172 Defeat of Jebel Gedir.

1882. The latter, having recruited his force, began early in spring to threaten the province of Kordofan.

March. Raouf Pasha, Governor of Khartum, was now recalled, and Abd el Kader appointed in his place. Pending the arrival of the latter, Giegler Pasha was temporarily appointed, ril. In April a concentration of troops was directed on Kaka, and 3,000 men collected there, whereby the garrisons throughout the country were much reduced.

The rebels, taking advantage of this concentration, attacked Sennar, and had many minor successes in that part of the country, until they were dispersed by Giegler Pasha, who arrived about the middle of May. Abd el Kader reached Khartum on the 11th May. On the 14th the Egyptian troops were successful in an action near El Obeid, the result of which, however, was unimportant.

Towards the end of May, Yusuf Pasha, Governor of Fashoda, was ordered to march with the force from Kaka against the Mahdi, who was in the mountains at Gedir. After great delays, Yusuf set out with a large disorganised force of several thousand men and swarms of campfollowers ; but the rains had begun, and progress was slow.

7th June. On the 7th June the Egyptian army came face to face with the rebels in a densely wooded country. A zeriba . was commenced, and the troops were formed up in hollow square ; but the rebels broke in upon them, defeated, and . utterly destroyed the whole force.

This crushing defeat placed the Egyptian Government in a critical position, and gave great impetus to the insurrection.

The Mahdi now sent a portion of his army, under Wad el Makashif, across the White Nile by the ford of Abu Zeir, to threaten Sennar. He remained himself for some weeks at Gedir, though detachments of his following were raiding in Kordofan.

24th June. On the 24th June the rebels attacked Bara, but were repulsed with heavy loss.

17th June. On the 17th an attack was made on Om Shanga, in Darfur, but was likewise repulsed; but towards Shakka an Egyptian force of 1,000 men was almost annihilated on 20th July. the 90th July.