The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-02-14 00:00:00

THE NILE EXPEDITION.

OLPTI7RE OF KHARTOUM BY TEI
MARDI.

A FEARFUL FUSILLOE.-CONTRADICTORY
REPORTS ABOUT GORDON.

The special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle
telegraphs from Metemmeh as follows: "Too late.
Khartoum fell on January 22. Such is the terrible
' intelligence with whieh we have Oust been over-
whelmed. Nor tongue nor pen can • .ately describe
the effect produced in all hearts by the atal announce-
ment. It was so little expected that the men had been
comforting themslves with the prospect of being able
to relieve the long-beleaguered city, and cheer its
heroic defender within a few weeks at latest. The
news fell like a thunderbolt in our camp, and has
saddened and depressed the stoutest hearts. Treachery
is assigned as the cause of the capture of the ill-fated
city. Further information shows that ir Charles
Wilson arrived at Tuti at noon on January 28,
when a terrible fire was opened upon the steamers
from as nearly as could be estimated 7000 rifles,
together with eight Krupps and eight other cannon.
This fearful fusillade was kept up for four
hours, during which the steamers were in a
frightful position. The rifle fire was comparatively
harmless, owing to the strong armour with which the
sides of the vessels were protected; but the artillery
fire was well directed, and shells were continually
bursting on board, wounding several of the little force.
The enemy being in possession of that city—that fact
having been ascertained beyond doubt—Sir Charles
Wilson deemed it useless to persevere beyond 200
yards from Khartoum, and, giving the order to reverse
engines, steamed on the homeward journey. Lieut.
Stuart-Wortley thinks that there is no hope of Gordon
having entrenched himself in the citadel, as was at
first eagerly surmised. Sir Charles Wilson on his
journey to Khartoum heard that a rumour was in
circulation to the effect that General Gordon, with
250 of his devoted followers, was holding the
church, which he had used for a magazine.
But he, in common With those who accompanied
him, has really no hope that any part of Khartoum
is out of the hands of the Mandi. The Palace which
General Gordon occupied was found to be gutted, and
from no part of the city were flags flying. The report
that Omdurman had fallen into the Mandi's hands
had been always doubted, but the truth of the report
became at once apparent as Sir Charles Wilson's
steamers approached the forts. A heavy fire was
immediately opened upon them, and was continued
until Tuti was reached. On the return journey of
Sir Charles Wilson from Khartoum, a letter was
handed to one of the party from the Mandi, who
stated that General Gordon had voluntarily sur-
rendered the city, and that furthez more he had em-
braced the Mandi's cause and the Moslem faith. The
Mandi advised the English to do the same, asserting
that he had no quarrel with them, but desired peace
with all the world. No threats of any kind were
added, and the document was undoubtedly genuine.
But on the score of its intent there i no difference of
opinion; all believe that this manifesto is an Oriental
ruse, while some cling to the hope that Gordon
has fortified himself in the manner which I have
described. This evening three reports are
current, and all contradict the Mandi's story
of having captured Gordon, and that the gallant
General had embraced the Moslem faith. rhe re-
ports, on the contrary, assert that the hero fell heroi-
cally contending against overwhelming odds. Later
particulars, which were inaccessible when I com-
menced this message, show that the battery between
Ifalfiyeh and Tuti Island first opened fire upon Sir
Charles Wilson's steamers, then the battery at Tuti,
then the Krupps from the city, and finally the
batteries at Omdurman. The city was seen to be
swarming with the Mandi's men, of whom, as I under-
stand, a large force with guns are about to be dis-
patched hither. The Kabbabish tribe—the most
powerful of the Soudan clans—together with the
Sowarab tribe, have, however, taken the English
side, for the present at all events, and their possible
secession to the Malidi is a contingency which will
not bear dwelling upon. In the meantime they assist
us materially in the matter of transport between
Kerti and Abou Kru, and while they remain attached
to our cause one great object is secured—namely, the
security of the Bayuda route. Our spies have again
proved untrustworthy, as up till yesterday their
assurances both as to Metemmeh and Khartoum were
of a very favourable character."

The following were the later despatches of the
special correspondent of the Daily New:—
ABII Kau, NEAR METEMMEII, Feb. 1.
(Via KORTI, Feb, 6, 9.55 p.m.)
This morning we have learned, through Sir Charles
Wilson's party, that Khartoum fell by treachery into
the Mandi's hands January 27th, one day before
Wilson reached the place.
The news that Khartoum is in the rebels' hands is
official and positive, and the river banks above the
Sixth Cataract are crowded with Arabs.
Whether Gordon is alive or dead is uncertain.

The Mandi' in letter railing upon our officers to
surrender, implies that Gordon is alive.
We expect to be closely invested here.
Part of the present week here has been like the first
few days. _

_
By day there has been an interchange of shots
between the pickets, and by night things have been
quiet, except for the banging of tom-toms by the
enemy.
We have been on three-quarter rations, but these
have been amply supplemented by green beans and
dhura, whilst the camels have had plenty of forage.
One of our steamers, which belonged to Gordon,
has been employed foraging for cattle with some suc-
cess, and we have had fresh meat rations.
Occasionally the steamer has thrown shells into
Shendy and Metemmeh.
The other small steamer has been employed as a
ferry to the Island opposite our camp, towing boats
loaded with forage, which the Egyptians are cutting
down.

We are clearing our front. The detached work at
the village and the main earthworks by the river-side
have been greatly strengthened.
By to-night the Engineers say they will be
finished.
The wounded I am glad to report are doing well,
but there have been several deaths here and at Abu
Elea.

To-ntgut a ctrnroy wrcii forty wounded goes back
to Gakdul to bring up more stores.
The convoy which went out under Colonel Talbot
on the 23rd returned here yesterday, bringing in the
rest of the Royal Artillery and Naval Brigade, the
former with nine guns, and the latter with a Gardner
gun and sixty sailors.
MElliwi, Feb. 6 (6.30 p.m.)
The Black Watch and the Staffordshire Regiment
are all over Bahami Cataract. The Engineer's de-
struction party and two companies of the Black
Watch destroyed Suliernan Wad Gamr's houses and
other rebels' property. Rebels reported to have left
Shakook Pass. Much grain and ammunition and
provisions found there. This cataract presented
almost impossible difficulties. The Cornwall Regi-
ment now passing up the cataract.
A dingy of Col. Stewart's steamer is here.

Iteuter:s telegrams are as follows:
Nxan METEMMEII, Feb. 1 (via KORTI, Feb. 6.)

Lieutenant Stuart-Wortley with four men of the
Sussex Regiment have arrived here in a small boat,
bringing the news that Khartoum fell on Jan. 26.
Sir Charles Wilson's steamers were wrecked while
returning in the Sixth Cataract, but the whole party
are in safety on one of the islands.
Foraging parties are daily sent out from Gubat in
steamers, and the Naval Brigade, under Lord Charles
Beresford, patrol the Nile, bringing back cattle and
forage, money being paid for the supplies where the
owners appear.
Only a part of a small tribe, four miles to the south
on the east bank of the river, profess friendship and
sell cattle to the British.
These men fire upon our steamers when leaving
them in order to make the hostile natives think that
we scorned them.

Gunn', Feb 2 (via KORTI, Feb. 8).
The Afandi's force is actively engaged loop-holing
the outside buildings of Metemmeh. The enemy's
vedettes keep a vigilant look-out, as they much fear
a night attack on the part of the British.
On January 30, when a convoy from Gakdul,
under Colonel Talbot, was three miles distant from
that place, it was met by a force of 1000 of the enemy,
composed of cavalry and infantry. Colonel Talbot
at once ordered Major Hunter, R.A., to shell them,
which was done most satisfactorily, the enemy being
scattered in every direction and compelled to retreat.
The convoy proceeded in safety to El Howeyat,
having sustained no loss.
The Mandi is still drawing immense supplies from
this and the Merawi districts, The Light Camel
Corps has arrived here.
GARDIII, WELTS, Feb. 5 (via Korti).
The Royal Irish have arrived here from the camp
at Gubat with 120 of the wounded, who have been
successfully removed from Gubat in cacolets, under
the charge of Surgeon Connolly. General Stewart,
Lieutenant Crutchley, Major Poe, and others, who
were not ready to be moved, are doing well at Gubat
under the skilful treatment and untiring attention of
Surgeon Briggs and the other members of the Medical
Staff.
NEAR ME.TEMMEII, Feb. 1 (via 7Eowrl, Feb. 7).
It is still uncertain whether General Gordon was
killed during the capture of Khartoum, no reliable
information laming yet been received. It is reported
that the Mahal previous to the fall of the city sent
General Gordon a uniform, at the same time inform-
ing him that Khartoum was in his power. The
General frequently tried to come to terms with the
Malidi to permit the departure of himself and the
garrison, his followers being greatly disappointed at
the delay in the arrival of the British, and anger and
mistrust having spread throughout the city, It if
stated that the fall of Khartoum was caused by the
treachery of two pashas whom Gordon had once ilia
prisoned, but whom he had promoted from slaves
to pashas.
The Nile has fallen three feet at Gubat, and navi.
gation is dangerous.