, and was organised as follows:--

Commander-in-Chief: THE SIRDAR

The Infantry Division: COLONEL HUNTER Commanding

1st Brigade 2nd Brigade 3rd Brigade
Major LEWIS MAJOR MACDONALD MAJOR MAXWELL
3rd Egyptians IXth Soudanese 2nd Egyptians
4th " XIth " 7th "
Xth Soudanese XIIth " 8th "
XIIIth "

Mounted Forces: MAJOR BURN-MURDOCH

Egyptian Cavalry.... 7 squadrons
Camel Corps. .... 8 companies

Artillery

Horse Artillery .... 1 battery
Field Artillery .... 2 batteries
Maxim Guns . .... 1 battery

Two roads led from Akasha to Firket--one by the bank of the river, the
other inland and along the projected railway line. The Sirdar determined
to avail himself of both. The force was therefore divided into two
columns. The main column, under command of the Sirdar, was to move
by the river road, and consisted of the infantry division, the Field
Artillery, and the Maxim guns. The Desert Column, under command of Major
Burn-Murdoch, consisted of the mounted forces, the Horse Artillery, and
one battalion of infantry (the XIIth Soudanese) drawn from MacDonald's
brigade and mounted upon camels: in all about two thousand men. Very
precise orders were given to the smaller column, and Burn-Murdoch was
instructed to occupy the hills to the south-east of the centre of Firket
village by 4.30 A.M.; to dispose his force facing west, with the cavalry
on the left, the Camel Corps in the centre, and the XIIth Soudanese on
the right. The only point left to his discretion was the position to
be occupied by the Horse battery. He was especially warned not to come
under the fire of the main infantry force. As soon as the enemy should
be routed, the XIIth Soudanese were to return to the Sirdar. The
cavalry, camelry, and Horse Artillery were to pursue--the objective
being, firstly, Koyeka, and, secondly, Suarda.

The infantry column began to march out of Akasha at 3.30 in the
afternoon of the 6th, and trailed southwards along the track by the
river in the following order: Lewis's brigade, with the Xth Soudanese
leading; two Maxim guns and the artillery; MacDonald's brigade;
Maxwell's brigade; and, lastly, the field hospitals and a half-battalion
forming rearguard. The Sirdar marched behind the artillery. The rear of
the long column was clear o