As usual, both extremities of the line rested on the Nile, forming a semicircle, in which the baggage animals and stores were placed, in charge of Collinson's brigade.

The gunboats took up their position, to cover the ground over which an enemy must approach to the attack.
While the infantry were settling down, the cavalry and camel corps went out scouting.

Signallers soon mounted a rugged hill, named Surgham, and from here a fine view was obtained of Omdurman, and the Khalifa's army.
Omdurman was six miles away, covering a wide tract of ground, with but few buildings rising above the general level, the one conspicuous object being the great tomb of the Mahdi, with its white dome.
In the outskirts of the town were the white tents of the Dervish army.
For the present these were unoccupied, the whole force being drawn up, in regular line, out on the plain; about halfway between the town and Surgham Hill.

It was formed in five divisions, each of which was bright with banners of all colours, sizes, and shapes.

The Khalifa's own division was in the centre, where his great black banner, waving from a lofty flagstaff, could be plainly made out.
The Lancers, Egyptian cavalry, and camel corps continued to advance, capturing several parties of footmen, principally Jaalins, who probably lagged purposely behind the retiring Dervishes, in order to be taken.
At times the cavalry attempted to charge the Dervish horsemen, when these approached, but in no case did the latter await the attack.
Presently, above the occasional musketry fire, came the boom of a heavy gun.