176 -Operations in Summer of 1884.

Fall of Berber, 20th May, 1884.

Action at Debbeh.

Battle at Korti, 11th September, 1884.

Gordon relief expedition.

was attacked, and, after a certain amount of resistance, taken by the enemy on the 20th May. Captain Kitchener's efforts, however, in negotiating with the Bisharin and Ababdeh in the Korosko-Abu Hamed desert with a view to stopping an advance through this desert were successful, and a reconnaissance on the left bank of the Nile along the Arbain route from Assiut to Sakiyet el Abd by Lieut.-Col.onel Colvile and Lieut. Stuart-Wortley proved that the water supply along that route was absolutely insufficient for the advance of an enemy in this direction. It was therefore certain that if an advance northwards took place, it could only come by the Nile, and subsequent events have proved the correctness of this supposition.

Haifa and Korosko were fortified about this time, and English troops sent up to Assuan.

In June, Heddai, victor of Berber, advanced downstream in the direction of the Dongola province, but was beaten at Debbeh (5.7.84) by a force of Bashi Bazuks, and again at Tani. Mustafa Pasha Yawer, Mudir of Dongola, gave rise to some anxiety by his doubtful and temporising action with regard to the enemy, but these successes appear to have decided his line of action.

On the 1st September he advanced with 400 men against Heddai, who had been reinforced by Mohamed Mahmud to the total number of 3,000, and in a smart action close to Korti totally defeated the Emirs, killing them both. Captain Kitchener, who had been sent to report on the Mudir, now pushed on, and entered into negotiations with the great Kababish tribe and their Sheikh Saleh for assistance in the forthcoming Nile expedition which had just been decided on for the relief of Gordon.

This expedition was put in hand in the beginning of August, and the command of it given to Lord Wolseley. It was composed of 9 battalions,* a camel corps of 4 " regiments, "f and the 19th Hussars, besides light artillery and other details. The major portion was despatched up the * 1st battalions R.I., Sussex, S. Stafford, Black Watch, West Kent, Gordon Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders ; 2nd battalions D.C.L.I. and Essex.

t Drawn from heavy cavalry, light cavalry, brigade of guards, and mounted infantry.