The 20th and part of the 21st were occupied by the passage of the army across the Nile.  The troops were still crossing when the gunboats returned from Dongola.  The distance of this place by water from Hafir is about thirty-six miles, and the flotilla had arrived opposite the town during the afternoon of the 19th.  A few shells expelled the small Dervish garrison, and a large number of sailing vessels were captured.  The results of the movement of the gunboats to Dongola must, however, be looked for at Hafir.  In consequence of the Sirdar’s manoeuvre that place was evacuated and the unopposed passage of the river secured.

Bishara continued his retreat during the 20th, and, marching all day, reached Dongola in the evening.  Wounded as he was, he re-occupied the town and began forthwith to make preparations for the defence of its considerable fortifications.  The knowledge of his employment was not hidden from his enemy, and during the 21st the gunboat Abu Klea, under Lieutenant Beatty, R.N., arrived with the design of keeping him occupied.  Throughout the day a desultory duel was maintained between the entrenchments and the steamer.  At daylight on the 22nd, Beatty was reinforced by another gunboat, and an unceasing bombardment was made on the town and its defences.

Notwithstanding that the army did not finish crossing the river until the afternoon of the 21st, the Sirdar determined to continue his advance without delay, and the force accordingly marched twelve miles further south and camped opposite the middle of the large island of Argo.  At daybreak the troops started again, and before the sun had attained its greatest power reached Zowarat.  This place was scarcely six miles from Dongola, and, as it was expected that an action would be fought the next day, the rest of eighteen hours was welcomed by the weary soldiers.  All day long the army remained halted by the palms of the Nile bank.  Looking through their glasses up the river, the officers might watch the gunboats methodically bombarding Dongola, and the sound of the guns was clearly heard.  At intervals during the day odd parties of Dervishes, both horse and foot, approached the outpost line and shots were exchanged.

All these things, together with the consciousness that the culmination of the campaign was now at hand, raised the excitement of the army to a high pitch, and everyone lay down that night warmed by keen anticipations.  An atmosphere of unrest hung over the bivouac, and few slept soundly.  At three o’clock the troops were aroused, and at half-past four the final advance on Dongola had begun.