Abu Klea is a halting-place for caravans in the Bayuda Desert of Sudan. It is on the road from Merawi to Metemma and 20 m. N. of the Nile at the last-mentioned place.
Near this spot, on 17 January 1885, a British force marching cross-country to the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum was attacked by the Mahdists , who were repulsed. On the 19th, when the British force was nearer Metemma, the Mahdists renewed the attack, again unsuccessfully. Sir Herbert Stewart , the commander of the British force, was mortally wounded on the 19th, and among the killed on the 17th was Col. F. G. Burnaby.
The column was too late to save Khartoum; it was taken by the Mahdists just a few days later.