3-085-897 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Soudan Advance: scenes on the Nile, 1898. '1. Entrance to the First Cataract at Philae. 2. The Cataract between Assouan and Philae. 3. Entrance to Assouan from the North. 4. Entrance to Assouan from the South. 5. End of the Cataract at Assouan. There have lately been signs and rumours of an intention of the hostile forces of the Khalifa to move eastward from their positions at Metemmeh and Shendy on the Nile below Khartoum, and to attack the most advanced posts of the Egyptian army on the Atbara, if not to venture an attack on Berber. General Sir Herbert Kitchener, however, now much strengthened by the arrival of the fresh British troops conducted by General Gatacre, appears quite ready to oppose any force of the enemy likely to come forward against him...As proof of the insecure dominion of the Khalifa in the White Nile region beyond Khartoum, messengers from the tribes of Kordofan have been sent to Slatin Pasha at Assouan, declaring their wish to return to the rule of the Khedive of Egypt. But much severe fighting is to be expected before the Mahdist usurpation can be overthrown at Omdurman, and the reconquest of Khartoum is not practicable earlier than the month of August or September, on account of the state of the river.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.