The expedition left Omdurman. On September 9th, it arrived at Duem, where Basha Alaa El Din was stationed. On the 20th, General Hicks was in Khartoum communicating with the Egyptian government. His opinion was that the expedition should proceed from Duem to El Obeid via Bara. He wanted to capture Bara first. When he reached Duem, he negotiated with Alaa El Din, who, based on his experience and information, believed the route via Bara was short of water. He preferred the expedition to take the route of Khor Abu Jabeel and Rahad to the south, due to the abundance of water, even though the distance was longer. (250 miles). The first route – Duem to El Obeid via Bara – was 136 miles. Hicks was convinced and agreed to the expedition proceeding via Khor Abu Jabeel. On September 27th, the expedition arrived at Shat from Duem. Shat was in a formation resembling a square fort. On October 20th, to Rahad. On the 26th, it advanced to Kashgil. On the 29th, arrival at... Alawiya. On November 4th/5th, the expedition was defeated at Shikhan after being surprised by the Dervishes. Their strength was no less than one hundred thousand enthusiastic fighters. The expedition was annihilated. Even those who surrendered and laid down their arms were not saved from death. The last telegram sent by Hicks to Cairo was dated October 17th, in which he said: "We are now 20 miles from Nawari. I regret that we did not preserve our line of retreat. The Governor of Sudan (Alaa El Din) informed me that the Arabs would cut off our ammunition and provisions and surround us from all sides after our army had advanced deep into the country. He replied: The water reservoirs will dry up. We will only be able to draw water by digging wells. The health of the soldiers is good, and the heat is severe."