Part I: Introduction

Wilson’s expedition kept busy caring for their wounded. He held a conference with the captains and reises of the boats, and they discussed the difficulties ahead. The Nile was much lower than usual, even for this time of year, and the boats were heavily laden with supplies and iron plate armour.

The morning was spent on repairing and patching the many bullet holes in the steamer hulls. These looked to have been made by a Nordenfeldt machine gun. They got moving at 7am, but Bordein struck a sandbank at 8.30 and was freed after half an hour. Before running the first cataract a large quantity of the dura grain supply was thrown overboard to lighten the load.

The captains and reises took the boats through the first cataract one at a time, without incident. They moved on, but at about 4.30 pm Talahawiyeh struck a submerged rock opposite Jebel Royan and began to sink. Bordein halted at a small island just downstream. The Talahawiyeh crew managed to transfer the men, two guns, rifles, rations and some small-arms ammunition into the large nuggar they were towing, and joined the Bordein just before sunset.

There had been no serious opposition that day, just a few shots from both banks. In the evening Wilson consented to meet a messenger, who brought a letter from the Madhi promising protection for the Egyptian and Sudanese boat crews, and an invitation to the English to become Moslems. Wilson declined to reply, but his Egyptian commander, Kashm el Mus, urged him to use a ruse, pretending to negotiate to prevent the Madahists from destroying the boats at the gorge and cataracts ahead. Wilson wanted nothing to do with this, but finally allowed him to do as he wished, as long as the British were not involved in the deception.

Other locals came aboard with news, and Wilson now had the added problem of treachery to contend with. His Egyptian and Sudanese crews were being offered safety in return for surrender, many must have been tempted. His loyal deputy Ibrahim went amongst the men and prevented any secret conversations. Wilson posted sentries to prevent desertion, but despite this one man escaped from their island camp.

Stewart's Dash to Khartoum The Final Attempt to Relieve General Gordon Part II

January 28
January 29
January 30-31
February 1-3
February 4 and Bibliography
Orders of Battle
Gaming the Action
Models, Terrain, and Tactics

Part I

Stewart's Dash to Khartoum The Final Attempt to Relieve General Gordon

Introduction
January 24
January 25
January 26
January 27