" 15th "
Xth "

Cavalry Brigade and Mounted Forces: MAJOR BURN-MURDOCH

Cavalry..... 8 squadrons
Camel Corps.... 6 companies
Horse Artillery... 1 battery

Artillery: MAJOR PARSONS

Field Artillery... 2 batteries
Maxims . ... 1 battery (British)

Divisional Troops: MAJOR CURRIE

North Staffordshire Regiment.... 1st Battalion

The Flotilla: COMMANDER COLVILLE

Gunboats... Zafir, Tamai, Abu Klea, Metemma, El Teb
Armed Steamers... Kaibar, Dal, Akasha

Total: 15,000 men, 8 war-vessels, and 36 guns

Thus thirteen of the sixteen battalions of the Egyptian Army were
employed at the front. Two others, the 6th and XIVth, were disposed
along the line of communication, holding the various fortified posts.
The 16th Battalion of reservists remained at Suakin. The whole native
army was engaged in the war, and the preservation of domestic order in
the capital and throughout the Khedive's dominions was left entirely to
the police and to the British Army of Occupation. By the 9th all four
brigades had reached the rendezvous at Dulgo; on the 10th the British
regiment, which it was determined to send up in the steamers, was moved
to Kosheh by rail from Sarras and Gemai. The Sirdar prepared to start
with the flotilla on the 12th.

But a culminating disappointment remained. By tremendous exertions
the Zafir had been finished in time to take part in the operations.
Throughout the army it was expected that the Zafir would be the feature
of the campaign. At length the work was finished, and the Zafir floated,
powerful and majestic, on the waters of the Nile. On the afternoon of
the 11th of September many officers and men came to witness her trial
trip. The bank was lined with spectators. Colville took command. The
Sirdar and his Staff embarked. Flags were hoisted and amid general
cheering the moorings were cast off. But the stern paddle had hardly
revolved twice when there was a loud report, like that of a heavy gun,
clouds of steam rushed up from the boilers, and the engines stopped. Sir
H. Kitchener and Commander Colville were on the upper deck. The latter
rushed below to learn what had happened, and found that she had burst
her low-pressure cylinder, a misfortune impossible to repair until a new
one could be obtained from Halfa and fitted.

In spite of this, however, the advance was not delayed. On the 13th the
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades occupied Kaderma. He