This followed a three-day siege in which the fort was penetrated and members of steamer crews were killed in the harbour.

Before the siege began, news of the approach of the Mahdists allowed the concentration of troops from other garrisons at Dufile.

On November 17, Selim Bey moved women and children to safety at Wadelai along with Emin Pasha and A.J.

Emin's departure by steamer for Wadelai that day was saluted by the playing of the Khedivial hymn and the firing of the fort's guns to acknowledge his restoration as the Khedive's Governor of Equatoria.

[1] The bulk of the garrison who survived the battle were taken by Frederick Lugard to Kampala Hill, after Emin had abandoned them, following the entreaties of Henry Morton Stanley.