Battle of Abu Klea
The Battle of Abu Klea, fought on January 17, 1885, was a significant engagement during the British relief expedition aimed at rescuing General Charles Gordon, who was besieged in Khartoum, Sudan. Commanded by Major General Herbert Stewart, the British forces encountered a large contingent of Mahdists at the Abu Tulieh wells, approximately 120 miles north of Khartoum. The battle marked a critical moment as the British square formation, historically thought to be formidable, was breached by an unexpected assault from 6,000 Mahdists emerging from a dry riverbed. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the Mahdists faced fierce resistance, leading to significant losses on their side, with around 1,100 killed compared to fewer than 200 British casualties. The battle also saw the death of notable figures such as Colonel Fred Burnaby, who was known for his adventurous exploits. Ultimately, the expedition, unable to save Gordon, retreated to Egypt, and the campaign highlighted the limitations of technological superiority in warfare. The aftermath of Abu Klea had a profound impact on public sentiment in Britain, though the lessons learned from the engagement were largely overlooked.
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Battle of Abu Klea
Type of action: Ground battle in British campaign in Sudan
Date: January 17, 1885
Location: Near Abu Tulieh, Northern Region, Sudan
Combatants: 1,700 British vs. 10,000 Sudanese Mahdists
Principal commander: British, Major General Herbert Stewart
Result: Costly British victory over Mahdist forces
To rescue General Charles George Gordon, who was trapped in Khartoum, a British relief expedition commanded by General Garnet Joseph Wolseley reached Korti in northern Sudan in December, 1884. A “flying” column, including camel corps, cavalry, and sailors, was dispatched over the Bayuda Desert under Major General Herbert Stewart.
This force encountered Mahdists at Abu Tulieh wells, 120 miles north of Khartoum. Stewart’s force held the Sudanese in check until 6,000 Mahdists suddenly emerged from a dry riverbed and broke through a British square formation. Once thought to be invincible, the British square had earlier been breached for the first time in history by Mahdists at Tamai (March 12, 1884). The expedition’s only Gardner machine gun jammed. A dashing celebrity known for his many adventures throughout the British Empire, cavalry officer Colonel Fred Burnaby, was killed while trying to aid cut-off soldiers.
The reckless dervish attacks failed, resulting in 1,100 Mahdists dead and fewer than 200 British casualties. Two days later, Stewart was mortally wounded near Metemma on the Nile. Gordon was killed three days before the arrival of the delayed relief force, which retreated to Egypt.
Significance
As Isandlwana and Abu Klea showed, overwhelming technological superiority did not always guarantee success. The deaths of Burnaby and Stewart and the failure to save Gordon had a great public impact in Britain, but the lessons of Abu Klea were never understood.
Bibliography
Barthorp, Michael. War on the Nile. New York: Blandford, 1984.
Moorehead, Alan. The White Nile. New York: Vintage, 1983.
Wilkinson-Latham, Robert. The Sudan Campaigns 1881–1898. London: Osprey, 1976.
Williams, John Hoyt. “The Desert Battle of Abu Klea.” Military History 13, no. 4 (October, 1996).