Between 1884 and 1886, Henry Colvile served with the British expeditions in Sudan during the Mahdist War. Working with the intelligence department, he took part in the battles of el-Teb and Tamai and was mentioned in despatches. In late 1884, Colvile took part in the failed relief expedition to Khartoum and later served in Egypt. Colvile’s actions in Sudan earned him a reputation as one of the best intelligence officers in the army. Written for the War Office and published in 1889, The History of the Sudan Campaign served as the official history of the conflict.