Khartoum 1885 by Donald Featherstone

Author:Donald Featherstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Khartoum 1885: General Gordon’s last stand
ISBN: 9781472803849
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

The Battle of Tamai, 13 March 1884. When a gap was forced in the face of the British square, leaving the Gatling and Gardner guns outside the formation, the Dervishes rushed in so quickly that the guns had to be abandoned. This drawing by on-the-spot artist, Melton Prior, depicts their recapture.

Sent to charge the ravine, The Black Watch advanced, firing independently to right and left when thirty yards from the cleft; although ordered not to do so, some of the 65th followed the Highlanders, causing a gap to open up in the face of the square and leaving the Gatlings and Gardners outside the formation. Under cover of the smoke, large groups of the enemy burst from the haze, hitting The Black Watch in the flank and causing the guns to be abandoned — the Naval Brigade locked the Gatlings and Gardners before leaving them; the Marines were hit and the square was sent reeling back about 800 yards to the east. Small groups fighting back-to-back, disputed every inch of the ground, gradually checking the withdrawal, until rallied and re-formed by the officers and NCOs.

Five hundred yards away to the right-rear Buller’s square was being attacked in the same furious manner, but blew away the approaching enemy by sheer weight of firepower; they then switched their fire to the tribesmen attacking Davis’s square. At the same time, the cavalry galloped round to the left flank of the square, dismounted and opened fire with carbines, catching the attackers in a crossfire. After about twenty minutes the attacks had been repulsed and 2 Brigade re-formed with Marines on the right, 65th in the centre and Black Watch on the left; the Naval Brigade formed in their rear. After halting for about fifteen minutes, Graham moved his force forward, 1 Brigade on the right firing at close range and retaking lost ground and abandoned guns; the enemy had dumped one gun down the ravine and set an ammunition-limber on fire. Then 2 Brigade turned their machine-guns on the enemy in the ravine and drove them out; moving amid wounded tribesmen lying in the thick scrub, who fired or slashed at any one within reach, 2 Brigade took a ridge above the village of Tamai and the battle petered out. Graham’s casualties were as shown to the right, while the Ansar suffered about 2,000 killed and the same number wounded.

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