The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-10-25
.oMDERMAN AFTER THE BATTLE.


 Entry of the Victorious English and
 Egyptian Troops-Frightful Sanitary Condition ot the City-The Murderers of Women and Children-Pursuing
 the Khalifa-Euining the Mahdrs Tomb.
 It was about 11;50 a. m. when the Sir dar, who swung his whole army round till it faced west instead of south in or der to deal with the the last Dervish onrush, wheeled about to resume the march upon Omdurman. The DerYish- es who had escaped slaughter had bent their bodies and run from the fatal field, going far off behind the western range of hills. Moving slowly and in echelon, as when we first set out, the battlefield was passed over. Groups of unwounded Dervishes, who insisted on fighting and snipng the troops, had to be dealt with, as well as all others who persisted in being truculent. Like everybody else at the head of the col umn, I was shot at repeatedly. All the enemy, however, who showed the least disposition to surrender were not mo- tested. Hundreds of Dervishes who had been wounded hobbled on in front Of the army, but the troops paid no at tention to them. We could see the Khalifa's forces behind the hills, watch ing us and streaming upon parallel line towards Omdurman. But the Der wishes were no longer in compact mill- tory array or ranged in division under chiefs. They were mostly scattered in small groups and bands spread over very wide area. It was rabble, and had lost senblance of being an army and power of concerted action.
 Just as Macdonalds fight was over the Egyptian cavalry under Colonel Broadwood returned and formed up near the camelry. They moved along the right during the final advance upon the Khalifa's capital. Men and horses had done week of the hardest kind of work but both were yet willing and full of spirit As for the Lancers, the few that were left with mounts scarce ly counted as a cavalry force. The Egyptian troopers and the camehy again watched our right, while the gun boats and the infantry saw to our left, which was not difficult, for upon that hand the country was quite bare. About 2 p. m. the army reached the northern outskirts of Omdurman, and halted in the formation we had prev!- ously marched in, the British division upon the left Gatacre's men were nearest the Nile, Maxwell and Lew's being almost opposite one of the main thoroughfares of the town. halt for water, food and rest was ordered. Par ties were instantly detailed to fill water bottles and fantasses (iron tanks). The cooks too, got to work, and fires were kindled. with wood torn from neighbor- ing huts, and meal was prepared.
 
 upon the loose dirt and gravel officers and men sprawled to rest themselves. There was very muddy creek or inlet near, and thither went thousands, parched with thirst, to drink, not hesi- tatingly, but to gulp down copious draughts of water, tough and thick, as from a clay puddle. I wandered with my horse little way into the town, and down towards the main stream of the Nile, where the water was cleaner and cooler than nearer the Atbara. There were plenty of Dervishes to be seen about, looking from lanes and walls but they were far from being particularly aggressive at that part of the town. Indeed, several large groups of men, Arabs and negroes, came up, bearing white rags on sticks in front of them, and I told them it was all right, just to march on into the British lines, where the soldiers would receive them, I watered my horse, let him feed on grass by the rivers brink, filled my water bottle, and re- turned by a circuitous route, where I saw something more of the natives of Omdurman. They were not inclined to be friendly, but preferred shooting at the stranger. Their practice was very bad.
 Upon arriving back where the army still lay I found that there was fresh movement afoot. Slatin Pasha who had been indefatisable on the battle- field in watching the course of events, and locating the commands of the vari- ous important Dervish chiefs, had re- ceived news that the Khalifa was in the town. He had, on passing over the field searched around the black flag and other leaders banners to see who lay there. In the heaped dead about the Khalifa's flag he had seen Yacoub, Abdullah's brother, and many more leaders, but the arch head of Mahdism, with Sheik Ed Din and Osman Digna, was nowhere to be found. I had my self interrogated fifty Dervishes upon the field to ascertain the whereabouts of Abdullah and the other pair named. The Khalifa and Sheik Ed Din, I was assured, were wounded. and had gone behind the hills, to the west. As for Osman, my old acquaintance, it was al- ways with a grim smile they replied, he was safe, and had left early. flying far, far away. Slatin Pasha had got news from former friends that the fugitives and townspeop1e would gladly surren- der and the sooner the Sirdar marched in and took possession the better. True the Khaifa with several hun dreds of followers, or mayhap thou sand or more. was yet within the cen tral part of Omdurman. Most of his Jehadieh. it was urged would give in at once if an opportunity were afforded them, and so Abdullah would be caught With Maxwell's brigade, the Sirdar and staff pushed along the great thoroughfare that leads from the north past the end of the rectangular wall, toward the Mosque enclosure and Nah dis tomb. Infantry, guns and Maxims preceded but a few paces in front.
 Vile beyond description was Omdur- man, the houses streets, lanes and spaces Beasts pay more. regard to