with your 'ayrick 'ead of 'air
You big black boundin' beggar - for you broke the British square!"
--Kipling
INTRODUCTION
At 9 o'clock the following morning, the march to relieve Tokar was resumed. A party of the Black Watch was left to tend to the wounded and bury the dead Europeans of Baker's army. The march was some 11 miles long, and was extremely hard going for the humble infantry men, yet only one man fell out due to the heat.
The Black Watch advancing to the edge of the Knor.
Upon reaching Tokar it was found that a compromise had been reached between the Mahdist besiegers and the Egyptian garrison, so that they both occupied parts of the town. The Mahdist withdrew upon the approach of the British. A huge supply of weapons and equipment was found, the majority from the ill-fated Baker expedition.
General Graham returned with his force, including 600 Egyptian men, women and children from Tokar, back to Trinkitat and from there by ship to Suakim. Further proclamations were issued, stating that all Arabs should lay down their arms, but all to no avail. In early March Graham received intelligence that Osman Digna was at Tamai with a large force, a mere 12 miles away.
He also received a letter from him signed by 21 tribal chiefs asserting that he could, with ease, place in the field 10,000 tribesmen.
On the Sunday the 10th March, the troops once more set out to engage Osman Digna. Graham attempted to engage the Mahdist on the 13th, but no attack was launched against him. So due to the lateness in the afternoon, camp was made and a further attempt was to be tried on the 13th.
Forces engaged
British
Commander General Graham
Cavalry Com - Brig-Gen Stewart
- 10th Hussars - 251 troopers
19th Hussars - 362 troopers
Mounted Infantry - 124 men
Royal Artillery
- Eight 7 pounder screw guns
Four - 9 pounder guns
173 officers and men
First Brigade: Brig-Gen Redvers Buller
- Royal Engineers (26th company) - 62
men
3rd Kings Royal Rifles - 565 men
Ist Gordon Highlanders - 712 men
2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers - 343 men
Second Brigade: Maj-Gen J. Davis
- 1st Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) - 623
men
1st Yorks and Lancs (The 65th) - 435 men
Royal Marine L.I. and R.A. - 478 men
Naval Brigade
- 4 Gardners & Gatlings - 130 men
Abyssinian native scouts - 100 men
As at El-Teb dismounted Hussar troopers were used as handlers for the mules carrying the ammunition, as Arab handlers were thought to be unreliable.
Infantry and Cavalry levels are obviously higher and lower accordingly. Taking into account casualties and garrison troops available/unavailable.
Mahdist
Commander Osman Digna
- 6-8,000 Infantry and no Artillery.
More Tamai
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