The Battles of El Teb (February 4, 1884) and (February 29, 1884) took place during the British Sudan Campaign where a force of Sudanese under Osman Digna won a victory over an 3500 strong Egyptian force under the command of General Valentine Baker which was marching to relieve Tokar on the 4th. A second British force under Sir Gerald Graham arrived on the 29th, engaging and defeating Osman Digna with few casualties. The Mahdist War was a struggle for Sudanese libaration that failed in the late 19-century. ... The Battle of El Obied between Anglo-Egyptian forces under the command of Lietenant-General William Billy Hicks and forces of Mohammed Ahmed, the self-proclaimed Mahdi, on a plain near the town of Al Ubayyid (El Obied) on November 3rd-5th, 1883. ... Combatants Great Britain Mahdist Sudan Commanders Sir Gerald Graham Osman Digna Strength 4,500 troops, 22 guns, 6 machine-guns 10,000 troops Casualties 120 killed 4,000 killed The Battle of Tamai(or Tamanieh) took place on March 13, 1884 between a British force under Sir Gerald Graham and... The Battle of Khartoum was fought in 1884 and 1885 between Sudanese Muslim forces and British forces. ... Abu Klea is a halting-place for caravans in the Bayuda Desert of Sudan. ... Combatants  United Kingdom  Egypt Mahdist Sudan Commanders Francis Grenfell Wad el Nujumi† Strength 6,000 Casualties Light 1,200 dead, 4,000 captured The battle of Toski(Tushkah) took place in Egypt between the Anglo-Egyptian forces and the Mahdist Sudanese. ... Combatants Mahdist Sudan  United Kingdom  Egypt Commanders Osman Azrak Hammuda Sir Herbert Kitchener Strength 3,000-4,000 men 9,000-9,500 men Casualties 44 emirs killed 4 emirs captured 800-1,500 soldiers killed 500 soldiers wounded 500-600 soldiers captured 20 soldiers killed 81-83 soldiers wounded... Combatants  United Kingdom  Egypt Mahdist Sudan Commanders Horatio Herbert Kitchener Mahmud Osman Digna Strength 14,000 troops 12,000 infantry 3,000 cavalry Casualties British: 26 killed 99 wounded Egyptian: 57 killed 386 wounded 3,000 killed and wounded 2,000 captured The Battle of Atbara was a part of... Combatants Great Britain Sudan Commanders Horatio Kitchener Abdullah al-Taashi Strength 8,000 British, 17,000 Sudanese and Egyptian 50,000 Casualties 48 dead 382 wounded Total: 430 10,000 dead 15,000 wounded 5,000 captured {{{notes}}} At the Battle of Omdurman (September 2, 1898) an army commanded by... The Battle of Umm Diwaykarat on November 24, 1899 marked the final obliteration of Muhammad Ahmads short-lived Sudanese empire, when Anglo-Egyptian forces under the command of Lord Kitchener wiped out what was left of the Mahdist armies under the command of the Abdallahi ibn Muhammad, known as... February 4 is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... February 29th, or bissextile day, is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Mahdist State, 1881-1898 Developments in Sudan during the late 19th century cannot be understood without reference to the British position in Egypt. ... Osman Digna Osman Digna (Arabic: عثمان دقنة )(c. ... Valentine Baker (1827—1887), British soldier, was a younger brother of Sir Samuel Baker. ... The armed forces of the United Kingdom are known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown[2]. Their Commander-in-Chief is the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II and they are managed by the Defence Council of the... Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission) Sir Gerald Graham, VC GCB GCMG (27 June 1831 - 17 December 1899) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded...

The Background

Main article: History of Sudan (1884-1898)

Britain’s involvement in the Sudan was a consequence of its support for the Khedive of Egypt following the repression of Arabi Pashas revolt in 1882. Despite Egypt still being nominally part of the Ottoman Empire, the Khedive’s rule was dependent on direct British support, given to ensure the security of the Suez Canal and the elimination of the Sudanese slave trade. The Mahdist State, 1881-1898 Developments in Sudan during the late 19th century cannot be understood without reference to the British position in Egypt. ... Khedive (from Persian for lord) was a title created in 1867 by the Ottoman Sultan Abd-ul-Aziz for the then-governor of Egypt, Ismail Pasha. ... Colonel Ahmad Orabi (April 1, 1841 - September 21, 1911), (Arabic: أحمد عرابي) also known as Orabi Pasha or Urabi Pasha, was an Egyptian army general who revolted against the khedive and European domination of Egypt in 1879 in what has become known as the Orabi Revolt. ... Motto: دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem: Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299-1326) Bursa (1326-1365) Edirne (1365-1453) Constantinople (Istanbul) (1453-1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 Osman I  - 1918–1922 Mehmed VI... Ships moored at El Ballah during transit Egypt: Site of Suez Canal (top). ... The history of slavery covers many different forms of human exploitation across many cultures and throughout human history. ...

However, the British government under Prime Minister Gladstone sought to stay out of affairs in Egyptian-governed Sudan, that was threateneds by an uprising led by the Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, who declared a Jihad, against the ‘Turks’, represented by the Egyptian troops. The Mahdist forces enjoyed considerable success against Egyptian troops in 1882 and 1883, and several towns garrisoned by Egyptian troops found themselves surrounded. In their haste to be rid of the Sudanese question, the British urged the Egyptians to evacuate their troops. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Image:Mahdi3. ... Jihad, sometimes spelled Jahad, Jehad, Jihaad, Jiaad, Djihad, or Cihad, (Arabic: ‎ ) as an Islamic term, literally means struggle in the way of God or striving hard in Gods cause and is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam, although it occupies no official status as such in...

The first battle

First Battle of El Teb
Part of the Mahdist War, 1881-1899
Date February 4, 1884 Location El Teb, nine miles southwest of Trinkitat Result Sudanese victory
Combatants
Sudanese	United Kingdom  Egypt
Commanders
Osman Digna	Valentine Baker
Strength
1,000 men	3,500 men
Casualties
few	2,300

The port of Suakin, on the Red Sea, could be supplied by ship and still held out. But further inland, the towns of Tokar and Sinkat were completely cut off. In February 1884, a 3000 strong force was dispatched from Suez to Suakin to relieve the beleaguered garrisons. The command of this force was entrusted to Baker Pasha accompanied by other European officers. From the start the expedition was beset with problems. The greater part of the infantry was formed from Egyptian Gendarmerie Battalions who had enroled on the condition they would serve only for civil service in Egypt. On the news they were being sent to Sudan, many of them deserted, and the others grew dispirited and mutinous. The Mahdist War was a struggle for Sudanese libaration that failed in the late 19-century. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... February 4 is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Egypt_19th_century. ... Osman Digna Osman Digna (Arabic: عثمان دقنة )(c. ... Valentine Baker (1827—1887), British soldier, was a younger brother of Sir Samuel Baker. ... Suakin is a port in north eastern Sudan, on the Red Sea. ... Location of the Red Sea The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. ... SUEZ (Euronext: SZE, NYSE: SZE) is a leading French-based multinational corporation, with operations primarily in water, electricity and natural gas supply, and waste management. ... Suakin is a port in north eastern Sudan, on the Red Sea. ... Valentine Baker (1827—1887), British soldier, was a younger brother of Sir Samuel Baker. ... A gendarmerie (pronounced ) is a military body charged with police duties among civilian populations. ... Mutiny is the act of conspiring to disobey an order that a group of similarly-situated individuals (typically members of the military; or the crew of any ship, even if they are civilians) is legally obliged to obey. ...

On the 3rd of February, Baker moved his force by ship from Suakin to Trinkitat, on the coast near Tokar. He set up a camp on the beach, and set off the next day. The Egyptians, who were not used to marching in formation, advanced in a confused mass. At the halting place of El Teb, on the road to Tokar they were attacked by a Mahdist force 1,000 strong. Despite their superiority in numbers and weaponry, the troops became panic-stricken, and fled after firing a single volley. The Mahdists caught up with them and inflicted huge losses, killing all the European officers who tied to resist. Baker, unable to rally his men, retreated to the camp with the few survivors and managed to protect it from the Mahdists. Of a force of 3,500, barely 700 returned. El Teb, a halting-place in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan near the coast of the Red Sea, 9 m. ...

After returning to Suakin, Baker tried to organize the defense of the city, but the Egyptian troops had grown distrustful of the British officers, and refused to obey. This defeat sealed the fate of the garrisons: the Sinkat garrison sallied out to try and reach Suakin on foot; they were massacred. The Tokar garrison surrendered without a fight.

The second battle

Second Battle of El Teb
Part of the Mahdist War, 1881-1899
Date February 29, 1884 Location El Teb, nine miles southwest of Trinkitat Result British victory
Combatants
Great Britain	Mahdist Sudan
Commanders
Sir Gerald Graham	Osman Digna
Strength
4,500 men, 22 guns, 6 machine-guns	10,000 men
Casualties
30 killed, 142 wounded	2,000 killed

In England, Baker's defeat incensed the imperialist faction, represented by Lord Wolseley, who demanded the intervention of British troops. Reluctantly, the British government agreed and several units returning from India were diverted to Suakin. The Mahdist War was a struggle for Sudanese libaration that failed in the late 19-century. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... February 29th, or bissextile day, is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining. ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Muhammad Ahmad ibn as Sayyid Abd Allah (1844 - June 22, 1885) was a Muslim religious leader, a faqir, in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. ... Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission) Sir Gerald Graham, VC GCB GCMG (27 June 1831 - 17 December 1899) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded... Osman Digna Osman Digna (Arabic: عثمان دقنة )(c. ... // Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ... Field Marshal Lord Wolseley The Right Honourable Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (4 June 1833–25 March 1913) was a British Field Marshal. ...

On the 21st, the force under the command of Sir Gerald Graham left for El Teb, via Trinkatat. It was composed of 4,500 men with 22 guns and 6 machine guns. On the 29th, they approached the main Mahdist position, on a hill near El Teb. This position consisted of various entrenchments and rifle pits. The Mahdists also had several artillery pieces including Krupp guns captured off the Tokar garrison, some of whom had changed sides, and were now fighting for the Mahdists. The British, forming into a square, circled the Mahdist entrenchments to outflank them, under a dense rifle and cannon fire. After a brief artillery duel, the Mahdist guns were silenced, and the British advanced. The Mahdists hid in trenches to avoid incoming British rifle and artillery, then rushed out in small groups of twenty to thirty warriors^[1] instead of the massive attack that was expected. Another tactic was to pretend to lie dead on the battlefield as British cavalry charged through, then, as the cavalry returned at a slower pace back through the ranks of the 'dead', the Mahdists would rise up and slit the hamstrings of the horses then proceed to kill the riders.^[2] At the top of the hill, a village had been fortified by the Mahdists, and here they resisted the most stubbornly. The British infantry had to clear the trenches with bayonets after which the fighting died down. Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission) Sir Gerald Graham, VC GCB GCMG (27 June 1831 - 17 December 1899) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded... Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ... For the U.S. town, see Krupp, Washington. ... An infantry square is a battle tactic of infantry when faced with cavalry. ... The term counter-battery fire refers to the concept of detecting the source of artillery (shells or rockets) landing on friendly forces and firing back at them with artillery, suppressing or destroying them in order to protect the friendly forces and reduce enemy artillery strength. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ...

Graham's force then advanced to Tokar, encountering no further resistance. After the battle, most of the equipment lost by Baker's force was recovered.

The British suffered only light casualties, the mahdist fire being generally inaccurate. Baker Pasha, who accompanied the force, was wounded in the jaw. The Mahdists suffered heavily from British firepower, losing 2,000 killed.

Consequences of the battles

Upon Sir Graham's return to England, he received the thanks of parliament and was made a Lieutenant General for distinguished service in the field.^[3] During the second battle itself, actions by Sir Arthur Wilson, then a Captain, were rewarded by a Victoria Cross.^[4] Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Arthur Knyvet Wilson (VC, GCB, OM, GCVO) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...

The battle was part of the escalation of the conflict in the Sudan, a conflict which led to the reconquest of Sudan in 1892, Herbert Kitchener (later Lord Kitchener), involving 25,800 men, 8,600 of whom were British, including Winston Churchill. The Earl Kitchener Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC (24 June 1850 – 5 June 1916) was an Irish-born British Field Marshal, diplomat and statesman popularly referred to as Lord Kitchener. ... Churchill redirects here. ...

The reconquest of Sudan culminated in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898

Bibliography

• Archer, Thomas. The war in Egypt and the Soudan. An episode in the history of the British Empire. 4 Volumes. Blackie & Son, London 1885–1887 (Available at the Cornell University website: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4)

External links

• Sir Gerald Graham (1831–1899) - http://encyclopedia.jrank.org
• Sir Arthur Wilson VC - www.victoriacross.org.uk
• Anglo-Sudan war, 1884-1898 - www.wartimesindex.co.uk