with a prolonged hood which extended
over the box-seat, and was there supported by two
—
was made by a French iirm Erler,
and may or may not have been a purchase
Paris
The whole turn-out was now
of the Khedive Ismail.
iron
bars.
It
—
covered with gaudily coloured cloths of various hues.
The hood was red outside and flame-coloured yellow
The
and the
interior seat
seat
was
floor
were lined with
cobalt-blue.
with the end of a
roll of cloth
was
legend
;
for across
in broad,
it,
two inches high, the
displayed:
The calm assurance of the statement, not
its
follow-
'SUPERFINE
IN GERMANY.'
proudly
BROADCLOTH, MADE
violet.
had evidently been covered
It
white, embroidered letters
ing
The steps
The box-
was carpeted with puce.
inside.
less
than
incongruity, might well provoke a smile amid the
horrors
of
We may
But other
war.
how
consider
diversions
reflections
strange
behind.
and varied are the
of an Imperial people.
and stretching back to an
lie
Year
after
indefinite horizon,
we
year,
see the
odd and bizarre potentates against whom
arms continually are turned. They pass in
figures of the
the British
a long procession
:
—The
Akhund
of Swat
;
Cetewayo,
brandishing an assegai as naked as himself; Kruger,
singing a psalm of victory
and the Irretrievable
Lobengula,
gazing
;
;
Osman Digna,
Theebaw, with
fondly
at
the
the Immortal
his
pages
Umbrella
of
Truth;
THE 1UVER
218
WAR
Prempelij abasing himself in the dust
on
his
white ass
coach of
;
and, latest of
It is like a
state.
all,
;
the
Mad
Mullah,
the Khalifa in his
pantomime scene
Drury
at
These extraordinary foreign figures
—each with
his complete set of crimes, horrible customs,
and minor
Lane.
peculiarities'
— march one by one from
'
the dark wings
of barbarism up to the bright footlights of civilisation.
names are on the wires on the world
and the tongues of men. The Sovereign on the Throne,
For a space
their
the Minister in his Cabinet, the General in his
pronounce or mispronounce their
styles
and
tent,
titles.
A
thousand compositors make the same combination of
become household words.
The street-bov bellows them in our ears. The artisan
The child in
lausrlis over them at night in his cottage.
the nursery is cajoled into virtue or silence by the reletters.
The unusual
syllables
petition of the dread accents.
audience clap their hands,
a
potentates and their trains
to prison,
— and
some
to death
And
then the world-
mused yet impat ient, and the
pass on, some to exile, some
for it is a grim jest for them
—
their conquerors, taking their possessions, forget
even their names.
Xor
will historv record
such
trash.
come when the supply will be
exhausted, and there will be no more royal freaks to
conquer. In that gloomy period there will be no more
Perhaps the time
of these nice
war without
will
—
expeditions
'the
image of (European)
and only five-and-twenty per cent,
its danger'; no more medals for the soldiers, no more
peerages for the Generals, no more copy for the
journalists.
The good old times will have passed away,
and the most cynical philosopher will be forced to
its
guilt
AFTER THE VICTORY
mav be much more
admit that, though the world
prosperous,
it
Another
219
can scarcely be so merry.
On
curious spectators.
the
captured
the
besides
sight,
-3th
city,
drew
of September, three days
Lord Tullibardine of the
Egyptian cavalry, to examine the scene of battle.* Our
road lav bv the khor Avhereat the victorious armv had
watered in the afternoon of the 2nd, and thence across
I rode with
after the light,
the sandy, rock-strewn plain to the southern slopes of
Surgham
And
Hill.
we came
so
at
once on to the
ground over which the 21st Lancers had charged.
peculiar formation
was the more apparent
As we looked from
view.
the
possible to believe
was scarcely
it
an extensive khor ran right
that
appeared to be smooth and unobstructed
across what
plain.
a second
where we had
spot
wheeled into line and begun to gallop,
at
Its
An
advance of
a
hundred yards revealed the
and displayed a long ditch with steeply sloping
rocky side-, about four feet in depth and perhaps twenty
trap,
feet
In this trench lav
wide.
bodies
of
half-a-dozen dead donkevs, and a litter of
Dervishes,
goat -kin water-bottles,
The
weapons.
writh corpses.
Dervish
ground beyond was sparsely spotted
Some had been buried where they fell by
mounds
their places
were indicated
of lighter-coloured earth.
Half-a-dozen
and
horses, stripped of saddles
and
jumble in the background.
bridles,
grave of the fallen Lancers.
K
Map,
4
made a brown
In the centre a red and
white lance-pennon, Hying from
*
and broken
saddles,
level
their friends in the city,
!>v little
dozen
a
,,a
And
The Dervish Dead,'
stick,
that
to face
marked the
was
page 224.
all.
Yet
THE RIVER WAR
At any rate, a great many
officers of all regiments and arms had been to visit it,
We rode on. We climbed the ridge of Surgham
Hill, following almost the same route as that of the
White Flag men' three days previously. At the crest
the place
may be
remarkable.
'
'
of the ridge the village and the outline of the zeriha
came
and
into sight,
Avas evident that
it
we had now
reached the spot where the Dervish column had come
into the artillery
All over the ground
lire.
average three yards apart
—on
— were dead men, (dad
the
in the
Three
white and patched smocks of faithful Dervishes.
The bodies
days of burning sun had done their work.
Twice
were swollen to almost gigantic proportions.
large as living men, they appeared in every sense
as
mon-
strous.
The more advanced corpses hardly resembled
human
beings, but rather great bladders such as natives
use to float down' the Nile on.
their
and great
limbs,
Frightful gashes scarred
black stains,
covered their garments.
The
once crimson,
was
sight
appalling.
The smell redoubled the horror.
We
galloped on.
A
strong, hot
wind blew from
the west across the great plain and hurried foul and
tainted
the
to
river.
thickest clusters,
Keeping to windward of the
we picked our way, and
the fight unfolded
itself.
Here was where the
groups of
the zeriba
— about
had begun
about
—one
to
tell,
five or six to
each
1,000 yards from
artillery
Men had
had opened on the swarming masses.
in little
the story of
Nearer to
shell.
it
fallen
— the
musketry
and the dead lay evenly scattered
every ten
Two hundred
yards.
further the full force of the fire
—
artillery,
yards
Maxims, and
AFTER THE VICTORY
rifles
—had burst on them.
on
to get
fear-
In such places the bodies lay so thickly as
Occasionally there were double
to hide the ground.
of
la vers
In places desperate rushes
had been made by devoted,
at all costs
men.
less
221
Once
saw them
space not exceeding a hundred
hideous covering.
this
In a
lying three deep.
I
yards square more than 400 corpses lay festering.
imagine the postures into which
It is difficult to
man, once created
twisted.
in the
his
not wise to try, for he
It is
ask himself with
me
6
:
Can
Maker, had been
who
I ever forget ?
gild war,
have tried to
I
image of
and
succeeds will
'
to solace
mvself for
the loss of dear and gallant friends, with the thought
that a soldier's death for a
may
count for much, whatever
will
When
world.
in
cause that he believ
be
are
fifes,
the
roll
Power
this
is
killed
body is
The
the grave.
composed and
borne bv friendly arms reverently to
wail of the
bevond
in
t
t
the soldier of a civilised
action, his limbs
-
his
of the drums, the triumphant
words of the Funeral Service,
all
divest the act of
its
and the spectator sympathises with, perhaps
almost envies, the comrade who has found this honourBut there was nothing duke et decorum
able exit.
squalor;
about
the
Dervish dead;
unconquerable manhood;
nothing of the dignity of
all
was
filthy
corruption.
Yet these were as brave men as ever walked the earth.
their
claim
that
on
me
in
borne
was
The conviction
was
death
not
valiant
of
a
respect
in
bevond the grave
less
o-ood
than
could make.
that
which anv of our countrymen
The thought
happily be untrue
;
it
may
not be original
;
it
may
seemed certainly most unwelcome.
THE
222
The
lines
A
EVER
WAR
bv the
Here was where Mac-
incidents of the battle miirht be (raced
and patches of the
slain.
three
the
Donald's brigade,
eight
If
Maxim guns had
artillery
and
batteries,
repulsed the Khalifa's attack
great heap of corpses lay round the spot where the
There was where the
Black Flag had been captured.
brigade had faced about to meet Ali-Wad-Helu and
Osman
There, again, was where the
Sheikh-ed-Din.
Baggara cavalry had made
their last splendid cha: h
The white-clad bodies of the men were
intermingled with the brown and bay horses, so that this
certain death.
part of the field looked less white-speckled than
rest.
They had ridden
tin-
the solid line of
straight at
bayonets and in the teeth of the storm of projectiles.
Every man had galloped
at full speed,
and when he
fell
he shot manv lengths in front of his horse, rolling over
and over
— destroyed, not conquered, by machinery.
At such
mind, and
a
triumph of victory laded on the
sights the
mournful feeling of disgust grew stronger.
All this was bad
the dead, the
to see, but worse remained
wounded.
The
escapes from the field with a
his country.
To
the private
officer
or
;
soldier
wound has a
it may mean a
after
who
claim on
pension
;
to the officer a gratuity, perhaps a 'mention in despatches,' certainly
scar
may
even,
source of pride
advancement
when
— an
the
sting
excuse to
soothe the pain there are
in his profession.
Th<
has departed, be a
re-tell
anaesthetics
the story.
;
to
To
heal the
injury the resources of science are at hand.
It
was
otherwise with the Dervish wounded.
There
may have been wounded
Dervishes
among
AFTER THE VICTORY
223
The atmosphere forbade approach.
the heaps of slain.
There certainly were many scattered about the
We
approached these cautiously and,
plain.
pistol in hand,
large water-bottle.
Lord Tullibardine had a
He dismounted, and gave a few
drops to each
it
examined
member
their condition.
that this
that the sun
Some
till
was
all
You must
re-
after the fight,
and
gone.
was three davs
had beaten down mercilessly
of the
wounded were very
all
thirsty.
the time.
would
It
A SURGICAL OPERATION
of
bucket
large
a
see
sight
to
grateful
a
have been
clear,
cool water placed befoi
fio-ure.
That, or a nameless
each shaking,
man
fe\
with a revolver and
merciful.
seemed
have
would
big bag of cartridges,
shady
a
was
there
Where
pathetic
The scenes were
had
Someone
die.
to
crawled
bush four men had
shade,
the
increase
to
thorns
the
on
spread a rag
their
attained
had
creatures
e
Three of the unfortunal
through
shot
was
He
survived.
fourth
object; the
THE RIVER WAR
2-11
both
leffs.
The
bullet
—
—had
a Martini-Henrv bullet
The whole limb was
We save him a drink. You would not
stiffened.
think such joy could come from a small cup of water.
lodged in the right knee-cap.
Presently
Tullibardine examined his injury.
out his knife, and after
extracted the bullet
seen,
and
shall
much probing and
—with
pulled
cutting
the button-hook.
perchance again, a
see
lie
I
man
have
with a
famous name worse employed.
Would the reader be further sickened with the
horrors
of the
There was a
field?
man
that had
crawled a mile in three days, but was yet two miles
from the
river.
behind.
I
He had one
wonder
if
he ever readied the water he had
so hard to attain
struggled
-
both leas shattered
sitting posture,
;
!
There was a man with
he had dragged himself along
vitality of these
only prolonged their torments.
shdits
refuses to suffer
a
poor wretches
So terrible were the
and smells that the brain failed to
ing and agony they proclaimed.
body
in a
making perhaps four hundred yards
The extraordinary
day.
foot; the other remained
As
a
realise the suffer-
man
faints
and
his
beyond a certain degree under
mind was unable to appreciate that an
arrangement of line and colour lying on the ground
was a human being, partly putrefied but still alive.
Perhaps stern Nature, more merciful than stern civilisaBut I must record the
tion, lent a kindly delirium.
fact that most of the men I saw were sane and capable
torture, so the
of
feeling
every
struggled towards
pang.
And meanwhile
they
all
the Nile, the great river of their
countrv, without which the invaders could never have
—
^Note:
The/ figures represent; the rucrnber of skulls co^axte^j
by Cap CJJurges. E^A, February 1893.
JJvis tatals
7899 musObes
BATTLE or OM)TJRMAN
increased; by atl^ast 25'/° cnvcuocviAJLt of th enlarge nxaitber of bodies
The* to taJb then bexurrnes 9 8 74
~buri4tcb or T&mjovexL by th e Arabs
AFTER THE BATTLE
.
Whiciu cLoseby approoczinajtes
to the- OTitpjuxL estimate,.
THE DERVISH DEAD
1'5 Inches -7
Scale
Yards 1000
500
-j
1
2000
1000
i_
Mile 1
TV
40
Killed
\iS
hi,
KERRERI HILLS
err er
k
-
<m
I
'r/Zj/Jtii* 9 ".
It
J
e
1
1
Mo
e
\1
&
90'
Lcmginana. Green &
Co. London,
NenYari & Bombay
AFTER THE VICTORY
225
come upon them, but which they nevertheless did not
One man had reached it and lay exhausted,
reproach.
but content, on the bank. Another had attained the
water and had died at its brim. Let us hope he had
his drink
first.
All this was three days after the action.
Yet on
when a week had passed, there
few wounded who had neither died nor
the 9th of September,
were
a
still
crawled away, but
they lived?
It is
continued
to
How
suffer.
had
not possible that they could have
existed so long without food
The women
and water.
and the disarmed population of Omdurman had been
Many hundreds
busy.
not quite helpless had dragged
themselves off and died
line
of retreat.
Those who were from the country round
Omdurman
had succour from
it
was bad
had no
him
for the
friends.
—but
if
alom>- the
their relations
and neighbours
;
but
man who had come from far and
The women would perhaps spare
a few drops of water
the day
all
— enough to help him through
he were a stranger, they would do no
more.
Thus
it
was that these painful and shocking cases
occurred, and
it is
not easy to see
how
they could have
The statement that
been prevented.
4
the
wounded
Dervishes received every delicacy and attention
utterly devoid of truth that
it
'
is
so
transcends the limits of
mendacity and passes into the realms of the ridiculous.
I
was impatient
to get
back to the camp.
nothing to be gained by dallying on the
man were anxious
There was
field,
unless a
become quite callous, so that no
imaginable misery which could come to human flesh
VOL.
II.
to
Q
THE RIVER WAR
226
would ever have moved him
again.
may have
I
written
in these pages
something of vengeance and of the pay-
ing of a debt.
It
may be
that vengeance
that the gods forbade vengeance to
is
sweet, and
men because
they
reserved for themselves so delicious and intoxicating
But no one should drain the cup
a drink.
The dregs are
bottom.
So
as the haze
often filthy-tasting.
deepened into the gloom of the night,
and the uncertain outlines of the distant
altogether from the view, we rode back
4
home
Omdurman,' and
to
left
silent occupants.
There they
of a false
and
faith
history preserved
by
ment, their bones
the
lie,
field
their conquerors
— and
these
before I had seen them rise
—
the
;
on a rocky shore.
The
camp
their
their only
drifting
its
only
monu-
sand of
Three days
eager, confident, resolved.
had swelled
their shouting
to
those valiant warriors
domination;
fallen
faded
hills
of battle to
the desert will bury in a few short years.
The roar of
to the
like the surf
had
flashing of their blades
displayed their numbers, their vitality, their ferocity.
They were confident
in their strength, in the justice of
their cause, in the support of their religion.
Now
only
the heaps of corruption in the plain, and the fugitives
and scattered
dispersed
The
terrible
work.
the wilderness, remained.
in
machinery of
scientific
The Dervish host was
war had done
its
scattered and destroyed.
Their end, however, only anticipates that of the victors
for Time,
which laughs
;
at science, as science laughs at
valour, will in due course contemptuously brush both
combatants away.
Yet
it
may happen
in
some
distant age.
when
a
AFTER THE YrCTORY
227
mighty system of irrigation has changed the desolate
plain of
Omdurman
into a fertile garden,
and the
mud
hovels of the town have given place to the houses, the
schools,
and the
theatre's of a great metropolis, that the
husbandman, turning up a skull amid the luxuriant
crop, will sapiently remark: 'There was aforetime a
Thus the event will be remembered.
battle here.
1
—
THE RIVER WAR
228
CHAPTER XXII
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
— Knights of the pen —The 21st Lancers —A great compliment — The charge — Its object — Its cause — Its results —A wider
view —With the Grenadiers — Nights along the Nile — A storm
Wreckage — Royan Island — The Shabluka Cataract — At dusk — The
battalion —Atbara again — The Desert Railway—An incident — The
faith of Islam— Phil* — The eternal river.
Homewards ho
!
first
Although
am
I
bold enough to hope that the narrative
has described the campaigns, sufficiently to promote
realisation
<-i
of their horrors without exciting disgust,
and an appreciation of their hardships without creating
weariness, yet I do not doubt that the reader will turn
his face
towards home as gladly as the
war
over,
is
the
has been
battle
The
soldier-.
won, the city
is
t
The army that
had for thirteen years dominated the Soudan is
destroyed or dispersed. Its place is occupied by another army and though the new Government will be
more exacting and more vigorous than the old, there
captured, and
ruler
its
a
is
fugitive.
t
:
is
reason to hope that
Whatever control
is
it
will
be more beneficent.
imposed on that Government
will
be exerted directly or indirectlv from Westminster.
There
is
nothing to be
these desolate lands.
the north at once,
its
The
gained in waiting longer in
British contingent starts for
officers
and men quite content,
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
so far as they are concerned,
to leave the adminis-
Egypt to the Egyptians, and that of the
the Soudanese.
Everyone who can possibly
tration of
Soudan
2:29
to
secure a spell of leave
is off
to Cairo
and London, and
purpose to conduct the reader down the river without
delav.
There are still several matters which must
I
be recorded
— the
operations against
Ahmed
Fedil, the
attempt to capture the Khalifa, and the Fashoda
dent
inci-
—but of these we may inform ourselves by reading
the newspapers, in comfort and at leisure, in countries
where the sun
is
not so hot, the climate less dam>-erous,
and the food not taken out of
able surroundings
upon and
we may
apportion
war and
We may
manoeuvres,
weigh their
the
military
and endeavour to
results,
Our minds, no longer
consequences.
their
their
canvass individuals,
and blame, examine
praise
a<*ree-
find opportunity to reflect
to discuss the events of the
probable consequences.
estimate
Amid more
tins.
disturbed by the presence of danger and the clash of
anus,
and
may
turn refreshed to great questions of policy
From
principle.
height, the
a distance,
whole situation
will
as
from a great
be clearly displayed
and the eye may range over a wider prospect.
may
investigate
fear,
and
are
in
subject
without
without acrimony.
criticise
the
to
theatre
military
of
active
law,
and
scarcely be decorous or
point
of view
it
prejudice,
is
even
affirm
We
without
But while we
we are
conduct would
operations,
such
safe.
So from every
expedient to bid farewell to the
Soudan..
All
the
might of the Dervish Empire had been
THE VAX Eli WAR
230
centralised in
man was
and
it
work
its capital.
the
taken,
As
soon, therefore, as
Khalifa's
power was
only remained to pick up the pieces.
smashed,
For
this
the expensive labour of British troops was not
required, and within four days of the
regiments and battalions began
the
Omdur-
The arrangements
the return
for
Jail
to
of the city
move
journey
north.
were
as
admirably calculated as those leading to the concentra-
The result of the operations had been assumed
before it was attained.
The British Division had left
Wad Ilamed on the 27th of August with twenty-one
tion.
days' supplies,
and they were
all
therefore due back
the Atbara before the 17th of September.
at
Their trans-
had been ordered to await them at Alexandria
and Suez by the end of the month. It was desirable
ports
that they should
be punctual.
Accordingly on the 6th of September the camp at
Omdurman began
The wounded had
already been despatched, and had made a swift journey
to the base hospital at Abadia by steamer.
The 'birds
1
of Paradise
and the Press correspondents went next,
Strange rumours were
the latter protesting violently.
afoot about Fashoda, and it was their duty to stay.
The Sirdar was, however, inexorable. His ultimatum
was laconic. 'Now or never,' he said: and a few
to
break up.
'
square yards of the Bordein, a rickety, filthy steamer,
—
Birds of Paradise.' These rare and curious creatures are occaLike the stormy petrel
sionally met with in the vicinity of armies.
heralding the tempest, they appear shortly before an engagement. They
are very delicate.
Their breasts are covered with a beautiful brightcoloured plumage, which grows very rapidly and increases with their
1
age.
4
They
are very rarely shot.
THE RETURN OE THE BRITISH DIVISION
just captured from the Dervishes,
A
disposal.
number
large
Egyptian, a dozen sick
whose horses had been
unfit to
march,
piles of
baggage
at their
of details both British and
officers,
a score of Lancers
killed in
the charge or were
human odds and
kinds of
all
was placed
231
ends,
and
and on and among
littered the decks,
confused jumble perched the three and twenty
this
gentlemen who had, at the
and the
undertaken to supply the world
loss of their comfort,
One
There had originally been twenty-six.
with news.
had been
peril of their lives
killed in the battle
;
one was dying of fever at
Eoyan island one was with the wounded at Abadia.
The rest huddled together on board the overloaded
;
—
Bordein— could,
I think, congratulate themselves that
they had earned whatever their employers might pay.
The
first
to
move north were
last
arrive
to
in
Cairo;
for
infantry were swiftly carried in boats
cavalrv had
the
Atbara.
21st
was fortunate
I
whereas the
down
the Nile,
march along the bank
to
service with the transport,
the
to
in bein^ selected for
some
and did not accompany the
Sirdar paid the Lancers a compliment
The
which was all the more marked,
column.
no other troops
— not
since he paid
even to those regiments
command at
Atbara and throughout the summer
had served under
them
the
Yet, although they started thus early, they
Lancers.
were the
troops
his
it
—
to
who
the action of the
he came to see
:
off.
Man in
Colonel
formed up
and made the prescribed
forward.
I
give
a
his
salutes.
verbatim
regiment in mass
The Sirdar rode
report
of his
speech,
WAR
THE RIVER
232
since
said
it
tends to
show
is
Lancers,
Martin,
I
am
officers
man
He
of deeds.
The
day
down
will
long go
will
fine
charge you made the other
your
to history in the annals of
I will not keep
regiment.
and men of the 21st
very proud to have had you under
my command.
you any longer, but
I
hope
have a pleasant march down to the Atbara.'
Whereupon
the Lancers gave three cheers for a
victorious General, and retired
from the
the
a
:
'Colonel
you
that he
plain
I
risrht.
—a
in
column of troops
watched the regiment
brown, moving
ride across
column of men, with
a cloud of dust drifting towards the river.
them the outline of Surgham
Hill
— they say
it
Before
will
be
future—was silhouetted
black against the evening sky. Their road led them
across the scene of their charge, and perhaps I may be
allowed to revert for a space to that memorable event.
called
6
Lancers' Hill
'
for the
The glamour of a cavalry charge impresses a wide
Thousands of people who care little, and
public.
know less, of the more intricate and delicate operations of war are attracted by the dramatic aspect which
uch an incident presents. This keen interest must
call forth
a great deal of unmeasured eulogy and of
extravagant expression.
It
is
not fitting that those
sentiments of duty and patriotism which rise from the
altar
and the hearth should descend
and the pot-house.
line of truth,
passionately
praise oversteps the strict
becomes fulsome and ridiculous.
it
may be worth
Once
to the music-hall
while for a
moment
to
It
consider dis-
what the Lancers dared and what they
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
J mav claim
did.
knowledge and
to write with both
was myself a participant
impartiality, since I
charge, without being a
member
First of all let us consider
of the regiment.
whether the charge was
Colonel Martin's orders were to clear the
necessary.
t.
ground between the army and
endeavour to cut
Omdurman, and
off the flying Dervishes
from that
to
city.
was not possible to carefully reconnoitre the
It
ground or enemy, because the whole plain was
with
in the
small
of Arabs.
parties
squadron could move about
Nothing
infested
than
less
a
The ground from
freely.
commanding position of the ridge looked smooth
and safe. The two patrols who were sent out returned
the
heavily fired on, having obtained their information at
Every possible precaution was
the risk of their lives.
taken; the rest had to be
on
defeated
— that
It
risks."
my
admirals have learnt
will not
be denied that
but in any case to carry them out.
tions
;
are
— where
1
war can be made without running
of officers to carry out their orders
fleeting
'We
to chance.
exclaimed Napoleon on a famous
sea,'
occasion, 'because
know not
left
the matter
were precise
;
was urgent.
it
is
the busine-<
— safelv
if
they can.
The moment was
The General's
instruc-
and, I repeat, the ground looked
The regiment accordingly advanced,
and advancing found their path barred by a formed body
perfectly safe.
of the enemy.
Colonel
charge.
These suddenly opened an intense
Martin thereupon ordered an immediate
The decision has been much
writer has suggested
fallen
fire.
that
the
back and reported the
criticised.
One
Lancers should have
state of affairs to
the
;
THE RIVER AVAR
234
If such a spirit
infantry.
is
it
it
is
to animate British cavalry,
But
fortunate that they are so seldom employed.
was not a question of preference.
I shall submit that there was no choice but
to
The definite orders excluded
In any case, there was no time
the latter alternative.
At that close range it was impossible so
to argue.
charge or gallop away.
heavy a
fire
Had
could be ineffective.
he would have
tried to retire,
Colonel Martin
men
lost at least thirty
the musketry, and his regiment might very easily
•
have finished their gallop to the rear in a disordered
mass bv the bank of the river. The spectacle might
The charge was
have provoked some comment.
If the
inevitable consequence of the advance.
was justified,
From
it
follows that the charge
the
advance
was necessary.
a technical point of view I would
make one
would have been perhaps better to
have attacked in two lines or, at any rate, with some
As soon as the firing began there was,
sort of reserve.
observation.
It
—
Vu r
^^^^
It is easy to
of course, no time for such dispositions.
criticise
with complete knowledge, in safety, and at
leisure the actions of
but
to
it is
men done
at
hazard in a moment
not theoretically correct for a cavalry regiment
move on
to suspicious ground with
When
its
whole force
in
hill, it
would
have been wise to send on a contact squadron.
This
the front line.
the Lancers
left
the
could have brushed away the small parties of Dervishes
and would have discovered the true strength of the
ambuscade.
The contact squadron,
fired into at short
The reasons that
enforced the charge on the regiment would have com-
range, would not have fallen back.
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
pelled the squadron to attack to extricate
the regiment, following,
would have had
itself.
And
to attack to
The charge would not have
extricate the squadron.
been averted.
235
Its effects,
however, might have been
enhanced, for the succession of attacks would have
produced greater disorder among the Dervishes than
the single charge.
to
me
the
at
distinguished
I
do not pretend that
moment.
cavalry
It is the
officers.
It
occurred
this
opinion of several
in
is,
any
case, a
matter for the experts.
The charge began,
that the
i
hat
It
it
Immediately
became apparent
it
enemy's force was unexpectedly great
was three times
as great as
had been believed.
was then quite impossible to turn back.
even desirable to do
so.
The
—indeed,
It
was not
proved that the
result
2,700 Dervishes were not a force beyond the powers of
t
He cavalry.
The charge was pushed home.
In this I
see nothing splendid, nothing magnificent, nothing that
the disciplined cavalry of any
European nation might
not reasonably be expected to perform.
I pass to the achievement.
enemy was
results
If the
number
of the
three times as great as was expected, the
were proportionately increased.
Two
thousand
seven hundred unshaken and formed infantry, famous
for the use of their
weapons, famous for their valour
and contemptuous of cavalry, were overthrown, ridden
through, and finally driven from the ground. This was
due, I
drill,
most firmly believe, to the excellence of the
which enabled the regiment to
in a -olid
wall of
men and
horses.
strike the
And
enemy
the excellence
of the drill was due to the excellent individual qualities
WAR
THE RIVER
236
of the troopers.
I
do not think that
high order of courage merely to charge
in
which the charge was delivered
it
;
required any
but the manner
is
worthy of
t
he
t
highest praise, and proved conclusively that the soldiers
were men of great calmness, determination, and capacity.
The fact that they rode through an enemy, whose closely
packed line was more than twelve deep, sIioavs thai
they were also men of considerable physical strength.
It was afterwards that the heroic element began
The extraordinary
to appear.
celerity with
which the
squadrons re-formed, the soldierly eagerness of the
troopers to charge
again, their
steady
ami
effective
musketry when they were presently dismounted, showed
that a loss of
more than
fifteen
per cent, had not in
the least impaired their morale or disturbed their equa-
The observer might realise in a small way that
strength and majesty with which the British soldier
No savageiy disgraced their victory
no
fights.'
nimity.
'
;
excitement ruffled their
serenity.
After
the
they remained what they had been before
it
charge
— simply
good and gallant men, well trained to war, ready and
And
willing to obey any orders they might receive.
what
is
material from which
best
his
—the
six-year-old English soldier.
were no boys following their
rance.
to their
being,
such soldiers are
They were specimens of the warlike Briton
made?
at
the
officers
in
These
blind igno-
They were no conscripts marched in a row
Every man was an intelligent human
deaths.
who thought
pride in himself, and
for himself, acted for himself, took
knew
his
own mind.
Spontaneity,
not mere passive obedience, was the characteristic of
THE DETCRX OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
They exhibited the
their charge.
237
discipline of a
pack
of hounds, not that of a flock of sheep.
We may
now
why
discern the reason
charge
this
which did not greatly influence the fortunes of the
battle
— was
of perhaps as great value to the Empire
a- the victory itself.
may perhaps have
Many may have heard
seen
— occasions when
regiment, broken
British
a
of
—some
young, raw
with fever and rotten with
shown those
without which no race can
disease, has not
intrinsic fighting virtues,
continue
lono-
to
rule.
may have been moments when we have
Perhaps there
doubted whether those qualities which enabled our
ancestors
to
conquer are unimpaired;
blood of the race circulates
as in
gone
days
as
healthy and
All great empires
by.
Xo
destroyed by success and triumph.
past has enjoyed so full a
as
The
the British.
may
our destiny
whether the
who
free
have been
empire of the
measure of that
patriot
as
fatal glory
boasts his faith
often look anxiously back
—
in
fearing.
almost expecting, to discover signs of degeneration and
—
From the study of the men I mean, the
who charged on the 2nd of September the
troopers
weary Titan' may rise refreshed, and, contemplating the
past with calmness, may feel confidence in the present
decay.
—
4
and high hope
soldiers
in the future.
worthy of their
officers
been no complaint about the
It
was with such
tion* that
the
fateful
'
We
can
still
produce
— and there has hitherto
officers.
satisfying, if self-satisfied, reflec-
watched the Lancers trail away towards
hill, watched them climb the rido-e and
I
disappear in the
reeking
plain beyond.
It
was the
WAR
THE RIVER
238
baptism of
regiment's
no long
crests.
of
list
and
fire
on
battles
from wars
in
France,
But
Countries.
traditions
thev will
now
handed down
and
Spain,
in
have
appointments and
their
They have no proud
They
steel.
in
inscribe
Low
the
word
the
'Khartoum' as the first honour on the regimental
and some of them will be quite contented
arms
;
with that.
My
transport duties having been satisfactorily dis-
charged, I accompanied the Grenadier Guards
down
the river.
Every night that week witnessed the de-
parture of
one or other of
All day long
the
flotilla
the
British
battalions.
of broad-bottomed sailing-
boats lay moored by the bank.
Then, as the shadows
lengthened and the evening breeze beiran to freshen,
the lashings were cast
off,
and the boats pushed
into
The flowing white canvas
was hoisted, and like a flight of enormous birds the
whole fleet stalled for home and comfort with the
the middle of the stream.
warm, south wind
in the shoulder of the sails
flood Nile pressing six miles an
pace was
swift, yet the
As one looked
hour
1
lie
The
at the keel.
current was barely outst ripped.
at the water, the boats
Only the banks slipped past,
less.
weary miles of march were covered!
was impatient
and
seemed motion-
How
easily all the
The strong river
of the invaders who had dis-
to be rid
The farewell cheers of the remaining
regiments grew faint and broken. The strains of the
Soudanese band playing The British Grenadiers died
away. The mud houses and the bivouacs on the bank
were lost in the distance and in the twilight, and men
turbed
its
waters.
'
'
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
239
ads and faces towards a cooler, kinder
ned
land whither they would presently return.
was very strange, going down the river in this
pleasant fashion, to watch the camping-gronnds and
It
Already we
watering-places pass in quick succession.
HOMEWARDS HO
were
Here was
of the action
where
all
down
the old zeriba
The
!
had drunk on the day
itself.
little
we had defended came
scarlet glint of a lance-pennon
lower
into view.
under a tree near
ked the cairn over Eobert Grenfell
and we paid the only tribute in our power
the water
irrave,
A
khoi
THE RIVER AVAR
:M0
a mournful thought
young
officer,
be said
of
—
memory
of Young
of that gallant
to the
whom,
as
Si ward, it
may
:^ ;f
:
He
he was a man
The which, no sooner had his prowess confirmed
In the unshrinking station where lie fought,
But like a man he died.
onljT lived, but
till
;
And
so onwards, northwards,
niirlit
irrew
homewards, while the
dark above the boats and hid them from
each other, and the
which twinkled on the
lire*
little
stern to cook the evening meal alone
drifted in
by
company.
showed
that
we
came
out.
and
Presently the stars
their light intensified the blackness of the
lines of
moving
bushes on the banks, and increased the
glitter
of the disturbed waters of the river.
The philosophical
reflections
surroundings cannot
mind were
dispelled
the
to raise in
fail
by
which such scene- and
speculative
the wind shifting to the east
The sails were
pulled down hastily, and none too soon, and the boats
were hurriedly brought to rest on the western bank.
and blowing harder every minute.
Hut the storm was on
us.
Clouds of dust began to
making night hideous and existThe mouth, nostrils, eyes, and ears were
drive across the river,
ence hateful.
choked with
clothing,
this
abominable gravel.
and an odious feeling of
It
penetrated the
grit prevented sleep
and strained patience. This, however, was but a preThe wind increased. Gradually raindrops began
lude.
to mingle with the dust.
Then the
Presently they predominated.
rain broke, and everything
were speedily drenched.
covered the soldiers with
The
a
rain,
and everybody
modifying the dust,
coat of mud.
Meanwhile
—
THE UE'ITUX OF
BRITISH DIVISION
Till;
•2\l
waves of the Nile were rising to the whipping of
the
began to dash over the moored
the wind, and they
boats, driving their occupants
the thorn bushes of the bank.
to take shelter
among
At about twelve
o'clock
enormous
the mast of one of the largest gyassas, an
pole nearly ninety
feet
long,
fell
with
a
resounding
Luckily no one obstructed
crash on the ground.
it.
away with
At
clothing and other ail ides by the fierce tempest.
Length towards morning the storm abated, and we
prepared to resume our voyage. But the damage was
considerable.
Besides the dismasted boat two others
had sunk near the shore, swamped by the waves;
Shouts
nnpitied distress were whirled
ot*
one was -Handed on
a
sandbank, helpless and hope-
higher up the stream:
Less,
two had
Bmashed, and one, the one containing
trophies
—
flags,
had foundered
in
all
spears, shields, a piece
their rudders
the regimental
of cannon
mid-stream and was irretrievably lost.
Nobody was, however, drowned or injured; so that
But it was hard
there was much to be thankful for.
which had caressed us so
the evening had behaved thus rudely when
that
to believe
tenderly in
the river
the lights were out.
It
was necessary,
which had sunk
in
first
of
all,
to raise the
shallow water.
A
two boats
strong rope was
bows and passed through a block at
To the end
the masthead of a more fortunate consort.
of his rope the muscular energy of a company of
I watched the
stalwart Guardsmen was then applied.
fastened on to the
i
mast anxiously.
that
it
It
bent.
For a moment
it
seemed
would break, and that we should have only
VOL.
II.
R
WAR
THE RIVER
242
thrown good gyassas
began
move, and
to
Then
after bad.
in a
moment
the rim of
bul-
as the
from the water of the
off
dozen men, black and white, jumped into
river, half a
the
its
As soon
warks appeared above the waters.
water inside was thus cut
the sunken hul
swamped
boat, naked and shivering in the grey of
the morning, and began to bale with tin biscuit-boxes.
Meanwhile the sunken gyassa was kept
at the surface
'
by the tackle fastened on to our mast.
because
Lieutenant
had the pleasure
Criehton's
to voyage,
2
(I
gyassa,
write 'our
in
which
1
was the one entrusted with
For some time the baling
these salvage operations.)
operations appeared to produce
lit tit-
result other than
splashing and rough chaff, but gradually the level
of
the water inside the boat began to sink below that of
the river and the strain on
sently the
wreck began
Pre-
own buoyancy.
to float of its
became superfluous. Finally
the water was baled out, and the half-company
At length our
all
our mast lessened.
whose
assistance
clothes
and stores
onboard
little damped
invited to get
effects
—a
were thus
rescued
were
again, take possession of their
— and
try again the hazards of
water transport.
Two
us to
or three hours of wind and current brought
<
Eovan
island.
We
ought to have reached
this
place the night before, and should have done so but
Colonel Hatton
for the gale.
3
and the leading boat had
indeed accomplished the passage, and had continued
on through the Shabluka Cataract.
The
2
Lieut.
3
Colonel V. Hatton, Grenadier Guards.
H. Crichton, Grenadier Guards.
rest of the
THE RETUEN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
fleet tied
up
for
243
an hour or so to breakfast and to dry
their clothes.
Koran
was the advanced depot of the army at
Besides the stores, there was considerable
island
Onidnrnian.
hospital
accommodation.
Eows
of big square tents
4
'E.P. tents,' as they are called in India
—had
been
set
up near the palm-trees by the bank.
flag
I
was conspicuous.
The Eed Cross
There were a good many sick.
'Average about two
inquired the local death rate.
was the answer. Another cemetery
was growing by the banks of the Xile. More British
soldiers Avere being sunk in Egyptians.'
I thought of
Rudyard Kipling, and realised that what is true of the
deaths
a
day,'
'
ocean
may
also be applied to the Nile.
If blood be the price of Admiralty,
Lord God, we
Our gyassa
ha' paid
it in.
was among the
watched the landing of the next.
to
first
It
was a
arrive.
I
difficult
and
The great boat came down stream
with wind and current helping her, and making
perhaps ten miles an hour. Suddenly her helm went
delicate operation.
over and she headed for the bank.
It
looked as
mud acted
Two natives
mighty crash impended, but the
There was a padded shock.
with a rope
boat, caught
into
;
force of the river,
midstream again.
The
sprang out
the pulling
men triumphed, and
into shore
and moored securely.
it.
it
was drawn
was with all
the others.
1
European
off
Gradually
the vessel
So
The
was swirled
strain grew.
a
as a buffer.
twenty Grenadiers laid hold of
by the
if
privates.
R 2
THE RIVER WAR
244
After a short halt on the island the Guards
embarked
in their boats, the lashings
the whole fleet started
The
<jyassas
down
were cast
accomplished the passage of
we grazed
few yards
a
boat into the bushes of the
an hour we circled aimlessly
—not
silence
in
who
voyagers
brought
its
this cataract
adventure.
— the
of the river swept the
bank.
Once
for nearlv
W
in a whirlpool, endurinjj
taunts of the more
fortunate
passed swiftly by in great elation.
revenges, and
At
rock by a
sharp and dangerous
at others the swirl
;
and
the rapids of Shabluka.
without misfortune, but not without
times
oil,
re-
we enjoyed
Time
the satisfaction
them only a little later caught in an eddy
and carried far up the gorge. At length the walls
of rock on either side receded, the green strip by the
banks widened, and the river emerged again into the
of seeing
plain.
After
the
passage of the Shabluka
we
drifted
The camp of the 21st
Lancers was passed on the morning of the third day.
They were still on their long march back to theAtbara.
Six hours later Metemma came in sight, and with the
evening the boats tied up at the palm grove of
Magyriah, where we had halted for a day on our
uneventfully with the stream.
march up with
the cavalry convoy.
I will not drag the account through
—
for the
beat
all
the voyage
weather was oppressively hot, and the sun
down on
the scanty coverings which the soldiers
might improvise from blankets and waterproof sheets.
Yet pleasant memories remain. During the fiercest
heat of the day
we crouched beneath
the precious
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
245
Soudan umbrellas and longed, for evening; but when
the hours had passed and the sun had lost its pow
the coolness of the air and the beauty of the scene
made amends for all. The soldiers were impressed
with the splendour and majesty of the great river. All
Human
marvelled at the sunsets.
art needs cultivated
The beauty of Nature appeals
admirers.
to the plainest
The wonderful
flame pictures baffle memory and are beyond recall.
But one impression may be recorded. The sun has
the
intelligence, stirs
gone down
j ust
and
mist
foliage
;
dullest
the
gathering
on
river
shrouds
darkness
banks
the
brain.
are
the
;
fading
itself
is
painted in indigo.
light
palm-trees and
into
On
black.
the dull yellow of the western sky a high
serrated hills
in
range of
Drifting with the
stream and helped by the evening breeze, the
swift
odd-shaped boats pass one by one, topped by their
enormous
sails
perhaps there
and loaded with brown-clad men, while
floats across the flood-waters the
catch
of some song which the soldiers have learnt in London.
To
the attractions of the scenery were added those
of agreeable
companionship.
officers of the
Grenadiers
discipline of their
is
A
men.
no
The
courtesy of the
less
marked than the
good many stupid taunts
have been made in the newspapers at the expense of
this
battalion,
drawn
and although I do not intend
into the ancient controversy
Line, yet
it is
to
be
between Guard and
desirable to correct erroneous statements.
The officers of the
Guards lived in the
worse than the
first
last
officers
battalion
of the Grenadier
campaign neither better nor
of any other British regiment.
246
THE RIVER WAR
•
The
soldiers
nor
less
What
worked, endured, and risked neither more
than any other unit in the 2nd British Brigade.
the Guards lost in the extreme youth of their
rank and
in their
they gained in their superior class and
file
Non-commissioned
The 1st British
mouths longer than
Officers.
Brigade were in the Soudan six
their comrades,
and took part in the action on the
They might
Atbara.
later reinforcements.
by
by the
But
if
they were stimulated by
new brigade was
they had won, the
the reputation
inspired
therefore pose as veterans to the
had yet
that they
win, and spurred
to
intention not to be patronised.
The impartial
observer could perceive no difference between the two
brigades
;
and discretion
comparisons of their battalions.
their return
politeness forbids
as Avell as
The Grenadiers on
England received a warm welcome.
to
But since they were the only troops to come back home
while the public mind was
filled
with the
Avar, it is
not
wonderful that they were acclaimed as the representarecipients of honour, they
and, I
fear, of
Because they were the
army.
tives of the victorious
became the objects of envy
and malice
hatred
too.
It
is
there-
fore desirable to state that of the eight battalions of
British troops
engaged
1st Grenadier
Guards was one of the
in the
campaign of 1808, the
best,
vet
not
quite the best.
At daylight on the
fifth
dav we readied the con-
fluence of the Atbara and the Nile, and landing
again on familiar ground.
send every battalion
railway and so
down
by
It
camped
had been intended
halves
across
the
to
desert
the line of communications, on
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
the
two days following
its
24
arrival at the Atbara, but
had moved from the Soudan
to Crete, and the interests of the Empire demanded
that part of its ubiquitous army should move too.
On
the interest of the world
the 2nd of September the second battalion of the Bine
Brigade were engaged in destroying the Dervishes.
the 9th of September
Crete.
On
they received orders to go to
the 23rd they were pacifying the Cretans,
and hanging those who objected to the
To accomplish
this rapid
journey
they should take precedence of
we accordingly waited
their
baggage and
trains
On
it
all
pacification.
was necessary that
other troops, and
three days at the Atbara, while
their
Maxim guns were packed
into
and hurried northwards on other urgent Imperial
business.
The camp and entrenchment were no longer the
busy town of a month before. The Grenadiers were
the only battalion under canvas.
gone south.
6
All
the
Harmony Eow was
'
All the gunboats had
steamers were moving troops.
deserted.
Business was slack in
Only the hospitals were
the bazaar.
full as ever.
The
high winds whirled the dust in
all
not modify the heat of the sun.
Everyone was anxious
directions
and did
Nor were we sorry when the troop trains
waited and we prepared again for the passage of the
desert.
The reader is familiar with the railway. He
has watched it from its earliest be<nnniims.
He knows
to
be gone.
the
subaltern
managers.
He
director
will,
and
the
subaltern
therefore, understand
Munchausen
the front, and how,
smiled at our
tales of perils
at
still
smiling,
why
traffic
they
and hardships
they bundled
THE RIVER WAR
^48
enthusiasm, valour, and discipline homewards to glory
with convenient despatch.
Onlv one incident occurred to diversity the journey
and mar the perfection of the railway arrangements.
It will
be remembered that though the British
on the railway never
thev stood a greater strain.
;
occurred at
desert
will set
4
Xo.
'
(>
station
rare, remarkable,
is
it
British engines
The men were made of better
times did.
machines
failed, the
oliicers
stuff than the
The
incident
and since anv event
:
some-
in the
and sometimes welcome,
I
down.
The engine, which had been working more
jerkily
every minute of the preceding hour, stopped with an
ominous and alarming suddenness.
Everyone got
out.
The awful thought that we
might perhaps have to wait some twenty hours or so at
this attractive spot arose in many minds.
Then the
worst was known.
bad
broken
down.
It
The engine
CD
was in a thoroughly bad condition. Hard work had
worn it out. I will not commit myself to technical
Something was wrong.
language.
appeared
It
that
everything was
The native engine-driver was appalled and
loose.
perfectly
would not work and go forward, he said
whereas before, it had worked and gone forward.
Undoubtedly there was an accident.
But who should
helpless.
It
;
say Allah had not some wise purpose
be
not
much
delay.
There would
Another engine
might come,
hopefully.
And we were
going
home
How
dreadful are the curses which
Mohammedan-
perhaps to-morrow
all
—
?
ism
lays
on
this last
!
its
votaries!
Besides
the
fanatical
—
THE RET CRN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
which
frenzv,
dangerous in a
as
is
phobia in a dog, there
The
effects,
provident
are
in
of
many
systems
slovenly
methods
slu*r*risli
hvdro-
as
this fearful fatalistic apathy.
is
apparent
habits,
man
lM9
commerce,
Im-
countries.
of
agriculture,
and insecurity
of
property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet
A degraded
rule or live.
of
its
and refinement
irrace
The
sanctity.
sensualism deprives this
fact
;
the next of
its
disnitv and
Mohammedan law
that in
life
everv
#
r
J
THE RAILWAY STATION
woman must
belong
to
some
man
his
as
absolute
—
either as a child, a wife, or a concubine
property
must delay the
final extinction
of slavery until the faith
of Islam has ceased to be a great power
Individual
Moslems
may show
splendid
Thousands become the brave and loyal
Queen
:
all
know how
to die
religion paralyses the social
follow
world.
it.
Xo
:
among men
qualities.
soldiers of the
but the influence of the
developement of those
who
stronger retrograde force exists in the
Far from being moribund,
Mohammedanism
is
THE RIVER AVAR
250
a militant and proselytising faith.
throughout Central Africa, raisin?
fearless warriors at
and were it not that Christianity is sheltered
the strong arms of science
the science against which
every step
in
has already spread
It
it
;
—
had vainly struggled
Europe might
To
civilisation
of
modern
as fell the civilisation of ancient Borne.
fall,
The versatility of a British
saved us a most unwelcome delay. Lieutenant
return to No.
officer
Bathurst
the
— the
5
proceeded
energy,
driver's
getting
to
the
locomotive,
up
patched
the
stimulated
and,
engine,
cab himself, succeeded in
the
into
6.
6
coaxing
her' along the odd 200 miles that separated us from
Wady
in
Haifa.
It
England of driving engines, and was most
acquainted with
I reflect
realise
its
appeared that he had made a practice
all
the details of the work.
on the delightful aspect of Xo. 6
how much
longer
fully
When
station,
and
we might have contemplated
beauties, I cannot control
my
admiration of this
most desirable accomplishment.
On
arrival at Haifa the troops
on board a steamer which was
were
at
once placed
in readiness,
and
in
two hours from the time of arrival were speeding down
the river.
On
the
way
up, the journey from Shellal to
Haifa took five days; going down,
The
difference
was due
to the Xile,
it
occupied but one.
whose current may
At Shellal
the Grenadier Guards were delayed for some hours
pending the arrival of troop train-.
With several
officers
river, and
I had myself rowed across the
examined the Temple of Philse. I fear lest, in writing
be said to count two votes on a division.
5
Lieut. F. Bathurst, Grenadier Guards.
THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH DIVISION
that I
was prepared
to see the temple for
251
ever sub-
merged that Egypt might become more prosperous, I
may have exposed myself to a charge of Vandalism. It
Yet
is certainly a very beautiful and interesting ruin.
I
my
cannot alter
Surely
opinion.
if
a small model
were made, the archaeologists might be content.
might also erect a
pillar,
overlooking the waters beneath
which the Temple would
classic
tongue
.sacrificed in
6
:
with an inscription in a
an
Temple of
Here stood the
Philse,
1899 to the welfare of the world.'
hour the
at Shellal
—a
most un-
Before the train had journeyed
necessary proceeding.
for
lie,
bade farewell to the Nile
I
We
eternal
river
reappeared
among
the palm-trees, and presently the line passed along an
embankment lapped on all sides by the flood-waters.
Few more extraordinary spectacles can be seen by the
tourist, or even by the traveller, than that which submerged Egypt presents. On every side a vast sheet of
water,
away
dotted
to the
Valley.
with village-covered
distant
stretches
islands,
mountain boundaries of the Nile
Eight through the broadest part of
this great
expanse and for several hundred miles the railway runs
along its low, narrow embankment a turnpike road
—
across an ocean.
the
waters
of
Yet
the
all
Nile,
these spreading waters are
and
it
is
not
until
the
tower of Alexandria has sunk below the
horizon, that the traveller may properly say good-bye to
Nor can he carry away
the river of the Eiver War.
lighthouse
a truer conception
of the
land he has
left
than
is
expressed by Lord Kosebery's celebrated saying: 'The
Nile
is
Egypt, and Egypt
is
the Nile.'
—
CHAPTER
XXIII
ON THE BLUE NILE
— General Hunter's expedition — Its reception — Musa Digna
Posts on the Blue Nile — Ahmed Fedil — The Kassala column — Seven
men — Passage of the Atbara — Skirmish at Mugatta — Action of
Gedaref— The saddleback — The attack on the transport— Captain
Ruthven, V.C. — The 16th Egyptian battalion— Flight of the enemy
Nur Angara — The defence of Gedaref— Return of Ahmed Fedil
expedition — Retreat of Ahmed Fedil
The blockade — The
Colonel
Parsons's operations — Colonel Lewis's expedition — The
Ghezira — Fever — The Sheikh Bakr — Rosaires — Ahmed's intentions
Arrival of reinforcements — The march to Dakhila — Action of Rosaires
— The position— The fords — The deployment — The advance of the Xth
Soudanese — The counter-attack — Capture of the island — Surrender
the Dervishes — The end of Saadalla — Captain Fergusson — The withdrawal of the wounded — Results and losses — The Xth Soudanese
The fugitive in Kordofan — At the tomb of his ancestor— Memories
victory and defeat — The Kordofan Field Force —The water problem
The Shirkela Reconnaissance — The start from Kohi — Strength of
the column — The journey —A miserable land — A welcome pool
A silent town — The Khalifa at bay — Colonel Kitchener's decision
The return to the Nile — Some horrible spectacles — The end of the
Anti-climax
relief
of
of
River War.
The authority of the Khalifa and the stre ngth of his
army were for ever broken on the 2nd of September, and
the battle of
tale of
those
war.
who
Omdurman is the natural climax of this
To those who fought, and still more to
fell,
in the
subsequent actions the climax
came somewhat later. After the victory the public
The
interest was no longer centred in the Soudan.
ON THE BLUE NILE
253
had been carried north of Assuan
the last Press correspondent had hurried back to Cairo
But the military operations were by no
or London.
last British battalion
;
means over.
The enemy had been defeated. It remained to reThe Dervish provincial garr isoi s
c( lquer the territory
i
.
) 1
still
preserved their allegiance to the Khalifa.
Several
Arab forces kept the field. Distant Kordofan
and even more distant Darfur were as yet quite
unaffected by the i>reat battle at the confluence of
strong
the Niles.
There were rumours of Europeans in the
Far South.
The
command
unquestioned
of
the
waterways
which the Sirdar enjoyed enabled the greater part of
the Egyptian Soudan to be at once formally reoccupied.
All towns or stations
tributaries
were
their
mercy of the gunboats. It was
send troops to occupy them and to
at the
only necessary to
hoist the British
on the main rivers and
and Egyptian
flags.
Two
expeditions
were forthwith despatched up the White and Blue Niles
to establish garrisons, and as far as possible to subdue
The
the country.
of the Sirdar,
left
first,
under the personal command
Omdurman on
the 8th of SejDtember,
and steamed up the White Nile towards Fashoda. Of
the events that followed that momentous journey
some account
will
be found in another chapter.
The
second expedition consisted of the gunboats Sheikh and
Hafir,
together with two
companies and the brass
band of the Xth Soudanese and a Maxim
all
under the command of General Hunter.
Omdurman on
the
battery,
Leaving
19th of September, they started
x
THE RiYEK
254
AVAL'
up the Blue Xile to Abu Haraz.* 'Die rest of he
Xth battalion followed as soon as other steamers
t
were
from the business of taking the British
set free
division
to
the
Atbara
and
bringing
supplies
to
Omdurman.
The progress of the expedition up the
resembled a triumphal procession. The people
river
of the riparian villages assembled on the banks, and
partly
from satisfaction
at
being relieved from
oppression of the Khalifa and the scourge
from
(
>f
war, partly
and partly from wonder, gave vent
fear,
the
to
loud
and long-continued cheers. As the gunboats advanced
the inhabitants escorted them along the bank, the men
women
dancing and waving their swords, and the
uttering shrill cries of welcome.
The reception of
the
when places of importance were passed and
crowd amounted to several thousands is described
very stirring, and we are told, such was the
expedition
the
as
enthusiasm of the natives, that they even broke up their
houses to supply the gunboats with
Whether
be true or not I cannot
this
wood
tell,
for
but
fuel.
it is
in
any case certain that the vessels were duly supplied, and
that the expedition in its progress was well received by
the negroid tribes,
who had
long resented the tyranny
of the Arabs.
On
the 22nd of September a considerable part of
army of Osman Digna, which had not been present at
the battle of Omdurman, was found encamped on the
The Sheikhs and
Ghezira, a few miles north of Kufaa.
Emirs, on being summoned by General Hunter, surthe
rendered, and a force of about 2,000
*
Map, The Campaign on the Blue
'
Nile.'
men
laid
page 285.
down
•
ON THE BLUE NILE
their arms.
Musa Digna,
commander of
The
prisoner.
his
nephew
was put
of Osinan and the
a
forces,
rest,
255
in irons
who were mostly from
and held
the Suakin
district,
were given a safe-conduct, and told
to their
homes
to return
— an order they lost no time in obeying.
The next day
the General arrived at
where the Dervish garrison
Wad
Medina,
— 1,000 strong—had already
surrendered to the gunboat Sheikh.
These men, who
were regular Dervishes, were transported in sailing-boats
to
Omdurman, and augmented
the
number
of prisoners
On the 2',)th of September
war already collected.
General Hunter reached Eosaires, 400 miles south of
of
Khartoum, and the extreme
on the Blue Nile.
By
the 3rd
established garrisons of the
at
limit of
steam navigation
of October he had
Xth Soudanese
in Eosaires,
Karkoj, at Senaar (the old seat of the Govern-
ment of the province), and
also arranged for gunboat
at
Wad
Medina.
Having
patrolling, he returned to
H
Omdurman.
But there was one Dervish force which had no
intention of surrendering to the invaders, and whose
was not accomplished until three fierce and
Ahmed Fedil, a
critical actions had been fought.
zealous and devoted adherent of the Khalifa, had been
sent after the defeat on the Atbara to collect all the
dispersal
Dervishes
who
could be spared from the Gedaref and
GaUabat provinces, and bring them to join the growingarmy at Omdurman. The Emir had faithfully discharged his duty, and he was hurrying to his master's
assistance with a strong
not less than 8,000
and well-disciplined force of
men when,
while vet sixty miles
256
from the
city,
He
field.'
he received the news of
the stricken
immediately halted, and sought
from
disaster
4
by announcing
soldiers
his
to hide the
that
the
Khalifa had been victorious and no longer needed their
assistance.
He even
explained the appearance of gun-
boats upon the river by saying that these had run past
Onulnrman and that the others were
The truth was not, however, long condestroyed.
cealed for a few days later two emissaries despatched
by Slatin arrived at the Dervish camp and announced
the batteries at
;
Omdurman army,
the destruction of the
the Khalifa, and the
were authorised
fall
to
The messengers
of the city.
Ahmed
offer
the (light of
terms
but that
;
implacable Dervish flew into a rage, and, having shot
one, sent the other, covered with insults and stripes, to
Turks
that he
would
light to the bitter end.
tell
the
He
then struck his camp, and marched back
in<?
'
'
a Ion
bank of the Blue
Nile
the river near
confluence with the kahad, and
its
so joining the Khalifa in
however, did not view
Their families and
of
His Dervishes,
Kordofan.
this project
with satisfaction.
women had been
left
with large
and ammunition in Gedaref, under
a strong garrison of 3,000 men. They urged their
commander to return and collect these possessions.
stores
Ahmed
of grain
at first refused,
but when on arriving
at the
place of passage he found himself confronted with a
gunboat, he resolved to make a virtue of necessity, and
set
out leisurely for Gedaref.
On the 5th of September Colonel Parsons, in command of the forces at Kassala, heard through the Italian
,
:
OX THE BLUi: NILE
2-37
Governor of Eritrea of the victory
The next day
at
Omdurman.
news arrived from England, and
official
in
conformity with previous instructions he set out on the
7 tl l for
Gedaref.
was known that
It
Ahmed
Fedil had
marched towards Omdurman. It was believed that
Gedaref was only weakly held, and the opportunity of
most powerful
remaining Dervish army
cutting
the
from
base was too precious to be neglected.
its
venture
the
The whole available
Kassala garrison was mustered, and a
was
strength of the
But
desperate.
column formed as follows
450 men, 16th Egyptians, under Captain McKerrel.
450 men, 'Arab battalion' (formerly Italian levies), under Captain
2
Wilkinson.
3
370 Arab irregulars, under Major Lawson.
80 camel-men of the Egyptian Slavery Department (Soudanese
soldiers who had been discharged from the army for old age
4
and medical unfitness), under Captain Hon. H. Ruthvkn.
1
With
these
disciplined,
1,350 motley soldiers,
untried,
worn with waiting and wasted by
little
disease,
without cavalry, artillery, or machine-guns, and with
only seven British
officers,
including the doctor, Gedaref
taken, and, having been
Avas
was
taken,
The
held.
story of this reckless, disjointed enterprise, as glorious
to those
who
carried
to those
who
ordered
it
through as
it,
it
was discreditable
the heavy odds against success,
the total annihilation involved
by
failure,
extraordinary luck which brushed aside
1
Captain A. de
S.
3
4
lastly the
perils
all
and
McKerrel. Cameron Highlanders and Egyptian
army.
9
and
C'
Captain E. B. Wilkinson, Lincoln Regiment and Egyptian army.
Major H. M. Lawson, R.E. and Egyptian army.
Captain Hon. H. Ruthven, 3rd Battalion Highland Light Infantry
'
•
<
•
.
•
.
and Egyptian Slavery Department.
VOL.
II.
8
.
THE RIVER WAR
258
honour,
and
safety
to
Europeans
seven
the
•brought
the voyage of the Bolivar across the
recall
Bay of Biscay, rather
country.
powerful
of
a
operations
military
than the
Iris
and
Parsons
Colonel
marches
long
two
After
the
of
bank
right
the
on
Fasher,
El
at
force arrived
them
led
hitherto
had
which
advance,
Their
Atbara.
^^^^
now checked by a
through a waterless desert, was
ra^ino'
The
torrent.
was
river
in
Thames below
the
than
broader
water,
deep
of
channel
London Bridge and racing along
formed
a serious obstacle.
and a
flood,
full
at seven miles an hour,
Since there were no boats
from
rafts
construct
forthwith
to
began
the soldiers
As
purpose.
the
for
brought
been
had
barrels that
sent
it
was
completed,
was
these
of
first
soon as the
The
encouraging.
not
was
result
The
trip.
on a trial
raft supported ten men, occupied
five
hours in the
came
and
stream,
down
miles
ten
carried
was
passage,
back
for
its
second journey on the afternoon of the
was evident that this means of transport
was out of the question. The only chance of
taking
and
reaching
force
the
in
lay
indeed, of safety
next day.
It
—
Gedaref before the return of
All depended upon speed
Ahmed
;
Fedil.
yet here was a hopeless
resolved
to
was
it
discussion
prolonged
After
delay.
enand
officer
Egyptian
an
of
suggestion
act on the
than
easier
proved
work
The
boats.
build
deavour to
was
anticipated.
scrub supplied
nately
available
Egyptian
in
The
the
frames;
—formed
soldiers,
making
elastic
who
the
wood
of
mimosa
the
— fortu-
some tarpaulins
outer
covering.
The
delighted in the work, succeeded
daily from such materials one boat capable
ON THE BLUE NILE
of carrying two tons
and
;
259
in these ingenious contri-
vances the whole force crossed to the further bank.
camels, mules, and horses of the Transport
—
The
their heads
supported with inflated water-skins tied under their
—were made
swim across the river by the local
Shukrieh Arabs. Such was the skill of these tribesmen
that only one camel and one mule were drowned during
the operation.
The passage was completed on the
lGth, and the next day the advance was resumed along
the west bank of the Atbara.
At midday on the 18th
Mugatta was reached, and here during the afternoon
jowls
the Dervishes
that the
'
first
to
learned, to their intense astonishment,
Turks had crossed the
river.
'
The soldiers were cooking and sleeping after the
march when, at five o'clock, heavy firing was suddenly
heard from the outpost
line
of
Arab
irregulars
had been established on a ridge a mile
which
to the west of
Forty Dervish foot and a few horsemen
the bivouac.
had been sent from Gedaref
bank of the
After a long day's journey they were making
Atbara.
to patrol the
their
way
to the river to drink,
into
the
outj)osts.
A
confused
when they stumbled
skirmish followed.
Both sides fired wildly, and the Dervishes retreated,
leaving three killed
on the ground and seven
made
prisoners.
killed
and one severely wounded.
The
certain,
The Arab
reports of the prisoners were vague
and no
at
war
it
two men
and un-
reliable information as to the strength of
the garrison of Gedaref
of
irregulars lost
being-
was obtainable.
After
a
council
was, however, resolved to push on. Accordingly
dawn on
the
20th the
little
force
—having
s
filled
2
THE RIVER WAR
260
the
invoked
and
their
belts,
tightened
water-skins,
their
assistance of the various gods they
off,
and marched
bush which
all
lies
day
in single
worshipped— started
file
through the thick
between the Atbara
and Gedaref.
became more open, and
Kuthven's decrepit camel-men were able to some extent
column
The
of
advance.
line
the
reconnoitre
to
Towards evening the country
camped for the night in a square, and was undisturbed.
on
the
light
the
first
with
continued
was
march
The
contact
in
came
camel-men
the
o'clock
six
at
and
21st,
exchanging
after
fell
back
who
scouts,
Dervish
the
with
was
Akabu
Wad
of
village
the
later
hours
Two
shots.
the
held
by
be
thought
to
was
as
this
and
reached,
enemy
the whole force deployed and advanced in attack
The
formation.
village was,
however, deserted, save
such inhabitants as were too old to run away.
infalse
full
and
gave
questioned
being
These upon
•
formation as to the Gedaref garrison.
they declared, did not
were few, and
the
want
Emir
to fight.
Saadalla,
The Dervishes,
Their numbers
who commanded,
spearmen.
and
rifles
600
200
muster
could scarcely
Fedil
Ahmed
from
orders
received
moreover,
He had,
ender. Reassured by this intelligence, and
posted sentries, the
column
retired to rest peacefully
twelve
within
although
the
21st,
of
night
during the
cs of Gedaref.
arr ived.
way
A
into the
But
deserter
at
midnight very different news
from the Dervishes
made
camp and informed Colonel Parsons
3.")00
him
with
awaited
the Emir Saadalla
miles before the town.
The
situation
his
thai
men two
was grave.
h the broken countrv and thick bu>h
A
in
ON THE BLUE NILE
261
and triumphant enemy seemed
the face of a powerful
There was no alternative but to attack.
impossible.
—
22nd -the
Very early on the mornirm of the
day on which General Hunter on the Blue
compelling Musa
render
set
— Colonel
forth to
ever force
it
Digna and
and
Parsons
march
might contain.
the road lay through doura
which
rose
5
was
to
sur-
Kassala
the
into Gedaref
Nile
followers
his
and to
For the
column
fight
first
same
what-
two hours
plantations and high grass
above the heads even of
men mounted
town was approached, the
doura ceased, and the troops emerged from the jungle
on to an undulating moorland with occasional patches
They continued to
of rushes and withered grass.
on canuds
move
;
but as the
steadily forward, their front covered as far as
by the camel-men, whose enfeebled bodies
possible
Kuthven had inspired with something of his own daring
and enthusiasm. At half-past seven and about three
miles from Gedaref the enemy's scouts were encountered.
A
The soldiers pressed their
march, and at eight o'clock had reached a small knoll,
from the top of which an extensive view was obtain
The column halted, and Colonel Parsons and his
able.
few shots were
officers
A
fired.
ascended the eminence to reconnoitre.*
menacing
most
Scarcely a mile
spectacle
away a strong
them.
confronted
force of Dervishes
rapidlv advancing to meet the invaders.
grass
the
out
of
white fiffures
rising
r
Four
was
lines of
showed by
their
ralaiity the discipline,
•
Map,
4
The Action near
'
Doura
:
Gedaref,' to face page
spelt also
dhurra.
26(5.
THE RIVER WAR
262
The
of the enemy.
officers
computed the strength of
Subsequent
their antagonists at not less than 4,000.
marched
Saadalla
Emir
the
that
shown
has
investigation
spearmen.
riflemen,
1,600
with
1,700
Gedaref
out of
and 300 horse.
The
space
swiftness of the Dervish advance and the short
that
intervened
between the
forces
made
it
would take place within half
with
overgrown
and
was
rocky,
valley
The
evident that a collision
an hour.
there
track
the
of
right
the
to
but
rrass and reeds
looked
of
which
surface
the
hill,
_ 3se a high saddleback
;
the
command
to
appeared
which
more open, and
knew
nothing
troops
The
Gedaref.
from
approaches
of the country
The high
;
the Dervishes understood
o-round gave
at
least
Colonel Parsons resolved to
it
thoroughly.
advantage of view.
occupy
it.
Time was,
however, very scanty.
to
began
column
the
and
The order was
The
saddleback.
the
towards
vallev
double across the
movement,
the
of
nature
the
perceiving
Dervishes,
given,
the
catching
of
hope
the
in
advance
hurried their
the
seizing
even
of
perhaps
and
move
troops on the
Parsons
Colonel
late.
too
were
they
But
hill itself.
with
and
safely,
saddleback
the
reached
and his force
along
advanced
and
up
climbed
spare
a few minutes to
it
in
column
in the direction of
Gedaref— the Arab
bat-
of
last
and
next,
Egyptians
16th
the
talion leading,
the
irregulars, who were
their
Arab
chiefs
all
divided into two bodies, under
Banda and Bamleh, and who guarded
the hospital and baggage convoy.
The Dervishes, seeing
that the troops
had already
—a
OX THE BLUE XILE
reached the
hill
and were moving along
town, swung to their
Thereupon
to
263
and advanced
left
at half-past eight the
to the attack.
column wheeled into
meet them, and standing in the long
on the summit of the
towards the
it
grass,
line
which even
was nearly breast-high, opened
a heavy and destructive fire. The enemy, although
hill
suffering severe loss, continued to struggle bravely on-
ward, replying vigorously to the musketry of the soldiers.
At nine
o'clock, while the frontal attack
was
un-
still
became aware that a stronoof Dervishes had moved round the left rear and
decided, Colonel Parsons
force
were about to attack the hospital and transport.
at
once sent to warn Captain Fleming, E.A.M.C.,
combined the duties of medical
officer
6
He
who
and commander
of the baggage column, of the impending assault, and
directed
him
to close
Arab Sheikhs, who
acting as orderlies,
Fleming,
when
the
up the camels and meet
in
the
absence of
it.
The
officers
were
had scarcely brought the news
Dervish attack developed.
to
The
enemy, some 300 strong, rushed with great determina-
upon the baggage, and the escort of 120 Arab
irregulars under the chief Eamleh at once broke and
fled.
The situation became desperate but Euthven
tion
;
with
thirty-four
Militia officer in
Slavery
command
Department
camel-men
—
of broken-down soldiers
hastened to meet the exultant enemy and protect the
baggage column with unequal numbers, but unequalled
courage.
him
;
Captain Fleming, the doctor, nobly assisted
and these
tAvo,
animating the Soudanese, defended
themselves and the transport stubbornly.
6
Captain C. C. Fleming, E.A.M.C.
In spite of
2G4
all
WAR
TILE JJIVER
their efforts the rear of the
baggage column was
The survivors escaped along the
The British officers, with their sum
back towards their main body, both
broken and cut up.
saddleback.
following,
II
fell
pressed by the enemy.
At
moment Captain Ruthven observed one
this
his native officers, lying
to
fall
man
the hands
into
miserably.
wounded on
the ground, about
of the Dervishes
He immediately went back
The enemy were, however,
was three times compelled
body
off in
he
so close that
burden down and
to set his
defend himself with his revolver.
and perish
and, being a
of great physical strength, carried the
his arms.
of
Meanwhile the
retire-
ment towards the main body continued and accelerated.
Colonel Parsons and his force were now between
two
The
fires.
The rear
yards.
frontal
attack,
attack
was
flushed with
hurrying impetuously forward.
The
within
200
success,
were
defeat and con-
sequent total destruction of the Kassala column appeared
But
certain.
attack,
nick of time the Dervish frontal
in the
which had been suffering heavily from the
the troops, wavered
;
discomfiture,
of
and when the Arab battalion and
the 16th Egyptians advanced
their
fire
they
upon them
broke
and
to complete
fled.
Colonel
Parsons at once endeavoured to meet the rear attack.
The Arab
battalion,
whose valour was more admirable
than their discipline, continued to pursue the beaten
enemy down the hill; but the Kith Egyptians, on being
called upon by their commanding officer Captain
McKerrel, faced steadily about and turned to encounter
the fresh attack.
ON THE BLUE NILE
The heavy
fire
2G5
of the regular battalion checked the
Dervish advance, and Captain Fleming, the rest of the
lismounted camel-men, and Euthven, still carrying his
found safety in their ranks. A short
musketry combat followed at the range of less
native officer,
fierce
7
than a hundred
yards, at the
end of which the assailants
The
repulsed.
completely
were
of the baggage convoy
won.
was
success
and
over
practically
now
action was
that
irregulars
the
of
those
and
The Arab
them
before
enemy
the
drove
and
had rallied, advanced
front
their
both
o'clock,
ten
until
at
Gedaref,
lowards
battalion,
abandoned
Dervishes
the
failed,
having
attacks
rear
and
or
cavalry
No
ensued.
rout
general
and
a
all resistance
was impossible.
The
noon.
at
surrendered
Gedaref
of
town
The
black
with
200
who
Angara,
Xur
Emir,
Dervish
artillery being available, further pursuit
riflemen and two brass guns
of the garrison,
filled
made
no important
notable personage.
suspicion
by
the
had been
left in
Although he
haste to submit.
office,
he was
He had
Khalifa,
in
command
many ways
a
long been regarded with
and he now
justified
his
compuncdetestation of Mahdism arid vowed
slightest
the
without
for
doubts,
sovereign s
he declared his
allegiance to the Government.
tion
Accordingly, without
estabwere
relations
friendly
further unpleasantness,
lished
his
between him
knowledge
and the Kassala troops
;
assisted the councils, his black soldiers
enemies.
recent
their
of
forces
enlarged the
their
continuing
Dervishes,
mainder of the
7
and while
The
flight
re-
under
received
since
has
Ruthven
Captain
occasion
For his gallantry on this
the Victoria Cross.
.
THE RIVER
266
the
Emir
Ahmed
Saadalla, hurried to
tell
the tale of defeat to
Fedil.
The action of Gedaref
military event.
fierce
WAR
and
Throughout the
critical fight the
were quick and
from several causes an
is
movements on
but
short,
either side
Colonel Parsons's dash for the
skilful.
vantage ground of the saddleback matches the cunning
Emir Saadalla. The indep
dent promptness of Euthven in meeting the rear attack
was proportionate to his personal gallantry, and a
commission in the regular army was no less deserved
of the
s
than the decoration of the Victoria Cross.
Lastly, the
and firmness of the 1 6th Egyptians were remarkable and this battalion which, the reader will remember, was only raised from reservists and recruits in
1896 may justly claim to have won greater distinction
discipline
—
;
—
than mix fellahin troops during the war.
The
bv the Kassala column in
the action were severe in proportion to their numbers
and the duration of the fight.
The seven British
casualties suffered
escaped untouched; but of the 1,400 soldiers
and irregulars engaged, 51 were killed and 80 wounded
officers
a total of 131, or nearly ten per cent.
left
-500
dead on the
field,
The Dervishes
including four Emirs of
rank
The victory had been won, the enemy were routed,
the town was taken
it had now to be
defended.
:
Colonel Parsons took possession of the principal buildings,
and began immediately
of defence.
position
to
put them in
a
state
This was fortunately an easy matter.
The
was good and adaptable.
It
consisted
of
,
.
.
Position of Dervishes
J Position ofDerxishes aibratm.ru/, sem from
at about' 9. SO ov.ttv.
2 Position- ofDervishes at, comma uzement of
their attack
Retreat ofDervishes, direction, taken after
•fir st attack,
.
3
,
4 Direction, of'Dervishes attacking liarrdeh after
^
primary attack, had been repulsed
Direction, offlight ofDervishes after th
attack an Hamteh
hod been repulseJ
.
Po si tio ll
4
>f
E gyp tian Force
JjuLSsaLiJxrrce ijdvarixxtufin, Coi ny. foUarvn,
«
Arab Bn jBuJida IC^Dn,. CojnelXorps, Uamleh\
,
TemporaryEjaJLt.
Forming octoline tuthe left to meet Dervish, attack
oivLeft. flajJc rArahBn Jo^JhcABa/ida JConieJt in
rcai guarded by Camel. Corps <t escoi ts.
Line faced ah net aftcrrepulsingprnrutry atti irk
tomeet attacktm. jiimiLeh Z Cos-ArabJfn euttuig
offenemy is line ofrctf -eat on, GecLaref.
ArabBn. &.Baiulapiosuuig retrejaa^uMDervishes,
;
t
.
,
GEDAREF
AC TIOK near
22™*
SEPT.
1898.
Scale LS^tolB
Contours
lMile
shown, at intervals of about 26 -feet.
.
OX THE BLUE NILE
267
of holding the entire
three large enclosures, capable
force, situated in echelon, so as to protect
each other
and with strong brick walls six feet high.*
The approaches, however, were encumbered with dour a
and the first
plantations, scattered huts, and shelters
by
their fire,
;
new
task of the
garrison was to clear the ground, so
The troops were
the 16th battalion and
established in the enclosures
the camel-men in the western (which was also largest),
the irregulars in the centre, and the Arab battalion
on the eastern side. All were at once set to work to
that no cover might assist an enemy.
—
cut
down
and
to
walls.
and in
the doiira, to level the
build
ramparts
or
mud
houses without,
banquettes
within the
The three enclosures thus became three forts,
the principal work the two captured brass
guns were mounted, in small bastions
thrown out
While the infantry
from the north and west corners.
were thus engaged, Euthven and his camel-men made
daily reconnaissance of the surrounding country,
eagerly looked for the
A
appearance of
first
Ahmed
and
Fedil.
There was, however, one serious cause for anxiety.
great quantity of ammunition (of which there were
three
unfortunately
kinds
—Martini,
Eemington, and
had been expended in the action the reserve of
cartridges lay in a small post which had been formed
Colonel Parsons decided to try and bring
at Mugatta.
Vetterli)
;
town before the expected attack, and with
On the
this intent he set out from Gedaref on the 24th.
same day Ahmed Fedil, who was loitering near Abu
Haraz, received the news that his base of supplies had
this into the
lap,
'
The Attack on
Gedaref,' to face page 270.
THE
268
'
Turks
'
WAR
had been beaten, and
had taken Gredaref. The infuriated
been captured, that
that the
lilYER
his garrison
Emir, roused to immediate action and resolved to make
effort to retake the
a desperate
town, started at once
with his whole force, which after allowing for desertions
numbered at least 7,000 men.
The supplies of ammunition reached Gedaref on
At dawn the next da\
the afternoon of the 27th.
Euthven reported that the advance guard of Ahmed
The attack began
Fedil was approaching the town.
The Dervishes, who fought with
at half-past eight.
still
t
customary gallantly, simultaneously assaulted
their
the
north,
south,
and west
faces
of
the
defences.
Creeping forward through the high dour a, they were
able
to
get
300
within
yards
of
But the intervening space had been
the
enclosures.
carefully cleared
was swept by the musketry of the
even
All attempts to cross this ground
defenders.
While
proved vain.
the most determined rushes
of cover,
and
—
—
some made hopeless charges towards the walls, others
crowded into a few straw shelters and mud huts
which the troops had not found opportunity
and thence maintained a ragged
heavy
fusillade
the
ceased altogether.
lire.
attack weakened,
At
reinforcements having
to remove,
After an hour's
and presently
ten o'clock, however,
strong
come up, the Dervishes made a
They were again repulsed, and at a
quarter to eleven, after losing more than 500 men in
killed and wounded, Ahmed Fedil admitted hi^ defeat
and retired to a clump of palm-trees two miles to the
west of the town. The casualties among the defenders
second attempt.
OX THE BLUE NILE
men killed, one British
and thirteen men wounded.
were
officer,
five
The Dervishes remained
and
grove*
leader
their
269
for
Captain Dwyer,
two days
repeatedly
in the
8
palm
endeavoured
to
But although they
closely surrounded the enclosures, and maintained a
dropping fire, they refused to knock their heads
against brick walls a third time; and on the 1st of
induce them to renew the attack.
I
October
Ahmed
amp
for
Fedil
was forced
ei<>ht
miles to the southward.
the next three
to retire to a
more
Here
weeks he remained, savage and
sulky; and the Kassala column were content to keep
to their defences.
their
way
but for
garrison
A
few convoys from Mugatta made
into the forts
all
practical
under the cover of darkness,
purposes the blockade of the
was complete.
Their losses in
action
had
They were not abundantly
The smell of the putresupplied with ammunition.
reduced their strength.
and
the
walls
the
in
around
lay
which
corpses
fying
do ara crop, together with the unhealthy climate and
(he filth of the town,
A
was the
fertile
painful and racking fever afflicted
one time as
many
were prostrated.
source of disease.
all
ranks, and at
270 of the 400 regular soldiers
The recurring night alarms added
as
of
the
anxieties
the
and
troops
the
of
to the fatigues
seven
officers.
The
situation
factorv that Colonel Parsons
was indeed
was compelled
so unsatisto ask for
assistance.
s absence
Sirdar
the
in
who
Eundle,
Major-General
relief
a
organised
immediately
held the chief command,
•
Egyptian
army
and
Regiment
Surrey
East
Captain A. G. Dwyer,
THE RIVER
270
WAR
The IXth, Xllth, and half of the XIHth
Soudanese, with three companies of the Camel Corps,
from
despatched
once
at
were
Collinson,
Colonel
under
river.
The
Eahad
the
of
mouth
the
to
Omdurman
Camel
the
Corps
steamers
in
conveyed
were
infantry
expedition.
;
whole
distance
the
completing
bank,
the
along
marched
of 130
The Blue Nile
miles in fifty-six hours.
garri-
were
Eosaires,
at
the
post
of
exception
the
with
sons,
the
whole
October
8th
of
the
By
concentrated.
also
hundred
camels,
Five
Haraz.
Abu
at
collected
was
force
every
available
and
Omdurman,
from
marched
had
which
the
of
column.
transport
the
joined
burden
of
beast
local
On
the 9th the Xllth Soudanese started
Ain
river for
leaves
the
el
From
Owega.
river
and
strikes
this
up the Eahad
point the road
across
the
desert
to
in
the
whole
and
miles;
100
of
distance
a
Gedaref,
distance water
Owing
to
is
onlv found at the wells of El
this scarcity of
water
it
K
was necessary
to
transport
The
being
troops.
the
with
supply
carry a
insufficient to provide for the whole force, the march
be made in two columns. The Camel Corps
and the Xllth Soudanese, about 1,200 strong, set
forth under Colonel Collinson from Ain el Owega on
had
to
Gedaref
reached
and
17th,
the
Warned
of their arrival,
Ahmed
safely
Fedil,
on the 22nd.
having made a
which was repulsed by the garrison
themselves of two Soudanese wounded,
feeble night attack
with a loss to
had now no chance of recapturing the
town. Preparations were indeed made to attack him,
was
a
reconnaissance
when
October,
of
23rd
the
on
but
force
the
Dervish
his
camp,
of
direction
the
in
made
realised that he
i
m
W
*
ON THE BLUE NILE
was seen moving
271
off in a southerly direction, their retreat
covered by a strong rearguard, which was intended to
perform the double duty of protecting the retirement
But though the Dervish
impenitent, his followers were greatly
;md preventing desertion.
Emir was
still
disheartened, and in spite of his precautions
Abu
chiefs, including
many
petty
Bakr, a Darfur Sheikh, and 500
of his men, transferred their allegiance to the winning
side,
and were
at
once employed against their former
comrades.
Meanwhile the
of the
rest
relieving
had
force
Ain el Owega, and awaited the return of the
But the retreat of
transport to march to Gedaref.
Ahmed Fedil rendered this unnecessary, and they were
arrived at
ordered back to
therefore
carried
by the gunboats
on the Blue
Abu
Haraz, and thence
to re-establish the various posts
Nile.
The operations conducted by Colonel Parsons thus
Great
ended in complete success.
were
difficulties
overcome, great perils were encountered, great results
were obtained.
But while we applaud the
commander and
the devotion of his subordinates,
skill
of the
it
is
impossible not to criticise the rash and over-confident
policy which sent such a
ill-equipped force
on so
weak and
hazardous an enterprise. The
action of Gedaref,
as has
been shown, was, through no
fault of the officers
or
men
of the expedition, within
an ace of being a
when
disaster.
But there were other
only the
extraordinary good fortune which attended
the
force,
saved
it
from
column was not discovered
critical occasions
destruction.
until
it
Firstly,
the
readied Mugatta
;
^
:
THE RIVER AVAR
272
secondly,
it
was not attacked
bush
in the thick
;
thirdly,
the Dervishes ga\ e battle in the open instead of reT
maining within their walls, whence the troops could
not have driven them without artillery and fourthly,
;
ammunition arrived before the attack of
Colonel Parsons, commenting on the
Fedil.
reserve
the
Ahmed
operations, said
'
According to the rules of warfare, the Kassala force
ought not to have Avon; and so
did
little
think of our
fighting element of Kassala
chances of
migrated
departure
winning, that they on our
non-
the
in
9
numbers to the Italian colony for safety.
The difficulty and hazards add to the excellence of
the achievement, but, even in view of the fact that
expedition cost nothing whatever,'
10
'
the
evident that
it is
for
Kitchener
Sir
H.
to
attaches
responsibility
grave
a
exposing the small force to unnecessary dangers, and
for
running the risk of a serious and most inopportune
•
reverse.
";;
reverted
to
his
Gedaref,
before
After his defeat
intention
'
of joining
Ahmed
the
V'
Fedil
Khalifa in
Kordofan, and he withdrew southwards toward the
Dinder river with a
than
5,000.
To
folio wing that still
pass
the
Nile
gunboats appeared impossible.
in
He
numbered more
the
face
of the
did not, however,
the
higher
reaches
navigate
could
steamers
that
believe
of the rivers,
and
in the
place he directed his
hopes of finding a safe crossing-
march so
as to strike the
Blue
Parsons,
R.A.,
a
Charles)
at
Sir
(now
Colonel
by
delivered
Lecture
meeting of the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich, April 20, 1899.
9
Ibid.
0
Forts
DTwjtcl
I
Camel Corps
HosputoL
Lligh Ground
2 Guns (Dervish,)
II Bcorda/StoneAvaH5 high)
Long Grass
I
1
TVArab B» (BeLb eLMaL)
(BrickwaJL 12 TdaJv)
ate Palms
YArab B^(aWj(Forti/ie^b
\
So. )(Bruk*valll2 'high,)
xxx Zeriba/lhsidjcthif Tine aZL
Hrfds destroy eiLajid cQiurrou
CUtoZcwrv
\
MghDhum
pkurra,
i
I
\
Dhurra,14 'high,
/
Dhurra, 14 high.
'ooL
TuJds
TiJds
TuJds
\
\
\
ShuJcrieJv
Villages
i
i
fa
ttghDTmr,
Level Ploojh
\goob*U»/)
*
\
¥
\
J Long
Grass
i
/
/
i
X
I
/
Dhurra. L'RJds
tan
V
J
AHMED
>FED1L
•i
BighjDhzcrra,
j
*
*
Vf
IfkuTrcb
Lang Grass
TvJds
BaggaraJiJcLs
Level Flazrv
\
no
THE ATTACK ON GEDAREF
\
28 TI? SEPT. 1898,
TIME
i
Scale
Yards dOO
*»TT2o
O
or
9 A.M.
3 inches
4rOO
1 mile
800
George Pkihp
6c Son. Ion don
Longmans, Green & Co London. ^ewYork ^Bombay.
^Liverpool
ON THE BLUE NILE
.Vile
south of Karkoj
.
Moving
273
leisurely,
and with
fre-
quent delays to pillage the inhabitants, he arrived on the
Dinder, twenty-five miles to the east of Karkoj, on the 7th
Here he halted
of November.
He had
to reconnoitre.
trusted in the Karkoj-Rosaires reach being too shallow
gunboats
for the
;
already patrolling
but he found two powerful vessels
Again
it.
frustrated, he again turned
southwards, meaning to cross above the Eosaires Cataract,
which was without doubt impassable to steamers.
22nd of October Colonel Lewis, with two
companies of the Camel Corps and three squadrons of
On
the
from
cavalry, started
Omdurman
with the object of
marching through the centre of the Ghezira and of
the Egyptian authority.
re-establishing
was
in every
way
submissive, and
successful.
resigned
His progress
The inhabitants were
themselves with scarcely a
regret to orderly government.
Very
little
lawlessness
had followed the defeat of the Khalifa, and whatever
plundering there had been was chiefly the work of the
who had fought at Omdurman
Major AVortley's command on the east bank o
disbanded irremilars
tinder
In every village Sheikhs were appointed in
the Nile.
the
name
column
of the Khedive, and the officers of the cavalry
concerned
disputes about land, crops,
they settled to
Vwamra,
many
and women all
themselves
with
their satisfaction.
Haloo-en, and
—
difficult
of which
Marching through
Mesalamia,
Colonel
Lewis
on the 7th of Xovember, almost at
time that Ahmed Fedil arrived on the
reached Karkoj
the
same
Dinder.
On
r
•••
the
VOL. IE
next
day Colonel Lewis, with Major Le
T
;
THE RIVER AVAR
274
Gallais
and a dozen troopers, made a daring attempt
Starting at day-
to reconnoitre the enemy's position.
way through
the dense jungle
break, they
made
and
which covers the land, and, although
forest
was impossible
in
their
to
move
succeeded
faster than a walk,
When
approaching the Dervish camp.
it
so close
drums could be heard, the
The
patrol stumbled upon a strong Dervish outpost.
enemy fired, the alarm was given, and the officers
and men were glad to ride for their lives along the
narrow bush-paths. The Lancers were nearly pulled
from their horses by the overhanging boughs. All
had their faces lacerated by the thorns, but, in spite
of many false turnings and unnecessary detours, they
succeeded in escaping from the gloomy maze without
actual loss, and even carried with them a prisoner. The
that the beating of the
reconnaissance proved two things
:
firstly,
in such a country
and Camel Corps could do nothing
was impossible
to
Dervishes as long as they remained
in
and secondly, that
it
Colonel Lewis therefore determined
and confined himself
that cavalry
attack
the
the jungle.
to await events,
to patrolling the river assiduously
with the gunboats.
For the next
forces
six
weeks the movements of the
resembled a game of hide-and-seek.
Fedil, concealed in the dense forest
wav
<rraduallv
towards
the
wo
Ahmed
and jungle of the
east bank, raided the surrounding villages
his
i
and worked
Rosaires
Cataract.
Colonel Lewis, perplexed by false and vague information,
remained
reconnaissances
halted
in
the
at
Karkoj,
despatched
vain
hopes of obtaining reliable
OX THE BLUE NILE
275
news, revolved deep schemes to cut off the raiding
And
parties, or patrolled the river in the gunboats.
meanwhile sickness
fever,
which
The malarial
his force.
everywhere prevalent on the Blue Nile
is
autumn, was now
the
in
upon
fell
More than
at its height.
thirty per cent, of every garrison
and every post were
The company holding Bosaires was stricken
to a man, and only the two British officers remained
The cavalry force which had marched
lit for duty.
through the Ghezira suffered the most severely. One
after another every British officer was stricken down
a fleeted.
and lay burning but helpless beneath the palm-leaf
shelters or tottered
on
to the friendly steamers that
Of the 460 men who
composed the force, 10 had died and 420 were reported
unfit for duty within a month of their arrival at Karkoj.
The horses of the three squadrons had to be ridden
back to Wad Medina by men of the IXth Soudanese,
bare the worst cases north.
while
t
lie
broken-down
the
All ranks
steamers.
thirty British
officers
on the Blue
and
and
the
particularly
of
efficiency
the
One
of
carried
two escaped
Kile,
died,
11
Egyptians,
many were
whole
the
in
Of the
equally.
suffered
the ravages of the sickness.
invalided,
were
troopers
was
force,
seriously
impaired.
During the end of November the Sheikh Bakr, who
had deserted the Dervishes after their retreat from
Gedaref, arrived at Karkoj with 350 Irregulars.
claimed to have defeated his former chief
and produced a sack of heads
11
Captain C.
S.
as
manv
He
times,
evidence of his
Cottingharn, Manchester Regiment and Egyptian army.
T 2
THE EIVER
276
WAR
His loyalty being thus placed beyond doubt,
success.
he was sent to keep contact with the Dervishes and
encouraged to the greatest
to
whatever
appropriate
capture.
efforts
spoils
by the permission
of war he could
'
t
Meanwhile
Ahmed
Fedil
was working
his
way
slowly southward along a deep Ichor which runs almost
and
parallel to the Blue Nile
from
it.
is
perhaps twenty miles
His raiding parties constantly attempted to
harry the riparian villages, but were prevented from
doing
The
much damage by
scarcity of grain,
the vigilance of the gunboats.
which necessitated frequent halts
and the dense grass and jungle through
for foraging,
which he was moving, retarded
the
]
his progress
but on
;
2th of December part of his force reached a point
about eight miles east of Eosaires, south of which place
they apparently intended to cross the
arrival
was soon proclaimed,
for at
Their
Nile.
dawn on
the 13th
about 200 Dervishes attacked the Eosaires post.
garrison of
fifty
fever-stricken
men had
The
fortunately been
by 200 men of the Xth
Soudanese with two Maxim guns, and the assailants
reinforced that verv morning
were sharply repulsed.
Emir wis
definitely known, Colonel Lewis moved his force, which
had been strengthened by detachments of the Xth
Soudanese, from Karkoj to Eosaires. Here he remained
for several days, with but little hope of obstructing
As soon
as the position of the Dervish
the enemy's
passage of the river.
the
20th of
— though, as was afterwards
accurate — information was received.
December, however,
found, not very
On
full
OX THE BLUE KILE
It
277
was reported that on the 18th Ahmed Fedil had
reached
the
village
of Dakhila, about twenty miles
south of the Kosaires post
diately crossed with his
passing the
;
that he himself
had imme-
advance guard, and was busily
women and
children across the river on
commander
did not intend to strike westward towards the White
Nile, but was resolved to march down the west hank
was
It
rafts.
also said that the Dervish
towards Karkoj, collecting supplies and harassing the
who had made their submission to the GovernAs this would have unsettled the whole of
tribes
ment.
the recently pacified Ghezira, and
might even have
raised a fresh outbreak, Colonel Lewis felt bound, in
spite
the
of
his
numerical
that Dakhila
fact
district in
attack the
inferiority,
and
was beyond the
which he had been ordered
enemy while they were
in
spite
limits of
of
the
to operate, to
still
divided
by
the river.
On
22nd therefore he despatched the Sheikh
Bakr up the west bank to cut off' their flocks and
generally annoy the Dervishes who had already crossed
the river.
The irregulars accordingly departed and
the
;
the next
day news was brought that the Dervish force
was almost equally divided by the Blue Nile, half being
on one bank and half on the other. At midday on the
24th the gunboats Melik and Dal arrived from Omdurman with a detachment of 200 more men of the Xth
Soudanese under Major Fergusson,
IXth Soudanese under Captain
12
Major C. Fergu
13
r*«~4-
q:~tx
t*
i
Sir
12
and 30 men of the
Henry
Hill.
13
Egypt
With
THE ETVER
278
AVAli
this addition the force at Colonel Lewis's disposal con-
Xth Soudanese, a small detachment
of the IXth Soudanese, two Maxim guns, and a doctor.
Besides the regular troops, there were also the hand of
Irregulars under the Sheikh Bakr, numbering 380 men,
sisted of half the
men under
100
the Sheikh of Eosaires, and a few other
unclassified scallywags.
Colonel Lewis determined to attack what part of
Ahmed
Fedil's force
remained on the east bank
still
of the river, and on Christinas Day, at live o'clock in the
marched with every man he could muster
the direction of Dakhila.
The enterprise was already
afternoon, he
in
launched when news arrived that only one rub of
Dervishes had crossed to the west bank.
the
This
meant that the force which Colonel Lewis would have
to deal
with was more formidable than
The Sheikh Bakr, however,
lie
had expected.
sent encouraging reports of
the demoralisation of the enemy, declared that he had
won
great victories over them, and claimed to have
wounded Ahmed
push
Fedil
himself.
It
was decided
to
on.
Marching
in single
file
along a track which led
through a dense forest of thorny
reached
Abu
trees, the
column
Zogholi, a village thought to be half, but
really not one-third, of the
way
to Dakhila, at eleven
Here they bivouacked until
3 a.m. on the 26th, when the march was resumed in the
same straggling order through the same tangled scrub.
o'clock on Christinas night.
Daylight found them
position,
and
it
still
several miles from the Dervish
was not
until eight o'clock that the
enemy's outposts were discovered.
After a few shots the
OS THE BLUE NILE
Aral) picket
after
fell
279
back, and the advance guard, hurrying
them, emerged from the forest upon the open ground
by palms and patches of
space the whole column gradually
of the river bank, broken only
Into this
high grass.
debouched.
Before them the Blue Nile, shining in the
early sunlight like a silver band, flowed swiftly
beyond
island
its
nearest waters
rose
crowned with clumps of
;
and
a long, bare, gravel
sandhills, to the shelter
of which several hundred Dervishes, surprised by the
sudden arrival of the troops, were scampering.
the
island,
on the
Beyond
tree-clad cliff of the further
tall
moved and bustled. The
discordant sound of horns and drums floating across
the waters, and the unfurling of many bright flags,
bank, other minute figures
proclaimed the presence and the intention of the hostile
force.*
The
Dervish position
defensive strength.
A
the Blue Nile bifurcates
was well chosen and of great
little
to the north of Dakhila
—one rapid but shallow stream
under the east bank ; another very
west
the
under
curve
wide
a
in
running
deep stream
bank, cutting into it so that it is precipitous. These
flowing fairly straight
two branches of the river enclose an island a mile and
island,
this
on
and
wide,
yards
by
1,400
a quarter long
water,
flowing
swiftly
of
moat
surrounded by a natural
island
the
of
side
western
The
was the Dervish dnn.
rose into a line of
low
sandhills covered with scrub
and
foreshore
the
towards
slope
grass, with a steep reverse
cover,
excellent
this
in
of the river-bank ; and here,
what
force
the
of
three-quarters
eventually proved to be
*
Map,
4
286.
page
face
to
Rosaires,'
at
Action
The
THE EIYEK WAE
280
of
Ahmed
Fedil were
drawn
Backed against the
up.
deep arm of the river they had no choice, nor indeed
any other wish, but
to fight.
Before them stretched
a bare slope of heavy shingle, 1,000 yards wide, over
>ehind
must advance to the attack.
them the high precipitous west bank of the river, which
rose in some places to a height of fifty feet, was lined
which
their enemies
with
the
hundred riflemen
three
and from
crossed;
and four of
his
I
this secure
that
position
had already
Ahmed
Emirs were able to watch,
The
defence of the island.
direct
the
island
was under the
sole
command
Fedil
assist,
and
on the
the Emir
force
of
own
Saadalla,
of Gedaref repute;
followers,
most of the men of the other four Emirs
but,
besides his
were concentrated there.
The prospect was uninviting. Colonel Lewis discovered that he had absurdly under-rated the strength
and discipline of the Dervish force. It had been continually reported that the defeats at Gedaref had
demoralised them, and that their numbers did not
exceed 2,000 men.
Moreover, he had marched to the
attack in the belief that they were equally divided on
both sides of the
river.
Retreat was, however, im-
Strong as was the position of the enemy,
possible.
formidable as was their strength, the direct assault was
actually safer than a retirement through the nineteen
gloomy
miles of
turous
column
which lav between the advenThe British officer
Rosaires.
forest
and
immediately determined to engage.
Sir
Henry
Hill brought his
sented the artillery of the
At
nine o'clock
two Maxims, which reprelittle
force, into action in
UN THE BLUE NILE
good
positions,
while the
281
Xth Soudanese and most
Musketry and
of the irregulars lined the east bank.
was now opened at long range. The
Dervishes replied, and as the smoke of their rifles
gradually revealed their position and their numbers, it
Maxim
fire
soon became evident that no long-range
lodge them
;
could dis-
fire
and Colonel Lewis resolved,
in spite of the
great disparity of force and disadvantage of ground, to
Some time was spent
in finding fords across the interposing arm of the river,
and it was not until past ten o'clock that Bakr's men
crossed on to the island, and, supported by a company
of the Xth Soudanese, advanced towards the enemy's
attack them with the bayonet.
right
and took up a position
at
about 800 yards from
Although
their line, to cover the rest of the passage.
arm of the river which the troops had to cross was
The width
the more shallow, it was sufficientlv large.
was 100 yards, the water in some places three and
The
a half feet deep, and the current very strong.
the
Xth Soudanese,
losing
the Dervishes on the
companies
at the
men from
a few
the
fire
of
west bank, waded through by
northern of the two fords, and formed
alom? the bank.
Colonel Lewis
left
now determined
from the north, attack them
into the
deep part of the
danese, under Colonel
in flank,
river.
Nason
14
to turn the
With
enemy's
them
and
roll
the
Xth Sou-
and Major Fergusson,
he inarched northwards along the rivers edge, sheltering as far as possible under the curve of the bank from
fire,
14
which now began
to cause casualties.
Lieut.-Col. F. G. Nason, Scottish Rifles
Ha\
and Egyptian army.
THE KIYKK WAII
282
reached the position from which
it
was determined
to
deliver the attack, the battalion deployed into line, and,
advanced obliquely by alternate companies across the bare shingle towards the
sandhills.
As they advanced, a galling lire was opened
changing front half
left,
by two hundred Dervishes admiraMajor Fergusson was detached
bly placed on a knoll.
with one company to dislodge them. The remaining
upon the
left flank
four companies continued the attack.
The Dervish musketry now became intense. The
whole front of the island position was lined with smoke,
and behind
loner
it,
from the high
clilf
of the west bank, a
half-circle of riflemen directed
a second
tier
of
converging bullets upon the four hundred char
The shingle jumped and stirred in all directions
A hideous whistling filled the air.
as it was struck.
The Soudanese began to drop on all sides, 'just like
the Dervishes at Omdurman,' and the ground was soon
men.
dotted with
'
We
the bodies of the killed
did not,' said an officer,
undaunted by
soldiers
and
fire
—demons
'
and wounded.
But,
dare to look back.'
cross-fire,
who would
the heroic
black
—
pressed
not be denied
forward without the slightest check or hesitation, and,
increasing their pace to a swift run in their eagerness
to close with the
enemv, reached the
A
found cover beneath them.
had already
among
C
fallen,
15
still
sandhills
and
quarter of the battalion
and lay strewn on the
the fallen men,
aptain Jennings,
first
shingle.
exposed to a cruel
But
fire,
the only doctor, although racked
with malarial fever, was running about, tying up the
15
Captain
J.
W.
Jennings, R.A.M.C.
—
OX THE liLUE NILE
wounds with
frantic energy.
Men have won
day.
It
283
was the
spirit of the
the Victoria Cross for
less.
The rapidity of their advance had exhausted the
Soudanese, and Lewis ordered Nason to halt under
cover of the sandhills for a few minutes, so that the
soldiers
might get their breath before the
final effort.
Thereupon the Dervishes, seeing that the troops were
no longer advancing, and believing that the attack was
Ahmed
repulsed, resolved to clinch the matter.
from the we^t bank sounded the charge on
Fedil
drum and
bugle, and with loud shouts of triumph and enthusiasm
on the island rose from among the upper
and, waving their banners, advanced impetu-
the whole force
sandhills,
ously in counter-attack.
But the Xth Soudanese, pant-
ing yet unconquerable, responded to the call of their
two white
officers,
and, crowning the
little
dunes behind
which they had sheltered, met the exultant enemy with
a withering fire and a responding shout.
The range was short and the fire
astonished Arabs wavered and broke
soldiers,
nobly
led,
effective.
The
and then the
;
swept forward in a long scattered
line
and drove the enemy from one sandv ridge to another
drove them across the rolling and uneven ground,
everv fold of which contained Dervishes
— drove them
back over the sandhills, until all who were not
killed or wounded were penned at the extreme southern
the
of
arm
unfordable
deep
the
with
island,
the
end of
steadily
river
behind them and the
to fury
by
fierce black soldiers,
roused
their losses, in front.
The Sheikh Bakr with
his
men and
the rest of the
the
from
and
Soudanese,
victorious
irregulars joined the
THE RIVER WAR
284
cover of the sandhills,
now
in the
hands of the troops,
was opened upon the Dervishes crowded
together on the bare and narrow promontory and on
Some tried to swim across the rushing
the foreshore.
Many were
river to their friends on the west bank.
drowned amonii; them Saadalla, who sank horse and
a terrible
fire
—
man
fire
beneath the
Others took refuge from the
flood.
by standing up
The
to their necks in the stream.
greater part, however, escaped to a smaller island a
little
further
up the
But the cover was bad, the
river.
deep water prevented further
flight,
and, after being
exposed for an hour and a half to the musketry of two
companies, the survivors
By
11.30 the whole island was in the possession of
still
swept and commanded
from the west bank.
The company which
the troops.
the
— 300 strong— surrendered.
fire
It
was, however,
had been detached to subdue the Dervish riflemen
were themselves pinned behind their scanty cover.
Major Fergusson was severely wounded and a third
To withdraw this company
of his men were hit.
and the wounded was a matter of great
difficulty
;
it
was necessary to carry the Maxims across the river
and bring them into action at 400 yards. Firing ceased
at last at three o'clock, and the victors were left to
measure their
losses
and
their achievement.
There was neither time nor opportunity to count
the enemy's dead, but
Arabs were
killed
it
is
on the
hundred and twenty-seven
hundred
women and
hundred and
certain that at least 500
Two thousand one
fighting men and several
island.
children
seventy-six
rifles,
surrendered.
large
Five
quantities
of
ON THE BLUE NILE
ammunition, and a huge
were captured.
Ahmed
285
and swords
of spears
pile
Fedil indeed escaped with a
numerous following across the Ghezira, but so
MDURMAN
dis-
THE CAMPAIGN
JAKTOIM
on the
BLUE NILE
KASSALA
Asobrt
oi
including
if
loMtiAniu
OPERATIONS ROUND GEDAREF
^
ill il
El Fa&her
SEPT.-OEC. 1898
Statute Miles
Kamlin
*^
60
Kufaa
Halooscn.
ik
Mug alia. J
Mesalamia^V
^ynijlaraz
Wad Medin
KawcL
GEDAREF
SENNAR
Knrkoj
Heng
De
o.v
\\
^
f'urnons with ktts^nJu f*o4unw. Srpf H** 22**
lol XrwiA mitii i'<\%alry an*t (<imct 4orpn tk-t.22"* So* r*
C*>1
(~ot
-
I
.
ore
e
vl
^
\
a
>
&JJbRQs:iircs
Jec It\DaJd ilu
i
(WUar*f Rrlirf Otlttrnn
Route
Coiltrtxan, »if/i
Ahm+tl
hfttil'a
G lh
n
'el
St London.
heartened were the Dervishes by this crushing defeat
that
the
Metem
whole force surrendered
at
Ken -
the AV
to
Xile.
the
jjunboat
on the 22nd of
.
:
286
TILE
WAR
RIVEK
January, and their leader was content
to
with
fly
scarcely a dozen followers to join the Khalifa.
The casualties among the troops in the action
amounted to 41 killed and 145 wounded, including
Major Fergusson and the Xth Soudanese, on whom
;
the brunt
of the fighting
non-commissioned
fell,
suffered a
and men
officers
killed,
6 native officers,
officers
and men wounded, out of a
The
495 of
rest of the loss
whom
one
Brit ish
and 117 non-commissioned
officer,
511.
of 25
loss
total strength of
was among the
took part in the engagement.
The action of Eosaires is the
irregulars,
16
last fight, as
also the
it is
War. The deterthe commander and the
hardest, in the account of the l\iver
mination and the judgment of
great gallantry of the troops alone gained the victory,
in spite of every difficulty
Each of
and disadvantage.
the five British officers engaged displayed a courage
among the
Soudanese. There was no humbug about this
and those who have extolled the well-rewarded
was
which
of
Omdurman may
There
Eosaires.
honours
even
conspicuous
fearless
action
soldiers
is
yet find a cheer for the victors of
honour
for
all,
but most of
Xth Soudanese.
rest with the
all
The following was the
Xth Soudanese
I^CkJuQ
30
9
Medical Corps
3
Irregulars
five British officers
•••••••
_
•
commander and
553
jaz
%J tj
JL
medical officer, there
and two British sergeants with the troops.
Altogether, including the
were
•••••
511
Maxim Gun Detachment
Total
fire
actual strength of the force
•
)9
the
Their ordered
advance over a bare plain and under a searching
16
;
the
Longmans. Green & Co London. NewYork ^Bombay.
ON THE BLUE NILE
both in front and flank, their
287
change of
accurate
direction, their firm reception of the counter-attack,
charge over the sandhills, combine
their final dashing
to
make an
and
historic military achievement
—
as fine as
Gordon Highlanders
at Dargai, finer
than the charge of the 21st Lancers at
Omdurmau, and
the charge of the
Soudanese battalions of the
entitles the regular
which
Egyptian army to rank with the best troops, British or
native, among the armed forces of the Empire.
By
whole
the
operations
these
of
the
regions
bordering on the Niles were cleared of hostile forces,
with military
dotted
The
Egyptian authority.
mained
Khalifa, however,
still
re-
1
in the direction of El Obeid,
and
the wells of Shat
to
made <?ood his
Omdurmau, Abdullah
escape from the battlefield of
had hurried
back
After he had
Kordofan.
in
brought
and
posts,
Zeresria,
which
moving
at that season
At
of the vear were full of water after the rains.
Abu
Sherai,
friendlies,
to
in
his
this
the beginning of
the
Aigaila.
with
shattered
will
the
the
forces.
presently
November
country turned
pools of
off the
pursuit
he halted, encamped, and busily
reorganise
succeeded
having shaken
of
set to
How
the
work
far
be apparent.
he
In
the general drying-up of
wells
at
Abu
Sherai into
mud, and the Khalifa, moved westward to
Here he was joined by the Emir El Katem
El Obeid
garrison.
This
chief
and
his
had never been engaged with the 'Turks,'
Their
and were consequently fresh and valiant.
encouraged the force which the
arrival greatly
A large dem was formed at
Khalifa had rallied.
followers
*
WAR
THE RIVER
288
Aigaila,
and
here,
was
water
the
since
plentiful
during December, Abdullahi abode quietly, sending
grain
and
collect
to
afield
far
parties
raiding
his
other supplies.
The
place
was
memories
of
full
the
for
fallen
A
few miles from his camp stood the
had
been
himself
he
where
Eokba,
Abu
of
village
savage
and
the
buried
lay
father
his
where
born and
potentate.
:
chief
made
almost daily journeys to pray at the grave.
the
scene
as
famous
moreover,
was,
neighbourhood
The
Khalifa
might
The
army.
Hicks's
of
destruction
of the
recall the events of that early triumph
;
the miserable
the
active
doom,
their
to
sluggishly
crawling
Egyptians
Arab cavalry hanging
rear,
the
in
swarms on
the holy Mahdi advancing
battle
to
their flanks
and
meet the enemy;
massacre, and lastly the
of Shekan, the
—
the
first
of
General
English
the
of
death
stubborn
the
Dervish
with
clash
to
men
white
terrible
those
revolt.
Encouraged bv these
resolved to remain
father and
events
of
the
recollections, the Khalifa
at Aigaila,
scene
of the
near the bones of his
Mahdi's victory.
Omdurman had made
a
strong
The
impres-
encouragethe
of
spite
in
and,
mind,
sion on
presence
and
arrival
the
from
derived
he
ment which
often
and
always
moody
was
i
Abdullah
of El Katem,
his
sunk in the deepest
gloom
;
and we learn that
at
a
Eamadan, when he
the
('Pass
Mekhana
'Gib
el
said,
he
coffee
desired
machine-guns ') instead of Gib el Tanaka (' Pass the
He prayed continually during December
coffee-pot').
knowing
and,
little
him,
might
join
Fedil
that Ahmed
council held before the fast
of
'
4
'
—
ON THE BLUE NILE
289
what detained the Emir, sent him many messages to
Hut although the Khalifa had due cause for
hurry.
despondency, he was far from being in the defenceless
condition that the Egyptian authorities believed.
As soon
as
the Sirdar,
who had
returned from
England, received the news of the success at Eosaires
determined to make an attempt to capture the
he
Khalifa
and on the 29th of December sent for Colonel
;
Kitchener,
17
whom
to
the senior
as
available
officer
he had decided to entrust this honourable enterprise.
'Che Colonel
into
If
was directed
to take a small
mixed force
Kordofan and to reconnoitre the enemy's position.*
possible,
he was to attack and capture Abdullahi,
whose followers were not believed to exceed 1,000
The Kordofan Field Force,' as its
ill-armed men.
18
officers called it, was formed as follows
'
:
Commanding
Colonel Kitchener
:
Assistant Adjutant-General
:
Lieutenant-Colonel Mitford
Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General
:
19
Major "Williams 20
Troops
Two
Squadrons, Egyptian Cavalry
2nd Egyptians
XlVth Soudanese
Two Galloping Maxims
Two Mule Guns
One Company, Camel Corps.
Camel transport was drawn from the Atbara and
from the Blue Nile. The troops were conveyed by
steamer to Duem, and concentrated there during the
17
*
Lieut.-Col. F.
W.
Kitchener, p.s.c,
West Yorkshire Regiment.
Map, The Shirkela Reconnaissance,' page 299.
For full composition, see Appendix A.
4
18
19
Lieut.-Col. B. R. Mitford, East Surrey Regiment.
20
Major E.
.
VOL.
II.
J. C.
Williams, The Buffs and Egyptian army.
THE RIYEK WAR
290
week in 1899. The camels were collected at
Kawa, and, although several of the convoys had to
march as much as 400 miles, the whole number had
arrived by the 10th of January.
The prime difficulty of the operation was the
want of water. The Khalifa's position was nearly
125 miles from the river. The intervening country
first
wet season, dotted with shallow lakes, but
by January these are reduced to mud puddles and
only occasional pools remain. All the water needed
is,
in the
by the men, horses, and mules of the column must,
The camels must go thirsty
therefore, be carried.
until
one of the rare pools
which were known
Now
found.
start
places
for
— might
be
likely
the native guides
enduring
the capacity of a camel for
without drinking
he
to
— the
having
is
famous
filled
;
but
has
it
If
limits.
its
himself with water, he can march
If he then
for five days without refreshment.
another long drink,
can continue
lie
power
for
live
extreme
have
days
more.
But
suffers
acutely during the journey, and probably dies
at its end.
this strains his
;
their
concerns the commander.
he
It
capacity for
work alone
was thought
that, partly
by the drying-up
and partly by the camel's power of endurance, it
the water carried in skins, partly
pools,
might be just possible
strike out
to
;
In war, however, the miseries of animals
cannot be considered
by
to the
do
for a force of
about 1,200
men
to
125 miles into the desert, to have three days
their business in
and to come back to the
This operation, which has been called the
Nile.
Shirkela
Reconnaissance, occupied the Kordofan Field Force.
—
1
OX, THE BLUE NILE
Two
routes
Dervish dem
the
to
'291
— both
disused
caravan tracks, along which wells had once existed
The
suggested themselves.
Duem
the Khalifa from
second
vid
Abba
opposite
started
was that followed by
Shat and Zereuia. The
first
from
island
Colonel Kitchener decided to try the former.
Kohi.
Detach,
ments of infant rv were therefore sent on to Shat and
Zeregia to open up the old wells there, so that the
column might
duly
start
were reassuring.
water
A
in.
wells
Forty were sunk to a depth of thirty
and the report was
fearful,
with water from the
The accounts of the
possible point.
furthest
feet,
filled
that,
although the smell was
considerable
in
quantities
was oozing
water depot of iron tanks was established
the desert ten miles
beyond Zeregia, and with
in
this as
base camel patrols were able to search the country
i
Xone were how-
another forty miles for pools.
for
ever found, and
the
wells
at
who surveyed
reported that beyond Zeregia
route,
solutely
Lieutenant Burges,
21
To
waterless.
Zeregia
January, and
practicable.
the
settle
Colonel
vid
was ab-
the matter finally, the
on
suddenlv failed
route
it
the
10th
of
Shat was plainly im-
Kitchener and
his
main body
had already started, and on the 11th they counter-
marched and returned
port
to
to
Duem.
The camel
trans-
and the mounted troops cut across the desert
Kawa.
All the
The route from Kohi alone remained.
troops readied the Nile again on the 13th, and by the
'1
1st
21
had been transported by steamer
Lieut. F. Burges, Gloucester llegiment
to Kohi.
Tudway
and Egyptian army.
u 2
THE RIVER
292
WAR
friendlie
some
with
Mitford
and
Corps,
with the Camel
new
were sent to reconnoitre the
the whole force was employed
four thousand
and meanwhi
route,
in repairing
old wells promised
within seven miles of the wells were
repoi
At Gedid
of the new route was again encouraging.
water to
testii
The
skin ba<xs to carry its water.
sufficient
and
refill
the skins, and
two large pools at
The column there-
which the camels could be watered.
neglected
was
Nothing
journey.
the
for
fore prepared
the
diminish
or
carried
water
the
which could increase
taken.
were
cavalry
twelve
Only
number
the
of
the
mules
and
guns
Maxim
The horses of the
number.
possible
lowest
the
to
battery were reduced
of drinkers.
Every person, animal, or thing
In order to lighten the
was remorselessly excluded.
loads
and make room
munition was
for
limited to
not vitally necessary
more water, even
100 rounds per
daily consumption of water
was
for
To
lessen the
caused
by
and
five for
An
at
Gedid and food
for
advanced
two days
ac-
Besides this, each unit carried ten,
cumulated
and the column transport seven days'
there.
mules.
Colonel
heat
the
Kitchener decided to march by night.
depot was formed
Th<
rifle.
restricted to one pint
men, six gallons for horses,
thirst
am-
the
rations.
Thus
of
9th
Feb*
the
till
up
food
with
supplied
was
the force
restricted
as
except
action,
of
radius
their
y, and
extended
further
was
This
days.
nineteen
by water, was
was
which
convoy
a
of
arrangement
five days by the
as
them
meet
to
January
of
30th
the
to set out on
thev returned.
t
\
The column — numbering 1,004
ollicers
and men and
.
:
OX THE BLUE NILE
293
—started from
1,024 camels or other beasts of burdenKolii at 3 P.M.
on the 23rd of January, having despatched
a small advanced party to the wells of Gedid twelve
The country through which their route
and miserable aspect. They had
lav was of b
embarked on a sandy ocean with waves of thorny scrub
hours before.
and withered
From
grass.
the occasional rock}- ridges,
which allowed a more extended view,
be
could
During the
all
march, while the troops were
first
al Nile
the vicinity of the river, the
met with
on
indefinitely
stretching
seen
this sterile
fowl, sand
8
jungle
sides.
faun
were
and
elle
Most of
key
latitude
in
still
all
the
even he shared in the
African hare abounded; but
general desolation, being a very different beast from our
line
English hares
—
with long bat ears.
Ten miles
vestiges of animal
disappeared,
desert
;
life
dried-up
in fact, a
oi
fr
om
the
rabbit
river
all
The land was a
not the open desert of the Northern Soudan,
The actual composition was as follows
1
Corps
British
Native
Officers
Officers
Follow- N.C.O.s
and men
ers
1
|
Remarks
Horses Mules Camels
j
1
XlVth
Sou- 1
danese
2nd Egyptians
3
1
20
530
4
180
4
I
j
J
Camel Corps
15
3
1
!
397
Cavalry
12
50
Artillery
14
4
14
11
28
1
1
14
6
10
f
1
1
Hospital
4
3
8
6
1
2
2
5
140
350
4
4
49
157
1,381
49
4
i
1
1,250
!
Total
(
I
Maxims
Headquarters
Transport
Riding
camels
104
1
17
!
1
Elding
camels
4
2
2
j
20
1,555
Ammunition camels
Ammunition camels
THE RIVER WAR
294
but one vast unprofitable
thicket,
whose Interlacing
thorn bushes, unable to yield the slightest nourishment
to living creatures, could vet obstruct their path
Through
the daylight
this
by
strangling
the
the
column, headed
red Egyptian
wound
and
flair
in
at night
weary way, the
advanced guard cutting a path with axes and marking
by a lantern on a
pole,
its
the track with strips of calico, the rearguard driving
on the laggard camels and picking up the numerous
Three long marches brought
loads which were cast.
them on the 25th to Gedid. The first detachment
had already arrived and had opened up the wells.
None gave much water all emitted a foul stench, and
one was occupied by a poisonous serpent eight feet
long the sole inhabitant. The camels were sent to
drink at the pool seven miles away, and it was hoped
;
—
that
some of the water-skins could be
after
all,
refilled;
the green slime was thought unfit for
but,
human
consumption, and they had to come back empty.
The inarch was resumed on the 20th. The
the scrub became a forest
were now larger
;
sandv
soil
•
colour
red
changed
dark
to
a
CD
;
ants
at
Abu Eokba.
who occupied
A
;
the
but other-
wise the character of the country was unaltered.
column rested
trees
The
few starving inhabit-
the huts pointed out the grave of
the Khalifa's father and the
little
straw house
Abdullahi was wont to pray during his
visits.
in
which
Lately,
they said, he had retired from Aigaila to Shirkela, but
even from
pilgrimages.
At
this
latter
place he
had made frequent
.
the end of the next march, which
I
was made by
a
OX THE BLUE NILE
295
day, the guides, whose memories had been refreshed
by
good water, and
all
flogging, discovered a large pool of
drank deeply
was
and
in joy
relief.
built near this precious pool,
and a few sick men were
an Egyptian
On
A small but strong zeriba
officer.
left
and the reserve food
with a small garrison under
The column resumed their journey.
they reached Aigaila, and here, with
the 29 th
scarcely less than Eobinson
feelings of astonishment,
Crusoe experienced at seeing the footprint in the sand,
they came upon
the Khalifa's
A
abandoned camp.
wide space had been cleared of bush, and the trees,
stripped of their smaller branches, presented an un-
canny appearance.
Beyond stood the encampment
—
great multitude of yellow spear-grass dwellings, perfectly
clean,
neatly arranged
stretching
for
in
streets
and squares, and
The aspect of
miles.
this
strange
the
cemetery,
out
of
deserted town,7 rising,
silent
as
a
J 7
O7
Its
size
who
saw
it.
awful scrub,7 chilled everyone
J
might indeed concern their leader.
computation
many
it
At the very lowest
had contained 20,000 people.
of these were lighting
than 8,000 or 9,000.
men ?
How
Certainly not less
Yet the expedition had been
sent on the assumption that there were scarcely 1,000
warriors with the Khalifa
!
Observing every precaution of war, the column
crawled forward, and the cavalry and Camel Corps,
who
covered the advance, soon came in contact with the
enemy's scouts.
retreated.
Shots were exchanged and the Arabs
According
to
two destitute old women who
had deserted from, or had been cast out of the Dervish
camp, the Khalifa, Osman Digna, El Katem, Osman
THE KIVER AVAR
296
Sheikh-ed-Din and
,
Ahmed Fedil,with
waiting in battle array on the
column halted three miles
hill
great army, were
a
The
of Shirkela.
to the east of this position,
and, forming a strong zeriba, passed the night in ex-
Nothing however happened,
pectation of an attack.
and
6
at
dawn Mitford was
friendlies
and
'
to reconnoitre.
At
ten o'clock he returned,
his report confirmed the conclusions
drawn from the
size
some mounted
sent out with
which had been
of the Aigaila camp.
forward to a good point of view, the
officer
the Dervish flags lining the crest of the
their
Creeping
had seen
From
hill.
number, the breadth of front covered, and the
men moving about
numerous
figures
estimated
not less than 2,000 Arab riflemen in the
front line.
impossible
of
How manv more
The
to say.
were
them, he
in reserve
position was,
it
was
moreover, of
great strength, being surrounded by deep ravines and
pools of water.
The news was
125 miles from
startling.
its
it
lay
force
was
an almost
informal council of war was held.
distinctly ordered that,
to
Behind
small
In front was a powerful enemy.
waterless country.
An
base.
The
be no waiting
retire.
;
The Sirdar had
whatever happened, there was
the troops were either to attack or
Colonel Kitchener decided to retire.
he has since been severely criticised by
The
officers.
of
retreat
encouraged the Khalifa.
the
The
many
For
this
military
column undoubtedly
soldiers
were
bitterly
disappointed at the fruitless result of their labours and
sufferings.
right to
was quite
Had he attacked and won, in
Nevertheless, Colonel Kitchener
be prudent.
OX THE BLUE NILE
spite of all odds, the Khalifa
might
21)7
easily
and the situation would have been
have escaped,
little
improved.
Had he been beaten he must have been destroyed.
flame would have sprea<
all
1
The
throughout the Soudan, and in
probability a British division would have been hurried
from England.
It is so
so hard to refrain, that
who
is
easy to give the order to attack,
no little credit is due to the
soldier
not prepared to imperil the results of a whole war
for the sake of his personal ambition,
and who does
not hesitate to decide upon an unpopular course.
was
decision having been taken, the next step
beyond the enemy's reach as quickly as
the force began
retreat on the
its
homeward march was
same
The
to get
possible, and
night.
The
not less long and trving than the
advance, and neither hopes of distinction nor glamour
of excitement cheered the
toiled gloomilv
weary
back towards the
grew upon
of human misery were added
the accursed land
hot, thorny scrub
all.
soldiers.
As they
Nile, the horror of
Hideous spectacles
to the desolation of the
and stinking pools of mud.
The
had been lured from their holes
and corners by the outward passage of the troops, and
hoped to snatch some food from the field of battle.
starving inhabitants
Disappointed, they
in
now approached
the
camps
at night
twos and threes, making piteous entreaties for any
kind of nourishment.
unregarded
;
Their appeals were perforce
not an ounce of spare food remained.
There was enough for the march and no more.
One
woman, almost a skeleton, crawled stark naked into the
camp at Abu Addel, to beg for a few clothes to cover
her limbs. Xo one owned anything but what they stood
;
THE RIVER WAR
298
up m, and she was about to be dismissed despairing,
when an officer remembered the white calico which
had been used
to
mark
remained uncut, and
creature, whereat
—
the route.
About four yards
was presented
this
words of the stern yet
to quote the
—
who told me the tale
she wept
knelt down and kissed and hugged it,
not unpitying soldier
over
it,
and then
the poor
to
'
crawling to our feet and kissing them too, so great was
her joy at being clothed once more.'
Towards the end of the journey the camels, terribly
strained by their privation of water, began to die, and
it was evident that the force would have no time to
One young camel, though not apparently exhausted, refused to proceed, and even when a fire was
lighted round him remained stubborn and motionless
spare.
so that, after being terribly scorched, he
Others
fell
and died
brought some
all
along the route.
relief to the
as each animal
was
back, might see
first
left
had
to be shot.
Their deaths
starving inhabitants.
For
behind, the officers, looking
one, then another furtive figure
emerge from the bush and pounce on the body like
a vulture, and in many cases before life was extinct
the famished natives were devouring the
On
the 5th of February the
flesh.
column reached Kohi,
and the Kordofan Field Force, having overcome many
and suffered great hardships, broke up, unsuccessful through no fault of its commander, its
difficulties
officers, or its
This
is
men.
not a very exhilarating incident with which
to close the story of the
horrors
it
is
war
;
but in describing the
easy to overrate the importance of the
r
ON THE BLUE NILE
large,
The
Reconnaissance,
Shirkela
and
299
Khalifa
remains
an army.
in possession of
at
Moreover, as
may have appeared from the account, he is difficult to
reach.
He is no longer near the great river, by which
hostile forces could move leisurely forward to his
THE
SHIRKELA RECONNAISSANCE
JANUARY
Statute
1899
Dxxem
Miles
a wet
loo
Wells
Zerecri
B(xsata.6
>bal.
Kohi
Ahu. Zeid
*
„
AhvLAddey
OEL OBEBO
i
°ElGedid
-
~-d0
OldDem
Iters
•kela
^SKekan
Rang
2*5.11.83
<?J. Daier
BAR
T
A KAL
LA
J.Cedir
oTi.
Fleet 6 C LonxLorc
him
in the rainy
when there is water, he has only
more remote regions.
to retire to
destruction.
If troops be sent after
season,
still
<3<?
On
the
hand
no permanent authority.
off the Nile
he fan hav
The drying-up of
the pools
of water, the increasing famine which ever surrounds
his
camp, and the spectacle of good treatment which
THE RIVER WAE
00
deserters receive from
tlie
Government, have already
reduced his following, and there
is
every reason to
hope that
this process of attrition will shortly
him down
to the level of an ordinary
Arab
freebooter.
Sooner or later he will have to be dealt with.
meantime, although his disturbing influence
the
settlement
of
the
country,
it
cannot
bring
In the
may
delay
seriously
menace the conquering Power as long as the people
of the Soudan are ruled with tolerance and justice.
—
301
CHAPTER XXIV
1
A
THE FASHODA INCIDENT
'
—
—
mysterious intrigue The impending collision The Macdonald expeLa haute politique The tale of the Tewfikia Small-bore
dition
The affair at Reng On the White Nile The Marchand
bullets
—
—
—
—
Marchand—The Fashoda garrison — Public
failed — Fashoda — Polite antagonism — The
—
Mission—The Sirdar and
opinion — The plot that
Dinkas and Shillooks— Captain Germain—The evacuation of Fashoda
—A strange omission —The Anglo-French Agreement of the 21st of
March 1899 — A Sphere of Aspiration —The best of the bargain— The
division of the spoils — The Soudan Agreement — The Fourth [Dimension in diplomacy— Anomalous, but practical.
'
1
1
1
The long succession
to
<>'ive
great
of events, of which I have attempted
some account, has not hitherto
extent other
countries
drained by the Nile.
easily
any
than those which
are
this
chapter demands a
must describe an incident which
have convulsed Europe, and from which
wider view, since
might
But
affected to
it
far-reaching consequences have arisen.
It is unlikely
that the world will ever learn the details of the subtle
scheme of which the Marchand Mission was a famous
We may say with certainty that the French
part.
Government did not intend a small expedition, at great
peril to themselves, to seize and hold an obscure swamp
on the Upper
Nile.
other arrangements.
But
it is
What
not possible to define the
part the Abyssinians were
expected to play, what services had been rendered
THE EIVER
302
WAR
them and what inducements they were offered, what
attitude was to be adopted to the Khalifa, what use
was to be made of the local tribes all this is veiled in
:
the mystery of intrigue.
It
some cost
several years France, at
greater cost to Italy, had
known
well
is
to herself
that for
and at a
courted the friendship of
Abyssinia, and that the weapons by which the Italians
were defeated
at
Adowa had been mainly
A
supplied
gun of
Continental manufacture and of recent make which was
through French channels.
small quick-firing
found in the possession of the Khalifa seems
to point to
the existence or contemplation of similar relations with
the Dervishes.
signed to assist
those
who
But how far these operations were dethe Marchand .Mission is known only to
so far kept their
'
and to
initiated them,
own
The undisputed
few others who have
a
counsel.
facts
are few.
Towards the end
of 1896 a French expedition was despatched from the
Atlantic into the heart of Africa under the
of Major Marchand.
command
The reoccupation of Dongola
was then practically complete, and the British Government were earnestly considering the desirability of a
In the beginning of 1897 a British
further advance.
expedition, under Colonel Macdonald, and comprising
1
a dozen carefully selected officers, set out from England
to Uganda, landed at Mombassa, and struck inland.
The misfortunes which
beyond the scope of
upon the
1
upon
this account,
local jealousies
It is sufficient to
fell
this
and
enterprise
are
I shall not dwell
and disputes which marred
it.
observe that Colonel Macdonald was
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel
I.
R. L. Macdonald, R.E.
1
THE FASIIODA INCIDENT
303
'
who were
provided with Soudanese troops
practically
mutiny and actually mutinied two days
after he assumed command.
The officers were compelled to fight for their lives.
Several were killed.
A
year was consumed in suppressing the mutiny and
in a state of
the revolt which arose out of
If the object of the
it.
expedition was to reach the Upper Nile,
was soon
obviously unattainable, and the Government were glad
to employ the officers in making geographical surveys.
At the beginning of 1898
was clear
it
it
to those
who,
with the fullest information, directed the foreign policy
of Great Britain that no results affecting the situation
Soudan could be expected from the Macdonald
The advance to Khartoum and the reExpedition.
in the
<
conquest of the lost
An
undertaken.
provinces had been irrevocably
Anglo-Egyptian force was already
Marehand Mission
be moving towards the Upper Xile, and
concentrating at Berber.
was known
it
to
Lastly, the
was a probable contingency that they would arrive
at
their
destination
evident
therefore
within
that
few months.
a
the
line
of
It
was
advance of
the
powerful army moving south from the Mediterranean,
and of
the
tiny
expedition
moving
Atlantic must intersect before
the
from the
end of the year,
and that intersection would involve a
the
east
collision
between
Powers of Great Britain and France.
I do not pretend to any special information not
hitherto given to the public in this further matter, but
the reader
may
consider for himself whether the con-
which Lord Salisbury pursued towards
China at this time a policy which excited
ciliatory policy
Russia
in
—
304
THE
hostile criticism in
England
lilVER
— was designed to influence
the impending conflict on the
certain, or at least
likely, that
France should be placed
WAU
Upper Xile and make
when
(treat Britain
it
and
France
in direct opposition,
should lind herself alone.
With
these introductory reflections
we may
return
to the theatre of the war.
On
the 7th of September, five days after the battle
and capture of Omdiirman, the Tewpkia^ a small Derone of those formerly used by General
vish steamer
—
—
Gordon came drifting and paddling down the river.
Her Arab crew soon perceived by the Egyptian flags
which were hoisted on the principal buildings, and by
the battered condition of the Mahdi's Tomb, that all was
not well in the citv; and then, drifting
a
lit
lie
further,
they found themselves surrounded by the white gunboats of the
4
Turks,' and so incontinently surrendered.
The story they told their captors was a strange one.
They had left Omdiirman a month earlier, in company
with the steamer SaAa, carrying a force of 500 men,
with the Khalifa's orders to go up the White Nile and
but
on
well;
had
been
all
time
some
For
grain.
collect
approaching the old Government station of Fashoda
by
commanded
troops
by
black
on
iired
been
had
they
white officers under a »tran<ie flag
such
effect that
—and
fired
they had lost some forty
on with
men
killed
Doubting who these formidable enemies
might be, the foraging expedition had turned back, and
formed
and
disembarked
having
command,
in
the Emir
had
Keng,
called
bank
east
the
on
place
a
at
a camp
and wounded.
sent the
Tew fil' la back
to ask the Khalifa for instruc-
THK FASIIODA INCIDENT
'
tions
The story was
and reinforcements.
Sirdar,
and ran
officers
made
like wildfire
their
way
305
'
carried to the
through the camp.
to the river,
Many
where the steamer
The
themselves the truth of the report.
lay, to test for
woodwork of the hull was marked with many newly
made holes, and cutting into these with their penknives
the
officers
extracted bullets
—not
roughly cast
the
leaden balls, the bits of telegraph wire, or old iron
which savages use, but
the
conical
nickel-covered
by civilised
A European
bullets of small-bore rifles such as are fired
Here was positive proof.
forces alone.
Power was on the Upper Xile which ? Some said it
was the Belgians from the Con»o some that an Italian
others thought that the
expedition had arrived
:
;
;
strangers were French
Foreign Office
•
—
it
;
others, again, believed in the
was a
British expedition after
all.
The Arab crew were cross-examined as to the flag they
had seen. Their replies were inconclusive. It had
bright colours, they declared but what those colours
;
were and what their arrangement might be they could
not
tell
;
they were poor men, and
Curiosity
speculation.
great.
found no comfort but in patience
The camp
news with a shrug.
soldiers
God was very
walked
for the
After
delicately.
or
most part received the
their
easy
They knew
victory the
they
that
belonged to the most powerful force that had ever
penetrated the heart of Africa.
If there
was
to be
more war, the Government had but to give the word,
and the Grand Army of the Xile would do by these
newcomers as they had done by the Dervishes.
On the 8th the Sirdar started up the White Xile
VOL.
II.
X
306
RIVER AVAR
Til]-:
Xlth and XTTTth
for Faslioda with five steamers, the
battalions
Soudanese,
of
companies
two
Cameron Highlanders, Peake's battery of
four
Maxim
Three days later
suns.
of
the
and
artillery,
arrived
lie
at
Eeng, and there found, as the crew of the Tewfik'm
had
the
some
declared,
bank,
and
the
500
Sajia
Dervishes
steamer
encamped on
moored to it.
These stupid fellows had the temerity to open
lire
on
Whereat the Sultan, steaming towards
the vessels.
their dem, replied with a fierce shell fire
which soon
]
THK SULTAX
put them to night.
made some
possible
to
The
attempt to escape
say
:
under steam,
Sajia, being
:
whither,
it
and Commander Keppel by
directed shell in her boilers blew her up,
disgust of the Sirdar,
who wanted
to
much
im-
is
a
well-
to the
add her to his
flotilla.
After this
incident
the
expedition
continued
its
progress up the White Kile.
The sudd which was met
with two days' journey south of Khartoum did not in
this part of the Nile offer any obstacle to navigation,
as the strong current of the river clears the
waterway
:
1
but on either
THE FASIIODA INCIDENT
307
'
side of the channel a belt of the tangled
weed, varying from twelve to twelve hundred yards in
breadth very often prevented the steamers from approach,
The banks themselves depressed
At
inhospitality.
melancholy
their
by
explorers
the
and
grass
grey
long
of
miles
past
flowed
river
the
times
bank
ing the
to tie up.
swamp-land, inhabited and habitable only by hippoflats
mud
dreary
of
expanse
vast
times
a
At
potami.
At
stretched as far as the eye could see.
an impenetrable undergrowth of
dense with
forest,
others the
active
the
and
water,
the
approached
thorn-bushes,
forms of monkeys and even of leopards darted among
But the country
the trees.
or prairie
— was always
—whether
damp and
forest, mud-flat,
feverish: a wet land
with
humming
and
sun
burning
under
a
steaming
mosquitoes and all kinds of insect life.
the
Onward and southward toiled
brown water into foam and
creatures on the banks,
they
approached
moored
flotilla,
splashing
startling the strange
on the 18th of September
Fashoda.
The
gunboats
waited,
some hours of the afternoon,
message which had been sent by the Sirdar
to the
to allow a
until
the
bank
for
arrival,
his
precede
to
Europeans,
mysterious
to the
steel
small
19th
a
the
of
morning
the
and earlv in
observed coining
rowingthe
It
expedition.
and two men
contained
with a
letter
a
down
Senegalese sergeant
from Major Marchand
their
and
troops
French
the
of
arrival
the
announcing
conmoreover,
It,
Soudan.
the
of
occupation
formal
welcomed
him
and
victory,
his
on
Sirdar
gratulated the
to
Fashoda
in the
name
of France.
i
2
THE RIVER WAR
308
A
few miles' further progress brought the gunboats
to their destination,
and thev made
fast to
bank near
the
Major
Government buildings of the town.
the old
Marchand's party consisted of eight French
non-commissioned
officers,
drawn from the Niger
and
1"J0
the
Faidherbe,
black
soldiers
They possessed three
district.
steel boats fitted for sail or oars,
launch,
officers or
which
and a small steam
latter
however,
had,
They had
been sent south for reinforcements.
months' applies of provisions for the French
and about three months' rations for the men
had no
artillery,
and were
in
six
officers,
but they
;
great want of small-arm
ammunition.
Their position was indeed precarious.
The
was stranded, without communications
little
force
of any sort, and with no
means of
an attack or of making a retreat.
most of
either withstanding
They had
fired
away
their cartridges at the Dervish foraging party,
and were daily expecting a renewed attack.
Indeed,
it
was with consternation that they had heard of the approach of the
news
swiftly
The natives had carried the
up the river that the Dervishes were
flotilla.
coming back with five steamers, and for three nights
the French had been sleeplessly awaiting the assault of
a powerful enemy.
Their joy and relief at the arrival of a European
force
was undisguised.
their part
ful
were
The Sirdar and
his officers
thrilled with admiration at the
on
wonder-
achievements of this small band of heroic men.
Two
years had passed since they
For
six
human
left
the Atlantic coast.
months they had been absolutely
ken.
They had fought with savages
lost
;
from
thev had
4
THE FASHODA INCIDENT'
309
had climbed mountains and
pierced the most gloomy forests.
Five days and live
nights they had stood up to their necks in swamp and
struggled with lever
A
water.
last
tliey
;
of their
fifth
number had perished
;
yet at
they had carried out their mission and, arriving at
Fashoda on the 10th of July, had planted the tricolour
upon the Upper
duce such men
Happy
Nile.
Dark though her
!
may
though her
politics
soldiers
Man-hand and,
like
the nation that can pro-
be,
fortunes,
and vexed
while France
let
can find
us add, like Picquart,
her citizens need not despair of the safety of the Republic, nor her generals of the
Moved by such
honour of the army.
reflections the British officers
(lis-
«
Major Marchand, with a guard of honour,
embarked.
Thev shook hands warmly.
I congratulate you," said the Sirdar, on all you have
accomplished.'
No,' replied the Frenchman, pointing
came
to
meet the General.
4
'
4
to his troops
done
it/
4
it is
;
And
not
I,
but these soldiers
who have
Kitchener, telling the story afterwards,
remarked. 'Then
I
knew he was
a gentleman.'
Into the diplomatic discussions that followed,
not necessary to plunge.
the French
llasr,
The Sirdar
it
is
politely ignored
and, without interfering with the Mar-
<-hand Expedition and the fort they occupied, hoisted the
British
and Egyptian colours with
all
due ceremony,
amid musical honour- and the salutes of the gunboats.
A
garrison was established at Fashoda, consisting of the
Xlth Soudanese, four
iruns of Feake's batterv,
and two
Maxims, the whole under the command of olonelJackson, who was appointed military and civil commandant
(
of the Fashoda
district.
THK
310
At
AVAK
IilYEli
three o'clock on the same afternoon the Sirdar
and the gunboats resinned their journey to the south,
and the next day reached the mouth of the Sobat.
Here other flags were
sixty-two miles from Fashoda.
hoisted and another post formed with a garrison of half
the
XHIth Soudanese
battalion and the remaining
guns of Peake's battery.
The expedition then turned
northwards, leaving two gunboats
Abu Klea
I
two
— the Sultan and
the
— at the disposal of Colonel Jackson.
do not attempt to describe the international
negotiations and discussions that followed the receipt
remember
The deterthat a great crisis found England united.
mination of the Government was approved by the
loyalty of the Opposition, supported by the calm resolve of the people, and armed with the efficiency of the
At first indeed, while the Sirdar was still steaming
fleet.
southward, wonder and suspense tilled all minds but
when suspense ended in the certainty that eight French
of the news in Europe, but
it
is
pleasing to
;
adventurers were in occupation of Fashoda and claimed
a territory twice as large as France,
There
deep and bitter anger.
is
it
gave place to a
no Power in Europe
which the average Englishman regards with less animosity than France. Nevertheless, on this matter all
They should evacuate
Fashoda, or else all the might, majesty, dominion, and
power of everything that could by any stretch of the
imagination he called British' should be employed to
were agreed.
They should
go.
'
make them go.
Those who find
!
it
difficult
to account for the
hot,
almost petulant, flush of resolve that stirred the nation
—
'THE FASIIODA INCIDENT
311
'
must look back over the long history of the Soudan
had always been a duty to reconquer the
abandoned territory. When it was found that this
night be safely done, the duty became a pleasure.
drama.
It
i
The operations were watched with extravagant attention, and while they progressed the earnestness of the
nation increased. As the tides of barbarism were
gradually driven back, the old sea-marks came one
Names of towns that were
after another into view.
— or
remembered onlv with sadness
reappeared on the posters, in the despatches, ana
half forgotten
We
the newspapers.
were
•Berber,'
'Metemma'
— who
before
?
Now
were
(ireat
armies fought
was war
in the
back.
Dongola,'
had not heard of them
associated
triumph,
with
There
on the Indian Frontier.
South and the East and the West of
But England looked steadfastly towards the
Urica.
Xile
they
going
6
in
and the expedition
steadily,
crawled forward slowly,
thai
unchecked, apparently
When
irresistible.
the final triumph, long expected,
came
in all
was hailed with a shout of exultation,
beyond
moved
far
Britain,
people
Great
ind the
of
its
completeness
their wont,
it
sat themselves
down
God, their Government, and
to give
thanks to their
their General.
Suddenly,
discordant
a
there
broke
rejoicing
of
their
chorus
the
on
note.
k
They were confronted with
friendly
them of
the
fact
Power' had, unprovoked, endeavoured
the
fruits
of
their
victories.
that
to
a
rob
They now
themselves
devoting
been
had
while
they
realised that
the
and
daylight
broad
in
operations,
to great military
eye of the
on
enterprise
an
prosecuting
world, and
—
THE 1UVEK WAK
312
which they had
behind-the-back
covert, deceitful,
gress
in
hearts, other operations
set their
and
they firmly set
First of
Fashoda or
tlieir
labours.
And
laces against such behaviour.
tlieir
the country was determined to have
all,
fight
was made clear,
give way.
Fashoda was
and as soon as
;
were willing to
the French
in pro-
spiteful object of de-
them of the produce of
priving
been
Dark Continent, designed
the heart of the
solely for the mischievous
— had
this
a miserable swamp, of no particular value to them.
Marchand, Lord Salisbury's 'explorer in difficulties
upon the Upper Nile,' was admitted by the French
Minister
to
be merelv
an
of
'emissary
W
civilisation.'
«
It
was not worth
and convulsions of
emissary.
embark on the hazards
mighty war for either swamp or
their while to
a
Guy Fawkes,
Besides, the plot had failed.
true to his oath and his orders, had indeed reached the
vault
but the other conspirators were,
;
The Abyssinians had held
«/
aloof.
less devoted.
The negro
CD
tribes
gazed with wonder on the strangers, but had no
tion of lighting for them.
the Khalifa rejected
all
hit
en-
The pride and barbarism
of
overtures and disdained to dis-
criminate between the various breeds of the accursed
4
Turks.'
runner
Finallv, the victory of
—the
its lore-
— had
revolutionised the
in the Nile valley.
After some weeks
Desert Railway
whole situation
Omdurman and
of tension, the French Government consented to with-
draw
their expedition
from the region of the Upper
Nile.
•
Meanwhile events were passing
town, the
site
at
II
Fashoda.
The
of which had been carefully selected by
THE FASHODA INCIDENT'
on the left
on a gentle slope of ground which
the old Egyptian Government,
bank of the
river,
313
situated
is
about four feet above the level of the Xile at full
During the rainy season, which lasts from the
Hood.
rises
end of October, the surrounding
one vast swamp, and Fashoda itself becomes
It is not, however, without its importance
end of June
country
is
an island.
for
it
is
until the
;
the only spot on the west shore for several
hundred miles where landing from the river is possible.
KorLower
from
camel-tracks
mere
roads
the
All
only
are
but
post,
Government
the
meet
at
dofan
—
—
The
passable in the dry season.
since there
The French
nation, had
almost any crop or plant can be grown.
with the adaptive
officers,
already,
created
spite
in
thrift
of their
ravages of the water-rats,
of the
a good vegetable
garden, from which they
were able to supplement their monotonous
natives,
however
— aboriginal
negroes of
andShillook tribes— are unwilling
fare.
the
since these are easily obtained, there
is
vation, and the fertility of the soil
climate of Fashoda
very
is
life
all
;
to
and
little culti-
may be
At
increase the poverty of the country.
The
Dinka
work, except
to
provide themselves with the necessaries of
the year the
and,
fertile,
is
of sun and water,
a superabundance
is
soil
said to
seasons of
pestilential,
and
Egyptian,
or
European
every
attacks
malarial
fever
the
breaking down
many
*
the
strongest
cases causing death.
The
place
is
of the year) out of a garrison of 317
:
and
in
2
most unhealthy, and
William Garstin's Report
constitutions,
in
men
Egypt, No.
5,
March 1899
(the driest season
only 37 were
1899.
fit
for
duty —Sir
314
RIVKli WAi;
TILJ]
On
this
dismal island, far from civilisation, health,
or comfort, the Man-hand Mission and the Egyptian
garrison lived in polite antagonism for
The French
months.
nearly
three
fort stood at the northern end.
The Egyptian camp lay outside the ruins of the town.
were constantlv exchanged between the
Civilities
and the
British
fresh vegetal
>les
officers
repaid
the
welcome
forces,
gifts of
by newspapers and other conveniences.
The Senegalese riflemen were smart and Avell-condncted
soldiers,
and the blacks of the Soudanese battalion soon
imitated their officers in reciprocating courtesies.
feeling of friendship sprang
son and Major March and.
A
up between Colonel JackThe dashing commandant
of the Xlth Soudanese, whose Egyptian medals bear no
fewer than fourteen clasps, was
admiration for the French
difficulties,
achievement
he
;
with a generous
filled
explorer.
appreciated the
Realising
magnificence
the
of the
and as he spoke excellent French a good
and almost cordial understanding was estal >lished, and
no serious disagreement occurred. .But, notwithstanding the
polite
exercised
relations,
bv both
sides,
the
greatest
vigilance
and whatever
civilities
was
were
exchanged were of a formal nature.
The Dinkas and Shillooks had on
of
the
the
first
French made submission, and had supplied
them with
provisions.
They knew
that
white
were said to be coming, and thev did not
that
arrival
there
were different races among
Marchand was reoarded
as the
the
men
realise
whites.
advance imard of the
But when the negroes gradually perceived that these bands of white men were at enmity
Sirdar's army.
'
'THE EASIIODA INCIDENT
with each other
— were,
in
fact,
oi*
315
rival tribes
— they
immediately transferred their allegiance to the stronger
nagEgyptian
of
the
dread
their
although
and,
force,
at (irst very
was
marked, boycotted the French
entirely.
France
from
despatches
of
October
middle
the
In
arrived
for
Marchand by steamer; and
that officer*
Cairo.
proceed
to
to
determined
them,
after reading
disagreement
no
that
anxious
most
was
who
Jackson,
should arise, begged him to give positive orders to his
subordinate to maintain
had been
the status quo, as
for
departed
and
consented
gladly
Marchand
agreed.
hndurman, where he visited the battlefield, and found
(
in
the heaps of slain a grim witness of the destruction
Cairo,
on
to
and
so
saved,
been
had
he
which
from
where he was moved to tears and speeches. But in his
comto
the
succeeded
who
Germain,
Captain
absence
had
sooner
Xo
orders.
his
from
mand, diverged
than Germain, anxious to win distinc-
Marchand
He
policy.
aggressive
most
a
upon
embarked
tion,
the
of
bank
right
the
on
country
Dinka
occupied the
left
interior,
river, pushed reconnoitring parties into the
their
make
to
coming
from
Sheikhs
Dinka
prevented the
the
and
boats
his
sent
and
submission at Fashoda,
the
from
returned
had
which
Faidherbe steam launch,
had
Sirdar
the
which
limits
northern
south, beyond the
Marchand had agreed
prescribed and
to recognise.
again.
and
again
protested
Colonel Jackson
Bent
haughty
policy.
At
declare that
replies,
last
if
the
and persisted
British officer
any more
patrols
in his
Germain
provoki
was compelled
to
were sent into the
them
allow
not
would
he
Dinka country,
to
return
THE KIVER WAR
316
French
to the
post.
Whereat Germain rejoined
that
he would meet force with force. All tempers were
worn by fever, heat, discomfort, and monotony. The
«
became
situation
patience of
very
olonel Jackson
C
which would have resounded
He
confined
moved
troops
his
and
difficult,
the
and
tact
alone averted a conflict
in
.-ill
.strictly
parts of
to
t
their
world.
lie
and
lines,
from the French camp as was possible.
But there was one dark day when the French officers
as far
worked
in
their
shirts
with their faithful Senegalese
to strengthen the entrenchment-,
for
a
desperate
activity
On
struggle.
was noticeable.
and busily prepared
the
other
The Egyptian
side
little
garrison,
al-
though under arms, kept out of sight, but a wisp of
steam above the funnels of the redoubtable gunboats
showed that all was ready.
At length in a fortunate hour Man-hand returned,
reproved his subordinate, and
to
Colonel Jackson.
Then
it
expressed
regrets
his
became known
thai
the
French Government had ordered the evacuation of
Fashoda. Some weeks were spent in making preparations for the journey, but at length the
At 8.20 on
arrived.
ber the French
morning of the
lowered their
flourish of bu<>le.
in their
the
The
own camp and
day of departure
flag
1
British officers,
fly,
and hurled
it
a
who remained
did not obtrude
sous-officier
themselves,
On
the flag
rushed up to the
on the ground, shaking
Decem-
salute and
with
were distant but interested spectators.
ceasing to
1th of
his
flagstaff
fists
and
tearing his hair in bitterness and vexation, from which
it
is
impossible to withhold
sympathy, in view of
'THE FA SHODA INCIDENT
what
they
at
men had
these
steamed
0.30
oblong
one
The
had done.
suffered,
French
southward,
the other three boats sailing,
little
flotilla
passed
and what
uselessly,
embarked, and
then
Faidherbe towing
the
and
barge
steel
317
one
all
full
old
boat,
steel
of men.
As
the
Egyptian camp a guard of
the
honour of the Xlth Soudanese saluted them and the
baud struck up their national anthem.
The French
acknowledged the compliment by dipping their
and
in return the British
and Egyptian
flags
flag,
were also
The boats then continued their journey until
they had rounded the bend of the river, when they
came to laud, and, honour being duly satisfied,
lowered.
Marchand and
returned to breakfast with
his officers
The meeting was very friendly.
Jackson and Germain exchanged most elaborate compliments, and the commandant, in the name of the
Colonel
Jackson.
Xlth Soudanese, presented the expedition with the
banner of the Emir who had attacked them, which had
Marchand shook hands
been captured at Eeng.
round,
and
enemies a
the
British
bade
officers
their
all
gallant
final farewell.
Once again the eight Frenchmen, who had come so
far and accomplished so much, set out upon their travels,
to make a safe though tedious journey through Abyssinia to the coast,
had served
and thence home
faithfully
and
well,
to the country they
and which was not un-
mindful of their services.
Colonel Jackson remained
several months, his health
fever that
at
Fashoda
until,
after
was so broken by constant
he was invalided home
for a
short period
THE 1UVER WAli
318
of recuperation.
officer
It
may be
observed that a British
has been seldom placed in
diplomatic
But
position.
and good temper two
a
unfailing patience
for his
Powers might have
civilised
been dragged into a bloody war.
issue Avas happily avoided.
more responsible
It is,
That lamentable
however, painful to
record that, in these days of cheap and promiscuous
honours, no
civil
decoration or reward of any kind
has as yet been conferred
officer
who saved
Let us
settle
upon the
accomplished
the situation at Fashoda.
international aspect of the
the
conquest of the Soudan while
we
are in the
re-
way with
The disputes between France and England about
the valley of the Upper Xile were terminated, as far ns
material cause was concerned, by an Agreement, signed
at London on the 21st of March, 1899, by Lord Salisbury
and M. Cambon. The Declaration limiting the respective
Spheres of Influence of the two Powers took the form of
it.
an addition
to the
IVth Article of the Niger Convention,
The actual
concluded in the previous year.
which
is
so concise that
it
mav
text,
be understood from a
few minutes' study with a map, will be found among
the Appendices to this volume.
to reserve the
3
Its practical effect is
whole drainage system of the Nile to
England and Egypt, and to engage that France shall
have a free hand, so far as those Powers are concerned,
in the rest
of Northern Africa not yet occupied
Europeans west of the Nile Valley.
partition of half a continent
by
This stupendous
by two European Powers
could scarcely be expected to excite the enthusiasm of
3
Appendix E.
'TIIK FASIIODA INCIDKNT'
319
Germany was, however, soothed by the
promise of the observance of the Open Door policy
Italy, protesting meekly,
upon the Upper Xile.
the
rest.
'
'
Germany. Russia had no interests in
France and England were agreed. The
followed
quarter.
were not consulted
:
It is
rest
and the Declaration may thus he
have been recognised by the world
said to
this
in general.
perhaps early to attempt to pronounce with
whom
Powers the advantage lies. France has
acquired at a single stroke, without any serious military
the recognition of rights which may enable
of the contracting
»r
V
to ultimately
•esent
territory.
At
may
be described as a
'Sphere of Aspiration.'
The future may
what she
cognised
annex a vast African
lias
gained
convert this to a Sphere of Influence, and the distant
future
may
witness the entire subjugation of the whole
There are many
regions.
difficulties to
be overcome.
has
yet
fierce
Rabeh
of
the
army
nomadic
powerful
The
to
be fought
.
The independent kingdom of Wadai must
be conquered.
Many
smaller potentates will resist de-
sperately: and the possibility of these formidable forces
and directed by renegade Europeai
has
France
Altogether
task.
the
of
adds to the gravity
time
some
for
Africa
Central
in
her
enough to occupy
bein<» focussed
the
is
finished,
task
long
the
when
even
and
to come
value.
great
of
be
to
likely
not
are
conquered regions
and
Sahara
Great
the
of
desert
the
They include
:
one
Only
wide expanses
and
them,
through
flows
important river, the Shari,
which
into
Chad,
Lake
even
never reaches the sea and
some
through
leaking
be
to
appears
the Shari flows,
of equally profitless
:
marsh.
THE
320
subterranean exit, and
into a
VdXFAl WAi;
is
rapidly changing from a lake
mighty swamp.
Great Britain and Egypt, upon the other hand, have
secured a territory which, though smaller,
enormous extent, more
theless of
is
never-
comparatively
fertile,
easy of access, practically conquered, and containing
France
the waterway of the Xile.
a great deal of the
map
of Africa bine, and
of the continent upon paper
eye
but
;
it
is
he able to paint
will
may
t
he aspect
please the patriotic
already possible to predict that before she
can develope her property
— can
convert Aspiration
and Influence into Occupation
into Influence,
— she
will
have to work harder, pay more, and wait longer for
a return than will the more modest owners of the Nile
And
Vallev.
when
even
that return
obtained,
is
it is
%J
unlikely that
It
it
will
be of so
only remains
to
much
discuss
value.
the
settlement
made
t
between the conquerors of the Soudan.
Great Britain
hand up the great river,
sharing, though unequally, the cost of the war in men
and money. The prize belonged to both. The direct
annexation of the Soudan by Great Britain would have
and Egypt had moved hand
been an injustice to Egypt.
conquerors to Fashoda
in
Moreover, the claim of the
and other
solely
on the former rights of Egypt.
hand,
if
the Soudan
wear the
fetters
became Egyptian
of that
rested
territories
On
the other
again,
it
imprisoned country.
must
The
Upper Xile regions,
Mixed Tribunals, Ottoman Suzerainty,
as to the Delta.
and other vexatious burdens would be added to the
difficulties of Soudan administration.
To free the
Capitulations would apply to the
''
'THE FASIIODA INCIDENT'
new country from
t
paramount
the curse of Internationalism was a
4
The Soudan Agreement by Great
object.
on the 7th of March,
Britain and Egypt, published
done
Like
achieves this.
1899,
321
most of the best work
Egypt by the British Agency, the Agreement
in
was slipped through without attracting much
Under its authority a State has been created
which
Valley
Xile
neither
is
nor anything else so far
known
British
to the
new
A
law of Europe.
The
the joint-possessors.
ment mean
?
'
'
entirely
Fourth Dimension
Great Britain and Egypt rule the
has been discovered.
country together.
diplomatic
in the
nor Ottoman,
International jurists are confronted with an
political status.
notice.
'
allied
What
conquerors have become
does this Soudan Agree-
the Austrian Consul-General asked Lord
years'
and the British Agent,
acquaintance with Egyptian
tomed
to anomalies, replied,
Cromer;
and handed him the
'
It
whom
affairs
twenty-two
had accus-
means simply
inexplicable
this
;
document, under
which the conquered country may some day march
to
Peace and Plenty.
4
Appendix E.
m
VOL.
II.
V
—
—
THE RIVER "WAR
322
CHAPTEE XXV
MILITAKY REFLECTIONS
—Dervish and Afridi—The waterway and the desert —The
Staff— Slap-dash— Secure flanks — The Khalifa's strategy — Dervish
tactics — 1885 and 1898
Zeribas — Equipment — A cavalry convulsion
—The work of the cavalry— Horse Artillery— Galloping Maxims
Cavalry killing power— Sword
Lance and another— The Mauser
pistol —Artillery projectiles — Effect of artillery at Omdurman — Its
searching power — Maxim guns — Feeding of
—Ethics of catering
—The hospital arrangements — The fountain of honour — Medals and
clasps — Decorations — The Soudan Gazette — Promotions — A corps
—The principle of selection — The profession of arms —Lord
Comparisons
v.
'
officers
d'elite
Kitchener.
It
is
not unfitting that some part of a book of war
should be devoted to discussing military events in their
more technical aspects and
professional experience
human
destruction will
of the age.
;
to preserving the fruits of
for
fall
behind the general progress
The moral of a
to end has been a record
otherwise the science of
tale
which from beginning
of slaughter must, to be
appropriate, tend to improve the methods of killing.
Many
of the tactical and strategic questions have been
discussed as they arose, but there are a few important
and several minor matters which may conveniently
form the subject of a separate chapter.
Someone, conscious of
his
own
inferiority to the
average of the species, has declared that comparisons
are odious.
They
are,
however, often instructive.
The
MI LIT A R Y RE FLE<
army
'
TI OXS
323
employed on every amazing variety
of warfare which the peculiarities of savage peoples,
British
is
the extremes of climate,
may
features
and the diversity of natural
Experience
present.
one kind
in
is
often
an actual impediment to the successful conduct of an-
The
other.
an
of
who had been
officer
Indian campaign
a recent
in
ill-fortune
distinguished
the
in
Khedive's army, provoked a newspaper to sarcastically
remark that 'Frontier warfare was not to be learnt on
The converse, though
the playing-fields of Egypt.'
witty,
would
manv
in
principle of entrusting
not
cases be
commands
less
true.
less
The
to officers of local
experience has certainly been closely followed of late
Generals are becoming specialists not only in
years.
the
of war, but
art
the
in
particular
style
of the
countries in which their experience has been gained.
Comparison bridges the gap between these
different
I
of war
styles
;
the
displays
difficulties,
the dangers,
#
and
opportunities
the
of
each
:
and
achievements of one commander to
enables
the
be appreciated
relatively to those of others.
Xo
more remarkable than that
presented by the expeditions to Tirah and Khartoum.
Tirah is a cold country of mountains. The Soudan is
a hot,
contrast could be
flat
desert.
Mohammedan, and
The enemy,
in
both cases valiant,
merciless, are in most other respects
The Afridis are excellent
quarters and regular engagements,
as different as their lands.
shots, avoid close
and harass and harry continually, particularly
night
tall.
in great
The Dervishes disdain
after
to take aim, collect
armies eager for pitched battles, despise small
x 2
.
WAR
THE RIVER
324
affairs,
I shall elaborate the
and detest the darkness.
contrast
On
the outpost squadron
when
the 30th of August,
was withdrawn from Merreh
Hill,
whence we had been
watching the Dervish patrols, I could not help looking
my
over
rocky
expectation of seeing the
the
shoulder in
crowned with the vengeful smoke-pulls
crest
which on the Frontier always occupied an evacuated
position.
It seemed certain that the Dervishes would
gallop
up
to the hill
saw that we had
watching
On
and begin
Instead of this they remained idly
left it.
and our
in the plain,
retreat
the other hand, two davs later,
wheeled into
line
immediately they
firing
was unmolested.
when
and
for their charge,
the Lancers
I perceived a
great mass of Dervishes in the open ground in front. I
felt
perfectly sure they
Swatis and
heart
;
Mamunds
would
all
run away, just as the
used to do, and so took good
whereas, since they were solid and unflinching,
there was really considerable ground for anxiety.
I
both the diverse character of the
shows
think,
This,
enemies and also the perils of a restricted experience.
But, for
all
the downright pluck of the Dervish es,
the Pathan tribesman
antagonist.
the
In
advantage
is
many
of
Mamunds always
the
more
skilful
of their battles
numbers;
but
the
—a
few
daring
riflemen
troops
brigade.
They understood not only how
but also
Afridis
and
fought against a superior force of
civilised
rifles,
and dangerous
the Arabs had
how
against
to use
a
modern
to protect themselves from
fire.
Knowing the power of their own weapons, they were
warv of those of the soldiers. Thev had no illusions as
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
to
what the
result of a general
32")
engagement would be
The Dervishes were weak
because they thought they were strong. The Afridis
were strong because they knew they were weak. The
Herein lay their strength.
night before
Omdurman
the great Dervish host might
exult in the belief that with the
first light
they would drive their foes into the Nile.
of Dargai the few hundred Afridis
of morning
On
the eve
who had gathered,
like
the Spartans at Thermopylae, to dispute the invasion of
their native land
more probably occupied themselves
anxiously discussing the precise
in
moment when they
Bhould retire, having inflicted the greatest amount of
loss
on the
soldiers at the
smallest cost to themselves.
The enduring tenacity of the Pathan, no less than his
intelligence, must be arrayed against the senseless
heroism of the Dervish. Both Sir William Lockhart
and Sir Herbert Kitchener were at the head of sufficient
forces
both were anxious to bring about a decisive
;
Whereas, however, the Arab was eager to join
battle as soon as possible, nothing was further from the
he
risk
that
no
run
would
He
Afridi.
intentions of the
action.
could by any means avoid.
But when the Dervishes
general
All
over.
was
war
had
resistance collapsed after Omdurman, and the 20,000
only
thought
army
Dervish
of
the
survivors
unwounded
fought their fight, the
of
But
flight.
it
was not
until after Sir
William Lock-
and
Sempagha
the
forced
and
hart had stormed Dargai,
The
began.
Tirah
in
war
the
that
Vrlianga passes
the
To
defeat.
their
admit
to
beat tMi enemy refused
very
fields
last,
even when
laid
waste,
their villages
their
bravest
were burned, their
leaders killed,
their
—
THE RIVER WAR
326
women
starving in the snows, they maintained an un-
shaken attitude, and, although they sued for peace,
they were
T
et
}
prepared to continue the struggle with
diminished force but undiminished fortitude.
The natural
facilities
Soudan increased the
features of the
which the character of
its
inhabitants offered
The Sirdar enjoyed the two
greatest advantages that a commander can desire
secure and convenient lines of communication; broad
and easy lines of advance. As soon as the Desert
Railway was built, all difficulties ceased and a continuous line of rail and river stretched from Cairo to
to a civilised invader.
For the culminating operation the army
Khartoum.
was actually enabled
supplies,
to take with
it
the necessary
all
and so be independent even of
communications.
its
excellent
Instead of the winding and uneve n
mountain track, ever threatened by the enterprising
enemy and along which
donkeys might
toil,
the
weary mules, ponies, and
bringing supplies in driblets to the
brigades in Tirah, a broad river flowed sure and certain,
on whose waters hundreds of large barges, containing
tons of stores, could float in safety, protected
all-powerful gunboats.
wind drove the laden
The strong and prevalent north
flotilla
forward
;
the impetuous
current carried the empty vessels back.
were the
free gifts of
In
labour.
all
Both forces
Nature and needed no human
the history of
war no army has had
of communication than the troops
easier
lines
fought
Omdurman.
the commander was thus
If
by the
who
at
fortunate as regards
connection with his base, he was no
less
favoured by
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
327
One of
the opportunities of advance towards his goal.
the most usual difficulties of
to
enemv
the
sufficiently
war
to present a front
is
broad
to
enable the
Armies
strength of the force to be developed.
line,
full
fight in
but they generally have to march in columns; and
which confronts Generals
the problem
the swift
to arrange for
conversion of the long procession of men,
and animals,
ouns,
is
trailing
along ten and even
out
twenty miles of roadway, into a fighting formation.
The danger cannot be always avoided
and military
;
records contain numberless instances of large forces,
unable
deploy,
to
bodies
small
of
and
difficulties
being checked
their
To
enemies.
the
perils
or
nicest
destroyed by
reduce
these
are
calculations
Every yard of road-space must be econoThe length of every regiment in column of
necessary.
mised.
route
is
checks
estimated, and adequate margin for temporary
allowed.
is
The moving-off of every
unit
is
carefully timed, so that the fatigues of the troops are
reduced to a minimum.
On
such
most armies labour incessantly.
affairs the Staff
But the
of
Staff of the
t
army
of
the
exhaust them.
had no such tedious business to
Instead of a narrow road, there was a
Nile
The smooth, firm
limited only by the horizon and
highway hundreds of miles broad.
sand of the desert,
bv the invaluable river
Nile Expeditionary Force to march
intersected
alone, enabled the
literally 'in battle
array.'
The
result of these
two paramount advantages was
to enable the Staff to be reduced to minute proportions.
It
is
unlikely
that
any army has ever had
so
few
THE RIVER WAR
328
magnificent functionaries
as
that
which the Sirdar
commanded.
The duties of the Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant-General and of the Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General of each brigade Avere discharged by
Although the
a single Brigade-Major.
might form three
divisions, only
two Divisional
The imposing Headquarter
existed.
brigades
six
Staffs
Staff shrank to a
compact group of three or four General
officers
and
a
few subalterns to carry out their orders.
The Sirdar
himself had only two
1
ornamental
several
A
actions.
single
real
appeared
additions
officer,
2
with the
Assistant
Adjutant-General
acted
the
all
Aides-de-Camp,
the
to
title
although
before
the
of Deputy-
Sirdar,
trans-
between the British division
business
and the Egyptian army.
No
daily orders were ever
commands were ever
given.
Everything was done by word of mouth, and
much was taken for granted. Whereas the field
published.
printing
Scarcely any written
of
presses
the
regularly recorded with
of the day,
down
Tirah Expeditionary
pomp and ceremony
Force
the events
to the issue of a pair of boots to a
native follower, and carefully prescribed the arrange-
ments
for the
morrow
— and
these orders filtered
to the regiments through the Divisional Staffs
Brigade
Staffs,
—the Sirdar
Roy an,
at
at
and the
gradually becoming more and more
particularised, until finally they
thought
down
would come
were gems of minute
into
about two o'clock
in
camp, as he did
the
afternoon
Major J. K. Watson, D.S.O., King's Royal Rifle Corps and Egyptian
army, and Major Lord E. H. Cecil, Grenadier Guards.
2
Captain Sir Henry Eawlinson, Bart., Coldstream Guards.
1
S
MILITARY REFI J«XT ION
few Staff
and say to one of
his
pu-h on another
five
329
4
1
think we'll
or six miles,' and
thereupon,
officers,
marvellous to relate, six brigades of infantry, thirteen
m madrons, forty guns, a great
of transport
fleet
of boats, and masses
roll
forward into a new
would get up and
camp.
have tried to explain
I
Soudan.
lie
work
It
is
elsewhere.
the
intricate
cent
m ies
why
was
this
possible in
unlikely that such a system would
It
scarcely
seems
credible
that
arrangements which the experience
of war has
induced
all
of
Continental armies
mere cumbersome formalities. Even in
produced difficulties. The Sirdars Staff were
to devise are
Egypt
it
overwhelmed with work, owing to the disregard of the
principles of devolution.
A
General
officer
anxious to
some important matter concerning his brigade
and a subaltern wanting transport for a handful of
baggage left behind by sick men had equal claims on
Despite their indisputable talents and
their time.
discuss
amazing energy some things were bound to
suffer,
and the whole system of the force necessarily became
Let us imagine a typical inst ance.
loose and slipshod.
A
subaltern
bafirsrage
go
is
in charge of a
few maunds of regimental
down the river. He has to
Headquarter camp to ask for transport. The
ordered to be sent
to the
important officer to
important
matters.
whom
he
Perhaps
applies
he
is
is
busy with
compiling
the
three
already
wounded,
and
killed
the
nominal roll of
days late and for which the
War
Office, excited
frantic relatives, are telegraphing imperiously.
by
After a
worried
a
with
subaltern
the
lomi- delav he receives
THE RIVER
and abstracted
Transport
'
air.
take one of those barges
business here.
1
(The
false
wanted
altern,
anything
for
'how am
and how
let
'Any one?'
it.'
am
me have
says
to
where you
any one
'But,'
know which
inquires
how am
one, and
I to
have to do.
altern
twenty,
and somehow
down
goes
heated
engaged;
sub-
that great
?
barges
the
to
and
own
protest their
all
by busy
haste
some-
it
about
finds
Everybody declares
officers.
Oh,'
The sub-
was usuallv done.
it
'
'
Just look
Go and do
of which are being loaded
all
the
be bothered
I can't
with your damned transport.
'
isn't
ones are engaged,
'
:
that
I to persuade the officers in charge to
at all the things I
and
'Just go and
move
without a fatigue party, and how
how can I tell you?
the great man,
ship
how
down
it
'Well,
else.'
I to
Written au-
the Headquarter staff
modesty.)
take one of the barges and float
want
Well,
That's not ovr style of doing
officers of
were not troubled by
How much ?
?
by the bank.
Oh, ridiculous.
thority?
WAR
soldiers
his
barge
and business.
At length he meets someone he knoAvs personally,
and explains
friendship's sake.
Both
the barge.
By
to pick
at
is
officers
to
;
the baggage
the
is
made
<>n
in order to explain to the rets
9
be floated further down stream
barge
is
on the shore.
required to load
is
then go in search of someone
up more baggage.
length
room
great efforts
who can speak Arabic
that the barge
His friend does his best for
dilemma.
his
All this
at
its
A
is
accomplished
proper
place
fatigue party
is
and
now
Off goes the subaltern to some
it.
3
The Arab
skipper.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
331
Egyptian regiment whose colonel he knows personally.
The
receives
latter
him with
'Come
hospitality.
in
and Lave a drink.'
There follows a long discussion on
various matters, ending in an appeal for a fatigue party
and as a personal favour, on
this occasion only, the fatigue party is granted and
the baggage loaded.
as a personal favour
Now
if,
:
instead of the important officer, there
had
been a humble subordinate, the subaltern would have
The subordinate would have
Officer Directing Water Trans-
explained his business.
written an order to the
port,'
1
or whatever his
*
might have been, as follows
title
:
Please arrange to load by your fatigue parties four
man nds
practical
of stuff in
way
of
That
charge of bearer.'
a
The other
such matters.
settling
is
depends entirely on the personal goodwill of different
officers.
it
When
the sun shines bright and
may work with some
paign where everybody
wet and
are intercepted, rations run short,
on shooting and often
military officers
is
But
inconvenience.
is
the
hit,
4
all
cold,
goes well,
in a
where convoys
and the enemy keep
personal goodwill' of
The best
a very uncertain quantity.
system would seem to
midway between
lie
cam-
con-
the
sequential orthodoxy of the Indian and the happy-go-
lucky good-fellowship of the Egyptian arrangements.
I
have discussed the two great
Sirdar enjoyed in the
were others scarcely
practically
advance
his
unfordable
last
less
unassailable.
left
rested
facilities
which the
stage of the war.
important.
His flanks were
Throughout
on
the
There
river,
and dominated by gunboats.
the
grand
which
His
was
right
THE RIVER WAR
332
stretched into the desert, and the
Camel Corps scouted
To avoid being seen by them, the
Dervishes would have had to make an enormous circle
far to the flank.
But they could
of perhaps twenty-five miles' radius.
not
make a
more than ten
circle of
numbers, because, once
to
march
off the river,
any
they must carry
There remained onlv the frontal attack,
their water.
and
miles' radius in
meet such an attack the whole force was able to
in a fighting formation, and, thus formed,
strong enough to beat
down
opposition.
all
was
If the
Dervishes had disputed the advance at any point, the
gunboats had only to ascend the river and turn their
The ground within ranee of the river was
entirely forbidden to the Arabs by the guns of the
steamers, and though in places thick scrub might have
right flank.
afforded
was
cover to skirmishers, no
The
possible.
serious
resistance
could not be turned
flanks
advance could not be stopped;
;
the
communications
the
could not be touched.
It is impossible to see
manoeuvred
army
his
how
the Khalifa could have
successfully.
He might have held
the Shabluka for a time and inflicted
some
lo^s
on the
But, once the position was turned, the
turning force.
Arabs holding
it
would be hopelessly cut
destruction might have demoralised
the Shabluka was
passed, he
all
off,
and their
the rest.
After
could do nothing but
Omdurhe was of
harass until the invaders readied the plains of
man.
He
course at
did not even harass, and therein
He
fault.
and unshaken
camps night
;
allowed his enemy to arrive fresh
whereas
after night,
he had fired into
all
the
and had skirmished
in
the
if
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
333
scrub everyday, we might have had three or four hundred
we came
casualties or ever
to the city.
I
have
where discussed the chances of a night attack.
attack
by daylight was absurd.
up
Omdurman, keeping
in
as far
must have
could, the troops
Had he
else-
The
shut himself
from the river as he
lost heavily in
taking the
house bv house.
But the result was inevitable.
Creeping along by the river under cover of his gunboats, the Sirdar could have sidled and edged his force
citv
into that part of
ment
Omdurman
—namely, the river face—
to the river, he could
from east to west.
certain,
have advanced through the city
The operation would have been
though perhaps expensive.
As soon
was
by the bombardand then, with his back
cleared
settled.
as the railway
Had
had reached the Atbara,
the Khalifa been at the head of a
army, he would have evacuated
civilised
all
Omdurman
Shabluka was passed, and have retired off the
Nile towards El Obeid, thus putting all the gunboats
out of action, drawing his enemies away from their safe
after the
communications and protected
flanks,
to the ordinary risks of war.
them
doubtless
saw the
desirability
and exposing
But although he
a course, he
of such
The abandonment of Omdurman might have been followed by the break-up of
military
conof
policy
well-considered
The
•mv
The
focus.
of
change
of
a
admit
ition' did not
could not carry
it
out.
t
'
,
Desert Bailwav
scaled his fate
;
is
no doubt
its
existence,
and there
t
to whose brain the Desert Bailwav
and consequently the Khalifa
The
owed
his destruction.
actual tactics of the Dervishes at
Omdurman
334
THE EIVER
are worthy
of attention.
After the action
common remark
that they
of '84 and
As
examined
others,
'85.'
it
were
at
*
was a
it
quite the old tactics
school in 1885,1 have
opinion by the light of the experience of
this
and
was
I
WAR
seems scarcely well founded.
that there were desperate rushes of gallant
and desperate rushes of gallant men
in
It
is
true
men
in
1885
1898
but there
;
the resemblance ceases.
The whole idea of the modern infantry attack is to
get an assaulting column within charging distance
The very
of the enemy's position.
pour
in so
heavy a
fire
latest principle is to
of infantry and artillery at lorn*
range that the enemy dare not put their heads above
the trenches to aim.
Then, while their
fire is
wild and
unaimed, the advance begins.
The columns of assault
forward, preceded by a solid line of men
move steadily
who fire continually while they advance, and so keep
the enemy pinned under their cover.
Of course the
attack will suffer heavily from
men who put
the
unaimed
their rifles over the parapets
the triggers; but
if
less hail of bullets
fire
of
and pull
the assaulting infantry keep a cease-
whizzing overhead, very few of the
defenders will dare to take aim, unless the attacking
troops stop firing, in which case they will
lost
time,
and the assaulting columns
make up
will be
for
swept
away, even while they are cheering and preparing to
charge to victory.
In 1885 the Dervishes appeared to have a very
conception of these principles.
including
Abu
Ivlea
and
Abu
On many
fair
occasions,
Kru, they formed only
two, and sometimes only one column of spearmen.
A
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
335
long line of riflemen gradually enveloped the square or
position
and kept down
its fire,
or at any rate engaged
attention from a range of not less than 700 yards.
its
moment had apparently
Then, when the best
the assaulting columns rushed
whole force
the
arrived,
If the assault failed,
in.
retired, the riflemen
drawing
off
with
the debris of the spearmen.
Let us compare these tactics with those employed
The spearmen and riflemen seemed to
The spearmen
be mixed, and were not separate units.
commenced to rush as soon as they saw their enemy,
at
Omdurman.
When the rush
and brought on their riflemen with them.
was over and the attack practically repulsed, the
men who had been
carried on
What was
and opened
fire.
might
and wound
kill
a
by the
good of that
the
few
assault lay
soldiers,
but
?
it
rifle-
down
They
was a
useless
slaughter, since they were not preparing the
way
an attack.
for
In 1885 the tactics of the Arabs
In 1898 they were imbecile and
were very instructive.
hopeless.
All
simple.
forth
like
The explanation of the
bv
the
great
leaders
change
who had been
the enthusiasm of the Mahdist
Wad-el-Xejumi,
is
very
called
movement
Abu Anga, andZeki Tunnnal
—had
been killed in battle, had died, or had been executed
There was a
by the Khalifa.
bitter truth in the taunt
which Zeki Tunimal flung at Yakub, who had worked
his
ruin
and was about
death you will try to
place,
and you
to have
him
slain: 'After
mv
my
t
find
will not find
men
like
me
to take
them/
Scarcely any technical question, arising out of the
4
Slatin,
Fire and Sword,
p. 501.
has been more vigorously debated than
operations,
whether the
during the
WAR
RIVER
TUP]
zeriba
first
front
in
of the
division
British
Omdurman was a
Those who dismistake.
part of the action at
wise precaution or a great
approve of the zeriba declare that
it
was so thin and
to
an
impediment
no
been
have
would
weak
enemy; that the troops behind it had to stand up to
that
fire
even
it
at the longest range, so
that their fire could
down
lain
they
had
if
aimed
as
well
as
been
not have
brown
the
across
streaked
line,
black
long
that its
;
the
target
to
definite
and
clear
a
afforded
plain,
enemy;
men were more exposed than if they
down that it afforded no cover from
that the standing
had been lying
and that the Soudanese wisely dug a shelter trench,
fire
which possessed none of these disadvantages.
;
;
respect
of
in
minority
in
a
though
advocates,
Its
this
meet
think,
and,
I
experience
wider
numbers, boast a
reply.
complete
tolerably
with
a
formidable argument
the
on
zeriba
of
the
effect
moral
the
Thev contend that
night
that
at
admirable;
it
was
men standing behind
troops
the
if
that
enhanced
this effect would have been
view,
clear
had
a
have
not
had lain down they could
ground
the
of
creases
and
swells
owing to the gentle
;
;
standing was
that their fire
according to
'
Hythe
sufficiently accurate
statistics,'
a
man
standing
;
that,
is
no
lying
man
a
than
ranges
longer
more vulnerable at the
have
must
bullets
the
far,
so
down, because, to reach
been shot high into the air,
an angle of about 45°
spised
'
Hythe
statistics
;
'
and hence are
that these
falling at
same too often de-
were signally verified by the
action
the
of
phase
zeriba
the
that during
fact
Wauchope
s
;
MILITARY
liKl
standing up behind
brigade
LECTIONS
337
zeriba.
and Maxwell's
;i
down behind a shelter trench, lost
exactly the same number of men; and finally that the
onlv rea>on the Soudanese brigades did not make a
hint:
was that
zeriba
t
lie
re
were no
near
bushes
their
front.
military readers
I do not expect I shall bias the
judgment when I place myself on the
There
nents of the zeriba.
is
very
side of the oppo-
little
in the history
His zeriba
of zeriba* to encourage their adoption.
did not save Yusef Pasha.
On
Mahmud.
His zeriba did not benefit
other hand, I
the
have seen shelter
trenches used on the Indian Frontier with great effect.
If the ditch be made toward the enemy, the defender,
standing on the higher ground,
tage should the assau
and
in the
searching
1
1
end
ritle tire
lias a
powerful advan-
in hand-to-hand fighting
which invariably preceded
the I'athan charge, there are few
men and no
wise ones
bank.
behind
a
than
hedge
behind
a
rather
be
would
who
commander
has
the
however,
cases,
of
majority
In the
must
he
when
bushes,
no
are
there
either
for
no choice,
di«'
a trench
;
or the ground
is
too hard, and he must
When
in
as
excluded,
are
courses
both
make a zeriba.
of
wall
low
a
build
to
possible
be
Tirah, it will usually
rouijh stones.
savajfo
5
(1
country some
troops
give
and
confidence,
their
strengthen
night,
at
them a
must protect the
sort of obstacle
line
attacked.
rally
to
on, should
If this obstacle be
imnort.-ince that
it
a
they be suddenly
zeriba,
it
is
of vital
should not be more than four
Called in India a tUJijar.
VOL.
II.
Z
feet
THE RIVER WAR
338
Although
high.
can be fired through, the natural
it
impulse of the soldiers will be
it
;
and
if
the fence
t
o
fire at
too high, the
is
top or over
its
lire will
be too
The equipment of the British infantry in the final
campaign on the Nile was of the most modern pattern,
and it is difficult to see at present in what direction
there lies room for any great improvement.
Neither
the bullet scandal nor the boot scandal had been with-
The new Hythe
out their lessons.
used by the British Division answered
differs
from the
Dum-Dum
conical depression in
has
its
purpose.
its
bullet in that
its tip,
which was
bullet
it
Ii
has a small
whereas the Indian bullet
outer envelope drawn slightly back so as to
expose the
soft
in shattering
The
ranges.
The
core.
latter is
power; the former
supposed to excel
in accuracy at long
results of either are
from the shooter's
point of view sufficiently good, and from any other
sufficiently ghastly.
mate
all
hold that
it
is
entirelv legiti-
to use such a missile in savage warfare.
civilised
wounded.
on.
I
That
soldiers sit
down when they
Nearly
are severely
Perhaps one per cent, struggle heroically
is
not enough to
barbarous peoples,
make any
less sensitive
difference.
But
or more valiant, require
to be hopelessly disabled before they admit their injury,
and
in the
meanwhile they give no quarter.
The paramount and sacred law of self-preservation
justifies the employment of a man-stopping bullet.
When the late Colonel Burnaby used a shot-gun to
defend himself at El Teb, his act was condemned as
brutal.
It
appears to
me most
sensible
and correct.
It
MILITARY KEFLECTIOXS
is
a vile
and the
protect
and abominable action to
339
the wounded,
kill
man who has done such a thing, except to
his own life from imminent peril, must bear a
heavy load
to the grave
living, lighting
enemy
and perhaps beyond.
But the
may
be killed
fair
is
game, and
by any means except those excluded by a recognised
contract with him not with civilised nations of whom
he knows nothing, and whose counter-engagements he
does not observe and except by means which savour
—
—
After
of treachery.
all,
no wounds are more appalling
than those caused by splinters of
projectile
a
shell,
whose legitimacy has never been challenged.
The superiority of the Lee-Metford to the MartiniHenry rille was again strikingly demonstrated. During
the first attack at Omdurman the 1st British and
2nd Soudanese brigades were
of the British,
was stopped
at
armed with
300 vards.
It
is,
it
by
In front
side.
the Lee-Metford, the attack
800 yards;
armed with the Martini,
side
in front of
t
lie
was not arrested
Soudanese,
until within
of course, true that the steady British
infantry shot better than the wild Soudanese.
remains
contrast
against
rifles in
tremendous.
To send
into
But the
action,
armed with the small-bore magazine
universal use in Europe, soldiers armed only
troops
with the obsolete weapon would be to send them to a
hopeless
Such
massacre.
reserved for the native
is
army
the fate at this
moment
of India should they ever
have to encounter the Russians.
It
may be worth
while to state the argument in
favour of re-arming the native regiments with a small-
bore
rifle.
First of
all,
the native
army would become
z 2
THE KIVER AVAK
340
a
more
far
formidable
fighting
machine, and
the
Empire be consequently strengthened. Secondly, the
of
kind
one
only
use
would
brigades
mixed
regular
— an
ammunition
9
^^^^^^^^
Government might display
their loyal native
natives
But
soldiers.'
safer
with
in
their implicit confidence in
subjects.
cvnic will remark;
the
this
Xonsense
would not be
'it
as
'
No
'
brutal
the
safe
to
arm
Asiatic
is
likely
Anyone can make
to learn to make
There are vast
cordite or solid-drawn cartridge-cases.
gunpowder in
Government magazines.
stores of
India, but all cordite
is
in the
Without cordite ammunition
rifle is useless.
the small-bore
!
good weapons as the British
instance it would be actually
than the present system.
gunpowder.
Thirdly, the
inestimable advantage.
Therefore distribute
tin
and regulate the issue of ammunition;
and then the Sepoys will be armed with a weapon
small-bore
which
rifle
powerful when used against the foreign
is
powerless
if
employed against a paternal Government.
The Egyptian helmet
for officers
superior to the Indian pattern.
is
in every respect
It protects
from the sun, shades the eyes, and does not
should the wearer require to shoot.
so elegant.
foe,
In the recent campaign
tilt
It is not,
in
the face
forward,
however,
India the dis-
advantages of the regulation helmet were so remarkable
that a great manv officers bought themselves ordinary
solar topees.
This produced a most unmilitary
The adoption of the Egyptian pattern is dictated alike
by sense and sentiment. The puggaree on officers' and
soldiers' helmets is a useless encumbrance which adds
more
to
weight than beauty.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
341
6
have alluded elsewhere to the thick buff belts
infantry
afBritish
are
the
which
with
pouches
and
of
harness
rate
any
at
or
web,
of
adoption
The
flicted.
I
leather,
is
an inconvenient vessel
is
Both
the latter,
and
these are very
officers
of the
7th
attached to the 21st Lancers used
who were
its
is
the
;
immeasurably superior.
Hussars
The cavalry canteen
strongly to be desired.
advantages were evident to
But
all.
things; and neither are they very
little
numerous.
matter connected with the cavalry
The firsl
Nile campaign which
that,
it,
the render
and
who
is
would discuss
I
to
each nearly 130
so technical
avoid the whole four
paragraphs which follow.
When the 21st Lancers arrived at
thev were formed
the
not a soldier will not understand
recommend him
I
is
in
Wad Hamed
regiment of three squadrons,
as a
strong.
An
extraordinary operation
all
notice
of
the
to
commend
I
which
then took place
Colonel
squadrons
three
the
of
Out
cavalry theorists.
as
was
method
The
four.
Martin proceeded to form
from
each
taken
was
follows :— One
and
new
into
a
formed
and
of the three squadrons
squadrons
four
of
regiment
a
separate squadron, making
of the four troops
three
of
regiment
a
of
instead
of three troops each,
was
section
one
Then
each.
squadrons of four troops
squadron
every
of
troops
three
taken from each of the
troop for each squadron,
and formed into a fourth
sectionthree
of
troops
four
making tour squadrons of
told
were
troop
each
of
Then the three sections
each.
"
The Story of
the
Malakand Field
Force, 1897.
342
TTIK
WAR
VAXER
Thus a cavalry regiment of
off afresh as four sections.
became a cavalry
three squadrons of four troops each
regiment of four squadrons of four troops each.
took place
five
days before the regiment was act ually
in contact with the
It
enemy.
by any who have
not be denied
will
This
modern military principles,
that this
studied
was a revolution of
everything that has been preached and accepted for
men
should
places in the ranks, that they should
know
The great idea
years.
officer, that
he should
that the
know them and
the whole troop system
fact,
know
their
their troop
his horses
—
in
was thrown overboard.
More than this, the celebrated squadron system was
made to walk the plank. It is indisputable that the
Lancers acquitted themselves admirably
in the
reconnaissance and action which followed their kaleidoscopic reorganisation.
But
if
the campaign had been
one of months instead of days, and
made
to
if
the
men had been
endure as well as to dare, or to meet disciplined
cavalry in shock tactics,
it
is
not possible to believe
that the change Avould have been found wise or profit-
able
.
There
is
usually a reason for
human
action-,
how-
several.
there
were
in
this
and
case
ever strange,
O
Squadrons of 130 men are unwieldy. Four squadrons
7
make
a better
Lancer
fighting
regimental
regiments require a strong
charging, in order that as
many
unit
than three.
front
as possible
rank
for
may
use
—
But the true reason was this: The
Sirdar had said that he wanted a regiment of four
squadrons, and rather than run the risk of being left
their
lances.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
343
behind the 21st Lancers would have formed
fortv.
Colonel Martin had no choice.
I
now
arrive at the conclusion to
which the incident
If the peace system of three field squadrons
points.
and a depot squadron
George Luck
—
is
— one
of
the
legacies
unsuited to war, and
changed on active service to four
field
is
of Sir
going to be
squadrons, the
sooner the ridiculous peace system, unsuited to war,
done away with the better.
And
if
a <>-ood
one and suited to war, then
strictly
forbidden to depart from
stances.
the peace system
all officers
it
is
should be
under any circum-
Unless one or other of these courses
lowed, the principles
is
is
fol-
of troop and squadron leadin
which have been admitted
for so lono-
and are bein
carried to greater lengths every year, will be utterly
for
themselves
prepare
will
regiments
and
abandoned,
convulsion
internal
appalling
an
such
by
active service
length.
wearisome
fear,
at
I
described
I
as
have
The part played by the cavalry throughout the war
—
The smooth,
was important.
flat
country enabled them
only
to
not
and
bodies,
considerable
in
handled
be
play
an
to
but
also
directions,
all
in
boldlv
reconnoitre
to
imposing part in the regular engagements.
will recall
many
account.
The
The reader
instances which are described in this
cavalry fight at
Akasha, the repeated
that
after
pursuit
the
Firket,
before
reconnaissances
in
reconnaissance
the
action, the patrol to Salamat,
force before the attack on
Mahmud's
made of
the
the
cavalry
in
battle,
zeriba, the use
the
ceaseless
adgrand
the
to
preliminary
scouting and outposts
concluding
the
But
operations.
vance were all essential
THE RIVER AVAR
344
9
employment of cavalry
campaign saw the
fullest
many
through the advance the thirteen
All
years.
for
squadrons, aided by the Camel Corps and supported
by
the Horse Battery, searched the country,
the
that
said
arrived
force
Khalifa expected.
the
seem largely due
cavalry
the
covered
the losses of the whole
much
efficient
the
the
they were used.
at
that
If
to the
Omdurman
battle of
safe
and secure.
Kerreri
be
mounted
army
t
—
But
true,
was
than
it
would
l>v
which
Finally,
in
the
forces sustained half
a fact
it is
It
earlier
screening
advance.
a
army, behind
great screen ten miles in front of the
which the infantry marched
making
which shows
h<>\\
indisputable that the
proportion of cavalry to the other arms was too small
;
worked to death; and that much of
the effect of the victory was lost through the numerical
weakness of the mounted arm.
that the horses were
It is
lery.
here convenient to allude to the Horse Artil-
Only one Egyptian battery was used
in the
war.
was of some service during the reconnaissance of
Mahmud's zeriba, and in the retirement that followed.
It
But the small Arab horses, although eight were
t
har-
i
nessed to each gun, were unable to keep up with the
cavalry in the heavy sand or rough ground, and in the
early part
of the action at
Omdurman
compromised the cavalry, and might very
the battery
easily
have
compelled a charge which would have been attended
by severe
It is
loss.
doubtful whether one batten*
to a brigade of cavalry.
ble.
It
is
is
any advantage
Its fire-power is
an encumbrance to the
not formida-
squadrons,
and
MILITARY
L'EFLFJ TI< >X-
a constant source of anxiety to the Brigadier.
now
not
discuss
employed
of Horse
advantages
the
in brigade divisions, but
I
do
Artillerv
most cavalry com-
manders would willingly exchange a single detached
two extra squadrons. The experience of
7
the 2nd of September tends to justify their preference.
battery for
Cavalry will find an invaluable ally
Maxim
The reader who
jam.
will look
in the
back
galloping
to the plan
of the charge of the 21 -t Lancers * will easilv understand
what help such a weapon might have afforded ns
a quick and
skilful officer,
action on the
left
flank and
accurate and terrible
fire
day
I
heard
under
had been brought
line.
At intervals during
exclaim regretfully, 'Oh,
olliceis
into
had swept the khor with an
as soon as the charge had
passed through the Dervish
that
it
if,
if Ave
The Egyptian cavalry at Omdurman were seriously weakened by being deprived of
The Sirdar
the services of their two galloping Maxims.
required them for the zeriba, and Colonel Hroadwood
had onlv had
and
a
his officers
great loss of
who have
Maxim
*
!
were acutely conscious of the very
power they consequently
suffered.
Few
served with the cavalry in Egypt will dis-
agree with the opinion I unhesitatingly express, that
every cavalry regiment should have two
of
its
I
21st
Maxim guns
own.
have
elsewhere
examined the
charge of
Lancers as concerns that regiment.
useful to consider its lessons
to
It
cavalry in
It is fair to remember that the gun with which this
Horse battery was armed (an antiquated Krupp) was a most
7
will
the
be
general.
particular
indifferent
Editor.
all.—
of
worst
fuses
the
and
worse,
weapon, that the shells were
•
See plan, to face page 144.
THE RIVER WAR
346
The
The
conclusion
first
which largely
belief
agreeable
is
prevails, that horses will not
—
formed mass of infantry —
face spears or bayonets
the horsemen.
to
jump
into a
quite unwarranted.
It is
will not, in fact,
is
not
could
Waterloo
at
Cuirassiers
French
true that the
but
squares,
British
the
into
break
horses
their
make
charges
their
that
fact
the
by
explained
probably
this
the
rate,
any
At
walk.
at
a
delivered
mostly
were
is
horses on the 2nd of September, ridden
actually
jump
into the enemy's mass,
Dervishes over in dozens.
The trooper
pleasing.
idea that
if
is
What
at full gallop, did
and knocked the
followed
not so
is
always encouraged in the
ever cavalry can get
among
latter will be cut to pieces forthwith.
8
infantry the
But
this did
spite
of
In
Omdurman.
at
case
the
be
not appear to
indulged
which
was
fighting
hand-to-hand
the deliberate
enemy left no
dead or badly wounded on the
the
khor,
the
of
side
further
the
in on
more than
thirtv-five
ground.
At
itself
this point the question of Lance
before the student.
I left the
v.
Sword
thrusts
Indian Frontier
shook
Egypt
lance
the
of
admirer
an enthusiastic
the
21st
of
remembered
be
must
It
my convictions.
;
Lancers that their
lately
armed only
They had not been brought up
men were
with lances.
really Hussars,
drill,
they
but
lance
their
knew
They
to the weapon.
lances
had
the
of
points
The
sword.
the
for
hankered
The
march.
Derthe
on
blunted
shockinglv
become
KellerRegiment
by
69th
the
of
destruction
the
of
account
See the
the
in
Cavalry
Wood,
Evelyn
Sir
Bras.—
Quatre
at
man's Cuirassiers
8
Waterloo Campaign.
1
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
vishes
were wrapped
some
of the
all
347
round with swathes of linen
Emirs wore chain armour.
;
After the
charge was over, several of the troopers loudly complained that their points would not pierce the enemy,
them
hut onlv push
over.
The crowded nature of the
scrimmage pie vented the lances being used with effect.
When a trooper had transfixed his adversary, the other
twisted
it out
weapon
and
the
of
hold
caught
Dervishes
of
t
nil
such circumstanees the
In
Bides.
him from
sword was the
Then they cut
he horseman's hand.
at
The enemy's cuts could be guarded,
trooper, by laying lustily about him, might
better defence.
and the
have cleared a road.
It
however, very rarely in
is,
modern warfare that men come
and
ing,
such close
cavalrv or in a pursuit the lance
a-ain-t
fight-
charge
actual shock of an ordinary
the
in
to
the better
is
arm.
There
more
however, another weapon which
is,
effective
— and by
'pistol' T desire to include revolver
terrible than
comparably more
officers
The
than either lance or sword.
of the 19th Hussars,
campaigning
in
Egypt
who were
pistol
—
any arme blanche.
far
is
is
The
continuously
and the Soudan from 1882
1885, discovered that the
man who
in-
to
carried a revolver
might come safely through a charge where good swords-
men were cut down.
mam-
useful details of
was more
charge
Arab
of them I learned
fighting,
but no precept
forciblv urged than that the officer should
with
accordingly.
the
From one
question
a
revolver,
On
not
arrival at
with several
a
gword.
Wad Hamed
officers
I
resolved
I
discussed
of the
Egyptian
THE
348
Nearly
cavalry.
were
all
WAK
KIVEIi
in
favour of the
pistol.
They said that the Dervishes were not eager to attack
a horseman so armed, and would prefer to select other
at
I
Omdurman
— with
He was
9
If Ave
results so far as
officer
charged with
who had
the only officer
ridden in a charge before.
harmed.
original intention
most satisfactory
Onlv one other
was concerned.
a revolver.
mv
I therefore followed
antagonists.
ever
Like myself, he was un-
had charged hack again, there would
have been many more revolvers drawn.
The reason in this particular instance is not difficult
The Arabs are naturally swordsmen and
to perceive.
spearmen. When they sec an enemy approaching who
is
are delighted, and
armed with sword or lance they
As
ask for nothing better than a personal combat.
three or four of
them usually
at once, his position
a pistol
is
far
is
select the
one of
same individual
difficulty.
A man
with
His handy weapon
more formidable.
is
now at one enemy, now at another. A swordcut may be comparatively harmless, or it may be
But who can parry a bullet ? The Dervishes
guarded.
Xo man
tried to stop the horses by seizing the reins.
pointed
would dare to attempt such an
knew that he would be fired at with a
living
Again,
sav, six inches' range.
may be
too
would be
weak
futile.
if
a
if
if
he
pistol at, let us
man be wounded,
he
His feeble strokes
to use his sword.
But
enterprise,
he carry
a
revolver, he has
only to pull the trigger.
Xow,
if
the revolver
is
a better
weapon than sword
or lance, the question at once arises.
*
Why
Lieut.-Colonel H. Finn, 21st Lancers.
should
it
be
v
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
confined to officers
Why
?
349
should not whole regiments
be armed with revolvers, charge with revolvers,
and then
volley just before the shock,
down
shoot
own
their
adversaries
that the proposition will excite
said that the
That
each other.
life
difference
whether
a
and
war,
random
theymav
shots,
recruit in the
be
hit either >ide indiscrimi-
uri>ed
that
characteristic of the cavalryman.
purely sentimental.
England
that the
will
first
is
weapon of
ride
if
Of course
the cavalryman
men were armed
home.
remains to be proved.
That
is
is
the
Such a contention
probable that the
grave misgivings.
be said that
would not
It
cold steel
Yeomen
abandoned the long-bow
finally
musket with
it
side or cut
agitation has a distinct j)reference
will also
It
[lately.
of
own
little
shooting his enemies rather than his friends; and
as for
is
makes
it
shot by his
is
be
certain loss of
But even the rawest
down by the other.
moment of extreme
for
man
A
It will
would shoot
flurried,
likely.
from
inseparable
is
very
is
do not doubt
amusement.
getting
troopers,
a
and
single out
I
?
fire
an.
is
it
for the
is
his horse;
true
and
with pistols, the
objection
which
There are doubtless other ob-
The meeting of cavalry squadrons would become far more
terrible.
The deadly pistol would have taken the
ject ions.
]mt the
advantages are great.
place of the comparatively harmless, ornamental sword.
,Were a squadron armed with
squadron armed with swords,
ten
men from their own
practically
curred in
destroyed.
fire;
Several
the American
Civil
revolvers to charge a
the former might lose
the
other would be
instances
War.
of this
oc-
In every case
THE 1UVKR WAR
350
the Confederates, armed with
who
nihilated the Northerners,
used swords.
The change would be so sweeping that
advocate
it is
it.
to ns by
enhanced
the fact that
it
10
I hesitate to
matter which cavalry
we can teach our
properly, while foreign con-
scripts could not possibly learn
a
an-
admitted,
be
the
pistol
of
If the advantage
seven-year soldiers to use
is
almost
revolvers,
ii
officers
three years.
in
It
should think over
who
many
are
kind.
There
any
without prejudices of
11
be
will
brought
It
so.
do
to
begun
have alreadv
for,
as
years
the
urgency,
increasing
with
before them
the
and
improving,
continually
no by, firearms arc
sword stands
still
for ever.
The day may come when
abandon the weapons
the civilised warrior will finally
science.
It
of
machines
the
adopt
of the savage and
knife
to
Ioncarry
a
to
ridiculous
will appear no less
the battlefield
enemy, than
it
wherewith to carve and transfix the
to
be
Grenadier
a
-''em
for
now
would
sling
with
a
David,
like
armed,
perhaps before that
But
and
live
smooth
stone-.
enlightened
a
between
1864,
November,
in
Virginia
A fight took place
KiehardMajor
under
cavalry
partisan
Confederate
squadron of Mosby's
sharp
After
a
Blazer.
Captain
under
and a squadron of Federal cavalry
solely,
revolver
the
used
Confederates
the
which
fight, in
10
in
4
hand-to-hand
were,
casualties
The
defeated.
the Federal squadron was completely
but
so
wounded
several
and
killed
man
on the Southern side, only one
twenty-four
was
loss
Blazer's
that
revolver
deadly was the effect of the
of
out
....
horses
and
prisoners
sixty-two
killed twelve wounded, and
_
SI
7
History of
100 men
above
forth
set
considerations
the
at
scoff
who is tempted to
;
.
•
A
T" ~T
•
a
/•
V
'
The reader
had
quoted.
I
here
volume
the
of
chapter
should read the thirty-second
similarity
The
written.
were
remarks
present
not read it until after the
of the passages
is
striking.
assisted
greatly
been
have
I
subject
this
on
In writing the remarks
F.
Hon.
-Colonel
Lieutenant
of
experience
the knowledge and
11
by
Eveleigh de Moleyns, D.S.O., 4th Hussars.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
men
will
allow
351
have realised that human dignity
them
will scarcely
to indulge their tastes for the barbarous,
though exhilarating, sport of war.
Among
more recent improvements in firearms
none should attract more attention than the invention
the
of the magazine pistol.
and
the market,
Mauser
officer
possess in varying degrees the same
Perhaps the best and the best-known
advantages.
the
all
Several kinds are already in
pattern.
who
I write as almost the only British
has used this weapon in actual
superiority to the revolver
whereas the revolver
is
fires
plain.
but
never of any use beyond
bullet carries
much
self-cocking,
self-ejecting.
the trigger can be pulled.
as
The revolver
pistol
of
rate
Its
is
le
a
a
its
self-loading,
fire
as fast
is
muzzle velocity
almost double that of the older weapon.
charged with ten rounds on
to
yards, although
fifty
Its
Its
It is sighted
six.
The
farther.
Avar.
ten rounds,
It fires
1,000 yards, and shoots effectively to 800.
is
is
It
can be
is
re-
clip almost as quickly
By
cartridge can be loaded into a revolver.
cunning arrangement the recoil
is
utilised to eject,
cock, and re-load; so that the hand remains stead v while
t
successive shots are fired.
Finally,
it is
of leather,
It is
furnished with a case of light
and
implications, the
a
wood
this fits into the pistol-butt,
handy and accurate carbine.
•
cheaper and
In spite
weapon did not
country where the desert sand
of
lighter.
instead
making
all
a
these
get out of order in
affects all
machinery.
12
t
12
The flint-lock
Compare such a weapon with the old horse-pistol.
horse-pistol had a very short range. ... It was, in fact, comparatively
worthless, for the shaking of the horse was apt to derange the powder in
the pan, or the flint might miss fire, or the fire not reach the powder and
4
;
THE
352
This
not a prospectus
is
disadvantage.
It
nor shall I disguise the
:
a
fire
heavy
sufficiently
projectile with
its
expan-
into
bones
shattered
has
velocity
high
and
tip
splinters, there
is,
does not
Although the small
bullet.
sive
lilVER WA1I
is
greater safety in a larger bore.
much
however, so
easier to shoot with the
It
Mauser
objection
this
even
that
revolver,
the
with
pistol than
is
modified, for
it
is
better to
with a small bullet
hit
than to miss with a big one: and
when
a weapon
larger
on
a
and
principle
same
the
on
made
the
into
arquebus
the
follow
will
revolver
ancient arms; and who
pistol
with
shall
is
scale, the
museums
of
say that the magazine
carbine fitting will not oust the trooper's
its
as well as ihe officer's revolver?
sword
of
the
effects
the
of
subject
the
I approach
fic
may
The unmilitary reade
-
regard
to
content
been
hitherto
have
all
'shell
as
impartially
artillery
the
by
discharged
The
idea.
this
of
elaboration
an
adventure
I must
soldier
may
those less
of
benefit
the
for
explanation
brief
a
pardon
learned than he.
The
batteries
Omdurman fired four kinds of projectiles
common
shell,
Lyddite
shell,
and
the simplest and the least used
—shrapnel
case-shot.
—
is
engaged at
The
shell,
last
merely a thin metal
When the gun is fired, the box breaks up
box of bullets.
for
four
ground
the
over
scattered
are
and the bullets
the
is
only
at
used
This
front.
in
yards
or five hundred
common
A
farther.
no
reach
will
it
shortest ranges
;
even when
and,
if
it
not, that
Denison,
A
the chances were that the ball had shaken out.
would not carry straight.'— Lieutenant-Colonel G. T.
did go
it
off,
History of Cavalry.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
box
thick iron
a
is
fitted
with a fuse arrangement.
the
box
there
burst
by
its fuse.
the
gun
is
fired
When,
of the box.
shell is
and
filled
with a high explosive manu-
shell is the
designed solely to
by the fragments
also
instead of ordinary gunpowder, the
factured at Lydd, in Kent,
The shrapnel
and wounds by the
It kills
force of its explosive gases
common
When
flung into the enemy's ranks or defences, and
is
is
with gunpowder and
filled
shell
353
kill
it
becomes a Lyddite
most frequently used.
men, nor does
buildings or dismount guns.
it
aspire to
It consists
shell.
It is
smash
of a thin metal
box full of bullets, but containing also a small charge
When the whole
of powder and a fuse arrangement.
machine has nearly reached the enemy's line, the fuse
explodes the powder, breaks up the box, and releases
the bullets, which fly onward in a shower impelled only
by
acquired momentum.
their
of ground
large area
bullets
which are often
The
strated.
effect
of
is
result
is
that a
plentifully besprinkled with
as deadly as the old musket-ball.
case-shot
It is identical
The
often been
has
demon-
with the old-fashioned canister.
About 150 of these were
fired
during the action by
the three Egyptian batteries attached to MacDonald's
brigade,
The
results
were,
as
usual,
excellent.
It
fired
were
shells
Lyddite
The
swept the
parand
Omdurman,
into
Battery
by the Howitzer
diswere
effects
The
ticularly at the Mahdi's Tomb.
ground.
appointing to
the
power of
to
faith
great
attached
had
who
those
the
of
dome
The
compound.
the new
shelled
been
had
Mahdi's Tomb was still
in
smashed
were
holes
several
for four hours, although
solid after
VOL.
II.
it
A A
;
THE RIVER WAR
354
it
and the apex was blunted.
was about three
It
was
feet in thickness
no doubt that the
shells
and
so that there can be
;
were duly burst by the impact.
The question of the shrapnel is
It
built of brick,
far more controversial.
has been asserted that the battle of
Omdurman was
was essentially 'a
gunner's day.' In that their targets were excellent,
their shooting accurate, and their expenditure of ammunition enormous, the latter statement is true. But
won by
the artillery, and
that
it
the former must be strongly controverted.
a great
many
Certainly
Dervishes were killed by the artillery,
but they did not amount to more than twenty-five
per cent, of the total
slain.
The
batteries
opened
3,300 yards' range, and began to hit at once.
at*
Never-
on without
pause of any kind until it reached the effective musketry zone, when it withered immediately. Of course
theless the frontal
the
artillery
attack
came
steadily
contributed materially to checking the
enemy, particularly during the attack on MacDonald
but the following statements will not, I think, be
contradicted even by artillery
officers.
Had
there been
no infantry on the field, there would not have been
a gunner left alive by 7 a.m. Had there been no
artillery on the field, although the Dervishes might
have got a little closer and the loss of the troops might
have been a
little
heavier, the fate of the first attack
would have been precisely the same.
The modern improvements in gunnery have been tremendous. It is no exaggeration to say that the artillery
which fired at Omdurman was as far superior to that
used at Sedan, as the artillerv at Sedan was superior to
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
355
the cannons which the bullocks dragged to the battle of
But the power of
Blenheim.
artillery is not
overwhelm-
The rifle has more than kept pace with the gun in
its de velopement.
At Waterloo a n msket would scarcely
kill
beyond 100 yards, and field-guns discharged
ing.
Now
grape effectively at half a mile.
the gunner can
shoot as far as he can see to aim.
infantry soldier.
the artillery
I
There
is
But so can the
now equality, where formerly
had the advantage.
have looked at the question in
aspect.
The great moral
purely physical
effect of artillery
many
troops has been proved
its
on European
The Dervishes,
They went on until
times.
however, were unimpressionable.
they saw that they were too few to carry their attack
to a conclusion or
also
till
they were shot down.
be remembered that
The
It
artillery is essentially
must
an
of-
power of guns depends
on their being concentrated on some particular point.
But at Omdurman the Arabs attacked all along the
fensive
front,
trated,
weapon.
and the
terrible
artillery fire, instead
of being concen-
was dispersed.
The artillery at Omdurman displayed one capacity
which has been overlooked even by their most sanguine
admirers, their searching power.
systematic
manner
in
I
have described the
which the front of the zeriba was
cleared of the Dervish sharpshooters after the failure
of the
first
centrated
attack.
Although the infantry had con-
a very heavy
fire
on one particular
line
of riflemen, they held tenaciously to their cover and
continued to annoy the whole face of the zeriba.
But
Maxim-Xordenfeldt
9-ponnder
on one of the Egyptian
A A 2
356
THE RIVER AVAR
batteries opening
on them, they
all
rose
up
—
to the
—
number of about 200 and fled, before the battery had
'After this/ an
fired more than one round per gun.
of distinguished reputation and varied experi-
officer
ence,
who
witnessed
this
exhibition,
said
to
me,
4
1
cannot believe in the possibility of shelter-trenches
being held under artillery
The
results of the
1
fire.
Maxim guns
used in line with the
satisfactory.
thoroughly
were
infantry
w
CD
J
•/
time
is
it
At the same
easy to over-estimate the power of these
At Omdurman, as in every other
the killing was done, not by the artillery, nor by the
cavalry, nor by the Maxim gun-, but by the continued
The six Maxim guns
fire of great numbers of infantry.
weapons.
of the 1st British Brigade fired on the average 4,000
2nd Brigade about 2,500
rounds each, giving a general average for the eight guns
rounds each
;
the four of the
with the British division of 3,400 rounds per gun.
The greater part of the infantry
upwards of 60 rounds per man.
of infantry sixty strong
equal in fire-power to
in the firing-line fired
company
Therefore a
may be said
a Maxim gun
to
have been
— although,
of
must
lie
course, the advantage in respect of accuracy
with the machine.
The use of
the
Maxims
several interesting features.
at
Omdurman
displayed
Until the later campaigns
War, Maxim guns had hardly ever been used
in batteries, although this employment is recommended
13
The massing together of four
bv the Infantry Drill.'
of the River
4
or
eight of these formidable engines multiplies their
:3
Page 118.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
The
effect.
desert sand
—which
had
357
in former
cam-
paigns assailed the machinery of the Nordenfeldt and
Gardner guns, and on several
critical occasions
caused
—
them to jam was powerless to affect the invincible
Maxim. The very greatest precautions were taken.
The mechanism was kept carefully covered up at all
The frictional parts
times, on the march or in camp.
were wiped daily with a clean dry rag, and no oil of
any description was used. Thus the Maxims came into
But, once they were on the actual field, the
action.
coverings were removed and the whole machine was
smothered in
on the
field
Of twenty Maxim guns in action
on the 2nd of September, besides those
oil.
mounted on the gunboats, none jammed through
The
aim by
sights of the
;
grit.
guns were hardly ever used to
a more practical method
commended
itself.
The officer would estimate the ajjproximate range,
and open fire a couple of hundred yards short of
Then he would work quickly up to his target,
it.
exactly as if he held a hose, and guided by the dust
which flew up as the stream of bullets struck the
When he had arrived at the bobbing, white
round.
The belt
figures, the lateral movement would begin.
m
<>
on which the cartridges are fixed was hardly ever
changing
were
guns
while
the
breech
of
the
out
pulled
position,
and they were thus enabled
any moment.
To gain
limber boxes, which act
raised,
and
the
that.
open
advantage the
as shields,
fire
at
lids of the
were kept only half
o-unners consequently got less cover
from the enemy's bullets
mind
this
to
;
but, of course, they did not
WAR
THE RIVER
358
Only
artillery
one respect are
in
;
Maxim guns
they cannot shoot so
But
far.
inferior to
this is
only
because they are constructed to take the same am-
munition as the
If a
rifle.
use a heavy
It
gun
to
packed
destination,
with
would acquire the necessary
seems a clumsy arrangement to
slightly increased calibre,
increase of range.
Maxim gun were made
it
send shrapnel bullets to their
an inconvenient shell-envelope
in
which must be opened
at the right time
by a com-
discharged one by one in
when they might be
streams by much lighter and
handier machine gnus.
Perhaps by such a road wr
and
plicated
uncertain
fuse,
might find our way to the true
which
will
refusing in the
a mistake artillery
first
repair the error.
may
It
now being
officers made by
not yet be too late to
14
I have thus briefly alluded to the
effect of all the
arms used
without some feeling of
healing,
quick-firer,
instance to have anything to do
with machine guns!
means
'
never be arrived at on the lines
What
followed.
field
1
of
killing
men
in the Eiver
relief that I
to
the
and rewarding them.
remark perhaps with a
of destruction
is
employment and
War
;
nor
is it
turn from the
methods of feeding,
But the reader
sigh, that while the
will
machinery
carried as near to perfection as our
science will allow, the systems which
are
concerned
14
Of course it must not be forgotten that the convenience in ranging
afforded by the desert sand in the Soudan was a local condition.
This
chapter only aims at recording the impressions produced by the River
War. It does not pretend to embrace all considerations, or to look
military
view.
a local point of
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
359
with the more merciful functions of war scarcely show
the application of so
much energy and
The
talent.
rations issued to the troops, however, were of a very-
excellent quality,
every facility for
now
srenerallv
and the unequalled waterway afforded
a regular and abundant supply. It is
conceded that
on active service
officers
require better food than their soldiers
—because,
firstly,
they are expected to maintain a higher standard of
smartness and zeal; and, secondly, because they are
accustomed to better food in time of peace.
recognised
now
economy to unnethe same conditions as
a very poor
as
cessarily subject the officer to
He
the men.
The
is
a very valuable but delicate creature.
question, like nearly every other question,
of degree, and
it
is
officers exciting the
on
all
is
indignant envy of their soldiers on
officers
breaking
down
occasions through a coarse fare and rigorously
undergoing needless hardships on the other, there
wide space in which sensible people
discretion.
General Gatacre
Indian school
officers
to
—from
this
the
may
—trained
very
is
a
exercise their
in the practical
encouraged
first
his
form good messes, and did not attempt
make them
to
one
evident that between pampered
one hand, and emaciated
the
It is
live
on
their
rations.
The
results of
wise policy were that, while the efficiency of the
brigade was remarkable, no single officer during the
spring campaign died from sickness.
principle
is
Egypt, the
now
But, although the
formally recognised both in India and
officers
of the regiments employed in the
East display far more intelligence in availing themselves
of
it
than did those of the Kile Expeditionary Force
THE RIVER WAR
360
I
do not allude
to the officers serving with the
Egyptian
Like those of the Punjaub Frontier Force, they
army.
have learnt by long experience how to campaign without discomfort.
The
officers of the British
regiments, in spite of
all
the advantages they enjoyed in the matter of transport,
managed indifferently. Man)' ridiculous mistakes were
made. One mess equipped itself with several camelOf course, in two
loads of Eosbach water in bottles.
days all this was consumed, and the camels which might
have carried other urgently needed stores walked
idle
Many regiments who were short of
and unloaded.
brandy and whiskey had large supplies of bottled beer.
On
Luxuries abounded when necessities were absent.
one occasion the
officers of a distinguished
to dine exclusively
was a
surfeit.
regiment had
on preserved peaches, of which there
On another
a captain in charge of a boat-
load of troops found that the box of rations with which
his regimental
mess had provided him contained nothing
but ink and candles.
company could
It will
of
human
On
spare, he
these,
and such rations
had perforce
be apparent that even
action has principles of
to exist for a week.
this small
its
as his
own.
department
First of
all,
regiments going on service should clearly recognise
that they
must use the water of the country
to drink,
and must try and make that water pure, agreeable,
and flavoured by the materials they take with them.
They cannot carry drinks
as
in bulk.
bottled beer, bottled soda-water,
morselessly excluded.
But good
All such things
&c, must be
filters,
re-
a soda-water
machine, whiskey, brandy, and lime-juice will enable
1
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
the water of the country to be
If,
up
instead of loading
in bottles, the
made
361
quite drinkable.
six camels with
distinguished
Eosbach water
regiment had carried a
small
soda-water machine they could have
much
of the Xile into
made
as
soda-water as they wanted, and
would have had besides four camels to carry other
for a soda-water machine of the Indian pattern
things
—
can be easily carried by two camels.
Since the cost of the transport of any commodity to
the
front
value,
is
usually
and since
much
officers
greater than
never
original
so cheaply as
live
on
is
taken should be
money can buy.
Less by weight
active service, whatever tinned food
of the very best that
its
need then be taken, since the nourishing qualities are
Lastly, all messes should endeavour to carry a
greater.
tent.
This was always done in India, even
moved on
the 80-lb. scale
that necessary in the
—a
far
when
more severe
Omdurman campaign.
troops
scale than
In tropical
where the sun draws the life and strength
out of the white man, shelter from the burning rays is a
It is a boon
precious boon at the end of the march.
countries,
which two camels carrying a
fly-tent
can easily confer.
The arrangements for the care of the wounded after
discussed.
been
already
have
Atbara
the
on
action
the
were
which
complaints
numerous
In consequence of the
medical
of
number
the
summer,
made during the
and
increased
largely
was
force
officers with the
accumulated
were
stores
medical
great quantities of
the
precautions
these
of
spite
But in
at the front.
arrangements
at
do not propose
the battle of
to
go
Omdurman were
into details.
The reader
bad.
I
will find
THE EIVER
362
WAR
the grounds of complaint stated moderately, and I do
not think unfairly, in a letter written to the
6
British
Medical Journal' of the 12th of November 1898, by an
anonymous
who appeared
critic,
fully conversant with
The controversial tone of this letter drew
forth an equally bitter and also anonymous repty,
which was published in the same organ on the 24th of
December. The reader who is interested in the question
the facts.
may
thus study both sides.
lack
It is indisputable that
was shown both of forethought and intelligence but
two important facts must not be forgotten the great
difficulties caused by the military situation between 9
and 11 a.m. on the 2nd of September and the patience,
tenderness, and devotion displayed under most vexing
;
—
;
circumstances by the officers of the Royal
Army Medical
Corps.
The
full lists
of commendations
also appended, but I
do not mean
15
and rewards
16
are
to leave the subject
without some examination of the system and methods
by which they
honour
the
air,
The
bestowed.
fountain
when
and
throws abundant waters
it
the
all
There are other
flood.
vigorating-
crowd are bathed
astonishment no
his actions.
less
And
off,
than of those
higli
in
the
into
in-
when a
strikes some
seasons
solitary jet, passing over expectant heads,
obscure individual standing afar
of
There are
of notoriously uncertain flow.
is
occasions
are
to his
own
intense
who have watched
there are also periods, less frequent
when the spout gives forth
not even to those who suck assiduously. Sometimes
many who deserve a drink go thirsty. At others the
the years go by,
—
15
Appendix B.
16
Appendix C.
MILITAEY KEFLECTIOXS
363
waters overflow and run unregarded in the gutters or
by unworthy humbugs. The
no less than its quantity, is
are greedily swallowed
of the
quality
At times a draught
variable.
others
spring,
it is
less stuff,
a priceless elixir
is
men
so dilute that wise
;
at
disdain such taste-
and only the vulgar drink by quarts.
The men who managed the reconquest of the
Soudan were from the very first determined that,
although the ancient Egyptians compelled the Israelites
to make bricks without straw, their descendants should
not persuade British
make war without
memorable morning when
to
officers
Ever since that
Alexandria was bombarded,
medals.
'
two
at a time
the undeviating rule in
Egypt
bution of decorations.
Besides two of
'
has been
in respect of the distri-
Her Majesty's
medals there have been scattered with open-handed
profusion a Khedivial medal, a Khedivial star, and
two vice-regal orders, the Mejidie and the Osmanieh.
So ireneral was the possession of these last-named orders
that a Cairo tailor scarcely thought it necessary to
Egyptian
the
joined
who
officer
young
the
inquire of
he
was
uniform
the
to
add
should
he
whether
army
reached
the
I
When
decorations.'
usual
the
making
'
great
what
see
to
amazed
was
I
Force,
Expeditionary
numbers of
officers
and
soldiers
The
five medals and orders apiece.
soldier,
watching the
adorned so
many
were decked out with
irreverent British
bright-coloured ribbons which
breasts,
was provoked to exclaim:
hearii
schoolboy,
A
peacock
There ooes another
complete
a
had
he
that
remark
some gallant officer
spoke
he
that
imagine
might
set of Egyptians,'
'
!
'
'
—
THE KIVEK WA1{
364
In such universal
of postage-stamps.
who
recalled the stoiy of the bishop
companion
too vociferous
distinction
suggested to his
he should apply his
that
usual adjective to everything and start again.
thing like
Some-
taken place,
apparently
has
this
I
for
if
the subordinate officers are decorated with only live
ribbons apiece, the Generals have
The
which
on
scale
immaterial so that
soldier
who
Sir
a dozen.
bestowed
is
But whereas
a
are
uniform.
has risen to high rank in Egypt
many
embellished with
have been
honours
is
it
at least
in India
is
decorations, one
lucky
if
thus
is
whose services
he have two medals.
William Lockhart has six clasps on his old Frontier
medal, and
many an
officer
or native
soldier
of the
Indian army has made campaign after campaign on the
Frontier or in
Burmah
the India medal a
a country where
only to add on each occasion to
little
full
uniform
is
hardly ever worn.
imagined
should not, however, be
It
army have not
officers
of the Egyptian
show.
That branch of decorative
fully attended to.
hardly ever seen in
silver bar,
that
the
also clasps to
art has
been care-
Not only has the ornamental array
extended across their breasts from east to west, but also
from north to south.
in
Egypt every
almanack, an
same
Every battle deserves a
affair is
official
a
1
I take the
battle.'
publication,
17
to witness.
page the following entries are gravely
August 3.
August 6.
August 18.
August 28.
17
clasp,
Battles of
Worth and
Spicheren, 1870.
Battle of Gravelotte, 1870.
Battle of Kassassin, 1882.
Compiled
in the Intelligence
Branch.
Soudan
On
made
Battle of Toski, 1889.
and
:
the
;
I
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
365
The Khedivial medal which was struck
already acquired a possible seven clasps,
in
1896 has
viz.
Firket
Abu Hamed; Nile, 1897; Atbara; Khartoum;
and Gedaref. No exception will be taken to the last
Eafir;
three clasps
action
given for the
that
others
but I would especially select from the
;
at
Hafir, since
and striking instance of the
affords a convenient
it
dis-
parity between the Indian and Egyptian scales of deco-
The almost bloodless skirmish of the Dongola
ration.
campaign
for the
t
strongly contrasted with the fierce fight
is
Dargai Heights, immortalised by the charge of
Dargai
he Gordon Highlanders.
the
Empire
;
many
am
I
;
famous throughout
people will have heard of Hafir
Hafir
through these pages.
by a clasp
is
no clasp was given
inclined to hold
by
is
commemorated
for Dargai.
the
opinion that in
voluntary army the more medals and decorations
tributed to the rank and
It
ing.
matters
little
if
file,
a
dis-
the better for recruit-
the Egyptian authorities have
been profuse in their distribution of such rewards. It
attempt
is, however, of manifest importance that some
should be
made
uniform scale
all
at
army headquarters
to observe a
over the Queen's dominions.
scrutiny of the practice of late years
believe that this has been done.
it
is
From
a
impossible to
In Egypt,
if
the scale
been large, the decorations have at least been awarded
Indeed, the
with justice as well as with generosity.
lias
ability which
characterises the methods of the Egyptian
ll
War
Office
affairs,
is
displayed in the smallest as in the largest
and stands
in
marked
contrast to the unhandiness
;
THE EIVER ^
366
VI
of the Imperial departments in England or in India.
Within
battle of
weeks of the
five
presented the Khedivial medal to
Cairo
who had
the Sirdar
British troops in
all
Compare
taken part in the campaign.
with the proceedings
this
Khartoum
of our
War
Office.
It
mind
it
its
whether
making
up
was
would give a British medal at all for the Soudan
campaigns. It was for three months exercising its
months
five
upon the pattern of the ribbon and, although
it
has
not
yet
passed,
have
months
twelve
than
more
come to a conclusion about the design of the reverse.
taste
:
Perhaps
solved,
in another year this
and a few months
will begin.
to
The
commence
problem
have been
will
later the striking of the
issue to the troops
in the year
may be
medals
expected
1902 and, under favourable
circumstances, be completed in 1903.
But long before
'
4
Service
the
Short
of
soldiers
the
of
most
happens
that
inlscattered
will
be
Omdurman
at
fought
army that
and wide they will never be able to proudly wear the
of
promotion
the
to
uniform,
Queen's
the
on
medal
recruiting
of
encouragement
the
and
spirit
regimental
for
them
give
to
wished
nation
the
which
gift,
and the
;
;
of
robbed
been
have
will
done,
service
good
and half
its
all its
grace
value.
In Egypt, again, the
sibly confined to those
various actions,
numerous
who were
clasps have been sen-
actually present at the
and the medal ha> only been given to
campaigns.
of
the
hardships
the
of
some
such as shared
followed
have
authorities
Indian
and
Home
But the
It is hard to
their own method or want of method.
of
state
anomalous
more
a
conceive
affairs
than that
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
367
produced by the rules regarding the issue of clasps for
the great Frontier war. Men have four clasps who never
saw anything like an action. Whole regiments have obtained three clasps per
from the
fire
man
without one single
casualtv
CD
J
18
of the enemy.
Others, many times
have received only the general clasp without
which the India medal is never issued, and which is
ed,
given indiscriminately to every medical and commissariat
officer
who
raises
another point which cannot be passed by without
remark.
crossed the Frontier
It
never under
will
fire,
be said that
The
line.
many
do good work on the
last
officers,
line of
sentence
who
are
communi-
and should be rewarded equally
more fortunate comrades at the front. This
cations or at the base,
with their
beyond dispute, but the reward such officer should
receive should be an honest one and no pretence.
is
When
and
the unenlightened see a soldier wearing medals
clasps, they infer that
he
is
his life in military enterprise.
man who
a
has risked
It is possible to serve
the State worthily in other spheres of labour and without
But the value and glamour which
taches to a medal, and still more to a clasp, is due
being shot
at.
the belief that actual peril of
And when
won.
displays
respect
fully
such
under
worthy of
a
man who
insignia,
false
it
he
life
its
to
being
has never been in action
is
pretences,
obtaining the
although he
on other grounds.
to give a medical officer a clasp
18
attended
at-
public
may
It is as
for curing
be
absurd
patients
The most notable instance of this is provided by the Royal Irish
Regiment. Clasps: Punjaub Frontier, 1897 and 1898; Samana; Tirah.
Casualties nil.
THE RIVER WAR
368
at the base hospital, or a transport officer for loading-
mules
on the
lines
places are out of
all
of
communication, when
reach of the enemy, as
it
.
such
would
be to make a jockey an archbishop because he rode a
good
finish.
The longer the spectator watches the play of the
fountain, the less he will trust the virtue of
There
its
waters.
no military distinction that has not been
is
prostituted.
The compliment of being
*
mentioned in
was paid to the entire Staff, including
several officers who were only present with the force
to all the veterinary officers with
for a single week
a most
the expedition to all the wounded officers
unusual practice and to two or three officers in each
despatches
'
;
—
;
;
unit.
The Distinguished Service Order, which
is
a
purely personal reward, has been distributed in recent
campaigns more often
for the
mere
positions than for acts of courage
filling
of certain
and capacity.
One
such Order was given in each British battalion of the
Nile Expeditionary Force, irrespective of
ances or opportunities.
The medal
gallantry in action, which
is
its
perform-
for distinguished
reserved for the Non-com-
missioned ranks, was dealt out in the same indiscriminate
manner.
Six sergeants in the Grenadiers, including the
cook sergeant, were thus decorated simply for going
through the campaign with their regiment, and not fin-
Although there is no doubt that
these men would have done their duty under all circumstances and in the face of every danger, it is
difficult to understand what opportunities for personal
ally
specific
acts.
gallantry were presented to a battalion whose casualties
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
during the campaign amounted to
The climax of absurdity and,
justice
found
is
The
the Atbara
the
at
;
men wounded.
must be added, of
it
in the relative
British infantry brigades.
live
369
in-
treatment of the two
Brigade fought at
1st
endured the long, weary wait through
summer at Darmali was the more sharply engaged
Omdurman, and sustained more than eight times the
;
of the 2nd Brigade.
loss
er share of the
It
very
Yet the 2nd Brigade received
honours
mav be contended
trivial.
I dissent.
that all
Thev
these
matters are
are not so regarded in
But even were they wholly unimportant,
then viewing the lack of capacity and information
the army.
War
displayed
by the
impartial
observer will
Office
be
in
small
powerfully
mistrust their judgment in graver things.
mav
be some who. unable to dispute
the
affairs,
tempted
to
Since there
impute
facts, will
uler that although these
I
militarv distinctions
mav
excite the imagination of the
subaltern of horse, they have no personal interest for
the sober citizen.
more important than the pleasing baubles of
honour is the substantial gift of power. The Egyptian
The
service has been a rapid road to advancement.
ar and his Generals have all been promoted over
Kfcr
•
the heads of very large
won
numbers of
officers
considerable reputations in other lands.
war on the
Nile has been
who have
But the
a Generals' war.
Lord
Kitchener's responsibility has been so great, and his
discharge of
it
so brilliantly successful, that no one
will c*Yil at his preferment.
VOL.
II.
His subordinates of high
r,
r.
THE KIVER
370
AVAL*
rank have displayed remarkable
talents cannot be said
talents.
Yet these
be greater than those of
to
several other General officers
whom
they have super-
None of them during the last three years of
war have commanded a larger detached force than
seded.
the
a brigade.
country's
;
Their
fortune
<>-ood
for all are
men
however,
is,
of high ability, and
their
it
is
good of the State that such should come to
But the number of brevets and promotions
the front.
for the
given to subordinate
army during
I
officers serving
with the Egyptian
the last fifteen years has been enormous.
do not say that these rewards have been undeserved,
but the results will excite
fifteen years'
time
it is
high commands of the
when in
seen how great a number of the
army are filled by officers who
fierce
jealousies
passed their comrades by taking the Egyptian short cut.
Nearly every
officer
who
has served with the Egyptian
army has come back to his regiment with
This book is an appreciation of all
rank.
have achieved.
a corps
increased
that they
But the continued existence of such
<T elite will
lead to very grave
throughout the army.
The
dissatisfaction
British officers
employed
with the Egyptian troops will have in the near future
to be placed
Staff Corps.
on a similar footing
The reproach
to those of the Indian
will then
the service of the Khedive in Egypt
be removed that
is
more
profitable
than the service of the Empress in India or of the
Queen in other parts of her dominions.
The whole principle of selection is brought forward
by what has been written, and I embrace the occasion
The idea of picking
to proclaim my respect for it.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
371
out promising soldiers and pushing them forward into
1
1
i
command must be
1>1 ler
youth, in spite of
judgment
need of having capable
organisations
military
and often
legality
human
the injustices which erring
all
The imperious
produce.
necessarily
will
to the eyes of
attractive
men
head of important
at the
brushes aside
enterprises
or
a great virtue in a
It is
fairness.
Commander-in-Chief that he be impartial. It is a much
greater virtue if he pick good men, so that the military
undertakings of the nation prosper.
undertakings
cost
Nearly
State
all
and are worse done, than
more,
private businesses, exposed to the invigorating breezes
The
of competition.
principle of selection
the very
is
approxican
we
nearer
the
and
commerce,
essence of
officers for
mate the methods of choosing
in
to those followed
more
efficient the
Two
command
high
a great commercial business, the
army
will
become.
considerations
of
the
am
here
application
the
limit
principle of selection to State departments.
I
concerned onlv with the army.
In business the power
men
deeply interested in the
of choosinoresults
is
vested in
of their judgment.
If the
head of a firm en-
probably
he
agent,
stupid
a
to
trust important affairs
loses
monev.
right
man
is
The
sinceritv of his effort to pick the
therefore assured.
But
in the
army no
selecting
the
stimulates
kind
personal interest of this
do
to
try
generally
men
most
and although
officers
:
opinions.
their
bias
or
ht, many impulses restrain
worthiest
the
perhaps
and
Of all these the commonest
is
expressed by the
all.
it
is
maxim
natural that
an
'
Live and
officer
let live.'
After
should indulge his
b b
:
WAR
THE RIVER
372
generous feeling at the public expense.
So-and-so
Thus
he says
!
'
the
public
4
very hard to turn him out.'
it's
;
service
under
lies
from which private enterprises are
businesses
as
'Poor old
disadvantages
free
for in
;
'poor old So-and-so' has to go
anyone appears who can
his place
fill
all
as soon
better
or
cheaper.
I
do
advocate a merciless and
not
Men
selection.
impersonal
are not machines, and no one
worse for the indulgence of human
complement of a system of
selection
But the
feelings.
is
the
is
a second system
whereby the choosers can be made responsible
their choices
he
:
so that if a General appoint
himself, just as the
suffers
employs a stupid commercial
these
two systems are
merchant
traveller.
co-existent,
bad men,
suffers
who
Provided that
no good
At present both
afraid of selection.
for
man
will
be
are imperfectly
carried out.
The second
principle of
cipline,
is
more obvious.
respect for
If the
were rigorously followed,
selection
without which no army can
destroyed.
sede.
restriction
exist,
dis-
would be
The clever subaltern would show but scanty
the stupid major whom he was soon to super-
It is not therefore impossible that the present
imperfect arrangement
is,
after
all,
a haphazard
of arriving at a very nice and delicate
method
mean which men
could not discover by a more elaborate or more regular
calculation.
Although the present system of selection should not
by any means be condemned, the profession of arms
disappoints nearly
all
who pursue
it.
The observation
O — •>
6t o
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
mav seem
Tlie soldiers roving
strange.
with manly pleasures and
"allant existence in the
life
devoid of squalor
open
lilled
is
a fine
:
During the precious
air.
years of youth few and small are the cares of the
subaltern,
The
ments.
lies
many and
delightful his friends
journey there
at
the end of the
But the
most magnificent palaces.
rise
—
away hardly appreThe officer grown older per-
bright years of promise soon slip
till
The road
greatest prizes await success.
through a smiling country, and
ciated
and amuse-
they are gone.
ceives in disagreeable surprise that others, the equal
companions of former days, have travelled along less
The
pleasant roads and stand far ahead of him.
surrounding scene
is
The green
changed.
of
fields
and hope have given place to the sterile
wastes of monotonous routine. The day draws to a
close, and it becomes certain that the palaces, that still
enterprise
and splendid on the distant horizon,
rise fair
will
not
be reached before the night.
Opportunity comes to few.
not seek, as in other professions,
to
compel fortune.
time.
comes
And even
men may
by tremendous enerm
<
All must wait, often for years
the lucky few, to
of perhaps
may have
In the army
commanding
their only
a
whom
t
s
the chance
brigade
in
war,
opportunity ruined in an hour
bv the malice of a superior or the
folly of
a sub-
ordinate.
in
all
is
successes
to
failures
of
proportion
The
in
the
but
pheres of
less readilv recognise their
own
the
work
to
to
able
not
are
because they
infe
full limit
of
THE RIVER
374
their talents
and energy.
for all their efforts
;
WAR
There
is
not enough scope
and when the}
r
see
themselves
outpaced they refuse to recognise the justice of their
defeat.
The claims of long
charge
of duty,
suffering
Caesar's
service, of punctilious dis-
perhaps of perils encountered and
borne, are
nephew,
passionately urged.
Nor can Lepidus be expected
Antony's rejoinder
admit the force of
to
him
is
my
horse, Octavius
store of provender.
;
and
for that
19
0
And
soldier."
:
So
I do appoint
and valiant
a tried
'he's
'But,' says
ft
so
it
happens that while
morning, the afternoon
is
all
smiles in the early
grey and cheerless
;
and
nearly every military officer leaves the army, to which
he has given whatever he had to give of youth and
by disappointment and
strength, soured
by a sense of
injustice
—usually
often irritated
mistaken, but some-
times true.
The greater part of 'The Eiver War' is an account of
the deeds of one man, and it is very natural that this
chapter should end with some reference to the commander who broke the Dervish power and reconquered
have traced the
the Soudan.
I
adventurous
life,
earlier events of his
and have described
in detail,
and
1
hope without prejudice, the victorious campaigns on
which
who
his reputation rests.
It is
not possible for one
writes after the wild plaudits of the
crowd have
ceased to echo, and the panegyrics of the Press are
become pulp again
19
in the
paper mills or have lighted
Julius Ccesar, Act
iv.
Scene
1.
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
tlie fires
375
and lined the portmanteaus of a bustling age,
to soberly endorse the thoughtless eulogies of ignorant
enthusiasm.
To do
ting criticism
is
is
man, discrimina-
justice to a great
necessary.
Gush, however quenching,
always insipid.
The
and actions of the war afforded
battles
opportunity for tactical
of 0,000 disciplined
the Atbara, the
skill.
little
Firket was the advance
troops against 2,500 Dervishes;
march of an overwhelming
force into
Omdurman was
the position of a demoralised enemy.
mainly the mechanical scattering of death by well-
armed men on the defensive upon badly armed men
Yet, small as were the opportunities for
in the open.
error,
each of these actions presents doubtful features.
At Firket numbers of the Arabs escaped, owing to the
Column was not allowed to operate
At the Atbara the
decisively upon the line of retreat.
tactics seriously discounted the power of modern
fact that the
Desert
weapons, and the tumultuous advance certainly caused
an unnecessary
ture
left
loss
of
life.
At Omdurman the prema-
wheel compromised the safety of the rearmost
brigade, and exposed the Transport and hospitals to a
terrible danger.
To appreciate
is
the achievements of the General
necessary to study the war in
Kitchener's campaigns
remarkable
in
regularity and
the
latter
its
on the Xile
military history for
for
strategic aspect.
will
as
yet
always be
their machine-like
their extraordinary
respect they are
it
economy.
In
without parallel.
Never has so large a country been conquered and so
powerful an enemy destroyed by civilised troops at such
•
THE RIVER AVAR
376
a small cost in money.
result has
this
Some
of the methods
by which
been attained would scarcely excite the
But the Sirdar was
admiration of a wealthy people.
Until the hist campaign he
the Khedive's General.
had
only the slender resources of a country groaning under
an oppressive debt to depend upon.
He may have
been hard and stingy, but not otherwise could Egypt
have recovered her
lost provinces.
possible to explain, but
It is
it
is
condemn, the strategy of the war.
not possible to
In every instance
the General placed on the field of battle an overwhelming, well-fed, thoroughly
equipped army, in a suitable
On
position for encountering the enemy.
sion
the
enemy were
every occa-
practically destroyed.
On no
when the mornThe chances
antagonists.
occasion was the whole result in doubt,
ing of the action revealed the
of battle were reduced to a 'negligible fraction.
is
no higher strategy than
Soudan
differs
There
The reconquest of the
this.
from most British wars
in its later stages,
became an act of calculated and deliberate
policy, and not a hurried, unavoidable conflict breaking
out unexpectedly and against the wishes of the Government. It was a war of the same character as that
in that
it
1870 and meditated again
After everv advantage has, however, been
which Bismarck waged
in
1878.
admitted, the
will
in
methodical conduct of the operations
always excite the admiration of military
In nearly
three years of
went wrong.
war
What prouder
specialists.
nothing of any consequence
boast could a General .make
than this plain statement of fact
?
But whoever examines the strategy of Kitchener's
;
MILITARY
campaigns
will find
many
ki;fli:<
tions
377
other qualities displayed than
and business-like foresight. The
comprehensive grasp of the whole conditions of Soudan
breadth and strength of
war
determined
The
expert.
of
the
limitations
the
transcend
tho>e of calculation
confidence with which at the precise and logical mo-
ment Hunters column was hurled upon Abu
the
of
more
still
all.
Hamed
(hiring capture of Berber; and, greatest
the construction of the Desert Railway, brighten
the account
with flashes of real genius.
caiiied
the
into
originality
solemn
Kitchener
department of strategy an
and personal force
for
which few
soldiers
have found scope even among the vivid scenes of the
actual battle.
It is
a thankless duty to expose the reverse of the
But the meanest historian owes something to
medal.
truth.
His wonderful industry, hi- undisturbed patience,
his noble perseverance, are qualities
a
man
too valuable for
to enjoy in this imperfect world without
plementary defects.
The General who never spared
himself, cared little for others.
machines
— from
com-
He
treated
all
men
like
the private soldiers whose salutes he
disdained, to the superior officers he rigidly controlled.
The comrade who had served with him and under him
for many years in peace and peril was flung aside
The
incontinently as soon as he ceased to be of use.
Sirdar looked onlv to the soldiers
light.
who
The wounded Egyptian, and
could march and
latterly the
British soldier, did not excite his interest,
wounded
and of
all
the
departments of his army the one neglected was that
concerned with the care of the sick and injured.
The
THE KIVKU WAI!
378
lamentable episode of the Mahdi's Toml)
l>een noticed.
The
lias
already
stern and tmpi tying spirit of
the
commander was communicated to his troops, and the
victories which marked the progress of the River
War
were
by
accompanied
acts
of barbarity
not
always justified even by the harsh customs of savage
and treacherous nature of the
conflicts or the lierce
Dervish.
Yet,
when
the whole
has been
dispassionately re-
corded, a great and splendid figure remains.
had endured and
countrymen were able
lie
all
he had
For
accomplished
his
to bestow a fitting reward.
enthusiasm with which
all
all
Queen
classes of the
The
s
sub-
welcomed him home may not have stirred his
unemotional temperament. The Grand Cross of he
Bath may distinguish the unknown, but it is un-
jects
t
necessary to the famous.
its
consequent money grant,
An
English
is
however a
of high honour, but substantial power.
more than £100,000, which
tion of
Peerage, with
gift,
not only
The
subscrip-
his personal
in-
fluence collected from the nation for the furtherance
of a favourite scheme, was
gratitude and admiration.
a sincere pledge of
And
lastly,
although
its
it
is
given to few great soldiers to rule the lands they have
conquered, Lord Kitchener
Soudan.
this
While he
story ceases
future
may
is
is
Governor-General of the
in the exercise of that great office
to follow his fortunes.
contain
idle to inquire.
is
What
the
Whether the
General will shine as an administrator, whether he has
more
victories to
will gradually
win
show.
—
perhaps in other regions -time
For the present we may
rejoice
MILITARY REFLECTIONS
370
good fortune, which has enabled him to accomplish, while still comparatively a young man, a task that
him
free
to
leaves
and
lifetime,
filled
a
well
have
might
in his
devote to the further service of the State his remarkable
talents— talents which will never be fettered by
fear,
and not very often by sympathy.
—
THE RIVER WAR
380
CHAPTER XXVI AND LAST
A GENERAL VIEW
War— Firket — Dongola — Abu Hamed — Atbara
Omclurman — Gedaref — Eosaires — The cost — A financial statement
Summary
the
of
The purchase
camel The
— Keproductive
expenditure — The
Lion's
share
— The
— The palm-tree — Egypt's
reason — England's reason — French influence — Nominal causes
Avenging Gordon' — Cant and humbug — Dervish
Abdullahi's claim— The justice of the war — Condition of the
must be
natural
remedy — What
Soudan —Depopulation — The
— Missioavoided — Legal complications — Necessity for British
naries — The Khartoum College — The company promoter — The small
trader — Feeling in Egypt — Irrigation — Two small reforms— Greater
schemes — The Blue Nile barrage — A perennial supply — Egypt's needs
— The White Nile — The great swamp — Leakage— Strange dreams
— Railways — Cape to Cairo — Extension to Abu Haraz — The emthe present — The great Administrator — The end.
barrassments
—
1
Special
Reserve
Fund
'
6
civilisation
officers
of
On
the 12th of March, 189G, the Sirdar received in-
structions
frontier,
make
a
demonstration on the Haifa
and within
a
few days these orders were
to
extended to the reconquest of the Donuola province.
On
the 28th
Akasha was occupied by a brigade under
Colonel MacDon aid and the reconstruction of the railway
The operations were not disturbed by
commenced.
some unsatisfactory
end of
in the
May
fighting
around Suakin.
sufficient supplies
advanced base to make
of the railway
made
it
it
By
the
had been accumulated
possible
desirable
—
— as the growth
to dislodge the
Der-
A GENERAL VIEW
vishes from their position at Firket.
381
The operation was
was performed with suddenOn the night of the 7th of June the Sirdar
prepared with secrecy
ness.
it
;
matched with three brigades towards the Dervish
camp. The enemy were surprised at dawn. With
the loss of a hundred soldiers the Arabs were routed
commander, the Emir Hammuda,
was slain, and the town was taken.
The advance was now delayed by the progress of
or destroyed;
their
and the accumulation of supplies. In
of floods, pestilence, and contrary winds, all
railway
the
spite
preparations were
The
flotilla
completed
when
was dragged up the
advanced along the bank.
the
river
rose.
The army
cataracts.
The Dervishes, unable
withstand the overwhelming forces of
Govern-
the
ment, crossed to the western side of the Nile.
the 19th of September the gunboats, passing the
threatened
batteries,
Wad
valiant
host
by
their
line
On
Arab
and
of retreat,
to
the
Bishara was glad to save himself and his
Swiftly transporting his
flight.
the river, the Sirdar followed.
army
At Dongola
the
across
enemy
again refused an unequal combat, and fled in disorder
The whole province was regained
into the deserts.
Egypt garrisons were established in the principal
towns; and civil order was restored under the
for
;
Governorship of General Hunter.
A
The
long pause
British
in
the active operations
Government,
determined to advance
of
the
route
to
alternatives the
to
encouraged
Khartoum.
be followed
Sirdar
selected
arose.
followed.
by
success,
The question
From
the line from
several
Wad)
THE RIVER WAR
382
Haifa to
A
Abu Hamed.
railway was immediately
begun under the direction of Lieutenant Girouard
across the desert between those places, thus cutting
the
great bend
of the
off
The work continued
river.
through the summer, and meanwhile the bulk of the
Egyptian army remained in Dongola.
By
the end of
July the further progress of the railway was arrested by
its
approach to the Dervish force
During the
week
first
Hunter, marching
Abu Hamed.
August, therefore, General
in
witli a
in
brigade along the Xlle bank
from Merawi in the Dongola province, captured the
village at the point of the bayonet with a loss of two
British officers
and some seventy
The panic
soldiers.
of the Dervishes and their desertion bv the riverain
tribes
encouraged the boldest
tactics.
Berber was
and communication was opened between the
The railway readied Abu Hamed,
Xile and Suakin.
.seized,
and by the end of the year was being extended southwards,
h
Meanwhile the
Khalifa,
unable
to
prevent
the
advance, was resolved to compass the destruction of
the expedition.
man and
sent
He assembled
20,000 under
50,000
men
Mahmud
OmdurMetemma.
at
to
Doubts and dissensions, however, disturbed his councils.
In October the Dervishes at Metemma were reconnoitred
#
and bombarded by the gunboats.
quiet on the
Upper
all
remained
Xile, the Sirdar hastened to Kassala
and concerned himself with
Italians,
As
its
retrocession
by the
lieturning to the Xile, he learned that the
Khalifa was determined to advance and retake Berber.
He
telegraphed for a British brigade and concentrated
A GENERAL VIEW
available troops
all
to
meet the
383
attack.
Jealousies
and rivalry again hampered the enemy. Their adMeanwhile the reinforcements
vance was delayed.
arrived.
Although the Khalifa would not advance himself, he
During Febsent his lieutenant on a desperate errand.
ruary the patrolling gunboats observed that Mahmud
bank
the
the
east
of
to
his
army
with
crossing
was
In March the Dervish Emir
river.
towards the entrenched
at the confluence
moved northwards
camp which bad been formed
of the Nile witli the Atbara.
The
and Egyptian forces concentrated at Kunur.
Conscious that they could not hope to prevail by a direct
British
assault, the
Dervishes
moved eastward
to
Xakheila,
on the Atbara river, with the design of turning the
Sirdars flank and striking at Berber. The advance of
the troops
up the Atbara prevented the enemy's plan
scarcity of food delayed their retreat.
reconnaissance
the
British
General
;
After repeated
determined
to
Marching with four brigades of infantry, nine
the
during
Abadar,
from
guns
thirty
and
squadrons,
attack.
-
attacked
Sirdar
the
April
]898,
of
7th
the
of
enemy
at
daybreak on Good Friday.
A
brief artillery
and
advance;
general
a
by
followed
was
preparation
the British and Kirvptian infantry, although sustaining
a loss of nearly six
hundred men, carried the stockades
with
a
Dervishes
the
routed
and
and entrenchments,
summer
into
went
then
The
armv
slaughter.
horrid
quarters.
for
arrangements
with
occupied
was
The hotter season
rw.
again
should
river
the
a final advance when
THE RIVER
384
WAR
powerful
vessels.
three
by
strengthened
was
The
the
arrival
of
by
increased
was
contingent
The British
regiment,
and
two
cavalry
a
brigade,
infantry
a second
flotilla
The whole Egyptian army, with
Suakin
and
at
garrisons
small
the
of
exception
the
four
cavalry
and
one
forming
collected,
Kassala, was
batteries of artillery.
artillery
or
of
batteries
eight
and
brigades
infantry
with
men,
armed
thousand
Twentv-five
Maxim suns.
invented,
machinery
yet
military
powerful
the most
war.
the
of
resumption
the
eagerness
awaited with
The Dervishes remained massed at Omdurman.
ha
ing
enemy
the
of
policy
or
The neglect
v
left
un-
Cataract,
Shabluka
the
of
position
strong
the
guarded
Wad
his
force
at
concentrate
to
able
the Sirdar was
Hamed,
turn
than sixty miles from Khartoum, and to
less
the
last
On
opposition.
Force began
its
considerable natural barrier
the 23rd of
final
without
August the Expeditionary
advance along the west bank.
it
with
watching
themselves
contented
Dervishes
The
whose
action
horsemen,
was
of
bands
small
with
checked by
1st
the British
and Egyptian cavalry.
On
the
of
the
reached
plains
troops
the
September
of
the
discovered
reconnoitring
cavalry
Kerreri, and the
drawn
strong,
up
50,000
than
more
Dervish army,
outside
Omdurman.
and,
while
river
the
on
himself
backed
The Sirdar
attack
of
the
awaited
city,
the
bombarded
the flotilla
desperate
with
delivered
was
It
the enemy.
trea
repulsed
bloodily
by
and
2nd,
the
at dawn on
Britisli
The
musketry.
and
artillery
mendous fire of
on
advance
immediate
an
ordered
General
A GENERAL VIEW
The Arabs,
undefeated,
still
385
attacked
again
with
greater determination, and were beaten off with greater
loss.
The
Amid
was won.
battle
the thunder of sixty
guns and the wild whirl of a cavalry charge the Dervish
domination
fell
in
irretrievable
thousand warriors were slain
were wounded
six
;
Nine
ruin.
even greater numbers
;
thousand prisoners were captured
;
The city was taken. The Khalifa
unhappily escaped, and with a disheartened following
took refuge in Kordofan. The victory was cheaply
the remainder fled.
won
at a loss of five
hundred
soldiers.
Soudan were
reoccupied in the name of the Government, and the
remaining Dervish forces dispersed. Marching from
Kassala, when the news of the success on the Nile was
The
territories
received, Colonel
of
the
Egyptian
Parsons attacked the Dervishes in
Gedaref, and after a lierce fight defeated them and took
the town.
Here he was
Ahmed Fedil,
On the arrival
a
in
turn vainly
from
column
of a relieving
o
the besiegers withdrew, and the
of the Blue and
by
with a strong force.
notable Emir,
join the Khalifa in Kordofan.
assailed
Omdurman
#
Emir endeavoured
to
The navigable reaches
White Niles were, however,
patrolled
by gunboats, and garrisons had been established at
While engaged in crossing the
all important points.
Blue Nile near
the
Eosaires
Cataract,
Ahmed
Fedil
inbut
small
a
with
Lewis
was attacked by Colonel
vincible force, and in a brilliant action was heavily
defeated.
His followers, fleeing to the White Nile,
The Khalifa still maintains himself in
Kordofan, but he has become a nuisance rather than a
surrendered.
VOL.
II.
c c
:
:
:
THE RIVER WAR
386
The Eastern Soudan, and the whole of the
vast regions drained or watered by the Blue and White
danger.
Xiles
and
have been brought under
their tributaries,
the joint rule of Great Britain and Egypt.
summary
This brief
displays
arises:
such advantages obtained?
At what
skilful
results.
cost
were
The leader must judge
men
for himself of the loss in
once the
and their great
conduct of the operations
The question immediately
at
;
yet while he deplores
the deaths of brave officers and soldiers, and no less
the appalling destruction of the valiant Arabs, he should
remember
and
that such slaughter
that, if the
war be
is
inseparable from war
in
economy of the campaigns cannot be
than by the following table
—
cannot
justified, the loss of life
But I write of the cost
be accused.
I.
XL
m.
Railway
Telegraph
Gunboats
money, and the
better displayed
IV.
1
Military
Total
expenditure
i
£E
£E*
Dongola campaign
Around Snakin
£E
£E
£E
.
Firket
Hafir
181,8511
8,299
699.521
13,526
65,869 '469,622
725,641
526.601
1.328,713
Dongola
Subsequent military
operations
Abu Hamed
Berber
Atbara
Omdurman
r
89,065
Gedaref
Rosaires
.
Khartoum
railway
extension
•
.
1
300,000
300,000
i
i
Total
£E
1,181,372
21,825
154,934
• £E1 = U. 0t.6d.
;
996,223
2,354,354
A GENERAL VIEW
For something
less
than two and a half millions
sterling active military operations
for nearly three years,
from
its
base
387
have been carried on
involving the employment
— far
—of an army of 25,000 disciplined troops,
including an expensive British contingent of 8,000 men,
and ending in the utter defeat of an enemy whose
armed
forces
numbered
upwards of 80,000
of the war
at the beginning
soldiers,
and the reconquest and
re-
occupation of a territory measuring sixteen hundred
miles
from north to south and twelve hundred from
west,
1
which
at
one
time
east
to
least
twenty millions of inhabitants.
all.
Of the
be
total
accounted as
supported
at
But this is not
£E2,354,354 only £E996,223 can
For the remilitary expenditure.
maining ££1,3-58,131 Egypt possesses 500 miles of
railway, 900 miles of telegraph, and a flotilla of
The railway will not indeed pay a great
return upon the capital invested, but it will immediately
The
pay something, and may ultimately pay much.
steamers.
telegraph
is
as
necessary as the railway to the de-
velopement of the country
the
Egyptian system
is
;
it
costs far less, and,
connected with
the
when
South
be a sure source of revenue. Lastly,
any
have
cannot
reader
The
gunboats.
there are the
African,
it
will
war.
the
during
vessels
these
of
value
the
doubts as to
Never was money
Now
better spent on military plant.
disgunboats
the
over,
are
operations
that the river
although
and
steamers;
ordinary
of
duties
charge the
and
goods
for
machines
expensive
they are, of course,
passenger
1
traffic,
they are by no means
Lieut-Colonel Stewart's Report
:
Egypt, No.
inefficient,
11, 1883.
c c 2
THE RIVER
388
The movement of the
WAR
troops, their
the
pay,
extra
supplies at the end of a long line of communications, the
ammunition, the loss by wear and tear of uniforms and
accoutrements, the correspondence,
rewards,
the
cost together less than a million sterling
;
and
all
for that
Egypt has recovered the Soudan.
million
The whole «£E2,35 4,354 had, however, to be paid
during the campaigns. Towards this sum Great Britain
advanced, as has been related, eight hundred thousand
and this was subsequently converted into a
as a loan
if t
The cost to the British taxpayer of the recovery
;
<>
.
and part acquisition of the Soudan, of the military
and of the indulgence of the sentiment known
has therefore been
the avenging of Gordon
prestige,
as
'
'
£800,000
;
and
it
may be
stated in all seriousness that
English history does not record any instance of so
more cheaply obof the money has been provided by
great a national satisfaction being
The
tained.
Egypt
;
and
rest
this strange country,
the camel, on which so
much
seeming to resemble
of her wealth depends, has,
in default of the usual sources of supply,
some
fifth
drawn upon
for nourishment, and, to the per-
stomach
plexity even of those best acquainted with her amazing
financial constitution, has stood the strain.
'The extraordinary expenditure
in connection with
Soudan campaign,' wrote Mr. J. L. Gorst, the
Financial Adviser to the Khedive in his Note of De2
has been charged to the Special
cember 20, 1898,
the
4
Eeserve Fund.
-
No.
At
the
present
moment
Note by the Financial Adviser on the Budget
3,
1899.
of
this
1899
:
fund
Egypt,
A GENERAL VIEW
shows a
deficit of ,£E33(>,000,
389
and there are outstand-
ing charges on account of the expedition amounting to
£E330,000, making a
4
On
total deficit of
£E666,000.
when
made up, by a sum of
the other hand, the fund will be increased,
the accounts of the year are
£E382,000, being the balance of the share of the
Government
in the surplus of 1898, after deduction of
the excess administrative expenditure in that year, and
by a sum of £E90,000, being part of the proceeds of
be £E194,000; and
deficit will, therefore,
1899
if
as prosperous as the present year,
is
The net
of the Khedivial postal steamers.
the sale
hoped that the
deficit will
disappear
when
the year
may
it
be
the accounts
of 1899 are closed.'
The long story now approaches its conclusion. The
Kiver War is over. The battles have been fought.
The cost in men and money is paid, and the flags of
England and Egypt wave unchallenged over the valley
of the Nile.
A great, though perhaps academic, question remains:
Was
the
war
If the
he cannot
justified
by wisdom and by right?
reader will look
fail to
at a
be struck by
map
its
resemblance to a palm-
At the top the green and
tree.
of the Nile system,
area of the
fertile
The
the Nile makes a
Delta spreads like the graceful leaves and foliage.
stem
vast
is
perhaps
bend
Khartoum
a little
in flowing
twisted, for
through the deserts.
the likeness
is
South of
again perfect, and the roots
of the tree begin to stretch deeply into the Soudan.
can
imagine no better illustration of
the
I
intimate
and sympathetic connection between Egypt and the
*
THE
390
WAR
IYER
The water
southern provinces.
—
II
— the
life
of the Delta
drawn from the Soudan, and passes along the
channel of the Nile, as the sap passes up the stem of the
The benefit
tree, to produce a fine crop of fruit above.
is
Egypt is obvious but Egypt does not benefit alone.
The advantages of the connection are mutual for if
the Soudan is thus naturally and geographically an
integral part of Egypt, Egypt is no less essential to the
Of what use would the
developement of the Soudan
roots and the rich soil be, if the stem were severed, by
to
;
;
which alone
the upper
their vital essence
find expression in
air.
Here, then,
is
To
Kiver War.
nitely
may
a plain and honest reason for the
unite territories that could not indefi-
have continued divided
whose future welfare
is
;
to
inseparably intermingled; to
collect energies which, concentrated,
common
interest
prove apart
;
to join together
— these are
combine peoples
may promote
a
what could not im-
the objects which, history will
pronounce, have justified the enterprise.
The advantage of Great
to those
as
with
who
Britain
is
no
clear
less
believe that our connection with Egypt,
India,
is
in
itself
a
source
of
strength.
The grasp of England upon Egypt has been strengthened twofold by the events of the war. The joint action
and ownership of the two countries in the basin of
the Upper Xile form an additional bond between
The command of the vital river is an irreThe influence of France over the
sistible weapon.
native mind in Egypt has been completely destroyed
and
by the result of the Fashoda negotiations
them.
;
:
A GENERAL VIEW
although she
in
retains
still
and obstruct
391
power
the legal
all financial
to
meddle
arrangements, that power,
unsupported by real influence,
is
like a
body whence
which may indeed be an offensive
encumbrance, but must ultimately decompose and
the soul has fled,
crumble into dust.
following extract
native gentleman.
is
3
Egypt
taken from a
The
letter
which I have received from a
should be stated that he is a supporter of
British occupation, but quite unconnected with the Government
It
the-
'The Opposition party, which calls itself the National Party, is
principally composed of men whose dislike to the British occupation is
based solely on the fact that the occupying Power is not a Moslem Power.
The members of this party have always shown great partiality for FranceIn every instance where France has opposed the work of England in
Egypt they have openly shown their sympathy with France, and wished
her
that
all
it
success in her opposition, although they
was
knew
in
in direct conflict with the interests of Egypt.
many
instances
They, moreover,
often referred with joy to France's intention to occupy the valley of the
and thus compel England to abandon the idea of taking
possession of the whole Nile valley. "When they heard that Marchand
and his party had reached Fashoda, they hoped the time had come when
France would rid them of the occupying Power. The most influential
native papers on the Opposition side laid great stress on this point, and
openly discussed the programme to be followed in Egypt once England
had been compelled to evacuate the country. When England insisted
that France must leave Fashoda as a preliminary to any discussion they
were jubilant, and their joy was scarcely restrained when they saw that
preparations for war were being made on both sides. There are many
reasons for believing that the leaders of the Opposition party were well
informed of the designs of France long before Marchand reached Fashoda,
and they were convinced that France would rather fight than retire before
England. But when it became apparent that France would not fight,
and that as a matter of fact she had given way to England, they were
From one extreme they now went to the
terribly disappointed.
other, and attacked France more violently than they had ever attacked
England. With the withdrawal from Fashoda, indeed, the influence
of France among the native population of Egypt entirely disappeared.
Egyptians no longer look to France for help they are disposed rather
When French influence
to oppose than to further French interests.
up
gave
leaders
its
and
vanished,
also
party
Opposition
disappeared, the
Upper
Nile,
;
the struggle.'
THE EIVER WAli
392
But, apart from any connection with Egypt, Britain
has gained a vast territory which, although
easy to exaggerate
its
value,
is
it
would be
nevertheless coveted
by
The policy of acquiring
every Great Power in Europe.
which has been pursued deliberately
large waterways,
or unconsciously by British statesmen for three centuries,
has been carried one step further
valley
of
;
and
in the
England may develope a trade
the Kile
.which, passing up and
down
the river and
its
com-
plement the railway, shall exchange the manufactures
of the Temperate Zone for the products of the Tropic
of Cancer, exchange the cloth of Lancashire and the
cutlerv of Sheffield for the wheat of Sennar and the
feathers
wind
to drive civilisation
and
the
stream
commerce
It
shall use the north
and ivory of Kordofan,
of
the
and prosperity
Nile
to
bear
to the south
wealth
and
to the sea.
usually happens, however, that the nominal and
the real causes of great disputes are totally different.
The popular war-cry and the true explanation of the
One is loud, tumultuous, and on
quarrel are distinct.
The other often lies, deep and subtle,
the surface.
beneath
the
history
of
many
A
years.
brilliant
modern writer has shown that the wars of England
and France in the
last three centuries
incidents
of a
imperial
supremacy.
opinion of those
erreat
struggle
That
for
commercial
certainly
who fought them.
causes presented themselves.
were only the
was
not
and the
soldiers
who
the
All sorts of other
Other watchwords,
perhaps forgotten, were used by the statesmen
•ordered
and
performed.
now
who
The sudden
A GENERAL VIEW
squabble of the
moment absorbed
The
their attention.
long antagonism of a hundred years was overlooked or
unperceived.
In a similar
way
recent events in the Soudan have
been defended and explained on grounds which history,
it
is
to be hoped, will ignore.
war was waged
said that the
First of
to
all, it
has been
avenge General Gordon.
In trying to describe the scenes and emotions of the
campaigns
have alluded
I
of vengeance.
event
But the
decided.
is
— not
tale
has
lightly
it
is
The
and of
told.
reflection
time to have done with such
General Gordon was killed in
talk.
to this idea
now been
The period of
review has begun, and
—
fair
war.
It is
commander he
As such his person was
true that to his character as a military
that
joined
sa<
of an envoy.
red to his countrymen.
just to expect the wild
stand
of the
army
it
would be most un-
Arabs of the desert to under-
They recognised
this.
But
in
Gordon only the leader
of the 'Turks,' and, being victorious, killed
But even had they
appreciated the position of an envoy, even had they
deliberately killed him in cold blood or by treachery,
him
the heat of the assault.
in
have paid would have been sufficient.
A short ride over the field of Omdurman must satisfy
the most unrelenting. Eevenge may be a good inspirathe penalty they
tion
for
soldiers
incentive to which
nor
is
it
a
in
action.
It
is
not,
however, an
Gordon would often have appealed,
dignified
emotion for a great people to
display.
Another reason has been given.
the
Anglo-Egyptian
army invaded
We
the
are told that
Soudan
to
THE RIVER AVAR
394
punish the wickedness of
its
habit of the boa constrictor to besmear the
victim with
It is the
inhabitants.
body of
devours
a foul slime before he
it
his
and
;
many people in England, and perhaps elsewhere, who seem to be unable to contemplate military
there are
operations for clear political objects, unless they can
cajole themselves into the belief that their
utterly
and hopelessly
To
vile.
this
enemy
are
end the Dervishes,
from the Mahdi and the Khalifa downwards, have been
loaded with every variety of abuse and charged with
all
conceivable crimes.
This
home
to philanthropic persons at
in the field
enemy
;
be very comforting
but when an army
becomes imbued with the idea that the
are vermin
barbarity
may
who cumber
may very
easily
measured condemnation
is
the earth, instances of
be the outcome.
This un-
moreover as unjust as
it
is
The Dervishes were not
the abandoned savages they had long been declared.
They possessed a drilled and disciplined army, an
organised Government, a mint, a powder factory, and
dangerous and unnecessary.
courts of law.
It is true that these institutions
The
The Government was a
not so well ordered as in civilised
army was
easily
defeated.
were
countries.
The mint issued debased coins.
The factor}* made bad powder. The law-courts were
But the fact that these thin capricious and corrupt.
existed shows that the Arabs of the Soudan were not
cruel
despotism.
wholly irreclaimable,
and they may under
happier
circumstances and with tolerant guidance develope into
a virtuous and law-abiding commnnitv.
The abuse which has been dispersed
generally
A GENEIIAL VIEW
among
395
the Dervishes has foeussed itself on the Khalifa,
Abdullahi.
It has,
stated that his rule
among
other
was odious
things,
been freely
to his subjects,
and we
are told that the British and Egyptian armies entered
Omdurman
from his yoke.
to free the people
were rescuers more unwelcome..
advanced upon the zeriba on the
who
.Never
The thousands that
2nd of September, or
stood unflinching against the cavalry charge, were
not pressed men.
They fought
which
for a cause to
they were devoted, and for a ruler in whose reign they
acquiesced.
I
do not pretend that the Khalifa was a
beyond dispute that
every form of cruelty.
good or merciful sovereign.
It is
was a man who delighted
The love of low cunning
in
lie
deprives his authority of
all
which
his
reveal
acts
dignity and himself of the
sympathy of the conquerors. But he must be judged
by other codes than ours and so judged, he need not
;
whom
comparison with several potentates with
fear
Government has not scrupled to establish
His house exhibited
intimate and cordial relations.
the Imperial
several siirns of cleanliness and refinement.
He
did
not even in the crash of his authority massacre his
and when found, they did not look
prisoners,
The loyalty of a large
tionably
displayed
considered
theirs.
He
a
fair
has
in
treated according
—
section of his people
him
gives
ruler
— unques-
some claims
to
be
according to his light and
no wise
to the
ill-fed.
forfeited his right to
customs of war, and
if
be
he
be happily taken prisoner, an honourable confinement
is
what
I
justice should accord.
have recorded a mild protest against the vindictive
—
THE RIVER WAR
396
and implacable
with which the Dervishes are
spirit
But the wisdom of the
generally admitted, and there will be few
regarded, in certain quarters.
war
is
who
will
deny
its
justice.
It is
hypocritical to say
was waged to chastise the wickedness of the
It is wrong to declare that it was fought
Dervishes.
The quarrel was clear.
to avenge General Gordon.
that
it
men had invaded
Certain savage
tories,
had
killed their inhabitants
the Egyptian terri-
and
their guardians,
In due
and had possessed themselves of the land.
became convenient, as well as desirable, to
expel these intruders and reoccupy these territories.
The Khedive enjoys his own again by proxy. The
course
it
—
They
should they not perish by
Dervishes are slain or scattered.
sword.
rifle ?
Why
A state
rable to those
of society which, even
whom
civilised nations
it
by the
lived
the magazine
if it
were
tole-
comprised, was an annoyance to
has been swept away.
The Khalifa
power is for ever
and the philshattered his followers are dispersed
anthropist need have no doubts that what happened in
the Soudan in 1898 was for the good of the world,
And what of the Soudan
of England, and of Egypt,
is
gone
6
bag and baggage
'
;
his
;
;
itself?
The long fever and the violent
The hideous growth of Mahdism
them, has been cut out,
utterly exhausted.
W
paroxysms
#fllf
:
;
are over.
had produced
and the land lies prostrate and
that
Sixty years of merciless oppression,
sixteen years of fierce
convulsion, have reduced the
once teeming population of the Upper Xile valley by
more than seventy-five per cent.
Wide
regions
ft
are
A GENERAL VIEW
397
Great tracts have passed out of cultivaThe villages have fallen back into the sand.
depopulated.
tion.
The date-palms have been cut down. The she-camels
The water-wheels and scoops have been
are dead.
destroyed.
4
Xearly
preponderance
vast
practice,
if
tunity
females
for wives, there
an
has
lowered
else
all
destruction.
to
euphemism,
official
4
'a
the
Where
now
is
The
perished.
oppoi
The balance of the
concubines.
for
has followed
quote
of
men have
not the conception, of morality.
was room
there
the
all
species
There
to
is,'
dearth
great
of
population.'
Yet the
That
it
first
may
need of the Soudan
pay,
be developed,
it
it
is
human
must be developed.
The
That
may
it
At present
must have men.
are very few left alive.
labour.
there
by the banks of
the Nile produces twice a year an abundant crop of
doura.
On
rich soil
this the survivors
can comfortably
Naturally they will choose the most
with
little
it
is
All this
former days
may
and
be very pleasant for
not likely to promote
depended upon
is
to
develope-
be
utterly
in
slave
trade
and
natives.
The
first
stamped out.
Xo
the
upon the forced labour of the
broken, and
the
The wealth of the Soudan
ment of the country.
is
fertile spots,
labour will draw their nourishment from the
generous earth.
them, but
exist.
extensive application of the second
is
likely or desi-
rable.
There used formerly to be 3,000 sahias (water-scoops) between the
Atbara and Khartoum. I was informed, on the occasion of my recent
I doubt if there are so
visit, that there are now not more than seventy
many.' Lord Cromer's Report Egypt, No. 3, 1899.
;
—
:
THE
398
WAR
IMVK1!
The destruction of a great part of a population lias
always been productive of ease and material comfort
who
to those
Competition
remain.
The men
arrive at a period of arrest.
few, and they possess
—
at present
In the eternal course of
these deficiencies.
must be given
is
life
removed, and we
in the
Soudan are
—no incentive
to
work.
Nature will repair both
The Soudan must have
for the natives to increase
Time
rest.
and multiply.
J.
«
Gradually, under favourable conditions, this will take
The population
place.
At
Nile.
will
will rise, like the waters of the
only the loAvest or most
first
be covered
;
but, as
fertile tracts
the volume of the waters
spreads, the inundation will increase, and
by decrees
the higher or poorer ground will be submerged.
sure of competition will force, and the
wants of
The
civilisation will
land which
is
more numerous
encourage the native to labour.
less fertile tracts will
last all the
Pres-
come
into cultivation.
At
neither desert nor marsh will
be covered with a smiling crop.
Then
Soudan
the
and the revenue
—
will begin to yield
put back into the
soil
a
revenue,
— will increase
the wealth and improve the condition of the people.
In time,
if
the evolution
and
intelligence will
less
degraded
is
not interrupted, their type
advance
;
their ideals will
become
«
—
;
their morality
more pure
;
their scale
—
hopes and happiness larger. And if the
reader inquire to what end the negroes should labour
why they should not remain
that they may improve
of
life
its
;
contented,
made
if
degraded; and wherefore they should be
to toil to better things
confess I cannot answer him.
up
If,
so painful a road, I
however, he prove
A GEXEKAL VIEW
that there
is
399
no such obligation he
have made
will
out a very good case for universal suicide.
But I have been looking
course of evolution
is
The
far into the future.
so clear and simple that the
mind is carried on bej'ond the days that we shall
The present is
see, and we forget our own short span.
our care. The action of Nature may be assisted by
favourable circumstances, and perhaps in a generation
Then, and not until
the waste of war will be repaired.
then, will the real developement of the country
progress of
is
its
In the meanwhile
people begin.
our business to
<>ive
(ft
the
and the
it
the favourable
natives
circumstances necessary to the repopulation of the
country.
Our policy must be mainly negative, and there are
more acts to be avoided than performed. The Soudan,
tortured for so
many
years, appeals to
and peace. This is the
within our power to give it.
for rest
is
civilised
conquerors
essential,
and
is
strife
it
The strong hand of
government can prevent the warring of
with tribe, and the
Nothing
first
its
tribe
of clashes or of individuals.
of such consequence as this
;
but there are
other disturbing elements that must be excluded.
There
is
scarcely any greater evil that can
come
upon a community than a system of government wholly
unsuited to their wants and their ideas, which has been
imposed from without, and which they cannot underthe
sword,
the
of
justice
rough-and-ready
The
stand.
hardly
would
barter
of
practice
the
and
trial by fire,
disturb our modern
life
so
much
legalities of civilisation perplex
as the complicated
and alarm the savage.
THE UIVEK WAi:
400
The wisest provisions of law and equity often produce
In India, where the people are
the queerest results.
of a
much
higher type than in the Soudan, the
so priceless to
a European people
—of
elaborate civil code and of numerous
been totally misapplied.
to obtain justice, they
gift
a just and
law-courts has
Where they should have gone
go
to obtain excitement; and
the litigious fever, not less strong than the irambliim-
mania among some Europeans, confounds the legislators.
The most rational expedients operate in a maimer exactly contrary to
European
Wishing
anticipation.
to
reduce the mortality from snake-bite, and hoping to
the species, the Indian
extirpate
reward
Government
farming becomes an extensive industry
as easy as
it is
a
Forthwith cobra-
of cobras.
for the skins
offer
It
.
would be
superfluous to multiply these instances.
One disturbing factor that must be excluded from
the Soudan is a complicated and unsuitable system
The people understand
of government and equity.
brute force, and
legality
they understand personality;
and precedent are beyond them.
few years, while the country
is still
For the
but
first
disturbed, the per-
sonal rule of selected military officers
is
the best that
t
can be devised.
The proposal
will,
no doubt, excite
certain quarters a contemptuous sneer.
in
The horrors
of martial tyranny, of rights ignored, of conquered
races trampled to the ground, will be painted vividly.
Sensible
rubbish.
soberly reject
people will
It is
true that
a proportion of officer >
in
known
as
British regiments firmly adhere to
'
the
damned nigger
'
pernicious
this
theory.
what
But
this
is
idea
nearly
A GENERAL VIEW
401
always disappears as soon as they conceive their honour
to he
wrapped up
natives under
The strong sympathy
their control.
between the British
regiments, which
India,
behaviour or condition of the
in the
no
is
may have
and
officers
less
their soldiers in native
apparent in Egypt than in
received some examples in this book.
4
Besides, I write of
selected officers
;
'
and from the great
number of gallant gentlemen which our country produces
it
will
be easy to find those few whose talents for adminis-
tration are suited to the occasion.
sible to find
natives,
win
men who would
their confidence
It will
devote themselves to the
and
affection, settle their
disputes, develope their industries,
and punish the
it
will
be
them
to
go
for a
Btone to something else.
make
what does
this involve
life
men
exist,
to the Soudan.
It is
year or two, as a stepping-
They must be prepared
?
It
their
means
everything that
sacrifice of nearly
sport,
them
Soudan the scene of
the
reward the virtuous,
But, although the
guilty.
difficult to attract
useless for
not be impos-
many
for
desirable
is
And
work.
life's
to
years the
— comfort,
companionship, probably health, and possibly
not likely that such
It is
itself.
tained to do such
sary to bid for
work
them
for nothing.
in the
men
be ob-
will
be neces-
It will
High pay,
open market.
high honours, extensive powers, and great responsibility
— these
are the inducements that
draw the
best.
questions
Soudan
It
enterprise.
VOL.
II.
if
offered to
the best can be found,
all
other
connected with the administration of the
will
is
But
must be
be carried much nearer to their settlement.
difficult
to
write
sourly
The motives which
about
inspire
it
missionary
are high and
D
J)
THE 1UYER
402
The men who go
holy.
AY All
forth to preach
Gospel
the
The
are prepared for the utmost stroke of fortune.
religion that
no
Ion ire r seeks proselytes
i
*
undesirable
patient
is
in
the
soon to be
•
1
The missionary
forgotten.
is
nevertheless at present
is
When
Soudan.
exhausted
the
sleeping quietly, and the chance of recovery
grows, even the priest must be content to wait outside
Lord Kitchener foresaw, that
the door.
of
Omdurman
there would
be
an
after the fall
outburst
of
phil-
anthropic emotion.
All the sentiment aroused by
name
the horror excited
of Gordon,
all
slaughter of the final battle, must
bv the
find
—
terrible
their outlet.
There would be an almost passionate desire
the people thus desperately defeated
tlie
help
to
to repair their
way.
injuries, to lift their hopes, to point the better
It
was necessarv to divert this enthusiasm into a secular
That has been the first function of the
channel.
Khartoum College. I pause for a moment to examine
this celebrated institution.
The subscription of more than £120,000, raised in so
short a time, proves at once the wealth and generosity of
Viewed in
the nation, and its delight at the victory.
the light of past experience,
scheme with unmixed
it is
difficult to
Education has not
satisfaction.
been altogether a blessing in India.
custom
The
is,
applicable.
Neither
however, that the word College
*
It suggests
higher education.
education presupposes lower education
danese have no education.
Lord Kitchener
is. it
our
subject races the English language.
to teach
truth
regard the
s
institution
The
will
first
;
'
is
scarcely
Xow higher
and the Sou-
aspect in which
present itself
is
that
A GENERAL VIEW
403
of a small primary school where a certain
little
Arab boys will be taught
As
speak English.
Soudan improves,
admit, into a
to read
and
of
and
to
write,
time passes, and the condition of the
this
may
be expanded,
if
the funds
more technical course, and the
caught sullen' students
may
4
new-
learn simple engineering
connected with irrigation and agriculture.
in the
number
Those who,
enthusiasm of the hour, gave their money must
not expose themselves to a disappointment
that the
Khartoum College
influence
is
by expecting
going to exert a powerful
on the future of the Soudan or
accelerate the process of developement.
insignificant factor.
greatly
to
Hut the sentiment does not
and the Gordon College may remain
the famous envoy, as a
monument
as a
be an
It will
perish,
memorial of
of victory, and as an
earnest expression of the warm-hearted philanthropy of
our times.
Among
the elements of unrest
which should be
Soudan bv the wisdom of its
administrators, the colossal speculator must not be for*
The country is too poor to pay dividends yet.
gotten.
excluded
Xo
from
the
return on capital invested in the Xile valley can be
expected for at least twenty years; and
it
is
to
Lord
Cromer's lasting credit that, in spite of the glittering
promises of syndicates and financiers
— schemes of great
developement companies backed by many millions of
money he has steadfastly excluded any scheme by
—
which the wealth of England should be drawn to the
Soudan by
false
allow the natives,
to
hopes and on
who have
false pretences,
or to
already suffered so much,
be exploited for the benefit of the Stock Exchange.
D D 2
;
THE RIVER WAR
404
What
and the
discussed,
briefly
been
has
avoided
should be
Xo
done?
be
can
What
question arises:
heroic remedies can be considered.
We
have reached
improvement.
gradual
and
expedients
a period of small
of
means
not
by
Egypt—
from
come
Some wealth will
'
watered
prospectuses
glowing
with
companies
inthe
from
but
quotations—
stock, and palpitating
4
trader.
the
of
bond-fide
enterprise
dividual
When
was decided
it
to
reconquer the Soudan, the
majority
the
by
gratification
with
news was received
those
who
especially
by
and
Egypt,
of
of the people
only
The
provinces.
lost
the
with
traded
had formerly
time
the
at
urge
could
party
Opposition
the
objection
of
the
share
England's
be
would
Soudan
was that the
emptyout
come
would
Egypt
that
and
conquest,
has
been
agreement
formal
that
a
now
But
handed.
equal
an
is
Egypt
that
understood
made, and it is
Soudan with England, the people of
terrireconquered
the
from
deal
great
Egypt expect a
attitude
expectant
an
in
present
at
are
They
tory.
partner in the
and although the
money
military
operations have
diverted
and
in
Egypt,
required
were
that
reforms
from
yet
progress,
general
the
retarded
somewhat
thus
Soudan
the
that
glad
whole
the
on
are
the Egyptians
has been regained.
Further, patriotic Egyptians are
deeply gratified at the
courage and discipline shown
work
the
to
allude
now
They
army.
by the Egyptian
years
few
whereas
a
pleasure,
with
army
of the
ago
owing
stained
to the defeats the
the
conversation.
army was a
Egyptian troops had
topic
to
be avoided
in
A GENERAL VIEW
-405
The consequence of these emotions
desire among the natives of Egypt to
is
a distinct
some
invest
money in the Soudan. As soon as
the close of the war was foreseen, many Egyptian
operations.
trading
to
commence
prepared
merchants
Thev sent south as much merchandise as the railway
would take, and made contracts with representatives
proportion of their
possessing special knowledge to visit the country and
Small companies
conduct business on their behalf.
were formed by natives and residents to buy produce
for
exchange
it
to
and
Xiles,
White
and
Blue
the
on
ooods that would be
in
demand
in the
Other
Soudan.
land
in
in
capital
invest
to
up
sprang
native companies
said
even
It
is
purposes.
agricultural
for
the Soudan
by some who
are acquainted with the feeling
the
that
fact
the
of
spite
in
peasantry,
the
dislikes
change and
is
the Delta, that a large
among
Egyptian
strongly attached to the soil of
of the fellah in would
number
Soudan
the
to
emigrate
prepared
to
be
if
native capital
were employed there.
All this feelinonecessity
for
was
keeping
the
country closed until the
form
some
of
and
order
establishment of comparative
hope
to
reason
is
there
But
of organised government.
that its
reappearance and growth
in
the future will
wholesome
of
supply
steady
provide the Soudan with a
nourishment.
After
the
Soudanese
have
given
been
peace,
water.
Sir
requisite
important
most
next
their
5
suggests
Soudan,
the
on
William Garstin, in his report
is
*
Egypt, No.
5,
1899.
THE 1MYER
406
AVAL'
two simple and immediate expedients by which
may be
this
Firstly, the natives
partially supplied.
want
must be
helped to rebuild their water-wheels and water-scoops,
and may be encouraged
to set
up pumping machinery.
The Government might
safelv
advance small sums of
money
for these purposes,
certain crop
and the
which must follow the union of the water
soil.
Secondly, the wells in the Ghezira are
few and far between.
frequently
on the good security of the
run dry
Since they are shallow, they
As they
summer.
in
lined with masonry, they often
fall in
during the
Either contingency brings severe >u Hi ring
who depend on
are
not
rains.
upon the
The sinking of cheap
masonry wells near the principal villages would be a
great boon to the natives, and must be one of the first
people
them.
duties of the Administration.
I cannot refrain from touching on the tremendous
schemes of irrigation which
take the Blue Nile
first.
the future.
lie in
This river flows through the
most valuable part of the Soudan.
William Garstin,
•
is
Blue Nile closely resembles the
districts of India.
'
may produce
There
is.
a
the basin of the
finest
wheat-producing
however, one serious
rainfall.
Sir
differ-
That she
William Garstin pro-
scheme: 'The eastern half of the Ghezira
and certain portions of the area lying
river
writes Sir
vast crops of wheat this deficiency must
be supplied by irrigation.
pounds
soil,'
soil
The Soudan has no winter
ence.
The
everywhere of the richest descrip-
Indeed, in climate and in
tion.'
Let us
might without
difficulty
to the east of the
be irrigated by means of
canals taking off above a barrage constructed on the
A GENERAL VIEW
Blue Xile at some suitable
Sennar.'
site
407
between Posaires and
6
This would
insure
a
winter supply
plentiful
and a consequent abundant winter crop of
If a summer supply were provided, the crop
wheat.
water,
But a
would be doubled.
more
To provide
serious matter.
of a simple barrage
summer supply
necessary.
is
it,
is
a
far
a reservoir instead
Instead of catching
the superabundance of flood-time, the actual flow of
would be affected. The mind flies back
Twelve hundred miles away the Egyptian
to Egypt.
would
Soudanese
that
the
the
water
for
gasps
peasant
the river
intercept.
Soudan.
Xot
To
for
has Egypt
this
conquered
protect herself from this
the
the hands
at
Power was indeed one of the first
recognised
clearly
that
be
must
It
the
war.
of
reasons
prior
right
to
the
has
Egypt
populated
densely
civilised,
of some European
'
There must,' says Sir William
distinct
understanding between the
the waters of the Xile.
Garstin, 'be
a
that
Soudan
the
and
Egypt
of
Governments
tion
schemes of any magnitude projected
all
irriga-
for the latter
Public
of
Minister
the
to
referred
be
should
country
In
execution.
into
put
being
before
Cairo
Works in
ill
questions regarding the river
it
is
imperative that
the
and
that
together,
work
should
the two countries
tribut
and
its
Xile
the
watered
by
entire area
otherwise
whole
great
one
as
should be considered
;
find herself in a precisely similar
Egypt might one day
Power
unfriendly
an
were
result
situation as might
7
Nile.'
Upper
the
and
Soudan
holding the
6
Sir William Garstin's Report
:
Egypt, No.
5,
1899.
7
Ibid.
THE RIVER WAR
408
the
to
irrigation
perennial
giving
Xo scheme for
ed
of
Blue Nile basin bv means
many
into effect for
years; but the provision of an
efficient winter supply must be the
first
great enter-
prise of civilisation in the Soudan.
The
me
case of the
White Nile
is
wholly
again quote Sir William Garstin
'It
impossible
is
:
imagine a greater
to
Let
different.
contrast
the
between
existing
that
than
rivers
two
between
down
with
rushes
former
The
Xiles.
White
and
Blue
banks,
high
between
velocity
high
and
a heavy slope
with a comparatively narrow and
certain
seasons
is
it
deep section;
almost dry, and at others
at
it
is
and
turbid,
clear
alternately
are
waters
bank-full;
bends.
and
curves
sharp
marked
by
is
and its course
its
The latter flows sluggishly along, with a Low velocity
and slope; its course is generally straight, and its
and
low,
very
are
banks
its
shallow;
and
wide
section
its
supply very constant;
of
water show very
its
year,
and
low supply
On
by
the
the colour
and limpidity
change throughout
little
tin
the variation between the levels of high arid
very
is
White
reservoir,
is
small.'
8
Nile irrigation, alike
by reason of the
impossible.
It is difficult to
the water.
The water
characteristics.
desolate and
The
dreary.
is
flat
slope
almost
accumulate or distribute
possesses no fertilising
itself
soil
by barrage or
poor,
and the country
Yet, although the White Nile
which
through
lands
the
to
nothing
promise
seems to
it flows, it is the basis of all the future developement8
Sir William Garstin's Report
:
Egypt, No.
5,
1899.
A GENERAL VIEW
409
Egypt could never have
of irrigation in the Soudan.
bv the Blue Nile alone. Hut tor the steady
supplv of water which the White Nile brings from the
o-n-at lakes, the Nile north of Khartoum would become.
existed
like the
Atbara, alternately a channel of stagnant pools
and a furious torrent.
Now
it
appears that a terrible proportion of the
precious water of the White Nile
through which
Garstin'8 report.
it
flows.
I
is
lost in the
marshes
Sir
William
revert
In the great
to
swamp
district,
which
river
the
square,
degree
one
than
not
less
is certainly
loses itself in a wilderness of weeds and rushes, the
*
rank growth of which
is
fostered
by the
tropical rainfall
and the intense dam]) heat which prevails in this region.
Through these reeds and marshes wander winding
channels of low slope and irregular section; the best
known of these are the Bahr-el-Jebel and the Bahr-el«
7
Zaraf, but there are probably
many
other smaller ones
Throughout
swamps.
the
in
themselves
which lose
spilt,
so
to
water
of
mass
great
the
area
immense
this
speak, from the overflow of the
Upper
Nile, is slowly
but steadily moving to the north through the marshes
The
country.
the
of
slope
the
following
and weeds,
shallowness of the depression, and the vast surface
which it covers, render it, under the hot equatorial
sun,
an immense e vapor ating basin.
Except
in the
main channels, the greater quantity of the water, which
would otherwise flow to the north, is evaporated and
The aquatic plants which cover the surface, far
lost.
increase
water,
the
of
consumption
from reducing the
respire.
and
,
absorb
they
which
it bv the amount
.
.
!
THE RIVER AVAR
410
If
an increase in the supply
to
is
he obtained, the
lost
by
river should be formed artificially into a river again
regulating
its
section
its
tills
lost
velocity and
spilling over into the different side channels
marshes, and confining
If
its
This can only be done by preventing
discharge.
from
and augmenting
its
volume
to
it
and
one main artery.
be possible, the immense mass of water annually
by evaporation and other causes
to the north in a single stream,
will flow steadily
and the summer supply
1
amount thus gained.
How great is the amount of water which might
be gained ? Sir William Garstin makes complicated
calculations.
He measures the volume of the river at
Gondokoro before it reaches the marshes. He measures
its volume at Khartoum after they are passed.
He
of Egypt be increased by the
finds a
this
tremendous leakage has taken place.
He checks
by estimating the swamp area and multiplying by
the rate of evaporation per square mile.
Finally, he
arrives at the conclusion that the loss cannot be less
than half the present volume of the whole mean summer
discharge at Assuan
Now
the argument steps forward
:
If the leakage
on the White Xile can be stopped, there
will
be so
much more water for Egypt that she will be able to
spare as much as may be wanted for the perennial irrigation of the Blue Xile basin and have plenty for herself
besides.
Can
appeals for
for the
4
it
be wondered that Sir William Garstin
the most serious study of this question
?
;
appointment to the Soudan of a special Irriga-
tion Officer; for experiments
and investigations?
The
ingenious Mr. Willcocks has, indeed, alreadv suggested
V
GKXKKAL
MEW
41]
the planting of willows on each side of the channel and
stopping the leakage by their interlacing roots.
proposals
the-e
all
Above
all,
there
is
all.
to establish
must be exhaustively examined.
The course
no hurry.
steadily, deliberately,
But
and prudently,
to be
clear.
is
pursued
First of
law and order in the Soudan; then to
borrow* money, with the help of Egypt, on easy terms
and subsidiary canals to
for the building of a barrage
provide for the winter irrigation of the
1
Hue Nile basin
;
with the increase of wealth which shall graduallv accrue
from this investment, and aided by the growing resources
EffVDt, to stop the leakage of the
White
Nile.
The
of water thus obtained by Egypt will render
to provide for the
Blue Nile basin
;
;
irrigation of the
the increase of wealth resulting from
the increase of water
capital
summer
it
may
enable Egypt to assist with
and these gigantic enterprises may
in their turn
prove but the preliminaries of even mightier schemes,
until at last nearly every drop of water which drains into
the whole valley of the Nile, preserved from evapora-
and amicably divided
and the Nile itself, ll owing for
tion or discharge, shall be equally
among
the river-peoples
—
three thousand miles through smiling countries, shall
perish gloriously
and never reach the
sea.
Railways must progress equally with
None
<>f
the ureat eiurineerinsr works that have been
The reader
outlined can be executed without them.
is
irrigation.
familiar with the I>e>ert Railway
;
and
its
extension,
bevond the Atbara river and the Shabluka Cataract to
Khartoum, links Cairo to Kashoda. at
vear. bv an unbroken chain of
rail
and
all
seasons of the
river.
How
soon
THE RIVER AVAR
412
will
be possible to connect
this great
line of coni-
£ systems of South Africa
a question which concerns experts.
It is sufficient for
plain people to perceive that such a junction
When
which owes
the railway
earnest enthusiasm of Mr.
its
— the
next four years
the
certain.
extension to the
Khodes readies the
Cecil
southern shore of Lake Tanganyika
within
is
— an event expected
final
result will be
nearly attained, and no great interval will elapse before
Dark Continent is slashed from end to end with an
uninterrupted highway for steam traffic.
the
But
this
scheme, although
it
must exert a powerful
upon the educated mind, has no immediate
The most important
connection with the Soudan.
fascination
railway project in that sphere
which
si
1
all
is
undoubtedly a
connect the Eed Sea and the
line
Blue Nile,
and tap that region which, enriched by the winter
become one of the great granaries of
the world.
It would not at present be fair to Egypt
to divert the trade of the Soudan from the Nile A'alley
irrigation, will
to the
Eed
The Egyptians have
Sea.
as a people
made
great sacrifices to reconquer the Soudan, and they have
need of
nising
all
this,
Lord Cromer,
that they have won.
connection
placed the
has
of
recoff-
Gedaref
with Khartoum as an enterprise to be undertaken
before any attempt
is
made
to join Gedaref to
the
coast.
'It
will
report for
be
desirable,'
1809,
fi
as
soon
he
wrote
as
Khartoum to make arrangements
\bu Haraz, with a view to its
the
in
his
railway
annual
reaches
for its extension to
ultimately reaching
A GENERAL VIEW
Gedaref.'
reached
0
It is anticipated that
in 1900.
mav
Abu Haraz
4
1 venture to think that for the
programme
sufficient.'
is
10
The remark
from the dreams of the future
recall us
be
will
Beyond that the Administrator does
not care to look.
present this
413
to the
embarrassments of the present.
Whatever may be its ultimate fortune, it is certain
that the Soudan must for many years be a heavy
Sir William
charge upon the Egyptian revenues.
If,
howGarstin writes with chilling moderation:
or even two
the waterever, in a generation
t
«
|
4
—
—
supply of Egypt can be permanently increased by the
removal of the sudd and by the control of the waters
Vpper
of the
Xile
;
moreover, the
if,
tracts
fertile
adjoining the Blue Xile can be turned into a large
wheat-producing area;
these
two
results
warrant the expenditure incurred
faced
own
Egypt
scarcely inviting.
1><
weak from her
still
misfortunes, and needing a long period of recupe-
ration at the waters of Philse
to
—
co
11
meanwhile the prospect which must
the
is
in
have cause
will
regret the reconqnest of the Soudan."
In
fully
money and
in
and neither England nor Egypt
Efe,
will
make great exertions
resources
strained
are
—has
been called upon
Her
to help the Soudan.
the utmost.
to
she
Until
is
strengthened by the acquisition of the Assuan reservoir
her
difficulties
condition
is
lamentablv
impend.
In
the
t
annual instalment for the
due.
9
That
is
Egypt, No.
year
1904
Dam
Great
to say, before she derives
3,
1899.
Worse
weak.
10
Ibid.
'
:
the
first
become
will
any advantage
Egypt, No.
5,
1899.
THE RIVER AVAR
414
from the Irrigation Works, and while still burdened
with the Soudan deficit of nearly £400,000 a year,
be called upon to pay £160,000 a year for
the Reservoirs. It must also be remembered that under
the oppressive financial restrictions Egypt is compelled
Egypt
will
by taxation one pound for the service of the debt
every pound she spends in excess of the authorised
to raise
for
expenditure
and as
;
this latter
fixed limit, an additional
charge exceeds
the
burden of £320,000 must
be imposed upon the struggling people of the Delta.
Four years of
difficulty will
of actual crisis
;
be followed bv two years
and those able men whose reputations
Egypt regard the near
But they are united in
future with keen anxietv.
their opinion of the course to be pursued. To persevere
and trust Cromer' is the watchword of the Englishare involved in the fortunes of
t
4
i
man
in
Egypt.
Few men
are indispensable; yet
7.
it
is
accepted as axiomatic, that everything depends upon the
With time
great Administrator.
— and a
— that
first essential
of
Cromer will, if
his life be spared, overcome the difficulties and crises
of the next six years as he has surmounted those of
Then the worst will be over. The
the past fifteen.
Soudan
the
fat.
The
lean years will be followed bv
v
all
Egyptian
politics
free hand,
%J
will cost less
and
less
;
the Reservoirs will pay
more and
more; and Egypt, invigorated and triumphant, will
step forward on the path of progress and prosperity,
by the hand the provinces reconquered
River War.
leading
in the
A GEXEltAL VIEAV
Mograt
VBU
HAMED
MAP OF
THE NILE
Dakhesh
fniheish
from
ABU EVMED
AbuDis
TO
SHABLUKA
Statute Miles
I
L
1
o
10
Shercik
B
gora
•
-
_
liO
50
40
—r
Ltinab
'irctcc
20
10
!
Xhnsheyo
/
'
1
5^CatarcLGt'
'
Gene in e ttx.
1
>'adia^1
s
,
hi
ERBER
DaheiKoL
elinv (EsseRern)
Darn
Atbara Fo
Kiinur
Hudi
elHvudi
^AbaAar
d. Darner
a
UntdbaJbixL
MvUj-uSiaNakJieiUL
oELHtUfi
*
(pJJiah
n
\
1
a r
Magyrw,
a»
braik.
JlfShjebaliycLl.
AdaramSL
Khalli
METEMMA
SHENDI
r\
\
/
'
^
D
F
0
1
N
A
L
s
1
1
Cedar act
vPShabluka
M\
E
R
0
E
\\\\
1
L Son, 32 Fleet
SL,
London.
APPENDICES
-
VOL.
11.
E
APPENDIX A
STAFF
THE SUAKIN FIELD FORCE,
1890
INDIAN CONTINGENT AT SUAKIN,
1896
DONGOLA EXPEDITIONARY FORCE,
NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE,
KORDOFAN FIELD FORCE,
1899
INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT
RAILWAY DEPARTMENT
SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT
1898
1898
.
THE RIVER WAR
420
SUA TON FIELD FORCE, 18%
Lloyd,
Commanding
Lieut.-Col.
D.S.O.
Chief Staff Officer
Captain T. Souter
Captain S. F. Judge, D.S.O.
Brigade Major
.
Intelli-
Staff Officer,
G.
E.
S. Staff.
Regt.
Captain M. A. C. B. Fenwick
Black Watch
Shropshire Light
Infantry
R. Sussex Regt.
Captain H. N. Dunn
Major H. M. Sidney
R.A.M.C.
D.C.L.L
gence
Principal Med.
Commanding
Column
)fficer
I
Tokar
1
INDIAN CONTINGENT AT SUAKIN,
Commanding
Dep.
.
Col. Brig.-Gen.) C. C. Egerton, C.B.. D.S.O.
Major E. A. Travers
I.S.C
Captain A. Bower
Major E. de Brett
Captain G. L. Steele
I.S.C
I.S.C
I.S.C
<
Assistant
Adj.
1896
I.S.(
and Qrmr. Gen.
Intelligence Dept.
] brigade Major
Transport
Brigade
.
Officer
Commissariat
Chief
Major
C. R. A.
Bond
LS.<
Officer
Assistant
Commis
Lieutenant
J.
H. Dickson
.
I.S.C
sariat Officer
Field Engineer
Asst. Field Engineer
Asst. Field Engineer
Grant
Lieutenant A. G. Bremner
Lieutenant A. Gardiner
Major
.
S.
.
R.E
R.E
R.E
DONGOLA EXPEDITIONARY FORCE,
1896
Headquarters Staff
Sirdar,
Commanding
Expeditionary
Force
Aide-de-Camp
Aide-de-Camp
.
.
Brev.-Col. (temp. Maj.-Gen.)
Sir H. H. Kitchener,
K.CM.G.
Captain J. K. Watson
Lieut. Lord E. H. Cecil
R.E.
C.B.,
.
K.R.R.C.
Grenadier Grde
-.
APPENDIX A
42]
DONGOLA EXPEDITIONAKY FORCE,
Headquarters Staff
— continued
Brev.-Col. H. M. L. Bundle,
C.M.G., D.S.O.
Adjutant General
-
(Chief of the Staff)
Adjutant
Assistant
Major
Martyr
C. G.
Lieut. G. F. Gorringe
Deputy -Assistant
(Hon. Capt.) Qrmr.
Lieut.-Col.
R.E.
W. H.
A.S.C«
W.
F. D. Coch-
h.p.
rane
Communications
Medical
Surg.-Lieut.-Col.
A.M.S.
J
T.
Gallwey, M.D.
Officer
Principal
D.C.L.I
Drage
Adjutant-Gen. (B)
Commanding Lines
Principal
R.A.
.
General
Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant-Gen. (A)
of
1896— continued
Vet.-Capt. G. R. Griffith
Veterinary
A.V.D.
Surgeon
Divisional Staff
Commanding
Brev.-Col. A. Hunter, D.S.O.
Infantry Division
Asst. Adjutant-Gen.
Dep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Capt. T. E. Hickman, D.S.O.
Captain H. G. Fitton, p.s.c.
Lieut. J. H. G. Lord Ath
.
Staff Officer
R. Lane. Regt.
Wore. Regiment
R. Berks Regt.
Coldstream Gds.
I
LUMNEY
Officer
Captain W. F. Kincaid
Commdg., R.E
R.E.
Brigade Staff
Commanding
Major D.
1st
Lewis
Cheshire Regt.
.Major H. A.
MacDonald
Royal Fusileers
Brev.- Major
D.S.O.
J.
F.
Brigade
Commanding 2nd
Brigade
Commanding 3rd
Brigade
Commanding 4th
Brigade
Brigade Major, 1st
Brigade
Brigade Major, 2nd
Brigade
Brigade Major, 3rd
Brigade
Brigade Major, 4th
Brigade
G.
Maxwell,
Brev.-Major E. F. David
i
Black Watch
R.M.L.I.
.
Captain F. G. Nason
Scottish Rifles
Captain B. R. Mitford
E. Surrey Regt.
Captain H. T. Godden
!
j
Captain
S. F.
Bedfordsh. Regt
.
Shropshire L.I.
Judge, D.S.O.
I
THE RIVER
422
WAR
NILE EXPEDITIONAEY FOKCE,
1897-8
Headquarters Staff
Sirdar,
Commanding
Major-Gen. Sir Herbert
H.
Kitchener,
K.C.B.,
K.C.M.G.
Expeditiony. Force
R.E.
•
Aide -de -Camp
.
Aide-de-Camp
.
K.Watson, D.S.O.
Brevet-Major Lord E. H.
.
Cecil
Lieut.
Hon.
Aide-de-Camp
Captain
J.
F.
H.
I
S.
K.R.R.C.
Grenadier Grds.
K.R.R.C.
Roberts
Captain W. E. O'Leary, p.s.c.
Second Lieut. W. E. Bailey
Major-Gen. H. M. L. Bundle,
Financial Secretary
Staff Officer
Adj. -Gen., Chief
of
andCommdg.
Lines of Communi-
C.M.G., D.S.O.
Staff,
cation
Assistant
Brevet-Lieut.-Col. G.
Hackett Pain
Major A. E. Sandbach
Adj utant-
General
Adjutant-
Assistant
R. Irish Rifles
E. Lane. Regt
R.A.
General
Deputy- Assistant
Adjutant-Gen. (A)
Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant-Gen. (B)
W.
Lieut. G. F.
Gorringe,
D.S.O.
Captain C. E. G. Blunt
Lieut.-Col. T. J. Gallwey,
M.D., C.B.
Principal Vet. Surgeon Vet. -Captain G. R. Griffith, D.S.O.
Principal Med. Officer
Wore. Regiment
R.E.
R.E.
A.S.C.
R.A.M.C.
I
A.V.D.
Divisional Staffs (British Division)
Commanding
British
W.
Major.-Gen.
Division
F. Gatacre,
C.B.
Captain R. G. Brooke
Lieut. E. Cox
Lieut. W- D. Ingle
7th Hussars
Seaforth Hghlrs.
Middlesex Regt.
Dep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Dep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Major F. S. Robb
Major H. M. Sargent
h.p.
Chaplains
Rev. R. Brindle (R.C.)
Rev. J. M. Simms (Presb.)
Rev. A. W. B. Watson
A.S.C.
C.F.
C.F.
C.F.
(C.E.)
Rev. O. S.
C.F.
Aide-de-Camp
Extra Aide-de-Camp
.
Orderly Officer
.
.
.
-J
Watkins
McNamara
Principal Med. Officer
Lieut.-Col.
Chief Paymaster
Minchin
Captain A. G. Smith
Assistant Paymaster
Major
.
AV. C.
-
R.A.M.C
A.P.D.
A.P.D.
_
>
.
.
APPENDIX A
423
NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, 1897-8— continued
Attached
Dep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
of the Sirdar
Captain Sir H. Rawlinson,
Bart.
Captain E. E. Bernard
Surg.-Gen. W. Taylor, M.D.
Major E. M. Wilson
.
ep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Principal Med. Officer
Secretary to Principal
to the Staff
Coldstream Grds
I
A.S.C.
R.A.M.C.
R.A.M.C.
j
Medical Officer
Senior Ordnance Store
Lieut.-Col. T.
Heron
A.O.D.
.
Officer
Vet.-Capt. L. J. Blenkinsop
Major L. G. Drummond
Captain E. W. Blunt
Senior Vet. Officer
General Duty
General Duty
.
Scots Guards
R.A.
.
.
.
A.V.D.
British Brigade Staffs
1st
Commanding
(Brig.-Gen.)
Wauchope, C.B.
Col.
1st
British Brigade
Aide-de-Camp
Brigade Major
Principal Med.
Brigade
G. Rennie
Major T. D'O. Snow
Lieut.-Col. A. T. Sloggett
Captain
.
.
Officer
Black Watch
G.
A.
Black Watch
J.
R. Innis. Fus.
R.A.M.C.
.
2nd Brigade
Col. (Brig.-Gen.) Hon. N.
Commanding 2nd
British Brigade
Aide-de-Camp
Orderly Officer
.
•
.
Brigade Major
Principal Med. Officer
Lyttelton, C.13.
Captain D. Henderson
Lieut. H. M. Grenfell
Major C. a'Court.
Lieut.-Col. G. A. Hughes
Infan-
try Division
Asst. Adj. -Gen. and
Officer Comdg. R.E.
Dep.-Asst. Adj. -Gen.
Staff Officer
Staff Officer
..
.
.
4
'
.
Major-Gen.
A.
and
Suth
Highlanders
1st L.G.
Rifle Brigade
R.A.M.C.
Arg.
Divisional Staff— Egyptian
Commanding
G
Army
Hunter,
|
D.S.O.
Major W. H.
F. S. Kincaid
R.E.
.
R. Berks Begt.
E. Surrey Begt
.
B.E.
Captain H.G. Fitton, D.S.O.
.
Major B. B. Mitford
.
Lieut. H. A. Mk klem
424
TIIK EIVEll AVAli
NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, 1897-8— continued
Brigade Staffs
Commanding
Brevet-Lieut.-Col.
H.
A.
MacDonald, C.B., D.S.O.
Brevet-Lieut.-Col. J.
G.
Maxwell, D.S.O.
Brevet-Lieut.-Col. D. F.
1st
Brigade
Commanding 2nd
Brigade
Commanding 3rd
Brigade
Commanding 4th
Brigade
Brigade Major, 1st
Brigade
Brigade Major, 2nd
Brigade
Brigade Major, 3rd
Brigade
Brigade Major, 4th
Brigade
— Egyptian Army
I
R. Fusileers
j
Cheshire Regt.
Lewis
Brev.-Lieut.-Col.
sox
Brev.-Major
Falconer
Major
F.
I.
C.
J.
Collin-
Northampton-
I
shire Regt.
E. Keith-
Northumberland
,
Fusileers
Maxse
Coldstream Gds.
j
Captain
J. J.
Asser
Dorset Regt.
;
Captain O. H. Pedley,
Connaught Rgs
p.s.c
!i
KORDOFAN FIELD FORCE,
Commanding
Asst. Adjutant-Gen.
Dep. -Asst. Adj. -Gen
Intelligence
Transport
.
1899
Lieut. -Col. F. W. Kitchener
LlEUT.-COL. B. R. MlTFORD
Major E. J. C. Williams
Lieut. F. Burges
Lieut. J. F. Wolseley
W. Yorks
Regt.
E. Surrey Regt
Buffs
Gloucs. Regt.
Chesh. Regt.
.
INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT
Director
of Military
Intelligence
Asst. Director of Military Intelligence
Intelligence Staff
Intelligence Staff
Brev.-Major F. R. AYingate,
R.A
C.B., D.S.O.
Colonel Slatin Pasha
Captain N. M. Smyth
Major Hon. M. G. Talbot,
2nd D.G
R.E.
p.s.c.
Intelligence Staff
Lieut. A. E. Viscount FinCASTLE
I
16th Lancers
I
EAILWAY STAFF
Director
Staff
Lieut. E. P. C. Girouard,
D.S.O.
Lieut.
Lieut.
Lieut.
Lieut.
Lieut.
Lieut,
Lieut.
Lieut.
Lieut.
G. B. Macaulay
R. Polwhele .
E. H. S. Cator .
A. G. Stevenson
H. L. Pritchard
(r.
C.
M. Hall.
Midwinter
E. C.
E. O. A. Newcombk
W. R. G. \Yollen
1
,
!
>
!
!
,
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
R.E
1
APPENDIX A
SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT
Director of Supplies
Director of Stores
Supply Officers
Rogers. C.B.
Major W. Staveley Gordon
Captain F. J. L. Howard
Lieut. H. G. A. Garsia
Lieut. W. S. Swabey
Lieut.-Col.F.AV. Kitchener,
Lieut. -Col.
.
.
J.
.
Director of Transport
j
A.S.C.
A.S.C.
A.S.C.
AY.
Yorks Regt
p.s.c.
/Captain E. C. J. Williams
Second Lieut. T. H. Healey
McKey
Second Lieut.
Second Lieut. S. K. Flint
.
Transport Officers
C
1
Buffs
Cameron Hghlrs.
.
Middlesex Regt.
.
R. Irish Rifles
APPENDIX B
RECOMMENDATIONS
IN
DESPATCHES
—
428
the
j;ivi:ij
WAi;
AFTER THE DONGOLA EXPEDITION
I.
From the Despatch of Major-General
Kitchener
(PublisJied in the
4
London
Gazette,'
Sir
Herbert
f
November
'3rd,
18%)
The detachments attached to the Maxim Battery took part in
all operations against the enemy during the campaign, and were
always well to the front; their commanding officer, Captain
Lawrie, R.A., speaks in the highest terms of
and excellent conduct on all occasions, and
their good service
have the great
pleasure of endorsing his opinion of their efficiency and great
utility throughout the operations.
During the outbreak of cholera, and in the subsequent advance
on Dongola, Surgeon-Major Sloggett, assisted by the other
medical
officers
I
attached to the British troops, worked with great
and energy
performance of his duties, which were
exceptionally onerous throughout the campaign.
The supply department was ably represented by Captain
zeal
in the
Morgan, Army Service Corps.
The Rev. J. Brindle, senior
chaplain,
was, as usual, con-
spicuous in his unfailing kindness and devotion to his duties.
I also beg to bring to your notice the excellent conduct of the
Indian Contingent at Suakin under the command of Brigadier-
General Egerton,
through
an
These troops garrisoned Suakin
exceptionally trying summer, during which they
C.B., D.S.O.
thoroughly
prepared themselves for taking the field
stances unfortunately prevented them from participating
;
circumin active
operations, but they rendered us valuable assistance by the moral
effect of their presence,
would, I
I
feel sure,
and had an opportunity occurred they
have greatly distinguished themselves.
beg also to recommend
names
of the following officers
for
:
favourable
consideration the
APPENDIX
Lieutenant-Colonel
T. Currie,
429
7J
commanding
1st Battalion,
North Staffordshire Regiment.
Major Mortimer, North Staffordshire Regiment.
Captain Mar wood (Adjutant), North Staffordshire RegimentLieutenant Elkington, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant Goldfinch, North Staffordshire Regiment,
attached to
Maxim
Battery.
Lieutenant Blunt, Connaught Rangers, attached
to
Maxim
Battery.
It
now my
is
officers
pleasant duty to record the services of those
attached to the Egyptian
Army who have
specially dis-
tinguished themselves.
Hunter, D.S.O. (Royal Lancaster Regiment),
command Egyptian Army, ably commanded the Infantry
Colonel
second in
A.
I have already referred to his services in connection
with the successful passage of the steamers over the cataracts, and
I have to record my very high appreciation of his military capacity
Division.
acknowledge the valuable assistance he has given
on every occasion throughout the campaign.
In Colonel Bundle, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Boyal Artillery), I had
and
me
to gratefully
a thoroughly efficient Chief of the Staff ; his previous experience
him
Egyptian
Army
rendered
specially
the
of
Adjutant-General
as
which he has performed with
great ability. The peculiar nature of the campaign rendered his
difficulties
numerous
as they
the
and
one,
arduous
an
task
occurred were met by him with that same care and forethought
which characterised his work throughout the campaign. He was
ably assisted in Quartermaster-General's duties by Lieutenant
Gorringe (Boyal Engineers), whose resource and energy have been
fitted for the
post, the duties of
conspicuous throughout.
Lieutenant-Colonel Cochrane (half-pay) was employed on
the lines of communication, and worked with energy in pushing
forward the supplies.
have already referred to the part taken by (temporary)
Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, D.S.O., in the operations near
Suakin, where he ably commanded. In spite of ill-health this
officer remained at his post at Suakin during the summer, and
I
gave
me
The
great assistance as governor of that district.
Intelligence
Department was ably administered by Major
THE RTVER AVAR
430
F. R.
Wingate,
C.B., D.S.O.,
who gave me
all
the information
necessary for the conduct of the campaign, the successful result
of which was greatly furthered by the thorough knowledge
acquired by the department of every detail of the enemy's plans
and positions.
Colonel Slatin Pasha, C.B.
(Assistant Director
by his great and unique experience of the
Soudan and his intimate knowledge of the character and intentions
of the people, was able to render invaluable assistance throughout
of Military Intelligence),
the campaign.
The extreme
up the supplies of the
communications, and the manner in
responsibility of keeping
force on so extended a line of
duty was performed, fully
my previous
which
this onerous
high
opinion of the ability of Lieutenant-Colonel
(Director of Supplies),
(Hon. Capt.)
who was ably
justified
Rogers
seconded by Quartermaster
W. H. Drage.
The transport was very capably administered by Major
F.
W.
Kitchener, Director of Transport (West Yorkshire Regiment),
and the loss in camels has been exceptionally small, considering
the hard work, severe heat, and difficult nature of the country
through which the operations were conducted this was largely
due to the camel saddle invented by Veterinary-Captain
Griffith and constructed by Captain Gordon, Koyal Engineers.
Captain Gordon, Director of Stores (Royal Engineers), gave
;
me
the greatest assistance in keeping the material of the
army
in
an efficient state during this extended campaign, in which wear
and tear were unusually severe. The supplies of railway and
gunboat material were forwarded to che front under his direction
with the utmost despatch and care.
The resources of Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel T. J.
Gallwey (Principal Medical Officer), and the six British medical
officers of the Egyptian Army, were strained to the utmost in
coping with the sudden and unexpected outbreak of cholera
amongst the troops. Owing to the prevalence of the epidemic in
Egypt, all hope of assistance from there was cut off, and it was
only by their untiring energy and incessant devotion to duty that
the disease was successfully stamped out and many valuable lives
saved, though I regret to record the loss by cholera of one of
their number, Surgeon-Captain Trask.
All officers of the Medical Staff worked indefatigably throughout the various other phases of the campaign.
—
APPENDIX B
The railway and telegraph
431
services were very efficiently per-
formed under the respective direction of Lieutenant Girouard,
Director of Railways (Royal Engineers), and Lieutenant
Manifold, Staff Officer of Telegraphs (Royal Engineers). The
,
construction of 110 miles of railway and 250 miles of telegraph
during the very trying summer, and in difficult country, involved
much labour and constant supervision on the part of these officers
and
their assistants.
The labours
of the
Veterinary Department were also exception-
and were efficiently carried out under the able direction
of Veterinary-Captain Griffith, Principal Veterinary Surgeon.
My thanks and appreciation of their services are also specially
due to my two Aides-de-Cainp, Captain J. K. Watson, King's
Royal Rifle Corps, and Lieutenant Lord E. H. Cecil, Grenadier
ally heavy,
Guards*
List
of
mention
officers
whose
services
are
deserving
of
special
:
Cavalry
Major
J.
F.
Burn Murdoch,
1st
Dragoons,
Commanding Eastern
Cavalry.
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
N. Legge, 20th Hussars, Wing Commander.
K. G. Broadwood, 12th Lancers, Wing Commander.
B. T. Mahon, 8th Hussars, Staff-Officer.
R. H. Adams, 2nd Dragoons, Squadron Commander.
W.
E. Peyton, 15th Hussars, Squadron Commander.
E. Y. McMahon, 1st Dragoon Guards, Staff Officer, special
service.
Captain V. G. Whitla, 2nd Dragoon Guards, Squadron Commander,
special service.
Captain
W. H.
Persse, 2nd Dragoon Guards, Squadron Commander,
special service.
Captain N. M. Smyth (attached Intelligence Department), special
service.
Royal Artillery
Brevet-Colonel H. M. L. Bundle, C.M.G., D.S.O., Chief
Major (temporary Lieut. -Colonel)
-
Egyptian
C.
S.
B. Parsons,
of Staff.
Commanding
Artillery.
Brevet-Major
F.
R.
Wingate,
C.B.,
D.S.O.,
Director of Military
Intelligence.
Captain X. E. Young, Commanding Horse Battery.
Captain C. E. Lawrie, Commanding Maxim Battery.
Captain M. Peake, Commanding Field Battery.
THE RIVER
432
WAR
Captain H. Oldfield, Royal Marine Artillery, Commanding a Gunboat.
Brevet-Major G. E. Benson. Brigade Major Mounted Corps (until
invalided), special service.
Captain C. H. de Rougemont, Commanding a Gunboat, special
Boyal Engineers
1
Captain
W.
H.
F.
S.
service.
Assistant
Kincaid,
Adjutant-General, Infantry
Division.
Gordon, Director of Stores.
Lieutenant E. P. C Girouard, Director of Railways.
Lieutenant A. G. Stevenson, Railway Staff.
Lieutenant R. Polwhele (since dead), Railway Staff.
Lieutenant M. G. E. Manifold, Staff Officer of Telegraphs.
Lieutenant E. H. S. Cator, General Duty.
Brevet-Major A. G. Hunter Weston, General Duty, special
Lieutenant H. L. Pritchard, General Duty, special service.
Lieutenant R. Blakeney, General Duty, special service.
Captain
W.
S.
service.
Infantry
Brevet -Colon el A, Hunter, D.S.O., Royal Lancashire Regiment, Commanding
Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. D. Cochrane, h.p., lines of communication.
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) G. E. Lloyd, D.S.O., South
Regiment
Highland
3rd Infantry
^ Brigade.
O
Light
Infantrj-,
Marine
David,
Koyal
F.
B.
Brevet-Major
t/iv.
4th Infantry Brigade.
Fusileers,
Boyal
D.S.O.,
MacDonald,
A.
H.
Major
Infantry Brigade.
Captain
and
(local
temporary
Major)
commanding
commanding 2nd
H. W. Jackson,
Gordon
H
H
Major
Soudanese.
C. V. F.
Townshknd,
Brevet-Major
manding Xllth Soudanese.
com
C.B..
ommantling
3rd Battalion.
Border
R<
Heygate,
G.
R.
H.
Major)
(temporary
Captain
manding
1st Battalion.
Captain (temporary Major) R.
J.
Tudway, Essex Regiment
Camel Corps.
>tain (temporary. Major) H.
Infantry,
M. Sidne'
commanding Xlth Soudanese.
Duke
J
APPENDIX
40DO
»>
I
Captain (temporary Major) H. P. Shekleton, South Lancashire Regiment,
commanding 2nd
Battalion.
Captain (temporary Major)
\Y. S.
Sparkes, Welsh Regiment, commanding
4th Battalion.
Captain (temporary Major) T. E. Hickman, D.S.O., Worcester Regiment,
Assistant Adjutant-General Infantry Division (until invalided).
Captain F. J. Nason, Scottish Rifles, Brigade Major 1st Brigade.
Captain V. T. Bunbury, Leicestershire Regiment, XHIth Soudanese.
Captain H. T. Godden, Bedfordshire Regiment, Brigade Major 3rd
Brigade.
Captain F. J. Pink, D.S.O., Royal West Surrey Regiment, 3rd Battalion.
Captain L. St. C. Nicholson, Liverpool Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Captain St. G. C. Henry, Northumberland Fusileers, Camel Corps.
Captain 1). G. Prendergast, South Lancashire Regiment, Xth Soudanese.
Captain S. F. Judge, D.S.O., Shropshire Light Infantry, Brigade Major,
4th Brigade.
Captain F. G. Anley, Essex Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Captain C. E. Keith-Falconer, Northumberland Fusileers, Xlllth
Soudanese.
Captain A. F. King, Royal Lancashire Regiment, Camel Corps.
Captain J. R. O'Connell, Shropshire Light Infantry, 3rd Battalion.
Captain H. G. Fitton, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant-Genttrftl, Infantry Division.
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
K. Watson, King's Royal Rifle Corps, Aide-de-Camp.
E. A. Stanton, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, Xlth Soudanese.
J.
Webber, Royal Welsh Fusileers, Xllth Soudanese.
Green Wilkinson, Rifle Brigade, Camel Corps.
C. Fergusson, Grenadier Guards, Xth Soudanese.
M. A. C. B. Fenwick, Royal Sussex Rifles (since dead), Xth
R. S.
L. F.
Soudanese.
Lieutenant F. M. Carleton, Royal Lancaster Regiment. 4th Battalion.
Lieutenant H. H. F. Farmer, King's Royal Rifle Corps (since dead),
XQIih
Soudanese.
Lieutenant E. G. T. Bainbridge, East Kent Regiment,
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
1st Battalion.
G. de H. Smith, Indian Staff Corps, Xlth Soudanese.
E. P. Strickland, Norfolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
H. V. Ravenscroft, Manchester Regiment, IXth Soudanese.
H. C. B. Hopkinson, Seaforth Highlanders, Xllth Soudanese.
A.
R.
Hoskins,
North
Staffordshire
liegiment,
IXth
Soudanese.
Special Service
Second Lieutenant
T.
H. Healey, Cameron Highlanders, Transport
Department.
Vajor 1). F. Lewis, Cheshire Regiment, Commanding
1st
Infantry
Brigade.
VOL.
II.
F F
•
THE KIVER WAR
434
Major
F.
port.
Kitchener, West Yorkshire Regiment, Director
W.
£
,
\
Brevet-Major E.
""
'-"
—
r:
-;/
<
<;
li.
Owen,
of Trans-
D.S.O., Lancashire Fusileers (since dead),
with Irregulars.
Brevet-Major
A.
Thurston, Oxfordshire Light
B.
Infantry,
with
Irregulars.
Major
C.
Duke
G. Martyr,
of Cornwall's
Adjutant-General, Headquarters
Major W.
R. T. Wallace,
Light Infantry, Assistant
Staff.
Gloucester Regiment,
Commanding
15th
Battalion.
Captain L. C. Sherer, Leicester Regiment, Transport Department.
Captain B. R. Mitford, Surrey Regiment, Brigade Major 2nd Brigade.
Captain S. Willcock, Gloucester Regiment, 15th Battalion.
M
H
Officer,
Guards
Infantry Division.
Lieutenant E. FitzClarence, Dorset Regiment, Xth Soudanese.
Lieutenant Lord E. H. Cecil, Grenadier Guards, Aide-de-Cainp.
Army
Service Corps
Lieutenant-Colonel J. Rogers, Director of Supplies.
Quartermaster (Hon. Captain) W. H. Drage, Deputy- Assistant AdjutantGeneral, Headquarters
Staff.
Lieutenant C. E. G. Blunt, Staff Officer of Supplies.
Lieutenant F. J. L. Howard. Staff Officer of Supplies.
Medical Staff
Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
J,
Gallwey, M.D.,
Principal
Medical
Officer.
Surgeon-Major G. D. Hunter, Senior Medical Officer.
Surgeon-Captain R. H. Penton, Medical Staff.
Surgeon-Captain H. E. H. Smith, Medical Staff.
Surgeon-Captain C. S. Spong, Medical Staff.
Surgeon-Captain H. N. Dunn, M.B., Medical Staff.
Surgeon-Captain J. E. Trask, Medical Staff (since dead).
Veterinary Department
.
Veterinary-Captain G. R. Griffith, Principal Veterinary Surgeon.
Veterinary-Lieutenant W. D. Smith, special service.
List
of
Warrant
deserving of mention
Officers
and Non-commissioned
Officers
:
Staff Sergeant^ Major
W.
E. Bailey,
Army
Service Corps, Egyptian
Army.
Squadron Sergeant- Major Blake, 17th Lancers, Egyptian Army.
.
:
:
APPENDIX B
435
Colour- Sergkant McKey, Grenadier Guards, Egyptian Army.
Colour-Sergeant Flint, Dorset Regiment, Egyptian Army.
Colour-Sergeant Kelham, East Kent Regiment, Egyptian Army.
Sergeant Buckingham, Grenadier Guards, Egyptian Army.
Sergeant Russell, Grenadier Guards, Egyptian Army.
Sergeant Brockway, Grenadier Guards, Egyptian Army.
Sergeant F. Ede, Royal Marine Artillery, special service.
HERBERT KITCHENER,
(Signed)
II.
Sirdar
AFTER ABU HAMED
The Despatch of Major-General Sir Herbert Kitchener
(Published in the 'London Gazette,' January 25th, 1898)
Cairo
Sir,
9th, 1897.
— I have the honour to report that on the 15th of July, the
construction of the railway from
Wady Haifa
the Khalifa
Abu Hamed
was about
to reinforce.
and, at the
Abu Hamed,
work until
which information
inadvisable to continue the
expelled from that position,
having been pushed
deemed
the Dervishes had been
almost half-way across the desert towards
it
December
:
same
led
me
I
to believe
In order, therefore, to seize
time, to cover the passage of the
gunboats over the Fourth Cataract, I despatched from Kassingar
on the 29th of July a flying column under the command of Major-
General
A
A.
Hunter,
detachment
D.S.O., consisting of
of cavalry.
No. 2 Field Battery under Brevet-Major N. E. Young
(Royal Artillery).
A Brigade of Infantrv under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
H. A. MacDonald, C.B., D.S.O. (Royal Fusileers), with Captain
G. E. Keith-Falconer (Northumberland, Fusileers) as BrigadeMajor, composed of
3rd Battalion Egyptians, under Brevet-Lieuten ant-Colonel
Sillem (Welsh Regiment), Captain A. Blewitt (King's Royal
Rifle Corps), Second in Command.
IXth Battalion Soudanese, under Lieutenant H. V. Ravens-
J.
F F 2
— —
THE EIVER
43G
WAR
croft (Manchester Regiment), Lieutenant A. K. Hoskixs (North
Staffordshire Regiment), Second in Command.
Xth Battalion Soudanese, under Brevet-Major H. M. Sidney
(Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), Captain C. Feugusson
(Grenadier Guards), Second in Command.
Xlth Battalion Soudanese, under Captain V. T. Bunbury
(Leicestershire Kegiment), Lieutenant G. de H. Smith (Indian
Staff Corps), Second in Command,
In charge of Transport, Second Lieutenant T. H. Healey
(Cameron Highlanders).
On the Staff of
W.
General Officer
Commanding
:
Brevet-Major
H. S. Kincaid (Royal Engineers), Assistant AdjutantGeneral Captain F. L Maxse (Coldstream Guards) Captain the
Honourable C. E. Walsh (Rifle Brigade) Lieutenant G. F.
Gorringe, D.S.O. (Royal Engineers). Medical Staff: SurgeonCaptains H. E. H. Smith and C. S. Spong (Army Medical Staff).
The intervening distance of 132 miles over an exceptionally
rough road and during excessive heat was accomplished in eight
days and, after a night march of 18 miles, Abu Hamed was
stormed at 6.30 a.m. on the 7th of August, the position being
F.
;
;
;
captured after an hour's house-to-house fighting, with the loss of
two British officers and 21 men
and 61 men wounded.
killed,
and three Egyptian
officers
Major-General Hunter reported that the behaviour of everyone engaged was deserving of all praise.
The death of two gallant and capable officers, Major Sidney
and Lieutenant FitzClarence (Dorsetshire Regiment), both of
the Xth Soudanese Battalion, is a great loss to the army, and is
deeply deplored by the whole force.
A small number only of the original Dervish garrison escaped,
and, falling back on the reinforcements, which were
some distance
from Abu Hamed, the whole retired to Berber.
During this operation it was necessary to maintain a considerable garrison at Merowe, and a strong patrol of Camel Corps
under Brevet-Major^ R. J. Tudway (Essex Regiment) was
despatched thence to Gakdul to hold in check the Dervish force
at
Metemma.
Simultaneously with the advance of the flying column, one
unarmed and six armed sternwheelers, besides a quantity of
I cannot
sailing craft, were sent across the Fourth Cataract.
;
APPENDIX
437
]5
speak too highly of the zeal, energy, and skill displayed by
Commander Keppel, Eoyal Navy, assisted by Lieutenant the
Honourable H. Hood, Royal Navy, and Lieutenant D. Beatty,
D.S.O., Eoyal Navy, as well as by Captain H. G. Fitton, D.S.O.
(Berkshire Regiment), Captain E. A. Stanton (Oxfordshire Li^ht
and Captain E. G. T. Bainbridge (East Kent Regiment), who were employed in connection with the steamers which
(with the exception of the gunboat 27Z Teb capsized in the
cataracts) were all successfully brought to Abu Hamed by the
29th of August whilst Major F. J. Pink, D.S.O. (Royal West
Surrey Regiment), Captain H. S. Sloman (East Surrey Regiment),
Captain W. R. B. Doran (Royal Irish Regiment), Captain J. J.
Asser (Dorsetshire Regiment), Lieutenant E. P. Strickland
(Norfolk Regiment), Lieutenant J. M. A. Graham (East Lancashire Regiment), and various other officers and men were
employed on the arduous and dangerous task of hauling the
Infantry),
;
sailing craft
through the rapids.
Mean while, reports having reached Meroweand Abu Hamed that
the Dervishes were evacuating Berber, Major-General Hunter
was ordered to push on with four gunboats to occupy that place
but, being somewhat delayed by one of the steamers striking a
rock, which necessitated repairs, a party of irregular Arab scouts
under Ahmed Bey Khalifa, who had been sent by land to verify
the news, succeeded in entering Berber unopposed, followed on
the 6th of September by the steamers, two of which were de-
spatched south on the same day, and succeeded in capturing, off
Ed Darner, the sailing craft of the retreating Dervish force.
The unexpected withdrawal of the enemy from Berber threw a
great additional strain on the organisation and transport of supplies
which had now to be carried from Kassingar, a distance of upwards
of 270 miles, portage stations being established at the cataracts
under Captains F. M. B. Hobbs (Royal Marines), J. A. E.
MacBean (Royal Dublin Fusileers), and other officers and the
fact that the requirements of the Berber garrison were fully met
reflects great credit on Honorary Major \V. H. Drac?e, DeputyAssistant Adjutant-General (Army Service Corps), and on all the
;
transport officers.
Commander Keppel, Royal Navy, with the gunboat flotilla
reconnoitred the enemy's position at Metemma on the 16th and
17th of September, and again on the 3rd of November, proceeding
THE RIVER WAR
438
on that date as
far south as the foot of the Sixth Cataract.
On
both occasions the gunboats were heavily fired on by the Dervish
forts,
but sustained
little
damage.
They captured
several of the
enemy's sailing craft.
In order to clear the districts round Berber of the presence of
Dervish raiders frorf Osman Digna's camp on the Atbara, a small
column was despatched on the 23rd of October, under the
corlimand of Major-General Hunter, composed of the Xlth
Soudanese Battalion (Brevet-Major H. W. Jackson, Gordon
Highlanders, Commanding), two guns under Captain M. Peake
(Royal Artillery), and detachments of Camel Corps and transport,
but the enemy retired south before the arrival of the troops, and
consequently, after reconnoitring the country towards Goz Regeb
and burning Adarama on the 2nd of November, the column
returned to Berber on the 9th of November. During this operation a post was established at the mouth of the Atbara under
Lieutenant J. F. Wolseley (Cheshire Regiment).
The withdrawal of Osman Digna from this portion of the
Eastern Soudan has thus enabled the tribes to rally to the
Government, and the road between Suakin and Berber has been
An Egyptian
on its way to Kassala to
take over that place from the Italians under agreement with the
Egyptian Government.
opened.
The presence
necessitates
garrison
is
also
of a considerable force of
Dervishes at
Metemma
the maintenance of a strong garrison at
Merowe
under the command of Major-General H. M. L. Rundle,
C.M.G., D.S.O. (Royal Artillery), to safeguard the Dongola
district,
the
but
it
is
satisfactory to note that the tribes inhabiting
Bayuda Desert
are,
almost without exception, loyal to the
Egyptian Government.
On the 31st of October the Desert Railway from Wady Haifa
was opened to Abu Hamed, and the extension towards Berber
was at once begun. The rapid completion of this line, which
has greatly facilitated communications, reflects much credit on
Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Maxwell, D.S.O. (Commanding
Nubia District), Lieutenant E. P. C. Girouard, D.S.O. (Royal
Engineers), and his Staff, and on all officers and men employed
on this undertaking, which has been successfully accomplished
in almost record time, under great vicissitudes and during exceptionally hot weather.
APPENDIX b
In conclusion,
it
is
my pleasant
duty
439
to
record
my
apprecia-
and troops
the Egyptian
tion of the excellent services of not only the officers
mentioned above, but also of the whole force of
Army in the Soudan, who, whether British or Native, officers or
men, willingly and ably carried out the often arduous duties they
were called upon to perform, and maintained throughout the
trying summer heat most excellent discipline and soldier-like
spirit.
As
accounts have from time to time been submitted to
fuller
you, dealing in detail with the various
movements
described, I
merely necessary in the above despatch to touch
on the salient points of the recent operations, which have resulted
in retaking for Egypt upwards of 300 miles of the Nile Valley,
besides the whole of the Eastern Soudan, and in freeing the inhave thought
it
habitants of these districts from terrible oppression.
I have, &c,
HERBERT KITCHENER,
Major-General, Sirdar.
III.
•
AFTER THE ATBABA
From the Despatch of Lieutenant-General Sir Francis
Major-General
Grenfell, covering the Despatch of
Sir Herrert Kitchener
(Pztblished in the
'
London
Gazette,'
May 2Uh,
Headquarters, Cairo
:
1898)
April 22nd, 1898.
have the honour to forward, for the information of
the Secretary of State for War, the accompanying despatch from
Major-General Sir Herbert Kitchener, K.C.B., P.C.M.G.,
Sirdar, describing the operations of the force under his command
Sir,— 1.
I
from the 16th
of
March
to the 8th of April, including the expedi-
March
30th
of
the
of
reconnaissances
cavalry
the
Shendi,
tion to
and the 4th of April, and the battle of the Atbara.
The result of those skilfully conducted operations has been the
—
,
THE RIVER WAR
440
entire destruction of
Mahmud's army, which
left
Shendi on the
12th of March, 18,900 strong.
The attack on the Dervish position at Shendi, well conceived by the Sirdar, and ably carried out by Brevet-Major
Hickman, D.S.O., in command of the infantry, and Commander
2.
Kef-pel, D.S.O., in charge of gunboats, resulted in the destruction
of Mahmud's base, and the evacuation of that position by the
Dervishes.
3.
The cavalry reconnaissances
of the
30th of March and the
4th of April were skilfully and ably carried out by
Hunter, D.S.O.
The
worthy
...
8.
of notice.
It
gallant charge of the Egyptian cavalry
would be superfluous on
services of Sir
many
Major-General
my
is
part to call attention to the
Herbert Kitchener
but having served with
;
had the opportunity of watching the
development of those soldier-like qualities which have made him
the skilful administrator and able General he now is.
9. I would specially call attention to the Sirdar's acknowledgment of the services of Major-General Hunter, D.S.O.
and Major-General Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O. Major-General
Hunter again showed the ability and gallantry which have
distinguished him during his long career in Egypt.
him
for
years, I have
From the Despatch op Major-General Sir Herbert
Kitchener
{Publislied in the
On
the 16th of
sisting of
The
March
1
London
Gazette,'
May
I concentrated at
24th, 1898)
Kunur
a force con-
:
British Brigade, with
General Gatacre,
to
six
Maxim
which a battery
of
guns, under Major-
Egyptian
artillery
was
also attached.
A
division
Hunter,
of
the Egyptian army, under
consisting of
battalions, a
battery of
commands
MacDonald.
respective
of
Major-General
two brigades, each composed of four
artillery and Maxim guns, under the
Lieutenant-Colonels Maxwell and
Eight squadrons of Egyptian cavalry, under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel B r o a d w o o d
.
I
APPENDIX B
Three
Long.
batteries
of
under
artillery,
441
Lieutenant-Colonel
%
The Transport Corps, under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colon el
Kitchener.
The
1st Battalion,
under Captain Doran, was
left to
hold the
and hospital at Berber, and half of the 5th Battalion
at Geneinetti, under Captain Bainbridge, to watch the railway
and lines of communication north.
The concentrated force advanced on the 20th of March to
Hudi, on the Atbara, where it was joined by an Egyptian brigade
under Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, and a battery of
artillery from the Atbara Fort.
On the following day our cavalry encountered at Abadar a
This contact
force of Dervish horsemen advancing down stream.
took place on the thickly wooded river-bank, where the outposts
of Captain the Hon. E. Baring's squadron were driven in, and
the squadron commanded by Captain Persse was ordered to clear
This was done with great gallantry and in face of
the bush.
superior numbers of the enemy, who were steadily forced back for
store depot
.
.
.
...
four miles.
morning of the 26th of March the gunboats, under
Commander Keppel, assisted by Lieutenant Beatty and Lieutenant the Hon. H. Hood, arrived opposite the enemy's position,
and landed the troops under the command of Brevet-Major
Hickman, with whom were Major Sit well, Captain Sloman,
and Lieutenant Graham.
As Mahmud still made no offer to come out of his entrenched
camp, I despatched on the 30th of March eight squadrons of
cavalry, the Horse Battery under Brevet-Major Young, and four
Maxims under Brevet-Major Lawrie and Captain Peake,
supported at Abadar by two battalions of infantry, the whole
under the command of General Hunter, to reconnoitre his
On
the
.
position.
Our
.
.
.
.
•
cavalry,
supported
by
infantry,
now
kept
in
daily
touch with the enemy, whose position was also reconnoitred from
the left bank by Major Mahon, Captain Haig, and other
officers.
On
the 4th of April the force
to Abadar,
and from here
another reconnaissance
of
I
was moved
five miles further
on
despatched, on the following day,
the mounted troops, supported by
THE lilVEK AVAK
44^
under General Hunter as before, and accompanied by
Brevet-Major Kincaid, Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain
Sir EL Kawlinson, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieutenant Smyth, and other officers.
Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwood, with Major Le Gallais's
infantry,
.
.
.
and Captain Persse's squadrons, gallantly charged the Dervish
horsemen, getting well home, and forcing them to fall back.
Captain Persse received a bullet-wound in the forearm.
Captain Fitton, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, directed the
line of advance with the greatest accuracy.
Twelve guns
came into action, assisted by a rocket detachment under
Lieutenant Beatty, Eoyal Navy.
Captain Peyton's
squadron had been sent down to the river-bank on the extreme
right previous to the general advance.
Mahmud was taken
prisoner by the Xth Battalion under the command of Major
Nason. ... I deeply regret the loss of Captains Urquhart and
Findlay (Cameron Highlanders) and Second-Lieutenant Gore
.
•
.
(Seaforth Highlanders),
over the trenches.
My
.
.
who
.
.
.
gallantly leading
fell,
.
.
.
.
.
.
their
men
.
special thanks are due to
Major-General Hunter, who
throughout the operations gave additional proof of those valuable
which
have frequently had the pleasure
of bringing to the favourable notice of Her Majesty's Government.
He was indefatigable alike in the preliminary reconnaissances and
during the general engagement, in which he led his division over
the trenches with great gallantry
to his care and foresight 1
attribute much of the success which has attended the campaign
on the Atbara.
The high state of efficiency to which the British brigade was
brought is, I ^consider, in a large measure due to the untiring
energy and devotion to duty of Major-General Gatacre and
the loyal support rendered him by the commanding officers of
battalions, all of w hom he has brought to favourable notice.
During the engagement on the 8th inst. General Gatacre showed
a fine example of gallant leading. The cordiality and good-feeling
existing between the British and Egyptian troops who have fought
shoulder to shoulder is (sic) to a great extent due to the hearty cooperation of General Gatacre, and I cannot speak too highly of
the services rendered by him and the troops under his command
and
soldier-like qualities
I
:
r
during the recent operations.
—
APPENDIX «
443
General Hunter's remarks on the valuable
services of the three brigadiers commanding the infantry brigades,
Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, Brevet-Lieutenantviz.
Colonel Lewis, and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel MacDonald.
They handled their troops with precision, leading them gallantly
in action, and they have shown themselves fully qualified as
commanders of troops in the field.
I fully confirm
The medical arrangements of the British brigade, under
Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel McNamara and his staff,
and of the Egyptian army, under the direction of BrigadeSurgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Gallwey and his staff, were
under the somewhat difficult circumstances of the operations
satisfactory, and the energy and skill displayed by the medical
staff
under
their direction is (sic) deserving of
much
credit.
—
General Gatacre has also brought to my notice and I fully
indorse his remarks— the care, attention, and personal kindness
received by the whole brigade from the Rev. E. Brindle, Roman
the Rev. J. Simms, Presbyterian Chaplain and
Catholic Chaplain
;
;
the Rev. A.
W. Watson, Church
been indefatigable in their
wounded
A
of
efforts
England Chaplain, who have
to minister to the sick and
at all hours.
very noticeable
feature in the late
operations
was the
and good organisation of the camel transport, reflecting
great credit on Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchener, Director of
Transport, and his staff.
The long line of communications, extending from Assuan south,
was placed under the command of .Major-General Bundle, and
it was due to the energy displayed by his staff and the officers
commanding stations that the troops were kept amply supplied.
My thanks are due to Brevet-Colonel Wingate, and the
efficiency
Intelligence Staff under him,
well as to the other
various duties to
my
members
me fully informed, as
my Staff, who performed their
who
of
kept
entire satisfaction.
I
names
whose
officers
those
of
services
In addition to the
would
also
I
despatch,
the
of
body
the
in
mentioned
have specially
bring to your notice the valuable services
N on-Commissioned Officers, and men
:
of the following Officers,
THE RIVER AVAR
444
HEADQUARTERS STAFF
Major a'Court
(temporarily
Lieutenant
at-
Gorkinge
(Senior
Officer).
tached).
Lieutenant Lord E. Cecil. A.D.C
Lieutenant Manifold
(Senior
Captain Watson, Aide -de -Camp.
Captain Blunt (Senior Officer,
Supplies and Stores).
Officer, Telegraphs).
BRITISH BRIGADE
Brigade Staff
Major Snow
Captain Fair (Senior Officer).
Lieutenant Pigott Senior Officer)
(Brigade Major).
Captain Brooke, Aide-de-Camp.
(
Artillery
Major Hunter Blair.
Lieutenant Owen.
Infantry
Warwickshire
Lieutenant-Colonel Jones (com-
man ding).
!
Lieutenant and Adjutant Earle
Lieutenant Greer (wounded).
Major Landon.
Lincolnshire
Colonel
Verner (commanding,
wounded).
Major Simpson.
Major Main waring.
Captain Forrest.
Lieutenant and Adjutant Marsh
Lieutenant Boxer (wounded).
Lieutenant Tatchell.
Seaforth Highlanders
Colonel Murray
(commanding,
wounded).
Major Campbell.
Major Jameson.
Captain Egerton
Captain Baillie (wounded).
Lieutenant Vandeleur (wounded)
Lieut, and Adjutant Ramsden.
Second Lieutenant Daniell.
Cameron Highlanders
Colonel Money (commanding).
Major Watson-Kennedy.
Major Napier (wounded).
Captain Honourable A. MurrayLieutenant and Adjutant Campbell.
APPENDIX B
Medical Staff
Surgeon-Major Braddell
Surgeon-Major Carr.
Surgeon-Major Adamson.
Surgeon-Captain Mathias.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Bliss
Army Pay Department
Honorary Captain Smith
Veterinary Department
Veterinary-Lieutenant Russell
Non-Commissioned Officers and Men
Seaforth Highlanders
Corporal Laayrii
Colour-Sergeant M'Iver.
Cameron Hiy h I anclers
Private Chalmers
Colour- Sergeant Fisher.
Private Cross.
Army
Service Corps
Staff- Sergeant "NVyeth.
EGYPTIAN ARMY
Cavalry
Captain his Serene Highness Prince Francis of Teck
Lieutenant the Marquis of Tullibardine.
Artillery
Captain de Kougemont.
Camel Corps
Captain King.
Infantry
Brigade Majors
MajorJMaxse.
Brevet-Major Keith-Falconer.
Captain Asser
I
445
THE RIVER WAR
44G
2nd Battalion
Lieutenant Strickland
Major Pink (commanding).
3rd Battalion
Captain Blewitt.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sillem (commanding).
4:th
Battalion
Brevet-Major Sparkes (commanding).
IXth Battalion
Captain Walter
wounded).
Lieutenant Ravenscroft
(commanding,
Xth
Battalion
Captain MacBean.
Brevet-Major Fergusson.
Xlth Battalion
Brevet-Major Jackson (command-
|
Captain Stanton
ing).
Xllth Battalion
TownBrevet-Lieut. -Colonel
shend (commanding).
Captain Ford-Hutchinson.
XIII tli
Brevet-Lieut. -Colonel
Collin
-
i
Captain Honourable C.
Walsh
(wounded).
Lieutenant Harley (wounded).
Battalion
Captain Godden
SON.
XlVth
Brevet-Major Shekleton (commanding, wounded).
Battalion
Captain Hamilton.
Captain Matthews
Medical Staff
Surgeon-Captain Penton.
Surgeon-Captain Hill Smith.
Surgeon-Captain Spong.
Surgeon-Captain Dunn.
Transport Corps
Captain Williams.
Second-Lieutenant Healy.
Second-Lieutenant
McKey
APPENDIX B
447
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Cavalry
Sergeant-Major Blake.
Infantry
Lance- Sergeant Russell.
Sergeant Scott-Barbour.
Sergeant Hilton (wounded)
Sergeant Handley (wounded)
Colour- Sergeant Eelham.
Colour-Sergeant Shepperd.
I have, &c,
HERBERT KITCHENER,
IV.
Sirdar.
AFTER OMDURMAN
From the Despatch of Lieutenant-General
Sir Francis
Grenfell, covering the Despatch of Major-General Sir
Herbert Kitchener
(Published in the
'
London Gazette' September
30th, 1898)
While thoroughly endorsing the Sirdar's recommendations, I
desire to call attention to the good work done by Major-General
Henderson, C.B., and Staff at Alexandria, who conducted the
disembarkation of the force, and by my own Staff at Cairo.
On Colonel H. Cooper, Assistant Adjutant-General, and
Lieutenant-Colonel L. A. Hope, Deputy-Assistant x\djutantGeneral, fell the brunt of the work in the despatch of the British
6.
Division to the front.
acknowledge the services of Brevet-Colonel
Surgeon-General
A. O. Green, Commanding Royal Engineers
H. S. Muir, M.D.i Principal Medical Officer; LieutenantColonel F. O. Leggett, Army Ordnance Department Colonel
Veterinary-Captain
Tree fry, Army Pay Department
F.
It
also desire to
;
;
;
Blenkinsop, and the junior officers of the various departments.
Major Williams, my C.R.A., was indefatigable in organising
the mule transport for the 32nd and 37th Field Batteries.
7. I have received the greatest assistance from the Egyptian
Railway Administration in the movements of the troops both
going south and returning.
us
THE RIVER AVAR
Thanks to the admirable system organised by Iskander Bey
Fahmy, the Traffic Manager, all the services were rapidly and
punctually carried out.
home by my Aide-de-Camp,
Lieutenant II. Grenfell, 1st Life Guards, who acted as Orderly
Officer to Brigadier-General Honourable N. G. Lyttelton,
C.B., Commanding Second British Brigade in the Soudan.
8.
I
am
sending this Despatch
I have,
&c,
FRANCIS GEENFELL,
Lieutenant-General,
Commanding
From the Despatch of Major-General
Sir
in
Egypt.
Herbert
Kitchener, Sirdar
(Published in the 'London Gazette,' September 30th, 1898)
any commander to have been
more ably seconded than I was by the General Officers serving
under me. Major-Generals Hunter, Eundle, and Gatacre have
displayed the highest qualities as daring and skilful leaders, as
well as being endowed with administrative capabilities of a high
It is in the hands of such officers that the Service may
order.
rest assured their best interests will, under all circumstances, be
honourably upheld, and while expressing to them my sincere
thanks for their cordial co-operation with me, I have every confidence in most highly recommending the names of these General
It
would be impossible
Officers
for
for
favourable
the
consideration
of
Her
Majesty's
Government,
which the Brigadiers handled their respective
brigades, the thorough knowledge of their profession, and their
proved skill in the field, mark them out, one and all, as fitted
for higher rank, and I have great pleasure in submitting their
names for favourable consideration Brigadier-Generals N. G.
Lyttelton and A. G. Wauchope Lieutenant-Colonels J. G.
Maxwell, H. A. MacDonald, D. F. Lewis, and J. Collinson.
The manner
in
:
;
MacDonald's Brigade was highly
two severe attacks delivered
directions, and I am sure
satisfaction to
at
it
tested, bearing the brunt of
very short intervals from different
must be a source of the greatest
Colonel MacDonald,
as
it
is
whole Army, that the very great care he has
to myself
and the
for long devoted to
APPENDIX B
449
the training of his brigade has proved so effectual, enabling his
men to behave with the greatest steadiness under most trying
circumstances, and repelling most successfully two determined
Dervish onslaughts.
I should also mention under this category the excellent services
performed by Colonel E. H. Martin, Commanding 21st Lancers
by Lieutenant-Colonel Long, Commanding the combined
and by Lieutenant-Colonel
British and Egyptian Artillery
;
;
Broadwood, Commanding the Egyptian Cavalry as well
as by Major E. J. Tudway, Commanding the Camel Corps.
I
consider that these various arms could not have been more
E. G.
;
efficiently
operations.
commanded than they were throughout
The
the
best result was, I believe, attained,
recent
and
it
is
due to the skilful handling of their respective commands that the
Dervish defeat was so complete.
The Medical Department was administered with ability and
skill by Surgeon-General Taylor, Principal Medical Officer, who
was well assisted by Colonel McNamara, whilst the medical
organisation of the Egyptian Army fully maintained its previous
excellent reputation, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel
Gallwey and his Staff. The general medical arrangements were
all that could have been desired, and I believe the minimum of
pain and maximum of comfort procurable on active service in
this country was attained by the unremitting energy, untiring
zeal, and devotion to their duty of the entire Medical Staff.
Owing to the long line of communications by rail, river, and
desert, the work of maintaining a thoroughly efficient supply and
transport system, both by land and w ater, was arduous in the
extreme and that a large British and Egyptian force was brought
up to within striking distance of Khartoum, amply supplied with
all its requirements, reflects the greatest credit on the supply
and transport system. I wish to cordially thank the officers of
the Supply, Transport, and Eailway Departments for the satisfactory results which have attended their labours.
I consider that the excellent ration which was always provided kept the men strong and healthy, and fit to endure all the
hardships of an arduous campaign, enabling them, at a critical
T
;
moment, to support the exceptional fatigue of continuous marching and fighting for some fourteen hours during the height of a
Soudan summer.
VOL.
II
G G
—
THE RIVER WAR
450
The
Intelligence
Department
were,
as usual,
thoroughly
and their forecasts of the intentions and actions of the
Colonel Wingate and Slatin Pasha
enemy were accurate.
worked indefatigably, and, w ith their Staff, deserve a prominent
place amongst those to whom the success of the operations is due.
The excellent service performed by the gunboats under Commander Keppel and his subordinate officers of the Royal Navy
is deserving of special mention.
These gunboats have been for
a long time past almost constantly under fire they have made
bold reconnaissances past the enemy's forts and rifle-pits, and
on the 1st and 2nd of September, in conjunction with the Irregular
levies under Major Stuart Wortley and the Howitzer Battery,
they materially aided in the capture of all the forts on both
banks of the Nile, and in making the fortifications of Omdurman
untenable. In bringing to notice the readiness of resource,
daring, and ability of Commander Keppel and his officers, I
wish also to add my appreciation of the services rendered by
Engineer E. Bond, Royal Navy, and the Engineering Staff, as
well as of the detachments of the Royal Marine Artillery, and the
gun crews, who have gained the hearty praise of their commanders.
The Reverend R. Brindle, the Reverend J. M. Simms, the
Reverend A. W. B. Watson, and the Reverend O. S. Watkins
won the esteem of all by their untiring devotion to their sacred
duties, and by their unfailing and cheerful kindness to the sick
and wounded at all times.
To all my Personal Staff my thanks are specially due for the
efficient,
r
:
great assistance they at
all
times rendered me.
In conclusion, I have great pleasure in expressing my appreciation of the services rendered by the detachments of the Royal
Engineers, Army Ordnance Corps, and Telegraph and Postal
Departments.
The names
Officers,
service
of
the
following
Non-commissioned
my notice for good
Officers,
and men have been brought
to
:
Staff
Major Honourable M. G. Talbot, Royal Engineers.
Major C. a'Court, Rifle Brigade.
Major W. F. H. S. Kincaid, Royal Engineers.
Major B. R. Mitford, East Surrey Regiment.
Major L. G. Drummond, Scots Guards.
.
appendix
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
Major
451
ij
T. D'O. Snow, Royal Inniskilling Fusileers.
A. E. Sandrach, Ro>al Engineers.
Maxse, Coldstream Guards.
Keith-Falconer, Northumberland Fusileers.
Lord Edward Cecil, Grenadier Guards.
Robb, half-pay.
Captaix D. Henderson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Captain Sir H. Rawlinson, Hart., Coldstream Guards.
Captain J. J. Asser, Dorsetshire Regiment.
Captain E. E. Bernard, Army Service Corps.
Captain O. H. Pedley, Connaught Rangers.
Captain J. O. Rennib, Black Watch.
Captain H. G. Fitton, Berkshire Regiment.
Captain J. K. Watson, King's Royal Rifles.
Captain R. Brooke, 7th Hussars.
Captun X. M. Smyth, 2nd Dragoon Guards (wounded).
Lieutenant (i. F. Gouringe, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant G. B. Macaulay. Roy il Engineers.
Lieut k n ant H. Grenfell, 1st Life Guards.
Lieutenant H. L. Pritchard, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant Honourable F. IT. S. Roberts, King's Royal Rifles.
Lieutenant R. B. I). Blakeney, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant H. A. Micklem, Royal Engineers (wounded).
Lieutenant G. E. PigoTT, Army Service Corps.
Lieutenant C. M. A. Wood, Northumberland Fusileers*
Lieutenant E. C. Midwinter, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant W. I). Ingle, Middlesex Regiment.
Divisional StaIF-Serobant Jack, Middlesex Regiment.
Colour- Serge ant H. Shkppard, Royal West Kent Regiment.
Sergeant F. A. Titterell, Army Service Corps.
4003 Private A. Cameron, Cameron Highlanders.
Cavalry
\
Major W. G. Crole Wvndhvm, 21st Lancers.
Major H. Finn, 21st Lancers.
M ajor 1\ W. J. Le C all vis. Nth Hussars.
M ajor B. T. Mahon, Hth Hussars.
M ajor J. Fowle, 21st Lancers.
J
Captain X. Legge, 20th Hussars.
Captain F. H. Eadon, 21st Lancers.
Captain Honourable K. P>aring, 10th Hussars.
Captain D. Haig, 7th Hussars.
Captain His Serene Highness Prince Francis
Dragoons.
Captain W. H. Persse, 2nd Dragoon Guards.
Captain P. A. Kenna, 21st Lancers.
J. L. F.
of Teck,
6
a
'l
1st
452
Captain
THE RIVER AVAR
W.
E. Peyton, 15th Hussars.
Lieutenant Honourable R. H. L. J. de Montmorency, 21st Lancers.
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
J. C.
Brinton (wounded), 2nd
Life Guards.
R. N. Smyth, 21st Lancers.
A. H. M. Taylor, 21st Lancers.
the Marquis of Tullibardine, Royal Horse Guards.
Honourable R, F. Molyneux (wounded), Royal Horse
Guards.
Second Lieutenant C. S. Nesham (wounded), 21st Lancers.
Lieutenant and Adjutant A. M. Pirie (wounded), 21st Lancers.
Squadron Sergeant-Major Blake, 17th Lancers.
Corporal Swarbrick, 21st Lancers.
Private Ayton, 21st Lancers.
Private Brown (wounded), 21st Lancers.
Royal A rtillery
Major F. B. Elmslie.
Major W. H. Williams.
Major N. E. Young.
Major C. E. Lawrie.
Captain G. McK. Franks.
Captain J. W. G. Dawkins.
Captain M. Peaks.
Captain C. H. de Rougemont
(wounded).
Maxim
Lieutenant G. W. Nicholson
Lieutenant C G. Stewart.
Lieutenant E. G. Waymouth.
Sergeant Howard.
Corporal Kelly.
Battery
Captain C. 0. Smeaton.
Lieutenant
C.
H. W. Owen
Second Lieutenant G. F. Clayton.
Infantry
Colonkl Y. Hatton, Grenadier Guards.
Colonel R. H. Murray, Seaforth Highlanders.
Colonel G. L. C. Money, Cameron Highlanders.
Colonel F. Howard, Rifle Brigade.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. Collingwood, Lancashire Fusileers.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. V. F. Townshend, I.S.C.
Lieutenant-Colonel J. Sillem, Welsh Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. C. Money, Northumberland Fusileers.
Lieutenant-Colonel AY. E. G. Forbes, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Lieutenant-Colonel F. R. Lowth, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Liku tkxaxt-Colonel H. L. Smith-Dorrien, Derbyshire Regiment.
Major C. J. Blomfield, Lancashire Fusileers.
Major J. A. Campbell, Seaforth Highlanders.
Major F. Lloyd, Grenadier Guards.
Major T. F. A. Watson Kennedy, Cameron Highlanders.
APPENDIX B
453
Major L. B. Friend, Royal Engineers.
Major H. W. Jackson, Gordon Highlanders.
Major F. Hackett-Thompson, Cameron Highlanders.
Major G. Cockburn, Rifle Brigade.
Major Honourable C. Lambton, Northumberland Fusileers.
Major H. B. Maixw aring, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Major L. A. Arkwright, Royal Engineers.
Major H. P. Shekleton, South Lancashire Regiment.
Major T. E. Hickman, Worcestershire Regiment.
Major W. S. Sparkes, Welsh Regiment.
Major F. J. Pink, Royal AVest Surrey Regiment.
Major C. Fergusson, Grenadier Guards.
Major F. J. Nason, Scottish Rifles.
Major W. H. Sitwell, Northumberland Fusileers.
Major H. E. Irwin, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Major C. R. Simpson, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Major W. F. Walter, Lancashire Fusileers.
Major H. I. W. Hamilton, Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Captain R. N. Gamble, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Captain H. S. Slomax, East Surrey Regiment.
Captain St. G. C. Henry, Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain A. A. Spottiswoode, Seaforth Highlanders.
Captain T. Capper, East Lancashire Regiment.
Captain A. Blewitt, King's Royal Rifles.
Captain J. S. Ewart, Cameron Highlanders.
Captain G. H. Ford Hutchinson, Connaught Rangers.
Captain V. G. R. Johnson, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Captain R. D. Whigham, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Captain Honourable W. Lambton, Coldstream Guards.
Captain A. J. King, Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Captain G. Caldecott, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (since died of
wounds).
Captain O. C. Wolley-Dod, Lancashire Fusileers.
Captain J. R. O'Connell, Shropshire Light Infantry.
Captain Honourable A. D. Murray, Cameron Highlanders.
Captain F. A, MacFarlan, Cameron Highlanders.
Captain E. A. Stanton, Oxfordshire Light Infantry,
Captain H. G. Majendie, Rifle Brigade.
Captain E. S. Herbert, Royal Highlanders.
Captain G. E. Matthews, Royal Marines.
Captain L. F. Green Wilkinson, Rifle Brigade.
Captain N. C. Maclachlan, Seaforth Highlanders.
Captain and Adjutant G. L. S. Ray, Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain and Quartermaster J. S. Cameron, Lancashire Fusileers.
Captain F. M. B. Hobbs, Royal Marines.
Captain M. H. K. Pechell, King's Royal Rifles.
THE RIVER WAR
454
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
MacBean, Royal Dublin Fusileers.
C. H. M. Doughty, Royal Welsh Fusileers.
and Adjutant G. H. Thesiger, Rifle Brigade.
S. S. S. Clarke, Cameron Highlanders (wounded).
J.
A.
E. G. T. Bainbridge, East Kent Regiment.
and Adjutant J. R. M. Marsh, Lincolnshire Regiment.
and Adjutant F. A. Earle, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
and Adjutant Campbell, Cameron Highlanders.
Lieutenant W. E. J. Bradshaw, York and Lancaster Regiment.
Lieutenant G. de H. Smith, LS.C.
Lieutenant E. P. Strickland, Norfolk Regiment.
Lieutenant and Quartermaster C. J. Dixon, Royal Warwickshire
Regiment.
Lieutenant J. F. Wolseley, Cheshire Regiment.
Lieutenant D. A. Friederichs, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant J. M. A. Graham, Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Lieutenant E. B. North, Royal Fusileers.
Lieutenant and Adjutant C. J. Ramsdex, Seaforth Highlanders.
Lieutenant C. F. S. Vandeleur, Scots Guards (wounded).
Lieutenant E. A. Plunkett, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Lieutenant H. C. B. Hopkinson, Seaforth Highlanders (wounded).
Lieutenant W. R. A. Smith, Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant F. F. Ready, Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Lieutenant E. Cox, Seaforth Highlanders.
Lieutenant and Quartermaster G. W. Anderson, Seaforth Highlanders.
Lieutenant A. R. Hoskixs. North Staffordshire Regiment.
Lieutenant N. J. G. Cameron, Cameron Highlanders.
Lieutenant and Adjutant E. F. 0. Gascoigne, Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant A. D. Nicholson, Cameron Highlanders (wounded).
Lieutenant C. E. Etches, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Lieutenant Honourable E. D. Loch, Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant A. J. McNeill, Seaforth Highlanders.
Lieutenant Honourable H. Dawxay, Rifle Brigade.
Lieutenant W. C. Christie, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Lieutenant and Quartermaster A. P. Yeadon, Cameron Highlanders.
Lieutenant H. H. Wilson, Lancashire Fusileers.
Second Lieutenant J. W. Sandilaxdr, Cameron Highlanders.
Maxims
Captain D. W. Churcher, Royal Irish Fusileers.
Colour-Sergeant H. Sheppard, Royal West Kent Regiment.
Colour-Sergeant Brockway, Grenadier Guards.
Sergeant Russel, Scots Guards.
Drill-Instructor-Sergeant Donald McLeod, Seaforth Highlanders.
APPENDIX B
3187
18965
24909
26203
2833
3632
3352
4G :
>
Sergeant Handley, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Sergeant J. Scott Barbour, Gordon Highlanders.
Sergeant J. Phillips, Grenadier Guards.
Sergeant Murray, Seaforth Highlanders.
Sergeant G. H. Rawlinson, Royal Engineers.
Sapper P. Bird, Royal Engineers.
Sapper H. Brown, Royal Engineers.
Sergeant Girling, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Marsden, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Corporal Darnley, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Sergeant- Major W. Church, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Sergeant G. Stevens, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Sergeant J. Wogan, Lincolnshire Regiment.
Colour-Sergeant D. Mackie, Seaforth Highlanders.
Colour- Sergeant R. Robertson, Seaforth Highlanders.
Colour-Sergeant McEwen, Seaforth Highlanders.
Sergeant-Major Donald McLeod, Cameron Highlanders.
Colour-Sergeant F. Mackenzie, Cameron Highlanders.
Colour-Sergeant A. Fisher, Cameron Highlanders.
I.C.S. Sergeant F. Crooke, Royal Army Medical Corps.
I.C.S. Sergeant G. A. Benson, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Lance-Sergeant A. P. Mears, Royal Army Medical Corps.
2747
2687
831
2269
2184
2165
1640
1209
4691
5127
7788
10830 Private A. Davidson, Royal
Army
Medical Corps.
Company Sergeant-Major Bennett, Royal Engineers.
Second Corporal A. Jones, Royal Engineers.
Quartermaster-Sergeant Chamberlain, Grenadier Guards.
Sergeant-Master-Cook Brooke, Grenadier Guards.
Sergeant-Instructor Lewis, Grenadier Guards.
Colour- Sergeant T. Burdett, Northumberland Fusileers.
Sergeant-Drummer J. ( ordeal, Northumberland Fusileers.
Sergeant A. Bannerman, Northumberland Fusileers.
Colour-Sergeant Evans, Lancashire Fusileers.
Corporal Porter, Lancashire Fusileers.
Sergeant-Major E. Bull, Rifle Brigade.
Quartermaster-Sergeant J. Alldridge, Rifle Brigade.
Colour-Sergeant J. Nicholas, Rifle Brigade.
2302 Colour-Sergeant J. Teaque, Royal Irish Fusileers.
3188 Corporal Michael Mullin, Royal Irish Fusileers.
281
300
4564
2184
4837
Supply, Transport, and Ordnance
Lieutenant-Colonel L. A. Hope, Army Service Corps.
Lieutenant-Colonel J. Rogers, Army Service Corps.
Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Kitchener, West Yorkshire Regiment.
Major W. H. Drage, Army Service Corps.
Major H. G. Morgan, Army Service Corps.
THE RIVER WAR
456
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
A. B. Hamilton, King's
Own
Scottish Borderers.
S.
Bird, Royal Fusileers.
C.
M. Mathew, Army Ordnance Department.
H. N. Sargent, Army Service Corps.
E. C. J. Williams, East Kent Regiment.
C aptain C. E. G. Blunt, Army Service Corps.
Captain M. Coutts, Army Service Corps.
Captain F.
846
11334
5677
9996
9715
7756
4491
10345
J.
L.
Howard, Army
Service Corps.
Lieutenant G. E. Pigott, Army Service Corps.
Bimbashi J. H. B. Butler.
Second Lieutenant C. McKey, Middlesex Regiment.
Second Lieutenant S. K. Flint, Royal Irish Rifles.
Conductor J. A. Robertson, Army Ordnance Department.
Armourer- Sergeant E. Woollam, Army Ordnance Department.
Shoeing-Smith Peter Smith (wounded), Army Service Corps.
Quartermaster- Sergeant Osburn, Army Service Corps.
Second Corporal Fawley, Army Service Corps.
Private Darling, Army Service Corps.
Staff- Sergeant Beville, Army Service Corps.
Sergeant Parsons, Army Service Corps.
Sergeant
J.
Topliss,
Army
Boyal Army
Lieut. -Colonel
A.
T.
Sloggett
(wounded).
Lieutenant-Colonel G.A.Hughes.
Major C A. Webb.
Major G. Robinson.
Major G. F. A. Smythe.
Major D. Wardrop.
Major R. W. Barnks.
Major E. M. Wilson.
Major A. Dodd.
Major M. O'D. Braddell.
Major C. R. Kilkelly.
Major W. H. Pinches.
Major H. M. Adamson.
Army
ichcal
Corps
Major D. M. O'Callami an.
Major H. B. Mathias.
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
A. Y. Reily.
R. H. Penton.
H. E. Hill Smith.
C. S. Spong.
P.
H. Whiston.
G. A. T. Bray.
J.
W.
Jennings.
First-Class Staff- Sergt. Hoist.
Sergeant Scrase.
Vcterm
fith.
J.
1
H. N. Dunn.
Lieutenant E. W. Bliss.
Lieutenant S. L. Cummins.
Veterinary-Captain G. R. GrifVeterinary- Captain L.
Service Corps.
Blen-
kinsop.
Veterinary-Captain F. B. Drage,
Royal Horse Guards.
\j
Department
Veterinary-Lieutenant T. E. W.
Lewis.
Veterinary-Lieut.
W.
D. Smith.
Veterinary-Lieutenant W. E.
Russell.
Farrier-Major Escreet.
:
APPENDIX B
457
Gunboats
Lieutenant Honourable H. L. A.
Hood, Royal Navy.
Lieutenant David Beatty, Royal
Navy.
Lieut. Walter Cowan, Royal Navy.
Lieut. J. B. Sparks, Royal Navy.
Lieutenant H. F. G. Talbot,
Royal Navy.
Lieutenant C. M. Staveley, Royal
Navy.
[
Major
W.
Gordon,
S.
Royal
Engineers.
Major Prince Christian Victor
of Schlkswig-Holstein, King's
Royal
Rifle Corps.
Lieutenant A. G. Stevenson,
Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant E. O. A. Newcombe,
Royal Engineers.
Mr. Poole, Engineer.
I have, &c.
HEEBERT KITCHENEE,
Major-General, Sirdar.
V.
AFTER GEDAREF
Supplementary List of Recommendations from the Despatch
of Major-General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum
(Published in the
4
London
Gazette,'
December
9th, 1898)
your notice the names of the following Officers
have distinguished themselves during the recent operations
I beg to bring to
who
in the
Soudan
Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Clery, Eoyal Army Medical Corps.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel C. S. B. Parsons. Royal Artillery
Lieutenant-Colonel N. Leader, late Royal Army Medical Corj
Major H. M. Lawson, Royal Engineers.
Major CO. Hore, South Staffordshire Regiment.
Army
Honourable
Captain St. G. C. Henry, Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain the Honourable E. Baring, 10th Hussars.
Artill
Captain F. G. Anley, Essex Regiment.
W
Ordnance
Class.
Captain A. de S. McKerrell, Cameron Highlanders.
Captain 0. H. Pedley, Connaught Rangers.
Officer,
Fourth
THE RIVEB
458
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
F. A.
WAR
MacFarlan, Cameron Highlanders.
H. G. Majendie, Eifle Brigade.
E. B. Wilkinson, Lincolnshire Regiment.
C. C. Fleming, Royal Army Medical Corps.
H. C. Smith, Royal Dublin Fusileers.
A. G.
Dwyer, East Surrey Regiment.
A. G. Fraser, King's
Own
Scottish Borderers.
E. G. T. Bainbridge, East Kent Regiment.
the Honourable A. G. A. Hore-Ruthven, 3rd Battalion High-
land Light Infantry.
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Burges, Gloucestershire Regiment.
C. J. Clerk, 21st Lancers.
H. H. S. Morant, Durham Light Infantry.
G. C. M. Hall, Royal Engineers.
F.
Hunnard, Army Service Corps.
R. L. Adlercron, Cameron Highlanders.
F.
Non- Commissioned Officer
I
Sergeant A. Nicklin, North
Staffordshire Regiment.
I have, &c,
KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM,
Major-General,
Sirdar,
Egyptian Army.
APPENDIX
C
EXTRACTS FROM THE 'LONDON GAZETTE'
SHOWING
HONOUES AND PBOMOTIONS
GIVEN FOR
THE
ABU
THE
THE
DONGOLA EXPEDITION,
HA MED
NILE EXPEDITION,
1896
1898
OPERATIONS NEAR GEDAREP
AND
THE ACTION OF ROSAIRES
—
——
—
;
•
THE RIVER WAR
FOR THE DONGOLA EXPEDITION,
(From
tlw
'
London
WAR
With
Gazette' of
November
OFFICE, November
1890
11th, 1896)
17th, 1896
reference to the notice in the
'
Gazette
'
of
the 3rd
%
instant, relative to the operations of the
Force, the
list of
names
of the following officers
Dongola Expeditionary
should be added to the
those mentioned at the end of the Sirdar's despatch of the
30th of September, 1896, as
of special
mention
officers
whose
services are deserving
:
Sukgeon-Captacn P. H. Whiston, Army Medical Staff (employed with
Egyptian Army).
Captain C. M. Mathew, Durham Light Infantry, Army Ordnance
Department.
Lieutenant G. F. Gorringe, Royal Engineers (employed with Egyptian
Army),
WAR
OFFICE, November
The Queen has been
following promotion
in,
17th, 1896
graciously pleased to give orders for the
and appointments
to,
the Most Honour-
able Order of the Bath, in recognition of the services
of
the
undermentioned officers during the recent operations in the
Soudan
To be an Ordinary Member of the Military Division of the
Second Class, or Knights Commanders, of the said Most Honour:
able Order, viz.
:
K.C.B. Major-General
Sir Horatio Herbert Kitchener, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
Royal Engineers (Sirdar of Egyptian Army).
To
be Ordinary
Class, or
C.B.
Members
Companions,
of the Military Division of the
of the said
Most Honourable Order,
Third
viz.
:
Lieutenant-Colonel William Francis Dundonald Cochrane (employed
with Egyptian Army).
Brigade- Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Joseph Gallwey, Army
Medical Staff (employed with Egyptian Army).
——
APPENDIX C
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward
Locke
461
Elliot,
D.S.O.,
Indian
Staff
Corps.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Rogers, Army Service Corps (employed with
Egyptian Army).
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Currie, the Prince of Wales's (North
Staffordshire Regiment).
Captain the Honourable Stanley Cecil James Colville, Royal Navy.
ADMIRALTY, November
17th, 1896
Commander the Honoukable Stanley Cecil James Colville Promohas been promoted to the rank of Captain in Her Majesty's Fleet * 10n
for special services in
Egypt.
WAR
Dated October
OFFICE, November
31st, 1896.
17th, 1896
Q
the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and
promotions in the Army, in recognition of the services of the
undermentioned officers during the recent operations in the
Soudan. The promotions to bear date November 18th, 1896
:
To
be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order,
Major Cyril Godfrey Martyr,
the
Duke
viz.
:
of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
M.
Army
ployed with Egyptian Army).
Major Robert Henry Gage Heygate,
Armj
the Border Regiment (employed
Captain
Army
Captain Norton Legge, 20th Hussars.
Captain Bryan Thomas Mahon, 8th Hussars (employed with Egyptian
Army).
Captain Hill Godfrey Morgan, Army Service Corps.
Veterinary-Captain George Richard Griffith, Army Veterinary
Department (employed with Egyptian Army).
Lieutenant David Beatty, Royal Navy.
C aptain Hugh Gregory Fitton, the Princess Charlotte of Wales's
(Royal Berkshire Regiment) (employed with Egyptian Army).
Captain James Kiero Watson, the King's Royal Rifle Corps (employed
with Egyptian Army).
Lieutenant George Frederick Gorringe, Royal Engineers (employed
with Egyptian Army).
Lieutenant Edouard Percy Cranwill Girouard, Royal Engineers
employed with Egyptian Army).
D.S.O
—
— —
.
462
THE RIVER AVAR
be an Honorary Companion of the Distinguished Ser
Order
Miralai (Colonel) Fathy Bey, Egyptian Army.
To be Maior-Generals
Promotion
for Distinguished
!
Major and Brevet-Colonel Archibald Hunter,
Own
King's
from the
(Royal Lancaster Regiment) (employed with Egyptian
D.S.O.,
Army)
Major and Brevet-Colonel Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle, C.M.G.,
D.S.O., Royal Artillery (employed with Egyptian Army).
Staff
:
Colonel (Brigadier-General) Charles Comyn Egerton,
D.S.O.,
Camp
Half-Pay
shire
Commanding
C.B.,
the Indian Contingent, Suakin, to be Aide-de-
to the Queen.
:
Major George Evan Lloyd,
D.S.O., from the South Stafford-
Regiment (employed with Egj^ptian Army),
to be Lieutenant-
Colonel.
To be Lieutenant-Colonels
Brevet
of Lieutenant-
Colonel
:
Major Charles Sim Bremridge Parsons, Royal
Artillery
(employed with
Egyptian Army).
Major Eaton Aylmer Travers, Indian
Staff Corps, Deputy-Assistant
Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Suakin.
Captain and Brevet-Major Francis Reginald Wingate, C.B., D.S.O.,
Royal Artillery (employed with Egyptian Army).
Captain and Brevet-Major John Grenfell Maxwell, D.S.O., the
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) (employed with Egyptian Army).
Captain and Brevet-Major Ernest Frederic David, Royal Marine
Light Infantry (employed with Egyptian Army).
Major David Francis Lewis, the Cheshire Regiment.
Major Hector Archibald MacDonald,
Royal Fusileers
(City of London Regiment) (employed with Egyptian Army).
Major Frederick Walter Kitchener, the Prince of Wales's Own (West
D.S.O., the
Yorkshire Regiment).
Major John Francis Burn-Murdoch, 1st Dragoons.
Major George William Hacket Pain, the Worcestershire Regiment
(employed with Egyptian Army).
Major John Collinson, the Northamptonshire Regiment (employed
w ith Egyptian Army).
Captain and Brevet-Major Charles Vere Ferrers Townshexd, C.B.,
Indian Staff Corps (employed with Egyptian Army).
Major Ernest De Brath, Indian Staff Corps, Brigade Major, Suakin.
T
To be Majors
:
Captain Robert John Tudway, the Essex Regiment (employed with
of Major
Egyptian Army).
Brevet
—
APPENDIX C
Captain
Hugh Pentland Shekleton,
463
the Prince of Wales's Volunteers
(South Lancashire Regiment), (employed with Egyptian Army).
Captain Thomas Edgecomb Hickman, D.S.O., the Worcestershire Regiment.
Captain William Spottiswoode Bparkes, the Welsh Regiment (employed
with Egyptian Army).
Captain Henry Marlow Sidney, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
(employed with Egyptian Army).
Captain William Francis Henry Style Kincaid, Royal Engineers
(employed with Egyptian x\rmy).
Captain Raleigh Gilbert Egerton, Indian Staff Corps.
Captain Norman Edward Young, Royal Artillery (employed with
Egyptian Army).
Captain Bertram Reveley Mitford, the East Surrey Regiment.
Captain Herbert William Jackson, the Gordon Highlanders (employed
with Egyptian Army).
Captain William Staveley Gordon, Royal Engineers (employed with
Egyptian Army).
Captain Hamilton Bower, Indian Staff Corps, Deputy- Assistant Quartermaster-General (for Intelligence), Suakin.
Captain Henry Marwood, the Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire
Regiment).
Captain Charles Edward Lawrie, Royal Artillery (employed with
Egyptian Army).
Captain Alexander Cadell, Indian Staff Corps.
To have
the honorary rank of Major
:
Quartermaster and Honorary Captain William Henry Drage, Army HonoService Corps (employed with the Egyptian Army).
rary
Bank
Army
Medical Staff
Surgeon-Major Arthur Thomas Sloggett
to be Surgeon-Lieutenant-
Colonel.
The East Lancashire Regiment
Staff Sergeant-Major William Edward Bailey, from the Army Service
Corps (employed with the Egyptian Army), to be Second Lieutenant,
vice A. C. M. Alington, promoted.
The Royal Irish
Rifles
Colour- Sergeant Samuel Kirk Flint, from the Dorsetshire Regiment
(employed with the Egyptian Army), to be Second Lieutenant, vice
C. R. Spedding, promoted.
—
—
—
THE RIVER AVAR
464
FOE ABU HAMED,
(From
the
1
London Gazette
WAR
'
of
OFFICE, March
The Queen has been pleased
March
1897
11th, 1898)
11th, 1898
to give orders for the following
appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and promotions
in the Army, in recognition of the services of the undermentioned
Officers while attached to the Egyptian Army during the recent
operations in the Soudan, resulting
capture of
in the
Abu Hamed
and the subsequent occupation of Berber
To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order,
:
D.S.O.
viz.
:
Commander Colin Richard Keppel, Royal Navy.
Quartermaster and Honorary Major William Henry Drage, Army
Service Corps.
Dated December 17th, 1897.
Captain Vesey Thomas Bunbury, the Leicestershire Regiment.
To be Majors.
Brevet
Captain Cecil Edward Keith-Falconer, the Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain Charles Fergusson, Grenadier Guards.
A.D.C.
Captain and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Reginald \Vingate.
C.B., D.S.O., Royal Artillery, to be (extra) Aide-de-Camp to the Queen,
with the rank of Brevet-Colonel. Dated 17th December, 1897.
FOR THE NILE EXPEDITION,
WAR
OFFICE, November
The Queen has been
1898
15th, 1898
graciously pleased to signify her intention
on the undermenwhose claims have been sub-
to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross
tioned officers and private soldier,
mitted for her Majesty's approval, for their conspicuous bravery
during the recent operations in the Soudan, as recorded against
their
V.C.
names
:
Captain Paul Aloysius Kenna, 21st Lancers.— At the battle
of Khartoum on the 2nd of September, 1898, Captain P. A. Kenna
taking
regiment,
by
same
of
the
Wyndham,
Crole
Major
assisted
Wyndham's
horse
(Major
saddle
the
behind
horse,
his
him on
having been killed in the charge), thus enabling him to reach a
place of safety and, after the charge of the 21st Lancers, CapMontmorency,
who
de
Lieutenant
assist
to
returned
Kenna
tain
was endeavouring to recover the body of Second Lieutenant K. G.
;
Grenfell.
—
APPENDIX C
465
Lieutenant the Honourable Raymond Harvey Lodge
Joseph de Montmorency, 21st Lancers. At the battle of
Khartoum on the 2nd of September, 1898, Lieutenant de Mont-
—
morency, after the charge of the 21st Lancers, returned to assist
Second Lieutenant R. G. Grenfell, who was lying surrounded by
Lieutenant de Montmorency drove
a large body of Dervishes.
the Dervishes off, and, finding Lieutenant Grenfell dead, put the
body on his horse, which then broke away. Captain Kenna and
Corporal Swarbrick then came to his assistance, and enabled him
to rejoin the regiment,
which had begun
to
open a heavy
the enemy.
fire
on
—
Private Thomas Byrne, 21st Lancers. At the battle of
Khartoum on the 2nd of September, 1898, Private Byrne turned
went
to
and
Lancers
the
21st
charge
of
the
of
middle
the
in
back
the assistance of Lieutenant the Honourable R. F. Molyneux,
Royal Horse Guards, who was wounded, dismounted, disarmed,
and being attacked by several Dervishes. Private Byrne, already
severely wounded, attacked these Dervishes, received a second
Lieutenant
enabled
conduct,
gallant
his
and,
by
wound,
severe
Molyneux to escape.
fUpTATN Nevill Maskelyne Smyth, 2nd Dn
Captain
September,
2nd
of
1898,
on
the
Khartoum
of
battle
At the
amok
run
had
Arab
who
an
attacked
and
forward
galloped
Smyth
Arab's
the
received
Smyth
Captain
camp-followers.
some
among
in
arm
the
in
spear
with
a
wounded
being
him,
killed
charge and
the
campof
least
at
H
so doing.
followers.
WAK
OFFICE, November 15th, 1898
Q
Honour
and
Egypt
in
services
of
recognition
in
able Order of the Bath,
:—
Khartoum
and
Atbara
of
battles
the
including
Soudan,
the
of the Military Division of the First
To be Ordinary Members
Class, or Knights Grand Cross,
Order,
viz.
the
of
said
Most Honourable
:
G.C.M.G., K.C.B.,
Grenfell,
Wallace
SirFkancis
Lieutenant-General
Commanding
the Force in Egypt.
Kitchener,
Lord
Herbert
Horatio
Major-General
J|
K.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
TT
Army.
Egyptian
the
of
Sirdar
Royal Engineers.
jr-^a
VOL.
4|
ty
if!
X- *
\ >^-»^
-v
II
II.
II
G.C.B
—
—
THE RIVER WAR
466
To be Ordinary Members of the
Second Class, or Knights Commanders,
able Order, viz.
Military Division of the
of the said
Most Honour-
:
K.C.B. Major-General
"William Forbes Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O.
Major-General Archibald Hunter, D.S.O. Governor of Dongola
Province and Commandant Frontier Field Force, Egypt.
Major-General Henry Macleod Leslie Bundle, C.M.G., D.S.O., Boyal
Artillery, employed with Egyptian Army.
,
To be Ordinary Members
Class, or
viz.
C.B.
Companions,
the
of
Third
of the Military Division of the
said
Most
Honourable
Order,
:
Surgeon-General William Taylor, M.D., Army Medical Staff.
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel Villiers Hatton, Grenadier Guards.
Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel Gordon Lorn Campbell
Money, D.S.O., A.D.C., the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
Colonel Thomas Edward Verner, Begimental District.
Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel Rowland Hill Martin, halfpay.
Colonel William Henry
V-<'M
}\
Corps.
McNamara, M.D., Boyal Army Medical
-
^
•
Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Anstruther Hope, Army Service Corps,
Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, Egypt.
Lieutenant-Colonel Cuthbert George Collingwood, half-pay.
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel David Francis Lewis, the
Cheshire Regiment, employed with Egyptian Army.
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel John Collinson, the
Northamptonshire Regiment, employed with Egyptian Army.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Gilbert Colvin Money, the Northumberland Fusileers.
Lieutenant-Colonel Willoughby Edward Gordon Forbes, the Boyal
Warwickshire Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel Morey Quayle Jones, the 1 loyal Warwickshire
Regiment.
0
Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Robert Lowtu, the Lincolnshire Regiment.
George Crole Wyndham, 21st Lancers.
Lieutenant-Colonel Walter
_
floMMA\DKR Colin IiR'Hard Kkppel, D.S.O., Royal Navy.
_
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER OF SAINT MICHAEL
AND SAINT GEORGE
DOWNING STREET,
November 11th,
1*<»8
been graciously pleased to give
•wing appointments to the Most Distinguis
Queen
lias
—
—
—
APPENDIX C
467
Saint Michael and Saint George, in recognition of their services in
Soudan :—
To be an Ordinary Member of the Second Class,
Commanders, of the said Most Distinguished Order
the
•
or Knights
:
Brevet-Colonel Francis Reginald AVingate,
R.A., C.B., D.S.O., A.D.C.
To be an Honorary Member of the Second Class,
Commanders, of the said Most Distinguished Order
K.C.M.G.
or Knights
:
Colonel Rudolf Slatin Pasha,
WAR
The Queen has
C.B., of the
OFFICE, November
Egyptian Army.
15th, 1898
also been graciously pleased to give orders for
the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order
and promotions in the Army, in recognition of the services of the
undermentioned officers in Egypt and the Soudan, including the
battles of Atbara and Khartoum
The promotions to bear date November 16th, 1898.
To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
:
:
Reverend Robert Brixdle, Chaplain
to the Forces, First Class.
D.S.O.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Vere Ferrers
Townshend, C.B., Indian Staff Corps, employed with Egyptian
Army.
Lieutenant-Colonel George Arthur Hughes, M.B., Royal Army
Captain
and
Medical Corps.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Charles
Fusileers.
James
Blomfield,
the
Lancashire
<
'
.
Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Lloyd, Grenadier Guards.
Major Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley, C.M.G., the King's
Royal Rifle Corps.
Major Edmond Munkhouse Wilson, C.M.G., Royal Army Medical
Corps.
Major George Cockburn, the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own).
Major Honourable Charles Lambton, the Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain and Brevet- Major Norman Edward Young, Royal Artillery.
Captain and Brevet-Major Charles Edward Lawrie, Royal Artillery.
Major Frederick Ivor Maxse, Coldstream Guards, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain and Brevet-Major Yesey Thomas Bunbury, the Leicestershire
Regiment, employed with Egyptian Army.
Captain and Brevet- Major Charles Fergusson, Grenadier Guards,
employed with Egyptian Army.
Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Edward Herbert Cecil, Grenadier
;
Guards.
—
THE RIVER WAR
468
West
(Royal
Queen's
the
Hamilton,
Major Hubert Ion Wetherall
Surrey Regiment), employed with Egyptian Army.
Major Hugh Broderick Mathias, Royal Army Medical Corps.
employed
Corps,
Medical
Army
Royal
Spong,
Captain Charles Stuart
with Egyptian Army.
employed
[Regiment,
Bedfordshire
the
Godden,
Captain Henry Tufton
with Egyptian Army.
Rangers,
Connaught
the
Ford-Hutchinson,
Higginson
Captain George
employed with Egyptian Army.
Engineer Edmund Edward Bond, Royal Navy.
Lieutenant Walter Henry Cowan, Royal Navy.
DeVeterinary
Army
Blenkinsop,
John
Layton
Veterinary-Captain
partment.
Captain Charles Massy Mathew, the Durham Light
Fourth Class.
Officer,
Captain
Infantry, Ordnance
his
Serene Highness Prince Francis Joseph
Leopold
Frederick of Teck, 1st Dragoons.
Egyptian
with
employed
Hussars,
15th
Peyton,
Eliot
William
Captain
Army.
Fusileers,
Dublin
Royal
the
MacBean,
Emmanuel
Albert
John
Captain
employed with Egyptian Army.
Captain Ronald George Brooke, 7th Hussars.
with
employed
Lancers,
21st
Pirie,
Murray
Lieutenant Arthur
Egyptian Army.
Horse
Royal
Tullibardine,
of
Marquis
George,
Lieutenant John
Guards.
employed
Engineers,
Royal
Stevenson,
Gavin
Alexander
Lieutenant
with Egyptian Army.
with
employed
Engineers,
Royal
Pritchard,
Lieutenant Harry Lionel
Egyptian Army.
emEngineers,
Royal
Blakeney,
Drury
Byron
Robert
Lieutenant
ployed with Egyptian Army.
with
employed
Engineers,
Royal
Micklem,
Lieutenant Henry Andrew
Egyptian Army.
Corps.
Service
Army
Pigott,
Edmund
Grenville
Lieutenant
Engineers.
Royal
Midwinter,
Colpoys
Edward
Lieutenant
Guards.
Grenadier
Gascoigne,
Orby
Frederick
Lieutenant Ernest
Guards.
Grenadier
Loch,
Douglas
Edward
Honourable
Lieutenant
Promo-
To be
Major-Generals
(Supernumerary)
tion to
rank of
service in the field
MajorGeneral
Lyttelton,
G.
N.
Honourable
the
Colonel
for
distinguished
:
C.B., Assistant Military
Secretary. Headquarters of Array.
half-pay.
C.M.G.,
C.B.,
Wauchope,
Colonel A. G.
— —
—
—
APPENDIX C
To be
(extra)
469
x\ides-de-Camp to the Queen
:
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel R. H. Murray,
C.B., Seaforth
High-
A.D.C.
landers (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's).
Colonel H. Cooper, Assistant Adjutant-General, Egypt.
To be
(extra)
brevet-colonel
Aide-de-Camp
to the
Queen, with the rank
of
:
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. MacDonald, C.B., D.S.O.
the Royal Fusileers (City of London Regiment), Brigadier- General
Egyptian Army.
BREVET
To be Colonels
:
Lieutenant- Colonel J.Rogers, C.B., Army Service Corps, employed Brevet of
with Egyptian Army.
Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Long, employed with Egyptian Army.
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Maxw6ll, D.S.O.,
Brigadier-General Egyptian Army.
Prince
the
Kitchener,
W.
F.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
Major and
of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), employed with Egyptian
Army.
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel J. Billem, the Welsh Regiment,
employed with Egyptian Army.
Lancers,
12th
Broadwood,
R.
G.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
and
Major
employed with Egyptian Army.
D.S.O.,
Smith-Dorrien,
L.
H.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
and
Major
the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).
To
be Lieutenant-Colonels
:
with
employed
Engineers,
Royal
Talbot,
M.
G.
Honourable
the
Major
Brevet
of LieuEgyptian Army.
Major
the
Buffs,
(Ross-shire
Highlanders
Seaforth
Campbell,
A.
J.
of Albany's).
Major
Major
Dnke tenantColonel
„
F. B. Elmslie, Royal Artillery.
T. F. A. Watson-Kennedy, the Queen's
Own Cameron
High-
landers.
Major C. R. Simpson, the Lincolnshire Regiment.
Major W. H. Williams, Royal Artillery.
Major H. Finn, 21st Lancers.
Own).
Consort's
Prince
(the
Brigade
Rifle
a'Court,
the
Major C.
emRegiment,
Essex
the
Tudway,
R.
J.
Brevet-Major
Captain and
ployed with Egyptian Army.
Lan.
(South
Volunteers
Wales's
of
Prince
the
Major H. P. Shekleton,
cashire Regiment), employed with Egyptian Army.
Worcestershire
the
D.S.O.,
Hickman,
E.
T.
Brevet-Major
Captain and
Regiment, employed with Egyptian Army.
THE RIVER AVAR
470
Major
Regiment
Army
Mitford, the East Surrey Regiment
em
a
H.
Hi
Army
Captain and Brevet-Major W. S. Gordon, Royal
Engineers, employed
with Egyptian Army.
Major
•loyed with
Major
West Surrey Regiment),
F. J. Pink, D.S.O., the Queen's (Royal
P.
W.
J.
Egyptian Army.
Le
Gallais, 8th Hussars, employed with Egyptian
Arm v.
*
v
Major
Major A. E. Sandbach, Royal Engineers, employed with Egyptian
Army.
Captain and Brevet-Major C. E. Keith-Falconer, the Northumberland
Fusileers.
Major
F. J. Nason, the
Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles),
employed with
Egyptian Army.
Major W. H. Sitwell, the Northumberland Fusileers, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Major W. C. Hunter-Blair, Royal Artillery.
Major G. G. A. Egerton, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the
Duke of Albany's).
Major F. S. Robb, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters
the
of
Army.
Q
To be Majors
:
Captain
Doran,
R.
B.
the
W.
Royal
Irish
with
Regiment,
employed
Brevet
Egyptian Army.
Of Major
Captain F. H. Eadon, 21st Lancers.
Captain A. B. Hamilton, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, DeputyAssistant Adjutant-General, Alexandria.
Captain D. Henderson, Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), Staff Captain at Headquarters.
Captain D. Haig, 7th Hussars.
Captain T. Capper, the East Lancashire Regiment, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain A. Blewitt, the King's Royal Rifle Corps, employed with
•
Egyptian Army.
Captain H. N. Sargent, Army Service Corps.
Captain (temporary Major) W. F. Walter, the Lancashire Fusileers,
employed with Egyptian Army.
Captain A. J. King, the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
Captain E. E. Bernard, Army Service Corps.
.
APPENDIX C
471
Captain E. C. J. Williams, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), employed
with Egyptian Army.
Captain Honourable A. D. Murray, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
Egypt
Army
Captain H. G. Fitton, D.S.O., Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal
Berkshire Regiment), employed with Egyptian Army.
Captain H. G. K. Matchett, the Connaught Rangers, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain J. K. Watson, D.S.O., the King's Royal Rifle Corps, employed
with Egyptian Army.
Captain E. A. Stanton, the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain Honourable C. E. Walsh, the Rifle Brigade (the Prince
Consort's Own).
with
Egyptian Army.
Captain W. H. Persse, 2nd Dragoon Guards, employed with Egyptian
Army.
Captain CH.de Rougemont, Royal Artillery.
Captain G. L. S. Ray, the Northumberland Fusileers.
Captain D. W. Churcher, Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusileers).
Captain C. E. G. Blunt, Army Service Corps, employed with Egyptian
Army.
Captain G. H. Thesiger, the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own).
Captain J. R. Marsh, the Lincolnshire Regiment.
Captain F. A. Earle, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Captain J. Campbell, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
$
Royal Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant-Colonel T. J. Gallwey, M.D., C.B., Principal Medical PromoOfficer, Egyptian Army, to be Colonel.
tions in
R.A.M.C.
Major G. W. Robinson to be Lieutenant-Colonel.
Captain R. H. Penton, D.S.O., employed with Egyptian Army, to be
Major.
Captain H. E. H. Smith, employed with Egyptian Army, to be Major.
Lieutenant E. W. Bliss to be Captain.
'
;
•
Army
Reverend
J.
•
9
Chaplains Department
M. Simms, Chaplain to the Forces Third
to the Forces
Second
Class.
Army
Class, to be Chaplain
Promotion in
A.C.D.
Veterinary Department
Veterinary-Lieutenant T. E. W. Lewis, employed with Egyptian Army, Promoto be Veterinary-Captain.
tion in
A.V.D.
—
:
—
THE RIVER WAR
472
Memoranda
Honorary
The undermentioned
Lieutenant- Colonel
officer is
granted the honorary rank of
:
rank of
LieutenantColonel
Quartermaster and Honorary Major W. H. Drage, D.S.O., Army
Service Corps, employed with Egyptian Army.
m
,
,
..
officer is
granted the honorary rank of
Major
Of Major Quartermaster and Honorary Captain
J. S.
Cameron, the Lancashire
Fusileers.
The undermentioned
Captain
Of Cap-
officers are
granted the honorary rank of
:
Quartermaster
and
Honorary Lieutenant
C.
J.
Dixox,
Royal
giment
Q
Hi
Q
Own Cameron
Q
Highlanders.
Q
Medal
for Distinguished
Conduct
in the Field to the
under-
mentioned
17 th Lancers
Distin-
Squadron Sergeant- Major Blake.
guished
Conduct
Medal
21st Lancers
Sergeant W. Chalmers.
Corporal F. W. Swarbrick.
Lance-Corporal H. D. Penn.]
Private B. H. Ayton.
I
Private F. Pedder.
Private W. Brown.
Private W. Bushell
'
Royal Artillery
Sergeant Howard,
I
Corporal Kelly.
Royal Engineers
Company Sergeant-Major
Ben-
l
nett.
Sergeant G. H. Rawlinson.
i
Second Corporal A. Jones
Sapper F. Bird.
Sapper H. Brown.
Grenadier Guards
Colour-Sergeant Brockway.
Quartermaster-Sergeant Chamberlain.
I
I
Sergeant-Master Cook Brooke
Sergeant-Instructor Lewis,
Sergeant J. Phillips.
APPENDIX C
473
Scots Guards
Sergeant Russel, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Hilton, employed
with Egyptian Army.
Sergeant
j
C.
J
The Northumberland Fusileers
Burdett.
Colour- Sergeant
Sergeant-Drummer J. Cordeal.
T.
Sergeant A.
Bannerman
(since
j
,
]
deceased).
The Royal Wartcickshire Regiment
Sergeant Girling.
Corporal Darnley.
Lance-Corporal Marsden.
|
The Lincolnshire Regiment
Sergeant-Major W. Church.
Sergeant
Sergeant G. Stevens.
|
J.
Wogan.
The Lancashire Fusileers
Colour-Sergeant Evans.
The Queens
Own
Corporal Porter.
|
(Royal West Kent Regiment)
Colour-Sergeant H. Sheppard.
The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)
Sergeant E. A.
T.
Handley.
The Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment
Divisional Staff- Sergeant Jack.
Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the
Colour- Sergeant
Colour- Sergeant
Colour- Sergeant
Colour- Sergeant
D. Mackie.
|
R. Robertson,
1
McEwen.
|
McIver.
|
Duke
of Albany's)
Drill Instructor-Sergeant
McLeod.
Sergeant Murray.
Corporal Laurie.
The Gordon Highlanders
Sergeant
J.
Scott-Barbour, employed with Egyptian Army.
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Private A. Cameron.
Sergeant-Major D. McLeod.
I
Colour- Sergeant A. Fisher.
Colour-Sergeant F. Mackenzie.
j
I
Private Cross.
Private Chalmers.
Princess Victoria's {Royal Irish Fusileers)
Mullin.
Michael
Corporal
Tkaque.
Colour-Sergeant J.
I
D.
:
—
:
THE RIVE
474
11
WAR
The Rifle Brigade {The Prince Consort's Own)
Sergeant-Major E. BullColour- Sergeant J. Nu hola
Army
Staff-Sergeant Be\ ille.
Staff-Sergeant Wyeth (since
Quartermaster-Sergeant J
i»KiiM,r.
Service Corps
de-
ceased).
SERGEANT PARSONS.
Sebgeant J. Torliss.
Sergeant F. A. Titter* ll.
h
Sergeant
O
dart
ermas
k
rQ
Shoeing smith P. Smith.
Second Corporal Paw ley.
i
Private
Unyal
Arm* Nodical
First-Class Staff- Sergt. Hoi^t.
Sergeant F. Crooke.
Sergeant G. A. Benson.
J
T. A.
Army
r
i
;
n
Carpi
Sergeant Scrarb.
LmHB-Sergkant
A. P.
Mean*
Private A. Pavidson.
t
Armourer-Sergeant E.
Robertson
i ;
>arling.
Army Ordnance Depart mm
Conductor
\LL
W oollam
Veterinary Department
Farrier- Major Escreet.
Egyptian Infantry
Colour- Sergeant Kelham.
WAR
OFFICE, November
15th. 1898
Additional Notice
Noted
for con-
sidera-
The undermentioned
officers
are noted for consideration
follows
For a Good Service Reward when an opportunity
offers
:
tion.
4
Good
Service
Reward.
Brevet
of Lien-
tenantColonel
on Pro-
motion to
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel F. Howard, C.B. A.I).C.,tha
Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own).
f
For the Brevet rank
the rank of Ma i°r
Captain Sir H.
8.
of Lieutenant-Colonel
on promotion to
Rawlinson, Bart., Coldstrenni Guards.
For the Brevet rank
Gapta
of
Major, on promotion to
rank of
Lieutenant E. P. Strickland, the Norfolk Regiment, employed with
Egyptian Army,
——
—
APPENDIX C
4lO
Lieutenant G. B. Macaulay, Royal Engineers, employed with Egyptian Brevet of
MaJ or on
Army.
PromoBuffs,
the
Highlanders
(Ross-shire
Seaforth
Lieutenant C. J. Ramsden,
Duke
tion to
of Albany's).
Lieutenant H. M. Grenfell,
1st Life
Guards.
For extra-regimental promotion
opportunities offer
Lieutenant
J.
Captain
to
the rank of Captain as
:
F. Wolseley, the Cheshire Regiment, employed with Extra-
RegiEgyptian Army.
mental
Egyptian
employed
with
Regiment,
Welsh
Lieuten ant N. T. Borton, the
Army.
Lieutenant T. H. Healey, the Queen's
ployed with Egyptian Army.
* rom °-
Own
tion
emHighlanders,
Cameron
For promotion to the rank of Chaplain to the Forces Second
Class, on promotion to the rank of Chaplain to the Forces Third
Class:
—
£•
The Reverend
of
A. \Y. B.
Watson, Chaplain
The undermentioned
pay of their rank
officers are
to the
Forces Fourth Class.
granted the next higher rates
:
Higher
Lieutenant-Colonel A. T. Sloggett, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Veterinary Captain G. R. Griffith, D.S.O., Army Veterinary Depart- Rate of
Pay
ment.
HONOUKS AND PROMOTIONS FOR THE NILE
EXPEDITION,
(Frcnn the
4
London
WAR
Gazette,'
1898
November
OFFICE, November
15th, 1898)
15th, 1898
The Queen has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross upon the undermentioned ladies, in
recognition of their services in tending the sick and wounded in
Egypt
in
connection with the recent operations in
the Soudan
:
Royal
Miss Sarah Emily Webb, Army Nursing Service.
Tied
Miss Amy Florence Grist, Army Nursing Service.
Miss Elizabeth Geddes, National Society for Aid to Sick and Wounded Cross
in War.
ADMIRALTY, November
14th, 1898
The following promotions have been made
in
Her Majesty's
Fleet for services in the gunboats employed on the Nile during
—— ——
:
— —
THE RIVER WAR
476
the recent operations in the Soudan, including the battles of
Atbara and Khartoum, and will take
November, 1898,
viz.
effect
from the 15th of
:
Lieutenants
Admi-
The Honourable Horace Lambert Alexander Hood,
ralty
David Beatty, D.S.O.,
Promo-
—to be Commanders.
tions
The following
be promoted for services during
officers will also
the operations named, viz,
:
Commander Colin Richard Keppel, D.S.O., to Captain on completing
the necessary sea time to qualify him for that rank.
Engineer Edmund Edward Bond to Chief Engineer on completing eight
years' seniority in the former rank.
SUPPLEMENTAKY LIST OF HONOURS AND PROMOTIONS FOE THE NILE EXPEDITION 1898, WITH
THOSE ACCOEDED FOR THE OPERATIONS NEAR
GEDAREF.
(From
the
1
London
Gazette
'
of December
WAR OFFICE, December
1G/7&,
1898)
16th, 1898
•
The Queen has been
graciously pleased to give orders for the
following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and
promotions in the Army, in recognition of the services of the undermentioned Officers during the recent operations in the Soudan
The promotions to bear date December 17th, 1898.
:
To be Companions
D.s.o.
of the Distinguished Service
Order
:
Captain Charles Christie Fleming, M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps,
employed with Egyptian Army.
Lieutenant George Clifford Miller Hall, Royal Engineers, employed
with Egyptian Army.
Lieutenant Frank Hunnard, Army Service Corps.
To be Colonel
Brevet
:
Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
Artillery,
C.
8.
B.
Parsons,
Royal
employed with Egyptian Army.
To be Lieutenant-Colonels
:
Major H. M. Lawson, Royal Engineers, employed with Egyptian Army.
Major C. 0. Hore, the South Staffordshire Regiment.
—
:
:
APPENDIX C
477
To be Majors
Captain the Honourable E. Baring, 10th Hussars, employed with
4
Egyptian Army,
Captain O. H. Pedley, the Connaught Rangers, employed with Egyptian
«
Army.
Captain E. B. Wilkinson, the Lincolnshire Regiment, employed with
Army.
Captain A. G. Dwyer, the East Surrey Regiment, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain E. G. T. Bainbridge, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment).
Egj'ptian
ADDITIONAL NOTICE
noted for consideration for the
Brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on promotion to the rank of
The undermentioned
Major
officers are
*
:
<
Captain St. G. C. Henry, the Northumberland Fusileers, employed with
Egyptian Army.
Captain A. de S. McKerrell, the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders,
employed with Egyptian Army.
FOR THE ACTION OF ROSAIRES
(From
the
'
London
WAR
Gazette
'
Brevet
of Lieutenant-
Colonel
on ProAAA otion
to
Major
of June SOth, 1899)
OFFICE, June 30th, 1899
the following
Q
appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and promotions
in the Army, in recognition of the services of the undermentioned
during the recent operations in the Soudan (defeat of
Ahmed Fedil's Army in the cataract south of Eosaires)
To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
Officers
:
the
Nason,
John
Fortescue
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel
and
Major
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), employed with Egyptian Army.
Army
Army
Lieutenant Edward Peter
Strickland,' the
Norfolk
Regiment,
employed with Egyptian Army.
To be Colonel
:
Ar
To
Major
be Lieutenant-Colonel
C.
Army.
:
Fergusson, D.S.O., Grenadier Guards, employed with Egyptian
D.s.o
——
THE RIVER WAR
478
To
be Major
:
Captain Sir H. B. Hill, Bart., Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusileers),
employed with Egyptian Army.
The promotions
to
bear date December 26th, 1898.
Memorandum
The Queen has further been pleased
the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in
mentioned soldiers
Distill-
guished
Conduct
Medal
approve the grant of
the Field to the underto
:
Sergeant J. C. Lambert, Royal Marine Artillery,
SERGEANT R. A. Trowbridge. Royal Marine Artillery
APPENDIX D
SOME EXTKACTS FKOM A
MEMORANDUM FOR GUIDANCE OF OFFICERS
COMMANDING BRITISH INFANTRY
IN
THE SOUDAN
THE RIVER AVAR
480
BEITISH INFANTBY IN THE SOUDAN
4.
The
unit will
march
fully
equipped
for service.
All cloth
and
of
serge)
suit
and
one
great-coat
(except
clothing
and serge
stored
by
packed
and
carefully
will
be
required
not
other articles
companies at the depdt. Clothing uniform and under-clothing
—
—
and any deemed
should be the best available,
months' hard work should
the Clothing Regulations.
waistband of trousers,
unfit for three
once be replaced in accordance with
Spare buttons should be sown on the
at
and the helmet band which
fits
the man's
given
way.
has
not
stitching
the
to
see
inspected
should
be
head
and
toewith
heel
of
boots
must
man
hot
in
swell
the
feet
as
easily,
fit
should
boots
The
plates.
weather, and dubbin should be freely used.
in
the
kit
his
carry
to
required
be
never
will
soldier
5. As the
Soudan, and when
om
troops are moving rapidly the soldier
left at
be
some days, a small canvas bag
be issued in place of the valise, which will
his kit-bag for
fastened by a cord will
be
may
the depot.
In this canvas bag
articles usually carried
Each bag is to be
outside with owner's name and corps, and
cam
in the valise will be securely packed.
clearly
mar
will be
ted on the
which
a
through
handle,
with
drinking-pot
7. A small tin
many
in
and
convenience,
immense
strap can be passed, is an
man
when possible,
on
mounted
be
8.
to
set
can
and
fresh,
comparatively
in
donkeys. The men get
fires.
kitchen
their
over
work at once
Regimental cooks should,
and
possible
as
strong
and
light
as
9. Officers' kits should be
small
very
that
a
occur
frequently
may
it
capable of division, as
baggage can accompany the
allowance of
being forwarded as opportunity
10.
The same remark
offers.
mess property, and company
mess independently if necessary
applies to
Officers should be prepared to
(on picquet or detached).
troops, the remainder
Private camels should be secured as
APPENDIX P
481
conveyance of mess property. Donkeys
have been found most useful by Officers, as they can carry their
things and enable their servants to be always at hand.
11. The Herbert Stewart khaki helmet of Egyptian Army
pattern is by far the most suitable for wear in the Soudan, and is
early as possible
for
worn by nearly all Officers.
12. Canvas water-bottles
to be carried over saddle-bags are
They
invaluable, as they cool water better than anything.
made
in pairs fitted with leather slings,
Cairo.
,
.
are
and can be obtained
<
in
si
The troops should be accustomed
14.
to
make themselves
as
comfortable as possible at every camp, however short the stay
may
be.
:
Whenever
made during
halts are
the day, shelter from the
sun should be sought or improvised.
Excellent shelter can be made out
of the
new
pattern blanket
(with eyelet and lashings) by joining them together and stretching
them over
The
light sticks.
sticks in the first instance should be
provided regimen tally they can, if lost, usually be replaced by
cord will have to be carried
cutting from the surrounding bush
;
;
for lashing the ridge poles
have
and guys
;
pegs or a substitute would
to be provided.
The
plaited leaves of the <7o?^-palm take the place of string in
the Soudan, and the
15. If
'
tukuls
'
men
should be taught to use them.
— shelters
or huts
made
of grass
— are
arms, accoutrements, &c, must never be placed within 50
in case of fire it is impossible to save anything.
used.
feet, as
Too much attention cannot be devoted to supervision of
food and drink. The water should always, when possible, be
drawn from a running stream, well clear of pollution from the
bank. Eunning water, however muddy, is preferable to a stagnant
A ready means of clearing the water is found in draining
pool.
19.
In standing camps, or when
the water through khaki or cloth.
there is an opportunity and time admits, water should be filtered
or boiled.
As regards
food, the rations issued are ample, but they
should as far as possible be supplemented with fresh vegetables
and
milk.
H. COOPER,
Colonel, Assistant Adjutant- General.
Headquarters, Cairo
VOL,
II.
:
June
3,
1898
I
I
—
THE EI VE R WAR
482
Scale of Rations
Warrant
All British Officers,
Officers,
and men
Eations
rations daily according to the scale issued.
may
draw
also be
numbers authorised
the Allowance Eegulations, provided they are actually em-
drawn
in
will
up
for native servants of Officers
ployed. Other native employees
to the
may also
be supplied with rations,
em
om
and
soldier will be
Meat.
— \\
lbs. fresh
or 1
lb.
preserved, or authorised equiva-
Bacon, 4 oz. (when available) in lieu of 4 oz. fresh meat.
Meat-tin openers will be drawn by regiments and corps from Army
Ordnance Department.
Bread. If lbs. bread or 1 lb. biscuits or flour, or authorised
lents.
—
equivalents.
Groceries.
Tea.
Coffee
\ „
.
cocoa-paste or navy chocolate,
(or
1 oz.)
Sugar
3
.
i "
2
Salt
Pepper
Jam
or
.
136
marmalade
groceries will be
mar
under arms
ting,
mor
or
who
are
before daybreak, to have a cup of tea or coffee before
and
to carry \ lb. c
Vegetables,
— Fresh, 1
oz. beans, or
lb
1 oz. preserved vegetables, or 1 oz. dried onions
urn
Spirits.
;
\ oz.
rice,
available).
Only
to be
circumstances,
Lime-juice.
Medical
— ?l
X Officer
{)
th of a gallon
Comm
considered necessary by
when
Officer.
Fuel—l
lb.
of coal or 2 lbs.
quantity issued daily in camp, to
the march,
wood,
be reduced
of
to be the
to 1 lb.
wood on
and then only when not obtainable by the troops
'
themselves.
of
maximum
•
'
APPENDIX
Gillas (dry dung-cakes)
wood
or coal
when
a very good substitute for fuel
is
not available.
is
483
1)
1 lb. gillas is equal to 2 lbs. of
wood, but some wood should always be issued with them for
kindling purposes.
—
Guards, horse pickets,
Light Hospitals, as required.
One candle
Officers and offices, one candle per night for each.
per night for every 12 soldiers in hut or standing camp only.
When oil is issued, one gill will be considered as a substitute for
each candle.
2.
The
daily ration of forage will be
Barley
....
....
Chopped straw
Bran
Crushed beans
Salt (when available)
.
When
chopped straw
is
For each horse
8
10
For each mule
lbs.
„
5h lbs
9
„
3
„
1 oz.
.
not available, green forage or bran, or
may
—
2 lbs.
be issued in lieu, at the following equivalents
chopped straw, 6 lbs. green forage, 1£ lbs. bran. The usual
both,
:
equivalents
3.
The
may
be drawn
when
supplies are plentiful.
daily ration for natives,
when an E.A.
ration
is
issued to them, will be
Bread, biscuit, or flour
Meat, fresh or preserved
1 lb.
Coffee or tea
i "
2
x OZ
3
Sugar
2
Salt
....
.
i
2
"
I
I
2
not
\
APPENDIX E
TEXT OF THE
SOUDAN AGREEMENT OF THE
1899,
19th
OF JANUARY,
AND OF THE DECLARATION OF
THE
21 st
OF MARCH,
1899
;
;
—
;
THE RIVER
486
WAR
BETWEEN HER BRITANNIC
MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HIS HIGHNESS THE KHEDIVE
AGREEMENT
OF EGYPT, RELATIVE TO THE FUTURE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOUDAN
Whereas
certain
provinces
in
ebellion
Soudan which were
His Highness the Khedive
the
now been reconquered by the joint military
of Her Britannic Majesty's Government and
the
Government
in
of
His Highness the Khedive
And whereas it has become necessary to decide upon a system
for the administration of and for the making of laws for the said
reconquered provinces, under which due allowance may be made
for the backward and unsettled condition of large portions thereof,
and for the varying requirements of different localities
And whereas it is desired to give effect to the claims which
have accrued to Her Britannic Majesty's Government, by right of
conquest, to share in the present settlement and future working
and developement of the said system of administration and
;
legislation
And whereas
it
conceived that for
is
many purposes Wady
Haifa and Suakin may be most effectively administered in
conjunction with the reconquered provinces to which they are
respectively adjacent
Now,
it
is
hereby agreed and declared by and between the
Undersigned, duly authorised for that purpose, as follows
Art.
d
'
Soudan
'
in this
:
I.
Agreement means
South
1.
Have never been evacuated by Egyptian
troops since the
year 1882 ; or
2. "Which having before the late rebellion in the Soudan been
administered by the Government of His Highness the Khedive,
APPENDIX E
487
Egypt, and have been reconquered by
Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government, actii
were temporarily
in concert
3.
;
lost to
or
Which may
ments acting
•
hereafter be reconquered by the
two Govern-
in concert.
Art.
The
-
II.
British and Egyptian flags shall be used together, both on
land and water, throughout the Soudan, except in the town of
Suakin, in which locality the Egyptian flag alone shall be used.
Art. III.
and civil command in the Soudan shall
be vested in one officer, termed the Governor-General of the
Soudan.' He shall be appointed by Khedivial Decree on the
recommendation of Her Britannic Majesty's Government, and
shall be removed only by Khedivial Decree, with the consent of
Her Britannic Majesty's Government.
The supreme
military
*
Art. IV.
Laws, as also Orders and Eegulations with the full force of
law, for the good government of the Soudan, and for regulating
the holding, disposal, and devolution of property of every kind
therein situate, may from time to time be made, altered, or
abrogated by Proclamation of the Governor-General. Such Laws,
Orders, and Eegulations may apply to the whole or any named
part of the Soudan, and may, either explicitly or by necessary
implication, alter or abrogate any existing Law or Regulation.
All such Proclamations shall be forthwith notified to Her
Britannic Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Cairo, and to
the President of the Council of Ministers of His Highness the
Khedive.
Art. V.
No Egyptian Law,
Decree, Ministerial Arrete, or other enact-
ment hereafter to be made or promulgated shall apply to the
Soudan or any part thereof, save in so far as the same shall be
applied by Proclamation of the Governor-General in manner
hereinbefore provided.
Art. VI.
In the definition by Proclamation of the conditions under
which Europeans, of whatever nationality, shall be at liberty to
THE RIVER WAR
488
Soudan
be accorded to the subjects of
limits
mor
Art. VII.
Import duties on entering the Soudan shall not be payable on
goods coming from Egyptian territory. Such duties may, however,
be levied on goods coming from elsewhere than Egyptian territory
but in the case of goods entering the Soudan at Suakin, or any
other pon on the Red Sea Littoral, they shall not exceed the
corresponding duties for the time being leviable on goods entering
Egypt from abroad. Duties may be levied on goods leaving the
Soudan, at such rates as may from time to time be prescribed by
;
Proclamation.
Art. VIII.
The
jurisdiction of the
•
|
Mixed Tribunals
I
shall not extend,
nor
be recognised for any purpose whatsoever, in any part of the
Soudan, excent in the town of Suakin.
Art. IX.
and save so far as it shall be otherwise determined by
Proclamation, the Soudan, with the exception of the town of
Suakin, shall be and remain under martial law.
Until,
Art, X.
No
Consuis, Vice-Consuls, or Consular Agents shall be ac-
credited in respect of nor allowed to reside in the Soudan, without
the previous consent of
Her
Britannic Maiestv's Government.
Art
The importation
portation,
is
4
.
XL
of slaves into the
absolutely prohibited.
Soudan, as also their ex-
Provision shall be
made by
Proclamation for the enforcement of this Regulation.
Art. XII.
ments
tion shall be paid to the enforcement of the Brussels Act of the
m
of
fire-arms
and
their
munitions,
and
distilled
or
spirituous
liquors.
Done
in Cairo, the 19th of January, 1899.
Signed
:
Bourtros Ghali
— Cromer.
—
:
APPENDIX E
489
DECLARATION RELATIVE TO THE BRITISH
AND FRENCH SPHERES OF INFLUENCE IN
CENTRAL AFRICA.
(Signed at London, March 21st, 1898)
The Undersigned,
duly authorised by their Governments, have
signed the following declaration
The IVth
:
Article of the Convention of the 14th of June, 1898,
completed by the following provisions, which shall be
considered as forming an integral part of it
1. Her Britannic Majesty's Government engages not to acquire
shall be
either territory or political influence to the west of the line of
frontier defined in the following paragraph,
of the
French Republic engages not
political influence to the east of the
and the Government
to acquire either territory or
same
line.
from the point where the
boundary between the Congo Free State and French territory
meets the water-parting between the watershed of the Nile and
It shall follow in principle
that of the Congo and its affluents.
2.
The
line of frontier shall start
that water-parting
north latitude.
up
to its intersection
From
this point
it
with the 11th parallel of
shall be
drawn as
far as the
15th parallel in such manner as to separate, in principle, the
Kingdom of Wadai from what constituted in 1882 the Province of
no case be so drawn as to pass to the west
40'
(18°
Greenwich
of
beyond the 21st degree of longitude east
east of Paris), or to the east beyond the 23rd degree of longitude
Darfur
;
but
it
shall in
Greenwich
east of
(20° 40' east of Paris).
understood, in principle, that to the north of the 15th
parallel the French zone shall be limited to the north-east and
east by a line which shall start from the point of intersection of
3.
It is
the Tropic of Cancer with the 16th degree of longitude east of
Greenwich (13° 40' east of Paris), shall run thence to the south-
meets the 24th degree of longitude east of Greenwich
(21° 40' east of Paris), and shall then follow the 24th degree
east until
it
meets, to the north of the 15th parallel of latitude, the
frontier of Darfur as it shall eventually be fixed.
4. The two Governments engage to appoint Commissioners
until
it
in
frontier-line
spot
a
the
on
delimit
to
charged
who
accordance with the indications given in paragraph 2 of this
shall be
THE
490
Declaration.
The
11IVER
result of their
WAR
work
shall be submitted for the
approbation of their respective Governments.
Convention
the
IX.
of
Article
of
provisions
the
that
agreed
It is
territories
the
to
equally
shall
apply
June,
1898,
of the 14th of
latitude,
20'
north
14°
of
parallel
of
the
south
to
the
situated
and to the north of the 5th parallel of north latitude, between
degree
(12th
Greenwich
20'
of
14°
longitude
east
of
meridian
the
east of Paris)
Done
at
and the course
of the
London, the 21st
of
Upper
Nile.
March, 1899.
(L.S.)
SALISBURY.
(L.S.)
PAUL C AMBON.
;
;
49]
g
•
EX
IN
Abdalla Wad Saad protests against
Khalifa's army being quartered
Abu Hamed, Hunter's march
on him, i. 319
Abdel Kader imprisoned by the
Khalifa, i. 122
Abdel Kerim (uncle of the Mahdi),
i. 122
Abdullahi (the Khalifa), i. 43;
alliance with the Mahdi, 45
made Khalifa, 49 Mahdi declares him his successor, 115
and people confirm the choice,
117; character, 118; policy of,
121
brings the Baggara to
war with
Omdurman, 124
126-133
resumes
Abyssinia,
with
Egypt, 141
hostilities
description of his review of
designs on Egypt
troops, 145
speech to Derfrustrated, 157
vishes after fall of Dongola, 311
meditates retaking it in 1897,
315 quarrel with Abdalla Wad
Saad, 320; fall of Abu Hamed
puts him on the defensive, 346
fresh activity of, 350 dissension
among his generals, 369 his army
plan of
at Omdurman, ii. 87
his flight after the
attack, 119
battle, 164 escapes, 180; fidelity
his
of his defeated army, 182
expedition to
movements, 287
catch him, 289-299 his crimes
exaggerated, 395
Abu Anga, antecedents of, i. 128
appointed
his generalship, 130
to chief command, 133 defeats
dies of
Abyssinian troops, 134
poison, 135
Abu Gemaiza heads revolt against
Khalifa, i. 139
Abu
329
|
\
i
ii.
268
273
285
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
I
;
;
attacks
;
;
Ahmed Wad
I
;
;
Gedaref,
Rosaires,
retreats, 272
escapes after the action,
255
render,
;
;
323
;
;
;
103
Fedil, i. 312; operations
refuses to suragainst, ii. 229
;
;
i.
102; see
60, 97, 98,
Ahmed
;
;
i.
;
;
'
Klea,
Battles
Abyssinia, power of, i. 119, 137
war with Dervishes, 126-138
Adams, Captain, i. 270
Afridis, compared with Dervishes,
j
;
i.
see also Battles
Abu Kru,
;
.
;
on,
'
Suliman, i. 123
Aird, Sir John, ii. 16
Akasha, Khalifa's advance on, i.
Burn-Murdoch's cavalry
181
skirmish at, 214
Ala-ed-Din Pasha (Governor of the
Soudan), i. 53
Alexandria, i. 51, 62
Ali-Wad-Helu, i. 49, 146 in com;
;
mand
at
Omdurman,
145
Arabi Pasha, revolt
of,
ii.
i.
88, 120,
51
of the
invasion
Soudan from, i. 15
Arabs, the dominant race in the
Soudan, i. 15, 16
Arabia,
early
Arimondi,
defeats
Colonel,
vishes at Agordat,
Arms,
arms
inferior
Belief Force,
i.
i.
Dongola
Krupp guns
on
Der-
355
Gordon
of
Nordenfeldts
expedition, 182
defences at
in
97
;
and at Wady
Suakin, 192
Haifa, 209 inefficiency of LeeSwiss
Metford bullets, 366
;
;
;
—
;
THE RIVER WAR
492
repeating rifles used by Dervishes,
433 expenditure of ammunition
at Atbara, 447
Hvthe and Dumbullets, ii. 338
lances
versus swords, 34(5
value of
revolvers in a cavalry charge,
magazine pistols, 351
347 ;
Adowa,
170
Agordat, i. 355
Atbara, i. 416-448 ii. 875
Dargai, ii. 365
Debra Sin, i. 133
El Teb, i. 78
Firket, i. 228 ii. 375
Galabat, i. 127, 136
Gedaref, i. 256 266
Gemai/a, i. 158
;
;
;
Dum
;
;
;
;
different
Onidurnian, 352
sidered, 356
Artillery at
Assuan,
Atbara,
at,
27
ii.
Attendee, A. H.,
quoted,
i.
at
con-
354
ii.
Ginniss, i. 157
Hafir, i. 261
37
ii.
fort built at,
of trade in,
toum
Maxims
;
Omdurman,
dam
?
used
projectiles
6
;
i.
360
;
i.
growth
Hashin,
158
i.
Khor Wintri,
see Battles
Towards Khar-
Massowa, i. 119
Metemina, i. 100
281
Omdurman,
Baggaka, Khalifa's policy towards,
124
Bahr-el-Ghazal, the, i.
Zubair supreme in, 30
i.
Baillie, Captain,
13
9,
1
;
I
wounded at Atbara,
431
Baker, General Sir Samuel, Gordon
succeeds, i. 28, 64, 75 sent to
relieve Tokar, 77
Baker, General Sir Samuel, his
defeat at El Teb, 77
Bakr, Sheikh, ii. 278
Baratieri,
General, capture
of
Kassala, i. 356
Baring. Captain the Honourable E.,
reconnaissance before Atbara, i.
386
Baring, Sir Evelyn (afterwards
Lord Cromer), i. 63
opposes
Gordon's appointment, 65 sup-
I
i.
;
;
;
ports him in his
Zubair's services,
request lor
corre70
spondence with Gordon, 75, 78
;
198
i.
j
;
j
ii.
107-164, 375
273-289
Rosaires,
ii.
Tamai.
78. 158
i.
Tofrek, i. 158
Toski, i. 157
Beatty, Lieutenant, i. 267, B86
Belgians, King of the, i. 64
Belial Bey sent against Zubair, L80
Berber, i. 67, 71, 75, 81, 142;
strategic importance of, i. 299,
339 ; arguments against taking it
summarised. 341
Beshir, Sheik, i. 129 defeated by
Khalifa and put to death, 130
Blood, Major-General Sir Bindon,
ii. 48
;
Brinton, Lieutenant,
Omdurman. ii. 201
Broadwood, Colonel,
wounded
i.
at
182, 213;
commands cavalry during Atbara
reconnaissance,
campaign, 382
393-408: commands again at
;
Omdurman,
Bull, Rene,
ii.
55, 89, 123
war correspondent,
ii.
3
suggests flying column to relieve
Gordon, 79
chooses Kitchener
as Sirdar, 164 instructs him to
181 ;
advance
on Dongola,
Anglo-French
responsible
for
Burgess, Lieutenant, ii. 291
Burleigh, Mr. Bennett, war correspondent, ii. 3
Burn-Murdoch, Major, i. 212
Butler, Major-General Sir Williain
quoted, i. 96
301
his 1899
report quoted, 397 magnitude of
Byrne, Private, gallantry
man, ii. 140
;
;
Convention,
ii.
;
;
his influence
on Egyptian
at
Omdur-
affairs,
414
Bathurst, Lieutenant,
Battles
ii.
:
Abu Hamed, 334
Abu Klea, i. 97
i.
250
Camel Corps,
the,
Caneva, General,
i.
i.
97 et seq.
356
Cassel, Sir Ernest,
reservoirs, ii. 15
finances
Nile
;
;
INDEX
(
403
216 Firket,
during the
in
Dongola campaign, 274
Salamat skirmish, 316 at Abu
imed, 334 at Atbara, 447-448
with Afridis, 324 their tactics at
Omdurman, 334
Dongola, i. 37, 140
Kitchener's
advance into, authorised, 181
Omdurman,
Dwyer,
asualtie* at Akasha, i.
Hafir, 266
i. 2:52
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
1
1
;
Dufferin,
j
Rosaires,
198;
ii.
spirit of,
i.
of.
i.
151
wounded
Captain,
Gedaref, ii. 269
288
Cherif Pasha, public
Marquis
at
19,
61, 69
Churchill, Lord Randolph, quoted,
i. 69, 92
Clark, Lieutenant (21st Lancers),
ii.
Egkrton, Colonel,
Major,
388;
55
182,
i.
Omdurman, ii.
Commander, R.N., com-
Brigadier at
Colville,
mands
Force,
flotilla
i.
254
;
wounded
205
;
Expeditionary
in
i.
Egypt, her iniquitous rule of the
Soudan (1819 1883), i. 20 et srq. ;
review
of
Egyptian history,
51-54; Mr. Gladstone'*s policy
excellence of Egyptian
in, 62
cavalry. 408 (for
Armv see
Regiments)
El Obeid, taken bv the Mahdi. i.
revolts
52, 54, 60, 79, 109, 138
against the Khalifa, 129
El Teb, see Rattles
Einin Pasha, i. 13
131
Collinson,
C.B.,
at Hafir,
262
;
Conolly, Lieutenant, i. 71
Cottingham, Captain, killed
Kosaires, ii. 275
Crichton. Lieutenant,
at
242
Cromer, Lord, see Baring
Currie, Major, i. 254
Darfur,
Zubair
i.
Famine
12, 21, 44, 61, 109,
Kahmana
dition against,
Dannali,
quarters
ii.
i.
;
leads an expe-
80
troops
at,
129
;
fall of,
84
Atbara,
after
Soudan,
i.
142
played in
Fanaticism, the part it
the war, i. 32 34
Farmer, Lieutenant, death of. from
cholera, i. 244
Farquhar, Colonel, i. 52 death of, 54
Fashoda, i. 49 Sirdar's expedition
;
summer
in
j
in the
i.
454
;
306
Fenwick, Captain, i. 197 dies of
cholera, i. 244
Fergusson, Major, ii. 277
Finance, Egyptian methods of, described, i. 174
grant for River
War opposed by France, 175
Great Britain guarantees it, 178180 difficulty of finding money
to,
ii.
;
Major,
commands 4th
Brigade in Expeditionary Force,
attempts to ascend Fourth
i. 253
Cataract. 336
Davis, Lieutenant-Colonel Newnhain, quoted, i. 90
De Montmorency, Lieutenant, ii.
77; in the charge of the 21st
Lancers, 143
De Rougemont, Captain, commands
David,
;
flotilla
after Colville's
wound,
i.
263
;
;
for irrigation purposes, ii. 14
cost of the operations from Dongola to Omdurman, ii. 386
Findlav, Captain, killed at Atbara,
431
Finn, Colonel,
i.
Dervishes, the, i. 84, 97, 100, 124;
defeated at Abu Klea, 99; take
war with
103
Abyssinia, 126-138; checked in
advance on Egypt* 157
decourage at
generacy of, 166
Atbara, 434 their bold attack at
Omdurman, ii. 115 charge of
the Baggara horse. 162; compared
Khartoum,
;
;
;
:
:
ii.
348
Firket, capture of,
Fit-ton,
Captain,
Akasha,
i.
i.
220 234
wounded
at
215
Fitzclarence, Lieutenant, killed at
Abu Hamed,
v
332
Fitzmaurice, Lord Edmund, i. 92
Fleming, Captain, at Gedaref, ii.
263
i.
;;
the
494
;
m
WAR
avenging him makes 1896 war
popular, 173 Gordon memorial
service after Omdurman, ii. 205
his Journals quoted, i. 34, 72,
his letters quoted,
81, 84, 162
75, 78
Ford-Hutchinson, Captain, i. 200
Forster, Mr., i. 93
France and the Fashoda affair, ii.
301-321
Freeman, Sergeant, ii. 139
Friend, Major, ii. 98
;
;
'
I
Gordon
i.
Gakdul Wells,
Garstin,
Sir
i.
;
I
:
;
;
camp
at,
i.
Germain, Captain,
ii. 315
Pasha, i. 24, 31, 87
Girouard, Lieutenant, i. 280
of,
Ger>si
mate
for
Khartoum
made head
railway, 287
Alexandria,
Egyptian policy, 63
sends
i.
;
it
in
i.
254
Metemma,
i.
246,
262
254,
347
(Hafir),
;
Nazir, i. 338, 347, 392 ii. 56
Sheikh, ii. 56
Sultan, ii. 56
Tamai, i. 254, 262 (Hafir).
336
Zafir, i. 241 bursts a cylinder,
255 268, 386 ii. 66
;
;
against his administration, 107
Gordon, General Charles, his reputation previous to going to the Soudan, i. 25 his character sketched,
27 appointed Governor of Equathe situatorial Provinces, 28
tion at the time, 29, 30 leaves
the Soudan, 31 his return sugappointed envoy, 65
gested, 63
asks for
proclamation of, 67
Zubair's assistance, 69; Home
Government refuse it, 71 breach
with Government, 73; defence
relations with
of Khartoum, 81
his extraordinary
Slatin, 83-87
his efforts to preserve
faith, 90
confidence in Khartoum, 91
the relief expedition, 95-100
Khartoum entered by Mahdi,
his chahis death, 105
103
idea of
racter estimated, 106
56
i.
Kaibar,
;
England, 92-94 treatment of Gordon, 98 true case
to
ii.
;
;
his
51
opposition
to
fleet
254
i.
;
254, ii. 56
El Teh, i. 336; sunk at the
Fourth Cataract, 337
Fateh, i. 338, 347, 392 ii. 56
tration,
W. E.,
Gorringe, Lieutenant, R.E., sinks a
well in desert, i. 295
Graham, General Sir Gerald, i. 27,
60, 78
Dal,
;
of raihvay adminis-
308
Gladstone, Right Hon.
432
Akasha.
esti-
;
24
20, 22,
G
242
aggression
quoted,
Granville, Earl, his definition of
'advice,' i. 61, 66, 75, 78
Grenfell,
General Sir Francis,
(Sirdar), victory at Toski, i. 157,
further successes of, 158
Grenfell, Lieutenant K.
v ii. 132
his death in the 21st Lancers'
charge, ii. 143, 240
Gunboats, i. 240, 241
Abu Klea, i. 254, 262 (Hafir)
Brigade, i. 361 rigorous discipline
personal courage at
365
of,
Atbara, 430 his tactics in that
action criticised, 458; at Onidurni an, ii. 151
Gemai, North Staffordshire Regiin
in Central Africa
1
Gore, Lieutenant, killed at Atbara,
97
William, report on
313 on Irrigation,
i.
Fashoda, ii.
405, 407
Major-General W. F.,
Gatacre,
appointed to command British
ment
1
4
I
;
;
;
|
;
;
;
;
1
;
Hadendoa
;
;
;
j
76 defeated, 78
Haig, Captain D., i. 396
revolt,
i.
;
;
its
146
Haminuda, Emir, commands Der-
;
vishes at Firket,
;
;
j
;
;
tribe, the cause of
i.
220
Hartington, Marquis of (Duke of
Devonshire), i. 93
Hatton, Colonel, ii. 242
Henderson, Colonel, quoted, ii. 193
Hickman, Major
T. E., i. 392
General (Pasha), letters
Hicks,
quoted,
;
;
\
and
i.
52
;
defeated by
Mahdi
killed, 54, 61, 76, 84, 98,
128
;;
;;;;
495
INDEX
Abdullahi, Ali-WadHelu, and Sherif
Khartoum, situation of, i. 2 under
Egyptian rule, 21
Gordon's
defence of, 81 fall of, 104 expedition against, compared with
against Tirah,
ii.
that
322
Khalifa,
Hicks-Beach, Sir Michael, i. 93
Hill, Captain Sir Henry, ii. 277
Hood, Lieutenant, R.N., i. 336
Howard, Hon. Hubert. Special
Correspondent of Times, ii. 3,
26, 70; killed by one of our
shells,
ii.
175
;
;
;
;
description of his
177
Hunter, Brevet-Colonel, D.S.O.,
i.
promoted Major263
General, 274 commands opera-
;
;
claims Gordon's authority over
Soudan, i. 66 see also Ismail
Kitchener, Horatio Herbert, General and Baron (Sirdar)
Gordon's
impatience with, i. 82, 162
sketch of his early career, 159 first
goes to Egypt, 161
appointed
Governor of Suakin, 163 Adjutant-General of Egyptian Army.
164 Sirdar, 165 Don^ola expehis powers of orgadition, 181
nisation, 188 arrives at Wady
Haifa, 212 moves forward, 218
Firket, 220-234 his luck, 236
;
tions against Abu Hamed, 294,
323, 335 ; occupies Berber, 341
his march on Metemma, 352 ; at
his share in the
Atbara, 427
;
;
;
victory of
ii.
;
college at, 402
Khedive, the, sends a force against
Zubair Rahraana, i. 30
pro-
life,
181,
see
Omdurman
estimated,
;
191
;
;
Ibrahim Khalil, Emir,
Omdurman,
ii.
i.
312
;
at
;
;
134
;
Imperialism considered, i. 18-20
as Imperial Democracy, 150
;
;
;
India, causes of frontier rising in
1897, i. 34
Ismail. Khedive, i. 22, 27
Italy in Africa, i. 109, 119
;
;
march from Kosheh,
disastrous
but the advance resumed.
253 his disappointment at the
breakdown of the Zafir, 256
Dongola occupied, 272 advance
to Khartoum authorised, 283 his
selection of the line of advance,
286 first travels over the Abu
251
;
;
;
Jaalin
the, fight for
tribe,
Omdurman,
ii.
us at
;
93
Jackson, Colonel H. W., i. 352
appointed Commandant at Fashoda, ii. 309
James, Lionel, war correspondent,
ii.
;
Hamed
;
;
;
3
;
m
Jebel Masa, a mountain in Kordo-
|
;
j
fan,
railway, 296
management of the Commissariat, 305
and of telegraphy, 324 decides
the Meto occupy Berber, 341
temma reconnaissance, 349 ar-
49
i.
Jeddah,
slave;
_
market
at,
i.
16
<
141
John, Negus of Abyssinia, i. 127 ;
takes field against Dervishes, 135
killed at Gallabat, 136; head
buried at Wady Haifa, 209
Jehadia, the,
i.
rangement with
^
;
Kassala, 356 movements before
precautions
Atbara, 369-415
before the battle, 418 his formatreatment of the
tion,
427
;
;
;
I
;
enemy, 444 his tactics discussed,
455 his conduct after the vic;
;
Commander
commands flotilla
Keppel,
i.
354
Colin, R.N.,
in Metemma
at
i.
347
;
;
;
;
reconnaissance,
Omdurman,
at
Shendi, 392
and at Fashoda, 306
ii. 56
Kerreri, reconnaissance of, ii. 85
;
462
criticism of his dispositions before Omdurman, ii.
103; the battle, 110-164; his
entry into the town, 172 criticism of the action, 190-197
tory,
Kassala, description of,
Kenna. Captain, ii. 143
about
Italians
!
tomb, 212
memorial service to Gordon, 205
speech to 21st Lancers, 231 expedition to Fashoda. 253 criticism of the Gedaref affair. 272
razes the
Mahdi's
;
;
;
;
;;;
;;
THE KIVER AYAH
496
meeting with Marchand, 309
his preferment deserved, 369
estimate of
him
;
a general,
as
Berber proclamation,
march on Khartoum, 81
76
enters the city, 103; absolute
Ins
over whole country. 113
death, 115; and burial, 116
his
tomb bombarded, ii. 99
and
profaned, 212
Mahmud, i. 258; ordered by the
Khalifa to Omdurman, 313; hi*
march to Metemma, 320; remains entrenched there, 340 354
advances to Atbara, 375 authorGordon's
375-379
;
;
Kitchener, Colonel F. W., chosen
to pursue Khalifa, ii. 289 ; failure
of the expedition. 299
Klootz, Gustav, i. 53
Korti, desert column starts from, i.
97
Kosheh, gunboats built
at,
240
i.
:
;
;
;
Lawson, Colonel, at Gedaref, ii. 257
Le Gallais, Captain, cavalry recon-
by Khalifa to attack Berber,
377; apathy of, 398 his position
reconnoitred by our cavalry. 400-
naissance under, i. 316 ii. 273
Legge, Captain, wounded at Firket,
416
434
ised
;
;
232
Lewis, Major, at Firket,
;
taken prisoner at Atbara,
Mahomet
i.
222
commands 1st brigade of Expeditionary Force, 253, 268, 436
i.
;
;
195
Long, Lieutenant-Colonel, in command of artillery at Atbara, i. 382
and at Omdurman, ii. 55
Lyttelton,
Colonel,
brigadier at
Omdurman, ii. 55, 151
i.
i.
18
Mahon, Captain,
Omdurman,
ii.
i.
232,
126
;
317
at
reported
;
killed. 171
;
brigadier at Omdurman, ii. 55,
151 Eosaires, 273-289
Lloyd, Colonel, Governor of Suakin,
Ali,
Manifold,
Lieutenant,
manages
telegraph wires during war, i. 324
Marchand, Major, expedition to
Fashoda, ii. 301
Martin, Colonel (21st Lancers), ii.
55, 77, 139, 341
Maud, \V. T., war correspondent,
'
ii. 3
Maxwell, Major, Firket, i. 222;
commands 3rd brigade in Expeditionary Force, 253, 268
and
1st brigade at Atbara, 382
at
Omdurman, ii. 55 his part in
the battle, 146
Maxwell, W. T., war correspondent,
ii. 3
McKerrel, Captain, ii. 257
•
;
Macartney, Sir Hallidav, i. 27
MacDonald, Major H. A., i. 184, 222
(Firket)
237
;
;
his brigade at Suarda,
Absarat,
occupies
249
moves to Dulgo. 253 at Abu
Hamed, 331 garrisons Berber,
344; commands 2nd brigade at
;
;
Atbara, 282-427
Omdurman,
ii.
his brigade at
55 ; his part in
;
the battle, 145, 191
Macdonald, Colonel
Uganda
expedition,
;
Metemma,
description of,
Mitford, Colonel, ii. 289
ii.
48
Mohammed Ahmed, tee Mahdi
38
Mohammed Sherif (Sheikh),
quarrel with Mohammed Ahmed,
i.
E.
T.
ii.
L.,
300
;
41
Madibbo, Emir, i. 131
Mahdi, the (Mohammed Ahmed),
antecedents, 37 breach
i. 12, 25
with the Sheikh el Sherif, 40;
adherence of Abdullahi,
45
beginning: of his rebellion, 47
first military successes of, 48
gains over Soudan, 56
takes
El Obeid, 52
defeats Hicks
boldness of, after
Pasha, 54
;
;
;
;
Mohammed
ez - Zein commands
Dervish garrison at Abu Hamed.
322
Molvneux,
i.
•
Lieutenant
Richard, wounded at
ii. 140
the
Hon.
Omdurman,
;
;
;
Napier, Major, wounded
i. 431
at Atbara,
;;
;
INDEX
Nason, Colonel, ii. 281
X( sham, Lieutenant, ii. 141
Neufeld released, ii. 176
Nile, the, geographical importance
undescription of, 5-12
of. i. 1
navigaLle parts of, 300; system
irrigation described, ii. 10
of
Polwhele, Lieutenant, R.E., death
of, from cholera, i. 244
Railways, broad gauge from Cairo
;
;
Angara, Emir,
Gedaref, ii. 265
surrenders
;
begun in earnest, 290
British and American engines,
298 railway completed between
Wady Haifa and At bar a, 304
effect of Desert Railway on the
whole war, ii. 332
284
Ohrwalder, Father,
Ten Years
Captivity' (quoted), i.
141, 161; ii. 213
Omar Tita (Sheikh), i. 194
of
128, 131,
Sirdar's advance to,
ii. 62 et seq.; description of the
place, 207
Osman Asrak commands Dervishes
wounded
221
i.
;
at Hatir,
defeated, 232
;
ordered
Klea, 312;
264
;
by Khalifa to Abu
has a command at Omdurman,
ii. 88
Osman Digna joins Mahdi's rebeldefeated by Egyptian
lion, i. 77
army under Grenfell, 158 adadvises
vances on Suakin, 163
caution before Atbara, 375
retreats after the battle, 449
com;
;
;
;
;
mands at Omdurman, ii. 88, 145
Osman Sheikh-ed-Din commands
at Omdurman, ii. 88, 120
Osman-AVad-Adam (Governor of El
Obeid),
i.
138
Owen, Major
;
;
Omdurman,
at Firket,
;
;
Nur
4
i.
railway from
188, 210; extension to Kosheh
description of
completed, 289
the making of the railway, 279
extension to Kerma. 282; the
plan for railway to Khartoum,
22, 65
i.
ISO
military
Haifa to Sarras,
Halliana,
to
et seq.
Nubar Pasha,
497
,
liaouf Pasha,
i.
47
lias Adal (Governor of
Amhara),
defeated by Dervishes, 184
Rashid Bey defeated by the Mahdi,
127
i.
;
49
Regiments
war:
—
employed
during the
*
Native
Egyptians, i. 196, 253,
365; ii. 56 (Omdurman)
2nd Egyptians, i. 185, 222
1st
(Firket), 253, 365, 382
3rd Egyptians, i. 184. 185,
222
(Abu
323
(Firket),
253,
Hamed), 344, 365, 382 ii. 55
4th Egyptians, i. 185, 22;
(Firket), 253, 365, 382
Egyptians, i. 185, 196.
•~>th
253, 365 ii. 28, 55
6th Egyptians, i. 186, 246
7th Egyptians, i. 185, 211,
222 (Firket), 246, 253, 336,
365, 382 ii. 55
8th Egyptians, i. 185, 222,
253, 3*65, 382
15th Egyptians, i. 186, 253,
365
16th Egyptians, i. 186, 196;
ii. 262 (Gedaref)
17th Egyptians, ii. 28
18th Egyptians, ii. 28
IXth Soudanese, i. 185, 211,
222, 253, 323, 344, 365, 382
ii. 270, 277
Xth Soudanese, i. 185, 188,
J. 253, 323
;
;
Roddy,
from cholera, i. 244
k
1
death
of,
;
Major, commands artillery in Expeditionary Force,
i.
254, 263; at Kassala, 358;
expedition against Gedaref, ii.
Parsons,
257-272
Peake, Major, P. A., at Firket,
i.
229
Pedley, Captain, i. 301
Persse, Captain, i. 387
Peyton, Captain, i. 317
in a skirmish, 318
Philae,
Temple
Pirie, Captain,
VOL.
II.
of,
ii.
;
wounded
described,
77,
132
ii.
9
i.
K K
—
;
THE RIVER WAR
498
257
Regiments co ntin tied
(Abu Hamed), 344, 365, 382,
ii.
(Atbara)
55, 157,
277 (Rosaires)
/
XTtlt Soudanese, i. 184, 217,
222, 283, 316, 323, 344, 352,
ii.
55,
365, 434 (Atbara)
gallant rescue
;
264
officer,
native
of
*
;
\
;
157, 277
Xllth Soudanese,
253, 344, 365, 382;
ii.
270
182, 1H5,
222, 253, 344, 365, 382, 388;
ii. 270. 306
XlVth Soudanese, i. 184, 185,
ii. 55, 2S9
186, 365, 382
XTIIth Soudanese,
i.
3
Shendi taken, ii. 392
Sherif (Khalifa), submits to Abdullahi, i. 122; 141 ; in Khalifa's
dent,
184. 222,
i.
Saadalla, Emir, ii. 260
Salamat, skirmish at, i. 315
Sandbach, Major, ii. 151
Scudamore, Frank, war-correspon-
|
146
service,
Shirkela reconnaissance, ii. 291
Sidney', Major, L 196; killed
;
at
Abu Hamed, 332
English
CaValry :-^lst Lancers,
ii.
52; relations with
escapes from
Gordon, 83 87
Khalifa, 168; with Kitchener's
and
Fire
army, ii. 79, 98
(Pasha),
;
Sword
Guards,
169
4,
North StaffordInfant nj
shire Regiment, i. 186, 20K,
254,
(Gernai),
261
*
(Hafir)
Royal
ment,
Warwickshire
(Atbara)
382,
361,
i.
426
Lincoln Regiment, i. 361, 382,
426 ii. 55, 157
Cameron Highlanders, i. 361,
ii. 55, 157
382, 426
Seaforth Highlanders, i. 361,
ii. 55, 157
382, 426
5th Fusileers, ii. 4
Lancashire Fnsileers, ii. 4
Rifle Brigade, ii. 247
Rhodes, Colonel, Times' correspondent, ii. 3, 26 wounded at
;
:
;
4
;
Omdurman,
20]
Richard, Sergeant, killed at Hafir,
ii.
262
Ripen, Marquis
quoted,
31, 38, 42, 44,
i.
130;
ii.
213
Sloggett, Lieut.-Colonel, at Omdurman, ii. 50; wounded, 161, 202
Smyth, Lieutenant, ii. 71
^u
^*
m
_
Snow, Major, i. 362
Soudan, the, description
Egyptian rule of, i. 20
tion
157
55,
ii.
;
Regi-
i
1
50, 115, 123,
!
:
242
i.
;
;
— Grenadier
K.C.M.G.
Rudolf,
Sir
Slatin,
;
:
Kit-
Gxenfell,
chener
;
;
Guards
Wood,
see
Sirdar,
4,
inarch to Omdurman,
32-80
Kerreri reconnaisgreat
their
sance,
83
charge, 135 139; its necestheir deparsity, 193, 233
ture for Cairo, 231
30, 65
ii.
ii.
272
109
of,
;
its
12
evacuare-entered in 1896,
;
of,
i.
;
considered,
future
ii,
Eastern Soudan, failure of
campaign in, i. 192-208
Soudanese, the, characteristics of i.
reconsti14 their riflemen, 25
tution of army, 151
Sparkes, Captain, at Firket, i. 230
Staveley-Gordon, Captain, i. 301
397.
,
;
;
Steevens, G. \V.,
ii.
3
Stephenson, Sir F., i. 95 victory at
Ginniss, 157
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir
Stewart,
Soudan
on
report
Herbert,
quoted, i. 22 in favour of Zubair's
emplovment, 70 81 killed after
Abu Klea, 100
Stewart, Messrs. John, execute new
gunboats, i. 241
Stuart- Wortley, Captain, commands
;
;
i.
27
Rogers, Colonel, in charge of comof,
i.
missariat, i. 304
Rundle, Colonel, C.M.G., Sirdar's
Chief of Staff, i. 211 commands
during his absence at Fashoda,
;
269
Ruthven, Captain, at Gedaref,
Aral)
man,
ii.
ii.
;
;
before
irregulars
ii.
57, 91
Suakin. history
of,
i.
189
Omdur-
;
INDEX
Swarbrick, Corporal,
Sword, Lieutenant,
143
account
w
of
Wad
at
;
95
;
insufficient
supply
auxiliary boat
of camels, 98
service for, 245 camels absorbed
by, 249 ; during Dongola campaign, 277 methods of supplying
;
j
i
|
!
;
J
I
I
v
troops at Berber, 301; weak
points of, during war, ii. 329
Trask, Surgeon- Captain, i. 244
Tudway, Captain, commands Camel
Corps at Atbara, i. 382 ; and at
Shirkela
Omdurman, ii. 55
reconnaissance, 292
^
Tullibardine, Lieut, the Marquis of,
in cavalry reconnaissance before
ii. 219
Atbara, i. 387
;
]
Department,
166
at
Omdurman, ii. 98
Mahdism
and Egyptian Soudan quoted,
156, 211
Wodehouse, Colonel, i. 157, 165
Wolseley, Lord, i. 60, 65
the
;
'
|
|
;
(
:
!
i
Gordon Relief Expedition, 95
Wood, Sir Evelyn, i. 52, 65; first
Sirdar, 152
recommends Abu
;
Hamed
line of advance,
286
j
Wormald, Lieutenant,
j
I
!
|
ii.
71
in
;
the Lancers' charge, 139
Wyndham, Major
Lanceis charge,
431
Villiers, Frederick, ii. 3
Yon Tiedemann, Baron, ii. 98
gence
;
;
killed at Atbara,
Haifa, description of, i. 208
Wauchope, A., Brigadier at Omdurman, ii. 55, 151
Weldon, Hamilton, ii. 3
Wilkinson, Captain, ii. 257
Williams, Charles, war correspondent, ii. 3
Wilson, Sir Charles, at Metemma,
i. 100
criticised for delay in proceeding to Khartoum, 102
Wingate, Sir
Reginald, i. 29
increases efficiency of Intellii
;
i.
51
;
;
Urquhart, Major,
ii.
before
Wady
j
i.
Ilamed, camp there
Omdurman,
^
methods of, i. 23
Thubron designs Nile gunboats, i.
24
Tirah, expedition to, compared with
expedition to Khartoum, ii. 323
commands
Major,
Townshend,
Xllth Soudanese at Firket, i. 223
Transport, in Gordon Relief Expe-
ditiou,
Yakub
Crole,
ii.
Omdurman,
in
139
150
Yunes, Emir, i. 127, 133, 322
Yusef Angar, Emir, at Firket,
Yusef Pasha, i. 49, 61
at
the
ii.
i.
229
,
Zkki Osman evacuates Berber,
Wad Akbab (Emir), 127 *
(Governor
Wad Bishara
i.
•
of
i.
;
;
;
Metemma,
271
;
338
Zeki luminal, appointed to command of Dervish armv, i. 135
209, 335
Zubair Rahinana, greatness as a
slave dealer, i. 28 rebels against
the Khedive, 30
captive at
Gordon asks for
Cairo, 31, 63
his assistance, 69
;
reorganises
;
j
Dervish troops. 312; killed at
Omdurman, ii. 153, 381
i.
;
J
talents of,
220, 257
258 at Hafir, 2(33 retreats to
Dongola, 266; further retreat to
Dongola),
i.
J
Egyptian
of
cruelty
Taxation,
Wad-el-Nejumi, killed at Toski,
ii.
North Staffordshire Regiment
Gemai, i. 242
409
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;
London