Cavalry and chariots against infantry

[Macedon]

Such were my fortunes in this celebrated episode. It is very rarely that cavalry and infantry, while still both unshaken, are intermingled as the result of an actual collision. Either the infantry keep their heads and shoot the cavalry down, or they break into confusion and are cut down or speared as they run. But the two or three thousand Dervishes who faced the 2ist Lancers in the watercourse at Omdurman were not in the least shaken by the stress of battle or afraid of cavalry. Their fire was not good enough to stop the charge, but they had no doubt faced horsemen many a time in the wars with Abyssinia. They were familiar with the ordeal of the charge. It was the kind of fighting they thoroughly understood. Moreover, the fight was with equal weapons, for the British too fought with sword and lance as in the days of old."

Now... this is the original text of mr. Churchill and I am sure that whoever reads it will get a VERY different idea of how the charge took place and its mechanics which ABSOLUTELY CONFORM to the more traditional cavalry charge mechanic theories. In all, as I see it, the writer practically describes it as an unnecessary defeat that turned into "victory" when the British dismounted, took positions on the flank of the watercourse and enfiladed the enemy with their carbines, forcing them to retreat by force of gunfire. The casualties mentioned for the 21st are terrifying, 22% of the men and 40% (roughly) of the horses dead and wounded in a battle where he describes no actual collision, he is very clear as to how he never collided with any of the enemy since they actually fought dispersed and in small groups, even though at start they gave him the impression of a close-ordered line.

page 5