Wonge says: The Mahdist forces, led by Abd al-Halim, one of his commanders, encamped at Shikan with a strength of about forty thousand, awaiting the advance of the Egyptian army. As for their followers, women and children, they headed towards al-Barka (1). Hicks Pasha's opinion was to proceed to al-Abyad via al-Barka, but when news reached him of the Mahdists' presence in al-Barka, Hicks consulted with Ala al-Din about which route the army should take – whether it was more appropriate to return again to al-Rahad and then proceed to al-Abyad via Kashjil and Malbes. Then the guides were summoned. "Kona" presented to everyone that he knew the route well – and that he advised proceeding directly to Kashjil instead of returning to al-Rahad. From Kashjil, they would head to al-Abyad after carrying two days' water from Aluba. The rest of the guides were of the opinion that the expedition should be divided into two parts – one part following the route indicated by Kona, and the other part returning to al-Rahad and advancing via Malbes to al-Abyad. Hicks strongly resisted the opinion of dividing the expedition. Finally, after heated discussions, it was decided to follow Kona's opinion. Accordingly, on the morning of Saturday, November 3rd, the army advanced from Aluba, heading towards Kashjil. After marching ten miles through the forests, the army stopped and established a zariba. As night began, the enemy started firing their rifles, and orders were immediately given to extinguish the lights.

(Sunday, November 4th) The march was resumed in the direction of the Shikan forest. An hour earlier, the Arabs attacked the rear of the square formation. The expedition was delayed. Shikan was only two miles away (as stated by the guides). A zariba was quickly established, and it became clear that the enemy was surrounding the expedition in dense masses. At the same time, the enemy continued to fire intensely towards the zariba and from behind the trees.

(1) Al-Barka is located on the road between al-Abyad and Indling, southwest of Aluba.