Finally in 1893 the
Khedive made him Sirdar, or Commander-in-chief.
South of the Egyptian frontier, on the Upper Nile among the cataracts,
the three cities, Dongola, Berber, and Khartoum form a triangle of
trading centers. Kitchener saw that these were the strategic points in
the control of Upper Egypt, and in 1896 led an expedition thither.
Ever since the death of Gordon, the country had been unsettled. It
remained to Kitchener to wield the avenging sword. He laid a light
railroad southward along the Nile, and marched swiftly, taking his
supplies with him. At Omdurman he finally met the enemy and inflicted
a crushing defeat. At Khartoum, where Gordon had been slain, he set up
a stable government.
He came back to civilization a Major General in the British army, a
peer of England--and "Kitchener of Khartoum." This popular title was
speedily shortened to "K of K," and was as well known wherever English
Tommies assembled as "Bobs," the affectionate nickname of Lord Roberts.
But Kitchener never won the deep affection of the rank and file, that
Roberts inspired. He was taciturn, aloof, and a stern disciplinarian.
His name evoked fear and respect, but never love. And yet, his men
would follow him through fire and water, for they had unbounded
confidence in his ability.
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