the Desert route from there to Korosko will thus become open; it was impracticable so long as its exit at Abou Hamed was occupied by the enemy in force. By this means supplies will reach the force on that part of the Nile far quicker than by the tortuous line of the Nile. Earle will then have to capture Berber on his way to join Stewart at Metemmeh. Fighting must, of course, be expected before Khartoum is reached. The Mahdi's force may collapse at our approach, but I doubt it. He has too many fanatics about him to make this likely, besides which his very existence as a Mahdi hangs upon successful opposition to us. What will happen after Khartoum is relieved it is difficult to say. The Soudan cannot be definitely abandoned until some stable government is established there which will ensure the tranquillity of the future frontier of Egypt, whatever that may ultimately be. In these days, when there is this absurd mania for colonising, such a country as the Soudan, and such a town as Khartoum, commanding as it does the fertile district of the Blue Nile and its tributaries, not to say Egypt itself, will infallibly be seized upon by some European Power, probably France, and what then becomes of Egypt? If, therefore, some authority is to be established in the Soudan, such as will meet the requirements as regards safety of Egypt, time will be required to consolidate it as well as the presence of some force which will therefore have to remain over the summer. If our troops are all withdrawn before these measures are carried out, it will not be easy to calculate the serious consequences which must sooner or later result. I am afraid, however, that the policy of our Government will not be in this direction, and that they will think of nothing but a withdrawal from the Soudan at once, if the climate will admit of it. I have just returned from a pleasant trip to Suakin, where I found the troops improving in health. There is a good harbour, and the town is better and cleaner than I expected. The enemy come within long range every night nearly, to try and annoy
the garrison by a desultory and feeble rifle fire. Fremantle,^^ who is in command there, is well.... — Ever, my dear William, yours very affectionately,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Sister
Cairo, February i, 1885.
My dear Minny, —... Stirring events have taken place since you last wrote: the march across the Bayuda Desert, the actions of January 17th and 19th and the intermediate night march, and the operations which attended the last fight, are most creditable to all concerned — to Wolseley for his bold conceptions, and to officers and men for the splendid manner in which his plan was carried out. The pluck, steadiness, and endurance of the officers and men deserve all the praise that we can give them. I feel proud of them indeed, and don't believe that any other army in the world would have performed such a feat with so small a body of men. They still have work before them, but I doubt if the enemy will fight again with his former spirit. The column under Stewart now entrenched at Goobat will not be able to carry on any further operation until reinforced. Two battalions and a portion of the Camel Corps not hitherto engaged are now on their way or about starting from Koorti for this purpose, and as the infantry go on foot, it will take them at least fourteen days to reach the Nile again. I do not feel thoroughly satisfied about Stewart's wound; the last accounts I received were certainly favourable, but the ball, which penetrated the groin, has not been yet extracted. Earle's column, which is moving up the Nile, may possibly have a fight in a day or two; he is now about 7 miles off the enemy, where they occupy a strong position, but it is doubtful if they will stand. He has got Berber to attack, which he will not reach under four weeks; that is to say, that by the end of this month he will have effected a junction with Wolseley, who will then be at
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