KHARTOUM MEMORIAL COLLEGE.--THE OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
It was decided by the Sirdar, from whom no successful appeal was
possible, that, after the occupation of Khartoum, the war
correspondents had no longer any pretext for remaining in the country.
There were no questions raised by the military to excuse their ruling.
No more was heard about the difficulties of transport, the scarcity of
provisions, and everything being required for the soldiers. Had not
the keen Greek sutlers, as usual, followed the army in shoals,
managing somehow to convey themselves and their goods to the front? We
had not been two days encamped at Omdurman before some of these
traders arrived, and, dumping their sacks and boxes by the wayside,
started selling forthwith. The natives, too, speedily reassured,
brought out and squatted before baskets of dates, onions, and other
comestibles they were anxious to dispose of for English or Egyptian
money. Rightly contemning the Khalifa's coinage as practically
valueless, they refused to accept it in payment, and proffered to sell
all they possessed at the price of old copper. The British troops
made their triumphal entry into Omdurman on the 5th of September, and
several of the correspondents left for England the same day. We who
remained had a sort of Hobson's choice, either to return to Cairo on
the 8th September or to remain in Omdurman out of which we should not
be allowed to stir until all the British troops had gone, when we
should have to leave with the last batch. Which course we should adopt
was with fine humour left to be decided by a majority of ourselves.
For once the Press was practically unanimous and elected to shake the
dust of the Soudan from their feet, and so it came about that the war
correspondents had to fold their tents and go, disposing of their
quadrupeds as best they could. There was no alternative in the case of
the horses between accepting any price for them or shooting them, for,
in the Soudan, there being no grazing, a horse must have a master or
starve. I disposed of a L40 animal for L1 and got but little more for
three others. The camels and stores fetched somewhat better prices.
Our servants we took back to their homes.
Yet for sundry reasons I was anxious to be allowed to remain longer in
the Soudan. There was news of fighting and movement up the Blue Nile.
Emir Ahmed Fadl bringing a force of 3000 dervishes from Gedarif to
assist the Khalifa had been driven back by the gunboat "Sultan." More
important still, rumours had reached us that the French, under
Marchand, were at Fashoda. I knew that the Sirdar intended sending a
force upon the gunboats up the White Nile to Fashoda and Sobat, so I
made both verbal and written requests to the General for permission to
accompany the expedition. That, I was told, could not be granted. We
had full confirmation of the fact that Major Marchand was at Fashoda
brought down to Omdurman on the 7th September by the dervish steamer
"Tewfikieh." I boarded her and had a long chat with the captain (reis)
and members of the crew, all of whom wore jibbehs. The little craft
was an ex-Thames, above-the-bridges, penny steamer with Penn's
oscillating engines. She was one of the boats Gordon sent from
Khartoum in 1884 to meet the Desert Column at Metemmeh. She was, if
possible, more dilapidated-looking than ever. By guarded questioning I
ascertained that the "Tewfikieh" was three days out from Fashoda. She
and the "Safieh," another dervish steamer, had been hotly fired upon
by the French who were occupying the old Egyptian fort with 100
Senegalese or natives of Timbuctoo. A number of local natives,
Shilluks, who had long been hostile to the dervishes, were
co-operating with the strangers. The reis accurately described the
French flag which was flying over the works and the appearance of the
Europeans. I was also able to procure several of the Lebel rifle
bullets that had entered the upper structure of the steamer. The
censor struck out from my telegrams all allusion to the presence of
the French at Fashoda, and I had to wait until I returned to Lower
Egypt to transmit the news to London. I openly held that the Fashoda
affair should be promptly and fully disclosed to the British public,
and I acted upon that conviction.
The "Safieh" remained up the Nile, making fast to the bank about 100
miles north of Fashoda, to await the return of the "Tewfikieh" with
orders from the Khalifa and reinforcements to destroy the French. No
doubt there was an attempt made to carry out an Anglophobe idea of
effecting a friendly alliance with the Mahdists so as to secure to
France the right of access to the Nile and the Bahr el Ghazal. It was
an effort to achieve the impossible, to negotiate a treaty with wild
beasts. Had the dervishes, or even the "Safieh's" people who were
drumming up recruits, been granted a fortnight to do it in the
Marchand expedition would have been totally destroyed. The "Tewfikieh"
arrived in a dust-storm and passed the Sirdar's gunboats unseen, and
it was not until she got to Omdurman that the dervish reis and crew
realised what had happened. With quick wit the skipper acted, for
those who go upon waters are of a catholicity of creed and
good-fellowship very different from ordinary landsmen. He ran his
craft to the bank, landed with one of his crew and paid a visit to
headquarters, where he surrendered himself and his craft. Both were at
once accepted, and during the course of the same day the "Tewfikieh"
again hoisted the Khedivial flag and was employed in towing and ferry
work. The captain and crew stood by their ship working her, and though
dressed as dervishes were on the flotilla muster-roll for wages and
rations. The like befell the other dervish steamers that came into
the Sirdar's hands. For two days there was a sale of the loot
captured by the army. Arms, drums, flags, and nearly all the smaller
articles found in the arsenal were auctioned. Some L4000 or more of
ivory and other merchandise were put aside. On the first day big
prices were paid by officers and men for trophies, but the following
day spears and swords were sold for trifling sums. The money derived
from the sale was set aside for distribution as prize money. All the
battalions, batteries, and corps had, however, free gifts of guns,
flags, or other trophies for souvenirs. On the afternoon of the 8th
September the correspondents and their belongings proceeded on the
horribly frowsy, rat-overrun, dervish steamer "Bordein" to Dakhala,
the railhead. The steamer was packed upon and below deck with British
soldiers, about 50 of whom were sick, whilst several were wounded.
Stowed almost like cattle, sitting, squatting, lying anywhere, anyhow,
without shade or shelter, we underwent two days of it on board. It was
found necessary to tie up occasionally for wood (fuel), and at night
the steamer was always moored to the bank. These occasions provided
the needed opportunity to prepare and partake of meals, and find space
to sleep upon the shore. But it was war-time, and extra roughing-it is
always an accompaniment of the game in uncivilised countries. Within a
week, thanks to the desert railway and the post-boats, we were back
enjoying the delicious flesh-pots of Egypt, first on board Messrs
Cook's magnificent Nile steamers, and thereafter in Shepheard's hotel,
Cairo.
On the way down I saw something and heard more of the excellent
base-hospital established at Abadia, of which Lieut.-Col. Clery,
R.A.M.C., was in charge. Landing stages had been erected for receiving
the sick and wounded, and wells were dug from which, owing to
infiltration, clear water was drawn for use in the hospital. All
water, however, used for food or drink was in addition filtered and
boiled. The percentage of recovery by patients was eminently
satisfactory. Major Battersby, R.A.M.C, had a Roentgen Ray apparatus
which was employed in twenty-two cases to locate bullets and
fractures. In connection with the treatment of the sick and wounded,
it is to be regretted that earlier and greater use was not made of the
National Aid Society's offer to provide steamers properly fitted for
carrying invalids. A railway journey in Egypt or the Soudan is, at the
best, a painful experience for even those who are well. From Assouan
to Cairo every invalided soldier could and should have been
transported by water, on just such a craft as the hospital,
"Mayflower," which the Society promptly and admirably equipped the
moment the authorities gave their consent. As early as June 1898
Lieut.-Col. Young, on behalf of the Red Cross Society, wrote
intimating a desire to assist, entirely at their own expense, in the
expedition. This application met with a refusal, and it was not until
the 1st of August 1898 that the Foreign Office replied to a subsequent
appeal that the Sirdar would gladly accept their proffer. Had the
matter been settled in June, instead of August, there could have been
three hospital ships plying, enough to transport every sick soldier
by water. By the 6th of September the "Mayflower" was ready with a
crew and a complement of nurses. The army provided their own medical
staff, the Society running the steamer and supplying the cuisine,
which was under the direction of a French "chef." The "Mayflower" was
able to convey, in most comfortable quarters, with every possible
attention to their needs, seventy-two sick and wounded soldiers.
Pjamas, socks, shirts and other necessaries were given free to every
patient. The steamer did good service, making at least three round
trips to bring down patients.
The wounds received in battle had scarce been dressed before the
Sirdar was seeking to give effect to his schemes for the well-being of
the Soudanese. Means were taken for the speedy connecting by telegraph
of Suakin and Berber, Suakin, Kassala, Gedarif, Khartoum. The wire
from Dakhala to Nasri was brought on to Omdurman a few days after the
victory. Arrangements were further made to bridge the Atbara and carry
forward the Wady Halfa-Abu Hamed-Dakhala line along the east bank to a
point upon the Blue Nile opposite Khartoum. That railway will be
completed in 1899, and there will be through train service from Wady
Halfa to the junction of the two Niles. With the suitable steamers
already in hand, there should be, all the year round, water
communication up the Blue Nile for hundreds of miles, and upon the
White Nile, with a few porterages, to the Great Equatorial Lakes, and
west through the Bahr el Ghazal country. So much was for commerce, for
material benefaction, but there was besides recognition of what was
due to higher needs. I knew the Sirdar had long entertained the idea
of fitly commemorating General Gordon's glorious self-abnegation in
striving to help the natives, single-handed, fighting unto death
ignorance and fanaticism. A scheme that would provide for the
education of the youth of the Soudan, conveying to them the stores of
knowledge taught in the colleges of civilised countries, was what he
aimed at. The desired institution should be founded in Khartoum, which
was to become a centre of light and guidance for the new nation being
born to rule Central Africa. As the Mussulman is nothing if not
fanatical whenever religious questions are introduced, it was to be a
foundation solely devoted to teaching exact knowledge without any
"ism."
I had the opportunity afforded me of several conversations with the
Sirdar upon the subject so dear to him, "a Gordon Memorial College in
Khartoum." The substance of these interviews I cabled fully to the
_Daily Telegraph_, which, with most other journals, warmly advocated
the carrying out of the scheme. It was certain that Gordon and
Khartoum would remain objects of interest to our race, and that public
sentiment demanded the erection of some proper memorial of the sad
past. Nothing better than the founding of a People's College could be
thought of. Lamentable ignorance of the world and all therein was and
yet is the direct curse of the land. The natives have had no
opportunity of learning anything beyond the parrot-smattering of the
Koran, the one book of Moslem schools. The rudimentary knowledge
common to British schoolboys transcends all the learning of the wise
in the Soudan. The people, Arabs and blacks, are docile and capable of
readily learning everything taught in the ordinary scholastic
curriculum at home. With a minimum annual income of L1500 a year,
teachers and apparatus could, it was said, be provided, although in
addition five or six thousand pounds sterling would be required for
preliminary outlay. The land and part of the necessary buildings, the
Sirdar intimated, would probably be presented as a gift by the
Egyptian Government. It would be futile, as all knew, trying to
succeed with a staff of native teachers. Tribal relations and other
causes stood in the way, and unless the college was to be doomed to
failure it would have to be launched and conducted by virile European
professors. Much if not all of the food required for the staff and
scholars could be purchased cheaply or might be raised in the college
grounds by the pupils themselves. Technical training would be taught
hand in hand with the ordinary courses. These were the outlines of the
Sirdar's communications, who, by the way, at that date was already
being known as Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. It having been noticed that
certain dignitaries and others were, through the press, ruining the
scheme by attempts to foist upon it theological and medical schools, a
complete answer was found for their statements by a near relative of
Gordon Pasha. In the course of conversation he referred to what I knew
to be the facts, that the British and Egyptian army doctors wherever
stationed in the Soudan, or from Assouan south, were wont to give
medicines and professional services to the civil population free of
charge. General Gordon, I was authorised to state, was no
narrow-spirited Christian, for he always put the need of giving
education before attempts at proselytising. It is not generally known
amongst strait-laced sectarians or churchmen that Gordon Pasha, at his
own expense, built a mosque for the devout Mohammedans whom he ruled,
and that his name, as worthy to be remembered in Moslem annals, is
inscribed upon the walls of the Mosque at Mecca. That General Gordon
was a staunch Christian goes without saying, but he was no churl who
could not esteem and respect the faith of his fellow-men. But the case
is well summed up in Lord Kitchener's subsequent letter to the press.
The Sirdar wrote:--
"SIR,--I trust that it will not be thought that I am trespassing
too much upon the goodwill of the British public, or that I am
exceeding the duties of a soldier, if I call your attention to an
issue of very grave importance arising immediately out of the
recent campaign in the Soudan. That region now lies in the pathway
of our Empire, and a numerous population has become practically
dependent upon men of our race.
"A responsible task is henceforth laid upon us, and those who have
conquered are called upon to civilise. In fact, the work
interrupted since the death of Gordon must now be resumed.
"It is with this conviction that I venture to lay before you a
proposal which, if it met with the approval and support of the
British public and of the English-speaking race, would prove of
inestimable benefit to the Soudan and to Africa. The area of the
Soudan comprises a population of upwards of three million persons,
of whom it may be said that they are wholly uneducated. The
dangers arising from that fact are too obvious and have been too
painfully felt during many years past for me to dwell upon them.
In the course of time, no doubt, an education of some sort, and
administered by some hands, will be set on foot. But if Khartoum
could be made forthwith the centre of an education supported by
British funds and organised from Britain, there would be secured
to this country indisputably the first place in Africa as a
civilising power, and an effect would be created which would be
felt for good throughout the central regions of that continent. I
accordingly propose that at Khartoum there should be founded and
maintained with British money a college bearing the name of the
Gordon Memorial College, to be a pledge that the memory of Gordon
is still alive among us, and that his aspirations are at length to
be realised.
"Certain questions will naturally arise as to whom exactly we
should educate, and as to the nature of the education to be given.
Our system would need to be gradually built up. We should begin by
teaching the sons of the leading men, the heads of villages, and
the heads of districts. They belong to a race very capable of
learning and ready to learn. The teaching, in its early stages,
would be devoted to purely elementary subjects, such as reading,
writing, geography, and the English language. Later, and after
these preliminary stages had been passed, a more advanced course
would be instituted, including a training in technical subjects
specially adapted to the requirements of those who inhabit the
Valley of the Upper Nile. The principal teachers in the college
would be British and the supervision of the arrangements would be
vested in the Governor-General of the Soudan. I need not add that
there would be no interference with the religion of the people.
"The fund required for the establishment of such a college is
L100,000. Of this, L10,000 would be appropriated to the initial
outlay, while the remaining L90,000 would be invested, and the
revenue thence derived would go to the maintenance of the college
and the support of the staff of teachers. It would be clearly
impossible at first to require payment from the pupils, but as the
college developed and the standard of its teaching rose, it would
be fair to demand fees in respect of this higher education, which
would thus support itself, and render the college independent of
any further call upon the public. It is for the provision of this
sum of L100,000 that I now desire to appeal, on behalf of a race
dependent upon our mercy, in the name of Gordon, and in the cause
of that civilisation which is the life of the Empire of Britain.
"I am authorised to state that Her Majesty the Queen has been
graciously pleased to become the patron of the movement. His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales has graciously consented to become
vice-patron.
"I may state that a general council of the leading men of the
country is in course of formation. Lord Hillingdon has kindly
consented to accept the post of hon. treasurer. The Hon. George
Peel has accepted to act as hon. secretary, and all communications
should be addressed to him at 67, Lombard Street, London, E.C.
Subscriptions should be paid to the Sirdar's Fund for the 'Gordon
Memorial College' at Khartoum, Messrs Glyn, Mills, Currie, & Co.,
67, Lombard Street, London, E.C.
"Enclosed herewith is a letter from the Marquis of Salisbury, in
which he states that this scheme represents the only policy by
which the civilising mission of this country can effectively be
accomplished. His lordship adds that it is only to the rich men of
this country that it is possible for me to look, yet I should be
glad for this appeal to find its way to all classes of our people.
"I further enclose a letter from the Baroness Burdett-Coutts,
whose devotion to the cause of Africa has been not the least of
her magnificent services. I forward, besides, an important
telegram from the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, and letters of great
weight from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Lord Provost of
Glasgow. I would venture to address myself to the other great
municipalities of the Kingdom.
"Above all, it is in the hands of the Press of this country that I
place this cause. I look with confidence to your support in the
discharge of this high obligation.--I have the honour to remain,
yours faithfully,
"(Signed) KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM."
Lords Salisbury and Rosebery, and many more distinguished personages,
followed the example of the Sovereign and the Prince of Wales and
became supporters of the proposed institution. In the Metropolis as
well as in all the chief towns of the Kingdom the matter was taken up
enthusiastically. An influential committee was formed. The
subscriptions were showered in from home and abroad, wherever the
English tongue was spoken and Gordon had been known. In less than a
month the L100,000, and considerably more, were subscribed, and the
establishment of the Memorial College assured.
Lieut.-Colonel C. S. B. Parsons, R.A., Governor of Kassala and the Red
Sea littoral, to whom I have previously referred when we were
advancing against Omdurman, was menacing the dervish outpost of
Gedarif. Later on, when Ahmed Fadl was marching to reinforce his
master the Khalifa, Colonel Parsons was leading his Egyptians,
Abyssinian irregulars, and friendlies from Kassala up the head waters
or khor of the Atbara, far to the southward, and thence to a tributary
of the Blue Nile where the enemy had long had a garrison. The fifteen
years' campaign against Mahdism was nigh over, but not quite
concluded, with the victory of Omdurman. On receiving the check from
the gunboats, Fadl and his dervishes retreated up the Blue Nile to
where they had come from, their own country upon the borders of
Abyssinia. News seems to have reached them of Colonel Parsons'
advance, and it became a race for Gedarif. The Egyptians had a good
start, and managed to reach and capture the place and occupy the two
forts, one on either side of the river, or, what it is more
frequently, the khor, before the dervishes got back. Fadl was a man
of mettle and resolutely assaulted the town and forts of which he had
so long been governor. A desperate action ensued, but Fadl was beaten
off with a loss of 700, it is said, in killed and wounded. The
casualties in Colonel Parsons' force were about 100. But the
dervishes, though severely beaten, soon returned to attack the forts.
With increased numbers they sat down before the place and began to
harass sorely the Egyptian troops, cutting their communications with
Kassala, whence by wire to Massowah over the Italian lines and up the
Red Sea to Egypt the Sirdar was able to keep in touch with Colonel
Parsons. They endeavoured again, on several occasions, to storm one or
other of the forts, which were about half a mile apart, but happily
they were invariably repulsed. Still they persisted in their tactics
of worrying, evidently determined to recapture the place. At last
matters grew so serious that Major-General Rundle was sent with a
brigade of infantry and several batteries to deal with Ahmed Fadl's
dervishes. Advancing up the Blue Nile in gunboats, the Egyptian force
cleared the banks of all the many wandering armed bands of the enemy.
Through the aid of the wily Abyssinian scouts, information was sent to
and received from Colonel Parsons and a plan arranged for catching
Fadl and his men between two attacking columns. Seventeen hundred men
of the Omdurman force attacked the dervishes on one side, whilst
Colonel Parsons' garrison assailed them from the other. The enemy were
completely routed and scattered in all directions. Hundreds of
dervishes were slain, and ultimately many who escaped were so closely
pressed by friendlies and Abyssinians that they surrendered. A
thousand fugitive Baggara or so vainly tried to make their way up the
Blue Nile, in order to retire to their former country in Kordofan.
They were caught crossing far up stream, near Rosaires, by Colonel
Lewis, vigorously attacked, defeated, and finally scattered. Thus the
last dervish army in the field was destroyed, and the country
reclaimed to the side of peace, order, and civilised government.
The following are the official despatches of Lieutenant-General Sir
Francis Grenfell, who commanded the British troops in Egypt, and of
the Sirdar, relating to the battle of Omdurman:--
THE OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
Headquarters, Cairo, _September 16, 1898_.
SIR,--1. I have the honour to forward a despatch from
Major-General Sir H. Kitchener, K.C.B., Sirdar, describing the
later phases of the Soudan Campaign, and the final action on 2nd
September.
2. The Sirdar, in this despatch, recounts in brief, simple terms
the events of the closing phase of one of the most successful
campaigns ever conducted by a British General against a savage
foe, resulting in the capture of Omdurman, the destruction of the
dervish power in the Soudan, and the reopening of the waterway to
the Equatorial Provinces.
3. The concentration of the army on the Atbara was carried out to
the hour, and the arrangements for the transport of the force to
the vicinity of the battle-field were made by the Sirdar and his
staff with consummate ability. All difficulties were foreseen and
provided for, and, from the start of the campaign to its close at
Omdurman, operations have been conducted with a precision and
completeness which have been beyond all praise; while the skill
shown in the advance was equalled by the ability with which the
army was commanded in the field.
The Sirdar's admirable disposition of the force, the accurate fire
of the artillery and Maxims, and the steady fire discipline of the
infantry, assisted by the gunboats, enabled him to destroy his
enemy at long range before the bulk of the British and Egyptian
force came under any severe rifle fire, and to this cause may be
attributed the comparatively small list of casualties. Never were
greater results achieved at such a trifling cost.
4. The heavy loss in killed and wounded in the 21st Lancers is to
be deeply regretted. But the charge itself, against an
overwhelming force of sword and spear men over difficult ground,
and under unfavourable conditions, was worthy of the best
traditions of British cavalry.
5. As regards the force employed, I can say with truth that never,
in the course of my service, have I seen a finer body of troops
than the British contingent of cavalry, artillery, engineers, and
infantry placed at the disposal of the Sirdar, as regards
physique, smartness, and soldierlike bearing. The appearance of
the men speaks well for the present recruiting department, and was
a source of pride to every Englishman who saw them.
6. 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
Lieut.-Colonel L. A. Hope, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General, fell
the brunt of the work in the despatch of the British Division to
the front.
I also desire to acknowledge the services of Brevet-Colonel A. O.
Green, Commanding Royal Engineer; Surgeon-General H. S. Muir,
M.D., Principal Medical Officer; Lieut.-Colonel F. O. Leggett,
Army Ordnance Department; Colonel F. Treffry, Army Pay Department;
Veterinary-Captain 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.
Thanks to the admirable system organised by Iskander Bey Fahmy,
the traffic manager, all the services were rapidly and punctually
carried out.
8. I am sending this despatch home by my _Aide-de-camp_,
Lieutenant H. 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.--I have, &c.,
FRANCIS GRENFELL, Lieutenant-General,
Commanding in Egypt.
The despatch from Major-General Sir Herbert Kitchener, Sirdar, to
Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Grenfell, commanding in Egypt, was as
follows:--
Omdurman, _September 5, 1898_.
SIR,--It having been decided that an expeditionary force of
British and Egyptian troops should be sent against the Khalifa's
army in Omdurman, I have the honour to inform you that the
following troops were concentrated at the North End of the Sixth
Cataract, in close proximity to which an advanced supply depot had
been previously formed at Nasri Island.
BRITISH TROOPS.--21st Lancers; 32nd Field Battery, Royal
Artillery; 37th Howitzer Battery, Royal Artillery; 2 40-prs.,
Royal Artillery. Infantry Division:--1st Brigade: 1st Battalion
Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 1st
Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders,
6 Maxims, Detachment Royal Engineers. 2nd Brigade: 1st Battalion
Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd
Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, 4
Maxims, Detachment Royal Engineers.
EGYPTIAN TROOPS.--9 Squadrons, Cavalry; 1 Battery, Horse
Artillery; 4 Field Batteries; 10 Maxims; 8 Companies, Camel Corps.
1st Brigade: 2nd Egyptian Battalion; 9th, 10th, and 11th
Soudanese Battalions. 2nd Brigade: 8th Egyptian Battalion; 12th,
13th, and 14th Soudanese Battalions. 3rd Brigade: 3rd, 4th, 7th,
and 15th Egyptian Battalions. 4th Brigade: 1st, 5th, 17th, and
18th Egyptian Battalions. Camel Transport.
On 24th August the troops began moving by successive divisions to
Jebel Royan, where a depot of supplies and a British communication
hospital of two hundred beds were established.
On 28th August, the army marched to Wadi el Abid, and on the
following day proceeded to Sayal, from whence I despatched a
letter to the Khalifa, warning him to remove his women and
children, as I intended to bombard Omdurman unless he surrendered.
Next day the army marched to Sururab, and on September 1 reached
the village of Egeiga, two miles south of the Kerreri hills, and
within six miles of Omdurman. Patrols of the enemy's horsemen were
frequently seen during the march falling back before our cavalry,
and their outposts being driven in beyond Egeiga, our advanced
scouts came in full view of Omdurman, from which large bodies of
the enemy were seen streaming out and marching north.
At noon, from the slopes of Jebel Surgham, I saw the entire
dervish army some three miles off advancing towards us, the
Khalifa's black flag surrounded by his Mulazimin (body-guard)
being plainly discernible. I estimated their numbers at 35,000
men, though, from subsequent investigation, this figure was
probably under-estimated, their actual strength being between
forty and fifty thousand. From information received, I gather that
it was the Khalifa's intention to have met us with this force at
Kerreri, but our rapid advance surprised him.
The troops were at once disposed around the village of Egeiga,
which formed an excellent position with a clear field of fire in
every direction, and shelter-trenches and zerebas were prepared.
At 2 p.m. our vedettes reported that the enemy had halted, and
later on it was observed that they were preparing bivouacs and
lighting fires. Information was received that the Khalifa
contemplated a night attack on our position, and preparations to
repel this were made, at the same time the Egeiga villagers were
sent out to obtain information in the direction of the enemy's
camp with the idea that we intended a night attack, and, this
coming to the Khalifa's knowledge, he decided to remain in his
position; consequently, we passed an undisturbed night in the
zereba.
Meanwhile the gunboats, under Commander Keppel, which had shelled
the dervish advanced camp near Kerreri on 31st August, proceeded
at daylight on 1st September, towing the Howitzer Battery to the
right bank, whence, in conjunction with the Irregulars under Major
Stuart Wortley, their advance south was continued. After two forts
had been destroyed and the villages gallantly cleared by the
Irregulars, the Howitzers were landed in a good position on the
right bank, from whence an effective fire was opened on Omdurman,
and, after a few rounds, the conspicuous dome over the Mahdi's
tomb was partially demolished, whilst the gunboats, steaming past
the town, also effectually bombarded the forts, which replied with
a heavy, but ill-directed fire.
At dawn on the following morning (2nd September), our mounted
patrols reported the enemy advancing to attack, and by 6.30 a.m.
the Egyptian Cavalry, which had been driven in, took up a position
with the Horse Artillery, Camel Corps, and four Maxims on the
Kerreri ridge on our right flank.
At 6.40 a.m. the shouts of the advancing dervish army became
audible, and a few minutes later their flags appeared over the
rising ground, forming a semi-circle round our left and front
faces. The guns of the 32nd Field Battery opened fire at 6.45 a.m.
at a range of two thousand eight hundred yards, and the dervishes,
continuing to advance rapidly, delivered their attack with all
their accustomed dash and intrepidity. In a short time the troops
and Maxims on the left and front were hotly engaged, whilst the
enemy's riflemen, taking up positions on the slopes of Jebel
Surgham, brought a long-range fire to bear on the zereba, causing
some casualties, and their spearmen, continually reinforced from
the rear, made attempt after attempt to reach our lines.
Shortly after 8.0 a.m. the enemy's main attack was repulsed. At
this period a large and compact body of dervishes was observed
attempting to march round our right, and advancing with great
rapidity they soon became engaged with our mounted troops on the
Kerreri ridge. One of the gunboats which had been disposed to
protect the river flanks at once proceeded down stream to afford
assistance to the somewhat hardly-pressed mounted troops, and
coming within close range of the dervishes inflicted heavy loss on
them, upwards of 450 men being killed in a comparatively
circumscribed area. The Artillery and Maxims on the left face of
the zereba also co-operated, and the enemy was forced to retire
again under cover of the hills.
All attacks on our position having failed, and the enemy having
retired out of range, I sent out the 21st Lancers to clear the
ground on our left front and head off any retreating dervishes
from the direction of Omdurman. After crossing the slopes of Jebel
Surgham they came upon a body of dervishes concealed in a
depression of the ground; these they gallantly charged, but
finding, too late to withdraw, that a much larger body of the
enemy lay hidden, the charge was pressed home through them, and,
after rallying on the other side, they rode back, driving off the
dervishes, and remaining in possession of the ground. Considerable
loss was inflicted on the enemy; but I regret to say that here
fell Lieutenant R. Grenfell (12th Lancers) and twenty men.
Meanwhile I had ordered the army to follow in echelon of brigades
from the left. At 9.30 a.m. the front brigades having reached the
sand ridge running from the west end of Jebel Surgham towards the
river, a halt was ordered to enable the rear brigades to get into
position, and I then received information that the Khalifa was
still present in force on the left slopes of Surgham; a change of
front half-right of the three leading brigades was, therefore,
ordered, and it was during this movement that Macdonald's brigade
became hotly engaged, whilst taking up position on the right of
the echelon.
Learning from General Hunter, who was with Macdonald's brigade,
that he might require support, I despatched Wauchope's brigade to
reinforce him, and ordered the remaining brigades to make a
further change half-right.
No sooner had Macdonald repelled the dervish onslaught than the
force, which had retired behind the Kerreri hills, emerged again
into the plain and rapidly advanced to attack him, necessitating a
further complete change of front of his brigade to the right. This
movement was admirably executed, and now, supported by a portion
of Wauchope's brigade on the right and by Lewis's brigade
enfilading the attack on the left, he completely crushed this
second most determined dervish charge.
Meantime Maxwell's and Lyttelton's brigades had been pushed on
over the slopes of Jebel Surgham, and driving before them the
dervish forces under the Khalifa's son, Osman Sheikh ed Din, they
established themselves in a position which cut off the retreat on
Omdurman of the bulk of the dervish army, who were soon seen
streaming in a disorganised mass towards the high hills many miles
to the west, closely pursued by the mounted troops, who cleared
the right front and flanks of all hesitating and detached parties
of the enemy.
The battle was now practically over, and Lyttelton's and Maxwell's
brigades marched down to Khor Shambat, in the direction of
Omdurman, which was reached at 12.30 p.m., and here the troops
rested and watered. The remainder of Hunter's division and
Wauchope's brigade reached the same place at 3 p.m.
At 2 p.m. I advanced with Maxwell's brigade and the 32nd Field
Battery through the suburbs of Omdurman to the great wall of the
Khalifa's enclosure, and, leaving two guns and three battalions to
guard the approaches, the 13th Soudanese Battalion and four guns
(32nd Field Battery) were pushed down by the north side of the
wall to the river, and, accompanied by three gunboats which had
been previously ordered to be ready for this movement, these
troops penetrated the breaches in the wall made by the howitzers,
marched south along the line of forts, and turning in at the main
gateway found a straight road leading to the Khalifa's house and
Mahdi's tomb; these were speedily occupied, the Khalifa having
quitted the town only a short time before our entry, after a vain
effort to collect his men for further resistance.
The gunboats continued up the river clearing the streets of
dervishes, and, having returned to the remainder of the brigade
left at the corner of the wall, these were pushed forward, and
occupied all the main portions of the town. Guards were at once
mounted over the principal buildings and Khalifa's stores, and
after visiting the prison and releasing the European prisoners,
the troops bivouacked at 7 p.m. around the town, after a long and
trying day, throughout which all ranks displayed qualities of high
courage, discipline, and endurance.
The gunboats and Egyptian Cavalry and Camel Corps at once started
in pursuit south; but owing to the exhausted condition of the
animals and the flooded state of the country, which prevented them
from communicating with the gunboat carrying their forage and
rations, they were reluctantly obliged to abandon the pursuit
after following up the flying Khalifa for 30 miles through marshy
ground. The gunboats continued south for 90 miles, but were unable
to come in touch with the Khalifa, who left the river and fled
westward towards Kordofan, followed by the armed friendly tribes
who took up the pursuit on the return of the mounted troops.
Large stores of ammunition, powder, some sixty guns of various
sorts, besides vast quantities of rifles, swords, spears, banners,
drums, and other war materials, were captured on the battle-field
and in Omdurman.
The result of this battle is the practical annihilation of the
Khalifa's army, the consequent extinction of Mahdism in the
Soudan, and the submission of the whole country formerly ruled
under Egyptian authority. This has re-opened vast territories to
the benefits of peace, civilisation, and good government.
On 4th September the British and Egyptian flags were hoisted with
due ceremony on the walls of the ruined Palace of Khartoum, close
to the spot where General Gordon fell, and this event is looked
upon by the rejoicing populations as marking the commencement of a
new era of peace and prosperity for their unfortunate country.
It would be impossible for any Commander to have been more ably
seconded than I was by the General Officers serving under me.
Major-Generals Hunter, Rundle, and Gatacre have displayed the
highest qualities as daring and skilful leaders, as well as being
endowed with administrative capabilities of a high order. It is in
the hands of such officers that the Service may 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 Officers for the
favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Government.
The manner in which the Brigadiers handled their respective
brigades, their 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.
Macdonald's brigade was highly tested, bearing the brunt of two
severe attacks delivered at very short intervals from different
directions, and I am sure it must be a source of the greatest
satisfaction to Colonel Macdonald, as it is to myself and the
whole army, that the very great care he has for long devoted to
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 R. H. Martin, commanding 21st Lancers; by
Lieut.-Colonel Long, commanding the combined British and Egyptian
Artillery; and by Lieut.-Colonel R. G. Broadwood, commanding the
Egyptian Cavalry; as well as by Major R. J. Tudway, commanding the
Camel Corps. I consider that these various arms could not have
been more efficiently commanded than they were throughout the
recent operations. The best result was, I believe, attained, 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 M'Namara, whilst the medical organisation of
the Egyptian Army fully maintained its previous excellent
reputation under the direction of Lieut.-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 water, 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 Railway 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
moment, to support the exceptional fatigue of continuous marching
and fighting for some fourteen hours during the height of a Soudan
summer.
The Intelligence Department were, as usual, thoroughly efficient,
and their forecasts of the intentions and actions of the enemy
were accurate. Colonel Wingate and Slatin Pacha worked
indefatigably, and, with 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
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 Rev. R. Brindle, the Rev. J. M. Simms, the Rev. A. W. B.
Watson, and the Rev. 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 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 of a large number of officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men who had been brought to the Sirdar's notice for good service
were appended to the despatch.
Two other documents call for notice, the Queen's message and the
Sirdar's general order to his army after the victory.
"From the Queen to the Sirdar, Khartoum.--I congratulate you and
all your brave troops under fire on the brilliant success which
you have achieved. I am grieved for the losses which have been
sustained, but trust the wounded are doing well.--VICTORIA."
"The Sirdar congratulates all the troops upon their excellent
behaviour during the general action to-day, resulting in the total
defeat of the Khalifa's forces and worthily avenging Gordon. The
Sirdar regrets the loss that has occurred, and, while warmly
thanking the troops, wishes to place on record his admiration for
their courage, discipline, and endurance.
"(Signed) H. M. L. RUNDLE."
Long lists of honours and promotions were subsequently published in
the _Gazette_. Of these, the more prominent officers who received such
recognition of their distinguished services were as follows: The
Sirdar was raised to the peerage as Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. In
addition thereto the dignity G.C.B. was conferred upon the Sirdar, and
Sir Francis Grenfell. Major-Generals W. F. Gatacre, A. Hunter, and H.
M. L. Rundle were created K.C.B.'s, and the dignity of Companion of
the Bath was granted to Surgeon-General William Taylor, Colonel V.
Hatton, Colonel L. C. Money, Colonel T. E. Verner, Colonel W. H.
M'Namara, R.A.M.C., Lieut.-Col. R. A. Hope, Lieut.-Col. Collingwood,
Lieut.-Col. D. F. Lewis, Lieut.-Col. J. Collinson, Lieut.-Col. W. E.
G. Forbes, Lieut.-Col. M. Q. Jones, Lieut.-Col. F. R. South,
Lieut.-Col. R. H. Martin, Lieut.-Col. W. G. C. Wyndham, and Commander
C. R. Keppel, R. N. Colonel F. R. Wingate was made a Knight Commander
of the Order of St Michael and St George, and a like dignity was
conferred upon Colonel R. Slatin Pasha. Distinguished Service Orders
were granted to the Rev. R. Brindle, Lieut.-Col. C. V. F. Townshend,
Lieut.-Col. G. A. Hughes, Lieut.-Col. C. J. Blomfield, Lieut.-Col. F.
Lloyd, Major E. J. M. Stuart Wortley, Major E. M. Wilson, R.A.M.C.,
Major G. Cockburn, Major Hon. C. Lambton, Major N. E. Young, Major C.
E. Laurie, and Major F. J. Maxse, Captain C. C. Fleming, R.A.M.C.,
Lieutenant G. C. M. Hall, Lieutenant F. Hubbard. The Khedive conferred
the Medjidieh and Osmanlieh orders on a large number of officers.
Others, whose names did not appear in the order list, figured in that
of army promotions. Victoria Crosses were given to Captain P. A.
Kenna, 21st Lancers, Lieutenant R. H. L. J. de Montmorency, 21st
Lancers, Private Thomas Byrne, 21st Lancers (for turning back in the
charge and rescuing Lieutenant Molyneux), Captain N. M. Smyth, 2nd
Dragoon Guards.
Lieut.-Col. H. A. Macdonald, C.B., D.S.O., was made an extra A.D.C. to
the Queen.
The Sirdar on his return to Lower Egypt met with an enthusiastic
reception. Lord Cromer, Sir Francis Grenfell and all the notables in
Cairo met him and the troops turned out to escort him to his
residence. He was entertained in Cairo at a grand banquet. When he
visited England even a heartier and grander welcome was extended to
the victor of Omdurman and the destroyer of Mahdism. The public
acclaimed him, and honours and dignities were showered upon him ere he
returned to resume his self-imposed task of reconstructing the Soudan.
Colonel Hector A. Macdonald alone seems as yet to have had extended to
him scant military recognition of his invaluable services. The post of
A.D.C. to Her Majesty is a coveted dignity, but a mere honorary
office, carrying neither pay nor emolument. Indeed it is the other
way, for the accessories required to bedeck the person will cost at
least L25. But the fact cannot be forgotten, or cried down, that
Colonel Macdonald saved the situation. He fought a single-handed
battle against tremendous odds and won. First he faced the Khalifa and
fought him to a finish, and then faced about and served Sheikh Ed
Din's unbeaten dervishes in much the same fashion. For reasons that
could be given, and which reflect no discredit upon the other
brigadier, Colonel Lewis' force was not moved promptly up to
Macdonald's support. Honour lists and promotion lists still keep
cropping up, and possibly the military authorities are yet
deliberating what is the right thing to do in Macdonald's case. In the
Scotch press, and particularly in that of the Far North, there has
been much adverse comment on the ungenerous treatment accorded their
countryman. The Highlanders, as is their nature, write and speak
passionately of the matter, and pertinently ask if the authorities
wish no more Highland recruits. From the paper of his own district,
the Dingwall _North Star_, I quote the following lines:--
"In glen and clachan, England's tardy debt
The clansmen's pride will adequately pay:
Round Nor'land hearths when lamplit nights are long,
Thy fame shall ever live in many a tale and song."
The battle of Omdurman was not the only occasion in which Colonel
Macdonald has exhibited magnificent tactical skill combined with
soldierly dash and undaunted courage. It is not so long since the
Atbara was fought, and in half a score of engagements before that he
quitted himself equally well. He was deservedly promoted from the
ranks, and to Field-Marshal Lord Roberts is due the credit of having
discovered and properly appreciated the gallant Highlandman. His
record is one for any man to be proud of, for to his own hand he owes
his present distinguished position. I again quote from the _North
Star_:--
"Colonel Macdonald was born at Rootfield, in the parish of
Urquhart, in the county of Ross and Cromarty, and on the property
of Mr Mackenzie of Allangrange. He began life as a stable-boy with
Bailie Robertson, of the National Hotel, Dingwall, when tenant of
the farm of Kinkell, Conon Bridge. At the age of seventeen he went
to Inverness and became an apprentice draper with Mr William
Mackay, late of the Clan Tartan Warehouse. In this capacity he
served two years, but finding mercantile life distasteful to him,
he enlisted in the 92nd Regiment. Here his qualities procured
for him rapid promotion. He successively and successfully
discharged the duties of drill-instructor, pay-sergeant, and other
non-commissioned offices, and held the rank of colour-sergeant at
the commencement of the Afghan campaign, wherein he repeatedly so
greatly distinguished himself.
"Macdonald's first engagement with an enemy was at Jagi Thanni. On
that occasion General Roberts, escorted by the 9th Lancers and 5th
Punjaub Cavalry, advanced from Ali Kheyl to Kushi, and, while
passing by Jagi Thanni, he was attacked by about 2000 Mangals and
Machalgah Ghilzais, who there lay in ambush. Fortunately, early
intimation of the Mangals' hostile intentions reached Fort
Karatiga, a mile or two off, and a party of 45 men of the 3rd
Sikhs, under Jemander Shere Mahomed Khan, was at once sent out to
reconnoitre, and, as firing was soon afterwards heard in the
direction the party had gone, Colour-Sergeant Macdonald promptly
turned out with 18 men of his own regiment, and overtaking the
Sikhs, he took over command of the whole, and, gallantly leading
his little force across a difficult river and up a steep hill, he
boldly attacked and dislodged the enemy from a strong position on
the crest, but not before four of the Sikhs were killed, and
Deputy-Surgeon-General Townsend, who rode near General Roberts,
severely wounded. The enemy's loss here was about 30 killed.
Macdonald's brilliant services on this occasion averted something
like a disaster. In a Divisional Order, Roberts wrote:--'The above
non-commissioned officer and a native officer, with a handful of
soldiers, drove before them a large body of Mangals, who had
assembled to stop the road, ... the great coolness, judgment, and
gallantry with which they behaved.' In his despatch, dated Cabul,
15th October, and published in the _Gazette_, General Roberts
further said:--'Meanwhile, a warm engagement had for some time
been carried on in the direction of Karatiga, and presently large
numbers of the enemy were seen retreating before a small
detachment of the 92nd Highlanders and 3rd Sikhs, which had been
sent out from Karatiga, and which was, with excellent judgment and
boldness, led up a steep spur commanding the defile. The energy
and skill with which this party was handled reflected the highest
credit on Colour-Sergeant Hector Macdonald, 92nd Highlanders, and
Jemander Shere Mahomed, 3rd Sikhs. But for their excellent
services on this occasion, it might probably have been impossible
to carry out the programme of our march.' In the same _Gazette_
was published another despatch from Sir F. Roberts, dated Cabul,
20th October, in which he says:--'Colour-Sergeant H. Macdonald, a
non-commissioned officer, whose excellent and skilful management
of a small detachment when opposed to immensely superior numbers
in the Hazardarakht defile was mentioned in my despatch of the
16th instant, here again distinguished himself.' This refers to
his conduct at Charasiab, at the close of which action our brave
countryman was sent for by Roberts, who publicly complimented and
thanked him personally for 'the ability and intelligence with
which he handled the party under his command' at the battle.
Macdonald's commission was conferred on the recommendation of
General Roberts, that distinguished officer having witnessed
repeated proofs of his valour and capacity."
In 1885 Colonel Macdonald joined the then reorganised Egyptian
Constabulary and received rapid promotion. From these, on other
changes being made, he passed into the Khedivial army, drilling and
training new Soudanese levies. So thorough a soldier is too valuable
to be longer left in the Soudan now that peace is assured.
[Illustration: COL. H. MACDONALD AT OMDURMAN, WITH OFFICER AND
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER OF 1ST BRIGADE.]