The Dervishes, seeing that the troops had already reached the hill and were moving along it towards the town, swung to their left and advanced to the attack.  Thereupon at half-past eight the column wheeled into line to meet them, and standing in the long grass, which even on the summit of the hill was nearly breast-high, opened a heavy and destructive fire.  The enemy, although suffering severe loss, continued to struggle bravely onward, replying vigorously to the musketry of the soldiers.  At nine o’clock, while the frontal attack was still undecided, Colonel Parsons became aware that a strong force of Dervishes had moved round the left rear and were about to attack the hospital and transport.  He at once sent to warn Captain Fleming, R.A.M.C., who combined the duties of medical officer and commander of the baggage column, of the impending assault, and directed him to close up the camels and meet it.  The Arab Sheikhs, who in the absence of officers were acting as orderlies, had scarcely brought the news to Fleming, when the Dervish attack developed.  The enemy, some 300 strong, rushed with great determination upon the baggage, and the escort of 120 Arab irregulars at once broke and fled.  The situation became desperate; but Ruthven with thirty-four Supply Department camel-men hastened to meet the exultant enemy and protect the baggage column, and the transport was stubbornly defended.  In spite of all their efforts the rear of the baggage column was broken and cut up.  The survivors escaped along the saddleback.  The British officers, with their small following, fell back towards their main body, hotly pressed by the enemy.

At this moment Captain Ruthven observed one of his native officers, lying wounded on the ground, about to fall into the hands of the Dervishes and perish miserably.  He immediately went back and, being a man of great physical strength, carried the body off in his arms.  The enemy were, however, so close that he was three times compelled to set his burden down and defend himself with his revolver.  Meanwhile the retirement towards the main body continued and accelerated.

Colonel Parsons and his force were now between two fires.  The frontal attack was within 200 yards.  The rear attack, flushed with success, were hurrying impetuously forward.  The defeat and consequent total destruction of the Kassala column appeared certain.  But in the nick of time the Dervish frontal attack, which had been suffering heavily from the fire of the troops, wavered; and when the Arab battalion and the 16th Egyptians advanced upon them to complete their discomfiture, they broke and fled.  Colonel Parsons at once endeavoured to meet the rear attack.  The Arab battalion, whose valour was more admirable than their discipline, continued to pursue the beaten enemy down the hill; but the 16th Egyptians, on being called upon by their commanding officer, Captain McKerrell, faced steadily about and turned to encounter the fresh attack.