traight road leading to the Khalifa's house and
Mahdi's tomb; these were speedily occupied, the Khalifa having
quitted the town only a short time before our entry, after a vain
effort to collect his men for further resistance.

The gunboats continued up the river clearing the streets of
dervishes, and, having returned to the remainder of the brigade
left at the corner of the wall, these were pushed forward, and
occupied all the main portions of the town. Guards were at once
mounted over the principal buildings and Khalifa's stores, and
after visiting the prison and releasing the European prisoners,
the troops bivouacked at 7 p.m. around the town, after a long and
trying day, throughout which all ranks displayed qualities of high
courage, discipline, and endurance.

The gunboats and Egyptian Cavalry and Camel Corps at once started
in pursuit south; but owing to the exhausted condition of the
animals and the flooded state of the country, which prevented them
from communicating with the gunboat carrying their forage and
rations, they were reluctantly obliged to abandon the pursuit
after following up the flying Khalifa for 30 miles through marshy
ground. The gunboats continued south for 90 miles, but were unable
to come in touch with the Khalifa, who left the river and fled
westward towards Kordofan, followed by the armed friendly tribes
who took up the pursuit on the return of the mounted troops.

Large stores of ammunition, powder, some sixty guns of various
sorts, besides vast quantities of rifles, swords, spears, banners,
drums, and other war materials, were captured on the battle-field
and in Omdurman.

The result of this battle is the practical annihilation of the
Khalifa's army, the consequent extinction of Mahdism in the
Soudan, and the submission of the whole country formerly ruled
under Egyptian authority. This has re-opened vast territories to
the benefits of peace, civilisation, and good government.

On 4th September the British and Egyptian flags were hoisted with
due ceremony on the walls of the ruined Palace of Khartoum, close
to the spot where General Gordon fell, and this event is looked
upon by the rejoicing populations as marking the commencement of a
new era of peace and prosperity for their unfortunate country.

It would be impossible for any Commander