Miles.
Kosseir to the New Wells 11 Water. Half way to Moilah 17 No water. To Moilali 17 Water & provisions. Advanced Wells 9 Water. Half way to Legeta 19 No water. To Legeta 19 Water & provisions. To Baromba 18 Water. To Keneh, on the Nile 10 The Nile. Total 120
The march was encumbered with difficulties. The very first day many of the water bags leaked so much that all the water had escaped before the troops reached their destination; the wells which had been dug there yielded indeed water, but it was procurable only in very small quantities. The dreariness of the country; the depressing nature of the climate; the burning sand and the burning sun; all these added to the difficulties of the General, and called for the exercise of all his firmness, his presence of mind, and his fortitude.
General Baird had accompanied the two first detach- ments a part of the way. He then returned to Kosseir to arrange measures for providing a water supply for the troops forming them. He had previously succeeded in obtaining about 5000 camels, and these he loaded with leathern bags or mashaks. In an order which he issued on the occasion will be found the means he had ascertained to be most efficacious for supplying the troops on the line of march with this necessary article.
David Baird was written before the journey had been attempted, and is incomplete and imperfect. Vide Asiatic Annual Register for 1802.
