War Office, May 24, 1898.
A DESPATCH and its enclosure, of which the following are copies, have been received by the Secretary of State for War from the General Officer Commanding the Force in Egypt
 

NILE EXPEDITION, 1898.
From the General Officer Commanding the Force in Egypt to the Under Secretary of State for War, War Office, London, S.W.

	Head-Quarters, Cairo, April 22, 1898.
SIR,

 1. I HAVE the honour to forward for the information of the Secretary of State for War the accompanying Despatch from Major-General Sir Herbert Kitchener, S.C.R., K.C.M.G., Sirdar, describing the operations of the Force under his command from 16th March to the 8th April, including the expedition to Shendy, the cavalry reconnaissance of March 30th and 4th April, and the battle of the Atbara.
    The result of those skilfully conducted operations has been the entire destruction of Mahmud's Army, which left Shendy on the 12th March 18,900 strong.

2. The attack on the Dervish position at Shendy, well conceived by the Sirdar and ably carried out by Brevet Major Hickman, D.S.O., in command of the Infantry, and Commander Keppel, D.S.O., in charge of gunboats, resulted in the destruction of Mahmud's Base, and the evacuation of that position by the Dervishes.

3. The cavalry reconnaissances of the 30th March and 4th April were skilfully and ably carried out by Major-General Hunter, D.S.O. The gallant charge of the Egyptian cavalry is worthy of notice.

4. In the attack on Mahmud's Camp on the 8th April the British Brigade displayed that discipline and those fighting qualities for which Her Majesty's Army has ever been distinguished.

5. The attack, which took place over open ground, against a strongly entrenched position, was conducted with the greatest steadiness and excellent fire discipline, and the assault was delivered with vigour and dash.

6. The Egyptian Brigades vied with their British comrades at every phase of the engagement, and the important part which they took in the attack is evident from their list of casualties.

7. The whole of the British wounded were carried by their Egyptian comrades from the battle field to the Nile, a distance of 36 miles, a splendid service, which will tend to strengthen the good feeling existing between the two forces, which will be a great advantage in the future conduct of the campaign.

8. It would be superfluous on my part to call attention to the services of Sir Herbert Kitchener ; but, having served with him for many years, I have had the opportunity of watching the development of those soldier-like qualities which have made him the skilful administrator and able General he now is.

9. 1 would specially call attention to the Sirdar's acknowledgment of the services of Major-General Hunter, D.S.O., and Major-General Gatacre, C.B., D.S.O. Major-General Hunter again showed the ability and gallantry which have distinguished him during his long career in Egypt.
    Major-General Gatacre, by the careful training and gallant leading of his brigade, has fully sustained his former high reputation.
    Having had the opportunity of lately working with Major-General Rundle, C.M.G., D.S.O., I fully endorse the Sirdar's favourable mention of him and his Staff.

I have, &c.,
	F. GRENFELL, Major-General Commanding in Egypt.

 

 

	Hudi Camp, Atbara River,  April 10, 1898.
SIR,

    THE army of the Emir Mahmud, which had, up to the 25th February, held a strongly entrenched position at Metemmeh, having crossed the river to Shendy on that date, reliable information was received that the Khalifa had ordered him to advance, attack Berber, and destroy the railway at Geneinetti.
    After some delay in making preparations, Mahmud's force moved north from Shendy on the 12th March, our gun-boats on the river keeping in touch with and harassing the advancing army as far as Aliab, from which point Mahmud left the Nile and struck across the desert to the Atbara River, which he reached between Nakheila and Fahada on the 20th March.
On the 16th March I concentrated at Kunur a force consisting of :— -

The British brigade, with six Maxim guns, under Major-General Gatacre, to which a battery of Egyptian artillery was also attached.

A division of the Egyptian army, under Major-General Hunter, consisting of two brigades, each composed of four battalions, a battery of artillery and Maxim guns, under the respective commands of Lieutenant-Colonels Maxwell and Macdonald.

Eight squadrons of Egyptian cavalry, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwood.

Three batteries of artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Long.

The Transport Corps, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchener.

The 1st battalion, under Captain Doran, was left to hold the store depot and hospital at Berber, and half of the 5th battalion at Geneinetti, under Captain Bainbridge, to watch the railway and lines of communication north.

The concentrated force advanced on the 20th March to Hudi, on the Atbara, where it was joined by an Egyptian brigade, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, and a battery of artillery from the Atbara Fort.
    The entire force then marched to Ras-el-Hudi, a point at the bend of the Atbara, close to which Mahmud's army, if advancing on Berber, would be forced to pass.
   On the following day our cavalry encountered at Abadar a force of Dervish horsemen advancing down stream. This contact took place on the thickly-wooded river bank, where the outposts of Captain the Honourable E. Baring's squadron were driven in, and the squadron commanded by Captain Persse was ordered to clear the bush. This was done with great gallantry and in face of superior numbers of the enemy, who were steadily forced back for four miles.
    Finding that we were in force at Ras-el-Hudi, Mahmud, instead of advancing as he originally intended, decided to entrench his position and await supplies from the Khalifs.
    On ascertaining this, I sent the 3rd battalion to release the 15th battalion garrisoning the Atbara Fort, and dispatched the latter, with the Jaalin Arab levies, in three gun-boats to attack Mahmud's reserve depot, which he had left at Hosh Ben Naga, a small village three miles south of Shendy. The expedition was entirely successful.
   On the morning of the 26th March the gunboats, under Commander Keppel, assisted by Lieutenant Beatty and Lieutenant the Honourable H. Hood, arrived opposite the enemy's position and landed the troops under the command of Brevet Major Hickman, with whom were Major Sitwell, Captain Sloman, and Lieutenant Graham.
    The Dervish position was turned and attacked. They made little resistance, and, their leader having been killed, they fled, followed by the Jaalin levies and the gun-boats, whilst the troops burnt the reserve depot and destroyed the batteries and forts at Shendy.
    A large number of women, who had been enslaved by the Dervishes after the Jaalin massacre at Metemmeh, were released, and quantities of stores, grain, and cattle, were captured, also one of Mahmud's clerks, who stated that the strength of the Dervish army, on marching north from Shendy, had been reported officially to the Khalife to be 18,941 fighting men.
    As Mahmud still made no offer to come out of his entrenched camp, I dispatched on the 30th March eight squadrons of cavalry, the horse battery, under Brevet Major Young, and four Maxims, under Brevet Major Lawrie and Captain Peake, supported at Abadar by two battalions of infantry, the whole under the command of General Hunter, to reconnoitre his position. This was successfully accomplished, General Hunter having been able to see from a distance of from 250 to 300 yards their camp or "dem," into which the horse battery fired some rounds before the reconnoitring force retired.
    Our cavalry, supported by infantry, now kept in daily touch with the enemy, whose position was also reconnoitred from the left bank by Major Mahon, Captain Haig, and other officers.
    On the 4th April the force was moved five miles further on to Abadar, and from here I dispatched, on the following day, another reconnaissance of the mounted troops, supported by infantry, under General Hunter as before, and accompanied by Brevet Major Kincaid, Captain Sir H. Rawlinson, D.A.A.G., Lieutenant Smyth, and other officers.
   As this force approached the enemy's position, large bodies of their horsemen moved out from their right and left flanks and engaged our cavalry ; on being driven back they were supported by a considerable force of footmen from the " dem." General Hunter, in face of this enveloping movement, ordered a retirement under cover of artillery and Maxim fire. Our cavalry were now closely engaged on both flanks and rear, when Lieutenant-Colonel Broadwood, with Major Le Gallais' and Captain Persse's squadrons, gallantly charged the Dervish horsemen, getting well home and forcing them to fall back. Captain Perme received a bullet wound in the forearm.
    The effect of the Maxim fire was most marked, enabling our retirement to be quietly and steadily carried out without further interference.
    I now determined to attack Mahmud's position, and accordingly advanced on the morning of the 6th April to Umdabia, and reconnoitred a further position near Mutrus, which would satisfy the requirements of a resting and watering place during the intended night march on the enemy's camp.
    On the following evening (7th April), having left half of the 15th battalion as guard over hospital, stores, and transport, in strong zareba at Umdabia, the brigade (British leading) advanced to Mutrus, where the force watered and rested till 1 A.M., when the march was resumed in bright moonlight, the route followed being clear of all bush, and circling out into the desert in order that the positions previously selected could be occupied by daybreak unseen, if possible, by the enemy.
    Captain Fitton, D.A.A.G., directed the line of advance with the greatest accuracy.
    When opposite the enemy's position, indicated by their camp fires, and 1½ miles distant from it, the force halted from 3.45 to 4.30 A.M. The brigades then deployed from square into attack formation—British on the left, Macdonald's in the centre, Maxwell's on the right, and Lewis' brigade, with water and transport, in reserve. In this formation the force advanced to within 600 yards of the Dervish " dem," which comprised a large irregular inclosure, strongly entrenched all round, palisaded in parts, with innumerable cross trenches, casemates, and straw huts, besides ten palisaded gun emplacements, the whole surrounded by a strong zareba. That portion of the camp nearest to the desert was fairly free of bush, but towards the centre it became thicker, and the rear and flanks closest to the river were concealed in a dense jungle of Bunt trees, dom palms, and undergrowth.
    From the commanding ground we occupied numbers of the enemy were observed moving about in the camp, and dense clouds of dust were seen up-stream.
    Two good artillery positions were chosen so as to bring a cross fire on the enemy's entrenchments, and twelve guns came into action at each of those points, assisted by a rocket detachment under Lieutenant Beatty, Royal Navy. At 6.15 A.M. the first gun was fired ; all movement in the enemy's camp then ceased, and a body of some 2,000 horsemen were seen advancing towards our cavalry, which occupied a commanding position on the extreme left ; they were received by a heavy Maxim fire, which drove them back into the belt of dom palms, where they remained for some time threatening our left flank.
    During the artillery bombardment, which lasted an hour and a half, and which was most efficiently carried out, the enemy showed little activity—a few desultory shots only being fired.
    At 7.15 A.M. the infantry were ordered to form in column for assault ; the British were disposed in three columns, covered by a battalion in line with the Maxims on the left, whilst the Egyptian force had in each brigade two battalions, covering a central assaulting column in double companies with extreme right flank well protected. One battalion of the reserve brigade formed square in a central position round the transport and water, leaving two battalions in rear of the extreme left flank.
    At 7.90 A.M. I sounded the general advance, and as the infantry approached the crest line dominating the trenches the enemy opened fire, gradually increasing in intensity as the crest was reached, and the assaulting columns, now suffering many casualties, steadily and unflinchingly bore down towards the zareba, with pipes and bands' playing ; advancing by successive rushes, they surmounted this obstacle, carrying most gallantly the first line of trenches and stockades at the point of the bayonet. The guns and Maxims accompanying the infantry swept the trenches and ground in front, with case and Maxim fire.
    The advance through the " dem" was steadily continued, trench after trench being cleared, down to the river bank, where the troops arrived at 8.35 A.M. and re-formed. The two battalions of the reserve brigade co-operated in this movement on the extreme left, as well as Captain Peyton's squadron, which had been sent down to the river bank on the extreme right previous to the general advance.
   The pursuit was taken up by the cavalry, but owing to the thick bush it could not be continued far. The Dervish losses are estimated at over 3,000 killed within and around the zareba. A large number of prisoners, quantities of banners, war drums, rifles, and ten guns were also captured, besides the entire baggage of the Dervish army.
    With the exception of Osman Digna and three other Chiefs, all the important Emirs were killed, and Mahmud was taken prisoner by the 10th Battalion under the command of Major Nason.
   Nothing could exceed the steadiness and excellent fire discipline of the troops throughout the engagement. An observation was made, with which I fully concur, that had a force at peace manoeuvres attacked over similar obstacles a better line and a steadier advance could not have been maintained.
    I deeply regret the loss of Captains Urquhart and Findlay (Cameron Highlanders) and Second Lieutenant Gore (Seaforth Highlanders), who fell gallantly leading their men over the trenches.
    Our further losses amount in the British brigade to 22 non-commissioned officers and men killed, and 10 officers and 82 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.
     In the Egyptian army 57 non-commissioned officers and men were killed, and 5 British and 16 native officers and 365 non-commissioned officers and men wounded.
    A field hospital was established in which all the wounded were dressed, and the troops marched back at 4 P.M to Umdabia, where all the wounded were brought in.
    The action having been decisive, the troops returned by independent brigades and short marches to their quarters on the Nile, the wounded being carried to the hospital at Atbara Fort, where all arrangements for their comfort and subsequent transfer by boat north had been made.
    I cannot speak too highly of the behaviour of all ranks during the long and trying day which showed to the greatest advantage the discipline, courage, and endurance of the whole force.
   My special thanks 'are due to Major-General Hunter, who throughout the operations gave additional proof of those valuable and soldierlike qualities which I have frequently had the pleasure of bringing to the favourable notice of Her Majesty's Government. He was indefatigable alike in the preliminary reconnaissances and during the general engagement in which he led his division over the trenches with great gallantry ; to his care and foresight I attribute much of the success which has attended the campaign on the Atbara.
    The high state of efficiency to which the British brigade was brought is, I consider, in a large measure. due to the untiring energy and devotion to duty of Major-General Gatacre and the loyal support rendered him by the commanding officers of battalions, all of whom he has brought to favourable notice. During the engagement on the 8th instant, General Gatacre showed a fine example of gallant leading. The cordiality and good feeling existing between the British and Egyptian troops who have fought shoulder to shoulder is to a great extent .due to the hearty co-operation of General Gatacre, and I cannot speak too highly of the services rendered by him and the troops under his command during the recent operations.
    I fully confirm General Hunter's remarks on the valuable services of the three Brigadiers commanding the infantry brigades, viz., Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald. They handled their troops with precision, leading them gallantly in action, and they have shown themselves fully qualified as Commanders of troops in the field.
    The medical arrangements of the British brigade - under Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant Colonel McNamara, and his staff, and of the Egyptian .army under the direction of Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Gallwey, and his staff, were, under the somewhat difficult circumstances of the operations, satisfactory, and the energy and skill displayed by the medical staff under their direction is deserving of much credit.
   General Gatacre has also brought to my notice —and I fully indorse his remarks—the care, attention, and personal kindness received by the whole brigade from the Reverend R. Brindle, Roman Catholic Chaplain, Reverend J. Simms, Presbyterian Chaplain, and Reverend A. W. Watson, Church of England Chaplain, who have been indefatigable in their efforts to minister to the sick and wounded at all hours.
   A very noticeable feature in the late operations was the efficiency and good organization of the camel transport, reflecting great credit on Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchener, Director of Transport, and his staff.
   The long line of communications extending from Assouan south was placed under the command of Major-General Rundle, and it was due to the energy displayed by his staff and the officers commanding stations that the troops were kept amply supplied.
   My thanks are due to Brevet Colonel Wingate, and the Intelligence Staff under him, who kept me fully informed, as well as to the other members of my staff, who performed their various duties to my entire satisfaction.
    In addition to the services of those officers whose names I have specially mentioned in the body of the despatch, I would also bring to your notice the valuable services of the following officers, non-commissioned officers, and men :-

Head-Quarter Staff.

Major à Court (temporarily attached), Captain Watson, A.D.C., Captain Blunt (Staff Officer, Supplies and Stores), Lieutenant Gorringe (Staff Officer), Lieutenant Lord E. Cecil, A.D.C., Lieutenant Manifold (Staff Officer, Telegraphs).

British Brigade

Brigade Staff.—Major Snow (Brigade Major), Captain Brooke, A.D.C., Captain Fair (Staff Officer), Lieutenant Pigott (Staff Officer).

Artillery.—Major Hunter Blair, Lieutenant Owen.

Infantry.—Warwickshire : Lieutenant-Colonel Jones (Commanding), Major Landon, Lieutenant and Adjutant Earle, Lieutenant Greer (wounded). Lincolnshire : Colonel Verner (Commanding, wounded), Major Simpson, Major Mainwaring, Captain Forrest, Captain and Adjutant Marsh, Lieutenant Boxer (wounded), Lieutenant Tatchell. Seaforth Highlanders : Colonel Murray (Commanding, wounded), Major Campbell, Major Jameson, Captain Egerton, Captain Baillie (wounded), Lieutenant Vandeleur (wounded), Lieutenant and Adjutant Ramsden, Second Lieutenant Daniell. Cameron Highlanders : Colonel Money (Commanding), Major Watson-Kennedy, Major Napier (wounded), Captain Honourable A. Murray, Lieutenant and Adjutant Campbell.

Departments.--Medical Staff: Surgeon-Major Braddell, Surgeon-Major Carr, Surgeon-Major Adamson, Surgeon-Captain Mathias, Surgeon-Lieutenant Bliss.

Army Pay Department.—Honorary Captain, Smith.

Veterinary Department.—Veterinary-Lieutenant Russell.

Non-Commissioned Officers and Men.—Seaforth Highlanders : Colour-Sergeant McIver., Corporal Lawrie. Cameron Highlanders: Colour-Sergeant Fisher, Private Cross, Private Chalmers. Army Service Corps : Staff Sergeant Wyeth.

Egyptian Army.

Cavalry.—Captain His Serene Highness Prince Francis of Teck, Lieutenant the Marquess of Tullibardine.

Artillery.—Captain de Rougemont..

Camel Corps.—Captain King.

Infantry.—Brigade Majors : Major Maxse,  Brevet Major Keith-Falconer, Captain Asser. 2nd Battalion : Major Pink (Commanding), Lieutenant Strickland. 3rd Battalion : Lieutenant-Colonel Sillem (Commanding), Captain Blewitt. 4th Battalion : Brevet Major Sparkes (Commanding). 9th Battalion : Captain Walter(Commanding, wounded), Lieutenant Ravenscroft. 10th Battalion : Brevet Major Fergasson, Captain MacBean. 11th Battalion : Brevet Major Jackson (Commanding), Captain Stanton. .12th Battalion : Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Townshend (Commanding), Captain Ford-Hutchinson, Captain Honourable C. Walsh (wounded), Lieutenant Harley (wounded). 13th Battalion : Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Collinson, Captain Godden. 14th Battalion : Brevet Major Shekleton (Commanding, wounded), Captain Hamilton, Captain Matthews.

Departments.—Medical Staff : Surgeon-Captain Penton, Surgeon-Captain Hill Smith, Surgeon-Captain Spong, Surgeon-Captain Dunn.

Transport Corps.—Captain Williams, Second Lieutenants Healey and McKey.

Non-Commissioned Officers.—Cavalry : Sergeant-Major Blake. Infantry : Lance-Sergeant Russell, Sergeant Scott-Barbour, Sergeant Hilton

(wounded). Sergeant Handley (wounded), Colour-Sergeant Kelham, Colour-Sergeant Shepperd.

 

I have, &c.,
	HERBERT KITCHENER, Sirdar.
	Major-General Sir Francis Grenfell, G.C.M.G., B.C. B., &c., &c.,
	Commanding the Forces in Egypt.