Battle at Korti, 11th September, 1884.On 1st September he advanced with 400 men against Heddai, who had been reinforced by Mohammed Mahmud to the total number of 3,000, and in a smart action close to Korti totally defeated the Emirs, killing them both. Captain Kitchener, who had been sent to report on the Mudir, now pushed on, and entered into negotiations with the great Kababish tribe and their Sheikh Saleh for assistance in the forthcoming Nile expedition, which had just been decided on for the relief of Gordon.
Gordon relief expedition.This expedition was put in hand in the beginning of August, and the command of it given to Lord Wolseley. It was composed of nine battalions,[165] a camel corps of four “regiments,”[166] and the 19th Hussars, besides light Artillery and other details. The major portion was despatched up the Nile in whaleboats, and it concentrated eventually in December at Korti.
Fighting round Khartoum.During the advance of the expedition, Gordon employed every means to keep the enemy at a distance. On the 29th and 31st August his “fighting Pasha,” Mohammed Ali Pasha, defeated Emir Abd el Gader at Gereif and Sheikh el Obeid at Halfaya respectively, but five days afterwards was heavily defeated and killed by the latter at Um Dibban, whither he had followed him after a third victory at El Eilafun.
Murder of Colonel Stewart, &c.This defeat was a heavy blow to Khartoum, and on the 10th September Gordon sent Stewart, Power, Herbin, and some Greeks downstream on the “Abbas” steamer to give an account of the state of affairs to the authorities. These officers were decoyed ashore and murdered on the 18th near Hebba, at the head of the 4th Cataract.
On the 29th September Gordon sent three steamers down to Shendi to meet the British expedition, and these[167] remained on the river under the command of Nushi Pasha, fighting and reconnoitring, until the 21st January, when the British desert column met them near Metemma.
After the defeat near El Eilafun, the Mahdi summoned all the tribes to the attack of Khartoum, and this city was closely invested. Omdurman, held by Faragalla Pasha, was repeatedly attacked, and was obliged by famine, on the fifth day of the new year, to surrender.
The garrison of Khartoum was now getting weaker and weaker through famine, and though Gordon despatched cheery messages to say he “could hold out for years,” he knew it would be all over with Khartoum if the expedition did not arrive in time.
River column.On the 28th December a river column of four battalions,[168] one squadron, and details was sent upstream from Korti, under Major-General Earle, with the object of reaching Abu Hamed, communicating thence (for supplies) with Korosko (Major Rundle), and pushing on to seize Berber.
Desert column.On the 30th December a desert column, chiefly composed of Camel Corps, total about 1,100 fighting men, left Korti to occupy Jakdul Wells, over halfway to Metemma. This done, Sir Herbert Stewart (in command) sent back for more troops and supplies, and the column, increased to about 1,800 fighting men, 1885.left Jakdul on the 14th January, 1885. Battle of Abu Klea, 17th January, 1885.On the 17th a force of about 11,000 of the enemy, under Abu Safia (or Abd el Mejid?) was encountered and heavily defeated near Abu Klea (Tleh) Wells, and the column pushed on to the Nile, which it reached, after another stiff fight near Abu Kru (Khrug), on the evening of the 19th. On this day Sir H. Stewart was mortally wounded.
On the 21st a reconnaissance in force of Metemma was carried out. Gordon’s four steamers arrived during the action, and Colonel Sir C. Wilson being now in command, after proceeding next day on a reconnaissance towards Shendi, left Gubat on the morning of the 24th with two steamers for Khartoum.