The Nile Expedition to rescue General Gordon in Khartoum - Sudan Campaign 1885
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Published 2022-12-09
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In 1884-1885, General Sir Garnet Wolseley led a British Army up the Nile to rescue Charles Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum.
This is the story of that expedition, which despite several victories over the Mahdi’s Sudanese army, eventually ended in failure.
Other videos in this British-Mahdist war in Sudan:
The Battle of El Teb 1884(plus background as to why British were in Sudan)
• The Battle of El Teb 1884 - Mahdist W...
The Battle of Tamai 1884 (the British square broken)
• The Battle of Tamai 1884 | British- M...
The Battle of Abu Klea (“The Gatling’s jammed and the Colonel’s dead”)
• The Battle of Abu Klea 1885 | British...
Gordon of Khartoum (A very Victorian hero)
• General Charles Gordon (Part 1 - Chi...
The Battle of Omdurman (Gordon is avenged and the British conquer Sudan)
• What Happened At The Battle of Omdur...
General Gordon had been sent to Khartoum to assist the Egyptians evacuate their nationals from the city in the face of a growing Islamic / nationalist revolt led by the Mahdi.
Having got most of the Egyptian civilians out of the city , Gordon took it upon himself to defend Khartoum and seek to establish an alternative Sudanese regime to counter the Mahdi.
But instead by the end of March 1884, he found himself besieged in the city and desperately appealed to the British government for assistance.
Eventually, Prime Minister, William Gladstone, sent a british army to Egypt under the command of General Sir Garnet Wolseley. His mission: to rescue the darling of the British public, “Chinese” Gordon, from Khartoum.
Making slow progress up the river and with messages from Gordon becoming more desperate, Wolseley decided to send a force of 1,500 men across the desert.
This Desert Column, was predominantly formed by 4 regiments of the Camel Corps, plus some mounted cavalry and a battalion of Infantry (the Royal Sussex Regiment).
The Desert column ended up fighting two pitched battles with the Mahdists.
In the first, at Abu Klea, the Sudanese managed to get inside the British square before being driven out in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.
A few days later, they again fought the Mahdist (Dervish) army at the battle of Abu Kru.
Despite achieving another victory, the column’s commander, Major-General Sir Herbert Stewart, was killed.
Finally, reaching the Nile, Colonel Charles Wilson headed up river by steamer to Khartoum.
In the meantime the Mahdi launched a successful assault on the city, which was overwhelmed and Gordon killed.
By the time Wilson arrived, it was too late.
Britain was shocked both by the death of their hero, General Gordon, and by the failure to relieve Khartoum.
Whilst Wolseley blamed Wilson, the general himself refused to shoulder any blame.
Somehow, the British public didn’t hold either soldier to account and instead rounded on Prime Minister Gladstone for not authorising the relief of Khartoum earlier.
In the end the Nile Expedition quietly withdrew from Sudan.
It would be over a decade before the British returned to avenge Gordon at the battle of Omdurman.
#thenileexpedition1885 #gordonreliefexpedition #generalsirgarnetwolseley #generalgordon
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:00 The Gordon Relief Expedition
3:40 Desperate message from Khartoum
4:17 The Desert Column
6:18 Battle of Abu Klea
7:08 Battle of Abu Kru
11:30 Wilson heads up up-river
14:30 Mahdist’s storm Khartoum
15:34 Death of General Gordon
16:50 2 days late
18:35 Beresford to the rescue
19:55 “Too Late!”
23:10 The Blame Game
24:04 Aftermath
26:01 The History Chap
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
All Comments (21)
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I saw 1966’s “Khartoum” on TV, back in the 90s when I had the the flu and had a sick day from elementary school. Boy, did I have some choice words about Gladstone!
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One of my great grandfathers was nearly caught by the Mahdists a couple of days before Abu Klea when he fell asleep during the march and his hungry camel wandered away from the column looking for food.
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Have you noticed that everyone in British history that ever got remembered for a place had a last name that was a first name. Gordon of Khartoum, Lawrence of Arabia, Clive of India, Scott of the Antarctic, Montgomery of Alamein and a bunch of others. My wife's last name was Oliver and I thought of taking it, just so that I could be Oliver of Kota Beach, or somewhere. Nobody ever heard of a Braithwaite of anywhere.
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The whole event is wonderfully covered in The Triumph Of The Sun by Wilbur Smith. Really worth reading.
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This channel is a gem for it's great coverage on these relatively obscure colonial wars. You'll find countless channels covering well trodden subjects like the world wars, but not what's covered here; especially the quick biographies on soldiers I've never heard of. Well, I've had fun learning about the characters and eccentrics from the Victorian era colonial wars!
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True story, an Australian general was scheduled to take over a UN observation force in Sudan when South Sudan were breaking away, circa 2005. Apparently, the appointment was terminated when the Sudanese took exception with General Gordon of Australia deploying to Khartoum.
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That was such a well told story, felt like i was down on the ground. Really was unaware of this part of history. Really enjoyed the dynamics being told between the varies Generals, the "thinking General", the dilemmas, the logistics, the mourning of General Gordon, giving an idea of the mood on the home front, its a very humanized way of telling the story that made the "characters" very real, and not just pages in a history book. Thank you, this as been a great epic of twist and turns. Do appreciate the mini recaps at the beginning of each video too, it does help to digest & chronologically remember events as they're occurring. Feel absolute blessed to watch these.
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My Friday is made. Another exciting adventure to watch while I enjoy my lunch. The master hits another home run. As a history major in college I continue to be an avid follower many decades since. The History Chap never disappoints.
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Thomas Huxley held that the two most fascinating people of his age were Charles Darwin and Charles Gordon. I highly recommend reading Gordon's notes. He was an extremely unique and capable man of his age while at the same time he was the bane of the UK military because he had a distinct tendency to avoiding war rather then trying to profit from it.
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A little-known fact, Nubia or Sudan was traditionally orthodox Chistian and was conquered/ Islamized by Egypt much later than regions further north.
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My great great grandfather was joint Chief Paymaster of the Army Pay Department and accompanied Wolesley on the Gordon Relief Expedition to act as paymaster to the expedition.
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I've learnt more from watching the lectures from The History Chap than I ever did at school. Absolutely fascinating stuff, and I'm enjoying learning about former British military heroes.
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You and your channel are truly excellent! Thank you for reviving my knowledge and now appreciation for the British army in the 19th century
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Congrats on the fine delivery of this historical event. It was very intriguing and interesting to say the least. Thanks for your time and work that you put into this video which you have shared.
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Another great episode on one of the finest history channels on youtube - can‘t wait for the next one
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Excellent yet again. Omdurman will be fun. Churchill. His polo injury, his Mauser and charge with the 21st Lancers who’s unofficial nickname had become ‘though shalt not kill’ due to lack of active service
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I too, enjoyed an interesting time lunching on hot german potato salad while viewing your very fine presentation on the expedition to save General Gordon. I am a subscriber, and a history major. Your enthusiasm and style are a cure for the usual dry and dusty lectures that I attended in college and viewed here on YouTube. I am very impressed by your courtesy of replying to all the comments received here. Thanks for your wonderful channel. Keep up the good work.
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A spirited narration. Good show.
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Excellent stuff as always. Thank you.
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Excellent presentation. Well done. Thanks for posting!
