The 'Battle' Of Omdurman

Blood understood the Native mind,
He said: 'We must be firm but kind.'
A mutiny resulted.
I never shall forget the way
That Blood upon this awful day
Preserved us all from death.
He stood upon a little mound,
Cast his lethargic eyes around,
And said beneath his breath:
'Whatever happens we have got
The Maxim Gun, and they have not.' 

Hillaire Belloc, The Modern Traveler. 1898, The English army lost 48 dead. The Mahdist forces suffered 12,000 killed, 13,000 wounded, and 5,000 captured. Not one of the Mahdists attacking the Brits got within 50 meters of the British line.

"A mere matter of machinery" is how Winston Churchill described it.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/61521/61521-h/61521-h.htm

And so their soldiers we are told

Were made of men both brave and bold

Now dead - face down, stiff and cold

While Progress marches on.