STRENGTH OF ENEMY.

43

durman, and local levies from Matammeh, with Jalin and Awadiyeh Arabs from the country round-—in all, from 9000 to 11,000 men. The enemy's sharpshooters were black soldiers of Hicks's army, and of the garrisons of Obeid and Bara, which had surrendered to the Mahdi, and a few Kordofan hunters. The great charge was delivered by Duguaim, Kenana, and Hamr Arabs from Kordofan, whose contingents with their sheikhs and emirs were almost annihilated. The Jalin and Matammeh men were in reserve, and the Awadiyeh did the cavalry scouting. We were also told that Omdurman had fallen about a fortnight

1

previously, thus setting free many of the Mahdi's troops; and that the force we had defeated was only the advanced-guard of

1 We afterwards ascertained that Omdurman fell only a short time before the Arabs who fought us at Abu Klea left the Mahdi's camp; probably between the 6th and 13th January.

a large army which was expected to reach Matammeh to-day.

Amongst the papers secured were: a copy of prayers composed by the Mahdi, which Sheikh Musa was reading when he broke the square; a letter from the Mahdi to the governor of Shendy and others, encouraging them to fight the enemies of God, &c. ; and an interesting letter from the Emir of Berber.1 From the Emir of Berber's letter it is evident that the concentration of Arabs to fight us at Abu Klea took place after, and was consequent upon, Stewart's occupation of Jakdul; so that if he had gone straight across, as at one time intended, he would have met with no opposition in the desert, and probably not much at Matammeh. The original plan had to be given up for want of transport. Another thousand camels, which might have been easily got in November, would have done the business. 1 Appendix IV.

PAPERS FOUND ON BATTLE-FIELD. 45

Gordon's message by his last messenger was emphatic : "Come by way of Matammeh or Berber; only by these two roads. Do this without letting rumours of your approach spread abroad." And here we had told every one, by our occupation of Jakdul, that we were moving by the Matammeh road. Stewart's first march was a complete surprise. The Arabs did not know of it till the morning he started; and Omdurman not having then fallen, the Mahdi could not have sent down so many troops, even if he had had time to do so.

The injunction to fight only with spears and swords is very curious, and confirms what we had heard of the Mahdi's instructions. Many of the poor fellows who had obeyed this injunction were mere lads of sixteen or seventeen. There were also several letters from Muhammed el Kheir, Emir of Berber-one about dissensions amongst the Mahdi's followers-and a lot

of accounts of money expenditure, some of which were six years old. I could not help admiring the spirit shown by the two Arab prisoners we had secured, both badly wounded. They were quite ready to admit that they had been badly beaten, but their faith in the Mahdi, and our eventual destruction by him, was as strong as ever.

We were all busy enough during the day preparing for a move, filling up waterbottles, and commencing a small fort to protect the wounded we were obliged to leave behind, with a detachment of the Sussex Regiment. At 3.30 P.M. we commenced our march. Just before starting I went to say good-bye to Dickson and St Vincent, the former very low at being left behind, though otherwise well; the latter in a troubled sleep, but apparently in no great pain. Then I went on to catch up the head of the column.

Stewart's intention was to proceed along

the Matammeh road; and after passing the wells of Shebacat, and getting within a few miles of Matammeh, to turn to the right and strike the Nile about three miles above the town. This he hoped to do before daybreak, and then after breakfast to attack the town. The ordinary guides we had did not know the country; but Ali Loda-the robber caught in the desert —said he knew the country well, and could take us to the river without going to Matammeh. He said there were many trees on the way, and expressed doubts as to our being able to pass on a dark moonless night. He was, however, told he must go, and was promised a good reward if he brought us down to the Nile all right.

Bearings of the direct route, and of the road we should have to follow after diverging from the main track, were taken from the map, so as to check Ali Loda. Verner was then given instructions to guide the