The Downfall of the Dervishes; or, The Avenging of Gordon

The author recounts his experiences as a special correspondent during the final Sudan campaign, tracing the journey from Cairo along the Nile to the Atbara and Wad Hamed, describing camp life, travel hardships, and interactions with allied tribal fighters. He provides a blow-by-blow account of the Battle of Omdurman and naval gunboat operations, reports on tactics, casualties, and the devastating effects of modern weapons, and records the aftermath in captured towns, including looting, memorial services, and the handling of prisoners. Interspersed are vignettes on local customs, natural history, medical and logistical problems, and portraits of various combatants and officers encountered during the campaign.