at you 'ome in the Soudan,
you're a pore benighted 'eathen,
but a first-class fightin' man"
--Kipling
Introduction
Osman Digna's forces, flushed with success after success, notably against Baker, were now threatening Suakim itself. So, as previously mentioned, Britain finally acted due to its Red Sea coastal ports being threatened.
A Royal Naval Squadron in the area, landed a force of Marines at Suakim on the 10th February. This was followed up by General Graham who landed two brigades of infantry and two cavalry regiments from Egypt and India.
Gordon Highlanders advancing to clear Entrenchments.
The majority were then trans-shipped to Trinkitat to oppose Osman Digna who was positioned around EL-TEB. His belief being if he had destroyed one force sent against him on this site, he could do it again. once Osman Digna had been defeated, Graham was to march on and relieve the Egyptian Garrison at Tokar, which was under siege.
General Graham gave a proclamation for all Arabs to disperse, for which he received no reply. So on the 27th February the advance was signalled.
Proclamation written on a white flag and planted in the sand.
- "From the General commanding the British army to the Sheikhs of the tribes Trinkitat
and Tokar.
I summon you in the name of British Government to disperse your fighting men before daybreak tomorrow morning, or the consequences will be on your own heads. Instead of fighting with British troops you should send a delegate to Khartoum, to consult with Gordon Pashas to the future settlement of the Soudan provinces. The British Government is not at war with the Arabs, but is determined to disperse the forces now in arms in this neighbourhood and near Suakim. An answer must be left at the same place before daybreak tomorrow, or the consequences will be on the heads of the Sheikhs."
Forces Engaged
British Forces
Commander General Graham
-
Cavalry Commander - Brig-Stewart
10th Hussars - 328 troopers
19th Hussars - 410 troopers
Mounted Infantry - 126 men
Royal Artillery
- Eight 7 pounders screw guns.
Four 9 pounder guns with a total of 126 crews.
3 Gardners and 3 Gatling guns.
Naval Brigade, 62 men, worked gatlings and Gardners.
First Brigade Brig. General Sir Redvers Buller
- 3rd Kings Royal Rifle Corps - 610 men
1st Gordon Highlanders - 751 men
Royal Irish Rifles - 334 men
Second Brigade Maj. Gen J. Davis 1st Royal Highlanders
-
The Black Watch - 761 men
The Royal Marine LI & R.A - 361 men
Royal Engineers (26th Company) - 100 men
Various details - 200 men
1st Batt. York & Lancs (the 65th)- 400 men
Transport and supplies 600 camels, 350 mules and 100 camels used for ambulance service. The screw guns used some 80 camels.
Mahdist Forces
At right: Osman Digna - himself!
Commander Osman Digna
General Graham estimated strength around 6,000 men - Beja people from the Nubian desert area in Eastern Sudan.
Amarar, Bisharin, Hadendowa tribes.
- Nicknamed Fuzzy Wuzzys because of their piled up buttered frizzle-hair.
Several Krupp guns were used, manned by captured Egyptian gunners from Bakers expedition. They were chained to the guns.
The Terms: Ansar (Helpers) is the Mahdi word for his followers, non Bejatypes. 'Mahdist' was used to cover all his army.
More El Teb
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