The Baris had attacked the troops, and had not only killed twenty-eight
of our men, but had stripped the bodies, and possessed themselves of
clothes, arms, and ammunition. They had also captured the cattle.
Although Tayib Agha had about 280 men, he actually retreated and dared
not attack the natives to recover either the bodies of his men or their
muskets! (The lieutenant who commanded the unfortunate detachment was
killed while defending himself bravely to the last. In addition to the
twenty-eight soldiers, two Bari interpreters were also killed, making a
total loss of thirty.)
I at once determined to leave Major Abdullah as commandant at Fatiko,
and to take Tayib Agha back to Gondokoro, as he was not fit for an
independent command.
The immense delay in sending up the reinforcements had been occasioned
by the long voyage from Khartoum.
When Wat-el-Mek had reached Gondokoro, the troops HAD NOT ARRIVED from
Khartoum; therefore he was obliged to wait.
When at length they did arrive, they had been THIRTEEN MONTHS on the
voyage to Gondokoro, and had passed the rainy season with the
slave-traders in the camp of Kutchuk Ali on the Bahr Giraffe; this river
they reported as navigable, owing to my canals, which had continued
open.
It was the old story of delay and indolence, unless I was personally
present to force them forward.
I had now 620 men, therefore I reinforced Rionga and the various
stations. I thus garrisoned strongly Fatiko, Fabbo, and Paniadoli - the
stockade opposite Rionga's island, in N. lat. 2 degrees 6'.
The country of Unyoro was now completely in the grasp of Ali Genninar
and Rionga. Unyoro extends to the south of the equator on the shores of
the Albert N'yanza, where Kabba Rega was supposed to be hiding.
On 14th March I drew out the following orders for Major Abdullah, who
would remain as commandant of Fatiko: -
"1. Observe the rules at present existing respecting sentries.
"2. Observe the rules at present existing for cleanliness of camp.
"3. Plant negheel grass on ramparts during the rainy season.
"4. Clean out the fort ditch once every month.
"5. Each company of troops is to cultivate corn and vegetables at the
commencement of the rains.
"6. Each company to be exercised at musketry drill for one hour daily.
"7. All troops to be exercised at light-infantry drill for three hours
on Mondays and Fridays, upon which days there will be no other work.
"8. The corn-tax is to be regularly collected, so that three months'
supply shall be the minimum in the camp granaries.
"9. The bugle to sound the night alarm once every month, to accustom the
men to night quarters.
