gather that
it was the Khalifa's intention to have met us with this force at
Kerreri, but our rapid advance surprised him.

The troops were at once disposed around the village of Egeiga,
which formed an excellent position with a clear field of fire in
every direction, and shelter-trenches and zerebas were prepared.

At 2 p.m. our vedettes reported that the enemy had halted, and
later on it was observed that they were preparing bivouacs and
lighting fires. Information was received that the Khalifa
contemplated a night attack on our position, and preparations to
repel this were made, at the same time the Egeiga villagers were
sent out to obtain information in the direction of the enemy's
camp with the idea that we intended a night attack, and, this
coming to the Khalifa's knowledge, he decided to remain in his
position; consequently, we passed an undisturbed night in the
zereba.

Meanwhile the gunboats, under Commander Keppel, which had shelled
the dervish advanced camp near Kerreri on 31st August, proceeded
at daylight on 1st September, towing the Howitzer Battery to the
right bank, whence, in conjunction with the Irregulars under Major
Stuart Wortley, their advance south was continued. After two forts
had been destroyed and the villages gallantly cleared by the
Irregulars, the Howitzers were landed in a good position on the
right bank, from whence an effective fire was opened on Omdurman,
and, after a few rounds, the conspicuous dome over the Mahdi's
tomb was partially demolished, whilst the gunboats, steaming past
the town, also effectually bombarded the forts, which replied with
a heavy, but ill-directed fire.

At dawn on the following morning (2nd September), our mounted
patrols reported the enemy advancing to attack, and by 6.30 a.m.
the Egyptian Cavalry, which had been driven in, took up a position
with the Horse Artillery, Camel Corps, and four Maxims on the
Kerreri ridge on our right flank.

At 6.40 a.m. the shouts of the advancing dervish army became
audible, and a few minutes later their flags appeared over the
rising ground, forming a semi-circle round our left and front
faces. The guns of the 32nd Field Battery opened fire at 6.45 a.m.
at a range of two thousand eight hundred yards, and the dervishes,
continuing to advance rapidly, delivered their attac