ten in the morning
An hour later , their clothes were nearly dry . By that time they were all well on their way , the brigades , as before , marching in echelon -- Wauchope 's brigade on the left , Lyttleton 's farther to the right but more to the rear , the three Egyptian brigades farther out on the plain , the 21st Lancers scouting the ground in front of the British division , and the native cavalry and camel corps out beyond the right of the Egyptians . All expected that , at least , they should have a skirmish before they reached Kerreri , where they were to encamp ; but , as they advanced , it was found that the Dervishes had fallen back from that line , and had joined the Khalifa 's main force near Omdurman . By ten in the morning the army had arrived at its camping place , which was in the southern part of the ground occupied by the straggling village . 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 .