[169] These guns fired 50 lb. shells with the new explosive called "Lyddite."
[170] The British were armed with the Lee-Metford magazine rifle, and the Egyptians with the Martini-Henry.
[171] The bush defence turned out a mistake, as the men had to stand up to fire over it, and thus exposed themselves to the enemy's bullets, whereas the Egyptian troops were able to lie down under the shelter of their trench.
[172] Captain Kenna and Lieutenant De Montmorency received the Victoria Cross for their gallantry on this occasion.
[173] Sir Herbert Kitchener was created Baron Kitchener of Khartoum, and a sum of £30,000 was awarded him.
[174] Sir F. R. Wingate says in his report of 3rd March, 1899:—"Of the 4,000 Dervish black troops who surrendered 1,222 were wounded; there were wounded in almost every house in Omdurman; and, in view of the fact that almost every able-bodied man in the town had been forced to take part in the battle, it is fair to conclude that the number of wounded (16,000) as telegraphed was not over-estimated."
[175] The total number of prisoners eventually set free at Omdurman was no less than 10,854, of whom 8,667 were civil and military employés of the Egyptian Government, taken captive when Khartoum, Obeid, and other places fell into the hands of the Mahdi.
[176] Mr. Bennett in the "Contemporary Review."
[177] See Lord Cromer's despatch to the Marquis of Salisbury, dated 12th March, 1899.
[178] Lord Cromer, as a recognition of his services in Egypt, was created Viscount Cromer in January, 1899.