CollectionGB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections
LevelItem
Ref NoMS 3850/1/3
TitleSketch book from the Sudan Campaign, 1885
Date1885
Extent1 volume
Administrative HistoryOgston took an active part in the Egyptian War of 1884-85, serving first on the hospital ship 'Ganges' before joining the First Bearer Company. He was particularly involved at Hasheen and Suakin and was awarded the Egyptian War Medal and the Khedive Bronze Star.

Further information can be found in 'Reminiscences of three campaigns', Alexander Ogston (London, 1919), the text of which was based on Ogston's journals.
DescriptionSketches by Alexander Ogston from the Souakin (Sudan) Campaign, 1885. The volume contains numerous detailed pencil sketches and notes illustrating Ogston's experiences during the campaign. The pages are not numbered.

Corfu from P & O Steamer between Brindisi and Alexandria; Sketch of sailor.
Entrance to Alexandria and first view of Africa; Red Sea Coast of lower Egypt.
Vocabulary of Egyptian-Arabic.
Coast of Arabia from the Red Sea.
Suez Canal.
"View from the door of my tent in camp at Souakin", 22 March 1885.
Arrival at [Dihilbat?], Hasheen and [Deberet?] from the English camp (22 March 1885); Arrival of Australian troops at Souakin (29 March 1885).
Plain of Souakin.
McNeill? - sketch of figure on horse from distance next to observation post.
"Inflation of balloon...during advance on Tamai".
"Village of Tamai and action going on, Good Friday 1885".
Gorge at Tamai (Khor), Good Friday 1885.
Arab boat, Souakin Harbour, 16 April 1885.
Mirage at Souakin 1 a.m. (16 April 1885).
The reality 7 a.m.
The "Deacan's" Tailor.
A Mahdi's Man.
Inscription on the Mahdis Flag with translation.
Ham-stringing knife carried by female warrior.
Dagger from an Arab warrior.
Arab head-rest.
Mount Sinai, from the Red Sea - 19 April 1885.
Wady Moussa (Wells of Moses) seen from the Red Sea, 19 April 1885.
Egyptian Man (Alexandria).
Egyptian Woman (Alexandria).
Crete (24 April 1885).

There follows a number of illustrated newspaper cuttings pasted into the volume describing events at Hasheen but also including various photographs including 'Panaroma of the Port of Souakin', 'Fort at [Challa?] and a supplement from 'Pictorial World' dated 23 April 1885: 'Commencement of the Souakim Berber Railway'. Towards the end of the volume there is enclosed a colour painting by Alexander Ogston of McNeill's [Zeriba?] which is probably based on the earlier sketch of the figure on a horse next to an observation post.
Access StatusOpen
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