 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Muna October 1884, apo nhimbe yokununura KhartoumArdagh akasarudza nzira yepanyika kuburikidza neSuakin neBerber, asi mutungamiri Lord Wolseley akasarudza kufamba nechikepe achiyambuka Nile. Ardagh akagadzwa kuva mukuru mukuru muCairo, aine chinzvimbo chemutevedzeri wemukuru mukuru. Simba rake, kuzvipira, uye mufaro wakanyarara zvakabatsira kukurumidza basa rakaipisisa, uye pakupera kwemushandirapamwe une njodzi akakwidziridzwa kuita brevet colonel 25 Nyamavhuvhu 1885, achigamuchira Order yeMedjidieh 3rd kirasi. Musi wa 30 Zvita, semukuru mukuru wemauto eBritish neEgypt akabatanidzwa, akatora chikamu muhondo yeGinnis, apo uto guru reKhalifa, rakaedza kupinda munharaunda yeEgypt, rakakundwa nekurasikirwa kukuru. Nokuda kwemabasa ake Ardagh akanongedzerwa kwaari mumashoko. Musi wa 17 Zvita 1886 akasimudzirwa kuva regimental lieutenant-colonel, uye musi wa 26 Ndira 1887 akaburitswa colonel pavashandi. 