![Pure Sci-Fi Nostalgia! War Rocket Review | Hydra Miniatures [7 Days Early Access]](https://images.beastsofwar.com/2026/02/unboxing-hydra-miniatures-war-rocket-coverimage-225-127.jpg)
New Blood on the Nile Black Powder Supplement Hits Pre-Order
October 17, 2014 by dracs
Warlord Games are soon to be releasing a new supplement for Black Powder, letting you recreate the battles of the Mardhist Wars in Egypt. Now there is Blood on the Nile as this supplement goes up for pre-order.
The Mahdist Wars began when the Mahdi led his troops from the Sudan to overthrow the British government in Egypt, leading to the might of the British military returning to punish the Mahdi for this insult to Empire.
Admittedly, my knowledge of this period pretty much begins and ends with Corporal Jones' stories of when he was fighting the mad Mahdi in Dad's Army. However, it is a period which holds a great deal of interest for me, being one of the defining battles of British colonialism, and offering plenty of opportunities for tabletop gaming.
As usual, Warlord have an exclusive miniature to go out with the pre-order.
Colonel Burnaby is certainly an interesting figure. A British officer who apparently had a keen interest in hot air balloons, he fought in the Sudan and died at the Battle of Abu Klea.
Do you plan to pre-order this supplement? Is it a historical period you are interested in?
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
![Zenit Miniatures’ Samurai Warlords Now Live On Kickstarter [Updated]](https://images.beastsofwar.com/2026/02/samurai-warlords-launch-main-600-338.jpg)
Deffo interested in this, my problem is no one else i know is lol plus being poor doesnt help, one day maybe when my numbers come up he he
Interesting period. Perrys do some nice metal figures for the timeline
There’s a memorial Obelisk within the confines of St Phillips Cathedral Birmingham to Colonel Burnaby and a famous poem relating to his demise.
There’s a breathless hush in the Close to-night—
Ten to make and the match to win—
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame,
But his captain’s hand on his shoulder smote
“Play up! play up! and play the game!”
The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
Red with the wreck of a square that broke;—
The Gatling’s jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England’s far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
“Play up! play up! and play the game!”
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind—
“Play up! play up! and play the game!”
Watch ‘The Four Feathers’ 2002 version with Heath Ledger for a great inspiration for this period/war. Colonialism at its most splendid, tragic and appalling.
this may get me into Black Powder
Actually the rebellion started against the Egyptian government in the Sudan. The Brits, who had a close but turbulent relationship with the Egyptian Government because of the Suez Canal, sent various British officers down to the Sudan to help the Egyptians organise their defences but one, Pasha Hicks, got massacred with most of the Egyptian field army. Charles Gordon, who had previously ruled their as Governor General and had helped suppress the slave trade, was then sent as it was hoped his influence would counter act the Mahdis, but to no avail and he ended up besieged in Khartoum. Enter Sir Garnet Wolsely and the British Army which tried to push down the Nile and relive Khartoum but was too late (great wargame scenarios in this). Que Gordon getting speared on the stairs of his palace.
The Sudan was abandoned to the Mahdi but a half hearted attempt to invade Egyot petered out and the Mahdi himself died soon after. Finally, in 1896, General Kitchener, and Corpoal Jones, invaded the Sudan at the head of an Anglo-Egyptian-Sudanese army and defeated the Mahdists and their new ruler. So about 13 years of wargaming covered by the two campaigns with fighting taking place along the Nile, in the Red Sea hinterland and in the interior provinces. Of course right at the end the French turned up on the Nile at Fashoda and there was some tense Anglo French diplomacy, so some more what ifs there.
The Heath Ledger version of the Four Feathers is good if you like looking at Heath Ledger but has little to do with the original story or history. Have a look at the 1939 version for some massive battle scenes filmed in the Sudan, including some Sudanese extras that has fought at the real Battle of Omdurman! Also check of Private Frazer as the wicked Khalifa (how the hell did he get to Walmington-On-Sea though). Khartoum is another good one with Chuck Heston as a surprisingly good Gordon and Lawrence Olivier as the Mahdi, although a few liberties taken with history here as well. Gives you an idea of some of the politics involved though. Some good battle scenes, shots of Nile steamers and plenty of scenario ideas.
For books, Winston Churchill’s “River War” is a bit dated but a good read and catches the atmosphere well.
If you like some steampunk thrown in try using the Space 1889 Soldiers Companion rules. They are a good set of rules in themselves but also have add on for flyers, land ships, etc. Could probably mash some up with Black Powder.