Ten years in Equatoria; . With his knowledgeof military engineering he completed the defensive works of thefortress, superintended the reorganisation of the troops, and tookmeasures for the supply of provisions. He took Colonel Stewart ashis collaborator. The prestige of his name paralysed the action of the Ahmed dared not fight openly before he hadstrengthened his position by secret activity. His complete inactionduring February, March, and April, inspired Gordon with hope;he thought his triumph was predestined. Excessive confidence inhis own providential missions increased th
Ten years in Equatoria; . With his knowledgeof military engineering he completed the defensive works of thefortress, superintended the reorganisation of the troops, and tookmeasures for the supply of provisions. He took Colonel Stewart ashis collaborator. The prestige of his name paralysed the action of the Ahmed dared not fight openly before he hadstrengthened his position by secret activity. His complete inactionduring February, March, and April, inspired Gordon with hope;he thought his triumph was predestined. Excessive confidence inhis own providential missions increased the fervour of his resist- 236 TEN YEARS IN EQUATORIA. ance, and encouraged him to give up all idea of evacuating^ theSoudan. But in the neighbourhood of Suakim the situation was goingfrom bad to worse. All Bakers attempts to relieve the beleagueredgarrisons of Tokar and Sinkat not only failed, but resulteddisastrously. Here is an account of the battle of El-Teb, in thewords of Colonel Messedaglia, who was present at it:—. GENERAL GOKDON. The expeditionary corps was composed of 3500 men, theremainder having been left behind at Suakim and Trinkitat, togarrison those places. They had four Krupps, two machine, andtwo siege guns. But these were difficult to carry on account of thesalt pools, which, though open to attack, it was necessary to crossfor about two miles from the sea, in order to gain the interior; itwas therefore resolved to construct a small fort south-west of thepools, in order to protect the passage of the ordnance. On the morning of February 4, the troops had hardly drawnup in marching order, when it began to rain heavily, and the airbecame so dense that it obscured eveiything. Eight hundredhorsemen formed the vanguard, including the scouts; then camethe artillery, together with the main body, the camels protected bythe Hanking companies, and then the rearguard. After about fourhours march, the rebels began to show themselves laterally in BATTLE OF EL-TEB. 237 group
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