The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-02-28 00:00:00

A MAGISTRATE ON THE MILL.

At Lambeth Police-court a man named Ford was
recently charged on remand with neglecting and re-
fusing to do the task of work on the handmills at
Lambeth Workhouse, where he was an inmate. The
case was first heard some few days back, when it was
shown that, despite every effort made by the officials
of the workhouse, the prisoner declared he was un-
able, owing to suffering from disease, to do it, and
also added that the "mills" were so hard that it was
impossible to carry out the task. Mr. Chance, with
his usual desire to sift everything to the bottom, re-
paired to the workhouse and went "on the mill"
ninaself, doing some amount of work. He afterwards
expressed an opinion that the task might easily be
done, in his opinion, if perseverance was used. The
prisoner during the remand was seen by the medical
officers of the prison, and in their certificates they
entirely coincided with Dr. Lloyd, the medical officer
of the workhouse, that the prisoner was in a fit con-
dition to perform the work put down to him. The
prisoner, who was previously locked up for a like
offence, pow said if his worship would give him one
more chance he would go right away, and not come
upon the parish again. Mr. Chance, after some con-
sideration, allowed the prisoner, to be discharged, but
at the same time telling him if he came before the
Court again upon, a similar charge, he would have to
do the full amotuit of work required, or suffer the
full term of imprisonment prescribed by law.



GENERAL GORDON'S DESPATCHES.

HIS APPEAL FOR HELP.
IMPORTANT BLUE BOOK.

An important Blue Book on Egyptian affairs was
issued on Monday. The majority of the despatches
refer to military operations in the Soudan, the pur-
port of which have already been published. The
main interest of the book, however, centres in the
despatches of General Gordon, which have now been
published for the first time.
The first is as follows:
"Dongola, Nov. 14, 1884. Following is letter
from Gordon to Lord Wolseley : .

"KHARTOUM, 4-11-'B4.

"Post came in yesterday from Debbeh, Kitchener,
dated 14th October; cipher letter from Lord
Wolseley, 20th September last, which I cannot
decipher, for Colonel Stewart took the cipher with
him.
"No other communications have been received
here since thirty-first letter, which arrived 17th of
September, a week after Colonel Stewart's steamer
left this. On other sides are names of Europeans
who went out with Colonel Stewart in steamer. At
Metemmeh, waiting your crders, are five steamers,
with nine guns.
"We can bold out forty days with ease, after that
it will be difficult.
"Terrible about loss of steamer. I sent Colonel
Stewart, Power, and Herbin down, telling them to
give you all information.
"With Colonel Stewart was the journal of all events
from Ist March to the 10th September. The steamer
carried a gun, and had a good force on board.
"The Mandi is here about eight miles away. All
north side, along the White Nile, is free of Arabs;
they are on south, south-west, and east of town, some
way off. They are quiet.
" Sennaar is all right, and knows of your coming.
With steamers are my journals from Sept. 10 to date,
with all details and map of Berber.
" We.have occasional fights with Arabs.

" Mandi says he will nOt fight during this month,
Moharram.

"With him are all the European nuns, Sze.
Rumoured all are become Mussulmans. Slatin is
there: Lupton, bfandi says, has surrendered.
. . _

"Since March 10 we had up to date, exclusive of
Kitchener's October 14th, only two dispatches, one
Dongola with no date, one from Souakim, May 5, one
of some (?same) import April 27.
"I have sent out a crowd of messengers in all
directions during eight months. Get the newspapers
to say I received letters through Kitchener from Sir
S. Baker, my sister, Stanley, from Congo. Do not
send any more letters private, it is too great a risk.
Do notwrite in cipher, for I have none, and it is of
no import, for Mandi knows everything, and you need
not fear him.
"I should take the road from Ambukol to Metem-
meh, where my steamers wait for you. Leontides,
Greek Consul General, Hanswell, Austrian Consul,
all right.
"Stewart, Power, and Herbin went down in the
Abbas.

"A letter came from Mitzakis, the 31st of July,
from Adowa.

"The messenger had a letter from King for me,
hut INtandi captured it. Please explain that to his
Majesty.
"If journal is lost with Stewart, we have no record
of events from Ist March to the 10th September,
except a journal kept by doctor.
"Your expedition is for relief of garrison, which I
failed to.accomplish. I decline to agree that it is for
me personally.
" Stewart's journal was a gem, illustrated with all
the Arabic letters of Mandi to me, &c. _ _

"You may not know what has passed here.
"The Arabs camped outside Khartoum onthe 12th
March. We attacked them on the 16th March, got
defeated and lost heavily, also a gun. We then from
that date had continual skirmishing with Arabs.
Stewart was wounded slightly in the arm.

"On one occasion, wiien the river rose, we drove
off Arabs in three or four engagements, and fired
their towns. Sent up to Sennaar two expeditions;
had another fight, and again was defeated with heavy
loss, the square was always broken. This last defeat
was on the 4th September. Since then we have had
comparative quiet.
"We fired three million rounds.

"The palace was the great place for the firing.
Arabs have the Krupps here, and often have hulled
our steamers. Arabs captured two small steamers at
Berber, and one on Blue Nile. We have built two
new ones—steamers. The steamers had bulwarks,
and were struck with bullets 1090 times each on an
average, and three times with shot each. We de-
fended the lines with wire entanglements and live
shells as mines, which did great execution. We put
lucifer matches to ignite them.
"The soldiers are only half a month in arrears.
We issue paper money, and also all the cloth in
magazines.
"All the captives with Mandi are well. The nuns,
to avoid an Arab marriage, are ostensibly married tc
Greeks. Slatin is with Mandi and has all his pro-
perty and is well treated; but I hear to-day he is in
chains. A mysterious Frenchman is with Mandi,
who came from Don,gola.
"We have got a decoration made and distributed
with a grenade in centre—three classes, gold, silver,
and pewter.
"Kitchener says he has sent letters and got none
in reply. I have sent out during last month at
least ten. Steamer with this leaves to-morrow for
Meternmeh.

" Do not let any Egyptian soldiers come up here;
take command of steamers direct, and turn out
Egyptian fellaheen.
"If capture of steamer with Stewart is corrobo-
rated, tell French Consul-General that Mandi has the
cipher he gave Herbin.
"Hassan Effendi, telegraph clerk, was with Stewart.
You should send a party to the place to investigate
affairs and take the steamer.
"On the back plan is the following list of Greeks
who were with Stewart in Abbas: Dimitri Kapaulos,
George Kepetzakos, Heracli Bolonaki, Alex. Gemari,
Nazham Abogiri, Neseemi Morines, Dimitri Pediakis,
Matuk Nomikos, Stairos Papadakis, Jean Proispireu,
Demosthenes Kapilos, Dimitri Gourgo, Paulos Xeno-
phon, Apostollos Georgios TanizoS, Jean Strizion,
Nicolas Koubaros, Jean Derentzakis, Michel Chatzi,
Christ° Doulkou."

Another dispatch is the following:
FROM GENERAL LORD WOLSELEY TO SIR E. BARING.
DONGOLA, Nov. 29, 1884.
A messenger sent by Gordon arrived here last night
with a letter addressed to the Khedive, Nubar Pasha,
and Yourself. It is in cipher. The original is dated
9th September. This one is a copy, and bears date
18th September. Letter begins:
"There is money and provisions in Khartoum for
four months, after which we shall be embarrassed.
At Sennaar also there is 'doom' enough, and the
Galabat garrison and neighbourhood continually fight-
ing the inhabitants against the false Mandi.
"Although we sent you message saying it was im-
possible to send Colonel Stewart to Berber on account
of the many things that have occurred here, yet we
afterwards saw fit to send him and the French and
English Consuls in a small steamer to Dongola to
communicate concerning the Soudan. We detailed
two large steamers to accompany them to Berber, so
as to engage the enemy by commanding them, and so
keep the way clear for them to pass by Berber towards
Dongola.
" How many times have we written asking for rein-
forcements, calling your serious attention to the
Soudan? No answer at all has come to us as to what
has been decided in the matter, and the hearts of men
have become weary of this delay.
"While you are eating drinking, and resting on
good beds, we and those with us, both soldiers and
servants, are watching by night and day, endeavouring
to quell the movement of this false Mandi.
"Of course, you take no interest for suppressing
this rebellion, the serious consequences of which are
the reverse of victorious for you, and the neglect
thereof will not do.

"In two days' time Colonel Stewait, the Vice-
Governor-General, and the two Consuls will start
from here to Berber, and thence to Dongola. The
reason why I have now sent Col. Stewart is because
you have been silent all this while, and have neglected
us and lost time without doing any good. If troops
were sent, as soon as they reach Berber this rebellion
will cease and the inhabitants will return to their
former occupations. It is, therefore, hoped that you
will listen to all that is told you by Stewart and the
Consuls, and look at it seriously and send troops, as
we have asked, without any delay.
"(Sealed and signed)
"0. G. GORDON.'
Letter ends.

A third despatch, relating to General Gordon gives
some interesting details which were not published at
the time when the last direct communication from
him was received. It is sent in a letter from General
Wolseley to Sir E. Baring, dated Korti, December 31,
1884.
The messenger who, on the 29th of October, started
with one of many copies of my messages, dated 20th
September and the 26th October, to General Gordon,
has just returned here. He brings only a piece of
paper the size of a postage stamp, on which is written,
"Khartoum all right. (Signed) C. G. Gordon,
December 14, 1884." It is genuine, as I know
Gordon's writing well. Gordon's seal is on the back
of it.
General Gordon told the messenger to give me the
following message:
"We are besieged on three sides—Omdurman,
Halfayn, and Hoggi Ali. Fighting goes on night and
day. Enemy cannot take us except by starving us
out. Do not scatter your troops. The enemy are
numerous. Bring plenty of troops if you can. We
still hold Omdurman on the left bank, and the fort on
the right bank.
"The Mandi's people have thrown up earthworks
within rifle shot of Omdurman. The Mandi lives
out of gunshot. - -

"About four weeks ago the Mandi's people attacked
Omdurman, and disabled one steamer. We disabled
one of the Mandi's guns.
" Three days after fighting was renewed on the
south, and rebels were again driven back.
" Saleh Bey and Slaten Bey are chained in Mandi's
camp.
"(Secret and Confidential.) Our troops in Khar-
toum are suffering from lack of provisions. Food we
still have is little; some grain and biscuit.

"We want you to come quickly. You should
come by Metemmeh or Berber. Make by these two
roads. Do not leave Berber in your rear. Keep
enemy in your front, and when you have taken Berber
send me word from Berber.
"Do this without letting rumours of your approach
spread abroad.
In Khartoum there is no butter, nor dates, and
little meat. All food is very dear."
Thus ends the message.
An interesting feature in the Blue Book is the
despatches from Paris and Berlin, recording the con'
vratulations of M. Ferry and Prince Bismarck on the
British victories at Abu Klea.
Another Parliamentary paper has been issued con.
taining correspondence respecting military operations
in the Soudan.
Lord Wolseley forwarded to the Marquis of Hart'
infron on January 12th a long and interesting
-.notch, from which we take the following ex'
tracts:

" Borti, Jan. 12.
" On the 31st., I received as I have already re"
ported by telegraph, a tiny note from General Gordon
ntaining these words only: Khartoum all right,
14-12.---'B4. C. G. Gordon."
"It has been to me a source of heartfelt regr.4
that I was not able to reach this place at an earlier
date. My advance has been delayed through the
difficulty of collecting supplies at this point, 1400
utiles by river from the sea, in sufficient quantities to
warrant an advance into the neighbourhood of 't
he,sieged garrison that is very short of food, where 93,
the surrounding districts have been laid waste, en°
where even the besieging army finds it difficult to
subsist.
"1 had always thought it possible that upon arrival
here I might find it necessary to operate beyond this
Out in two columns, one continuing up the river ill
our English built boats, while the other pushed rapidli
.teross the desert to Meternmeh, and it was with the
view to securing to myself the power of moving across
the desert that in my letter of the 11th September
last I proposed the formation of a Camel Brigade of
picked troops, under carefully-selected officers'
orgiinised on lines therein recommended.
"Any march across this desert with a mill column,
as an isolated operation, would be hazardous one, andr
for the purposes of my mission, a most useless under
taking. Such a column would, most probably, be able
th fight its way into Khartoum—possib!y it might figi;
ti way out again—but it could not bring away Generat
Gorden and his garrison in safety.
" Undertaken, however, under present circanr
stances, the march of a small force across this desert
presents a very different aspect. The so-called Mahcli
nd his supporters are well aware they have to doll'
tiot only with it, but also with the English army which
they know is advancing up the Nile on Khartoum, bi
Abu Ahmed and Berber.
"Upon arrival here, I had to decide whether I
.-betild keep all my force together and follow the Nile
Valley to Khartoum, or to divide it into two columns
one following the river whilst the other was pushed
rapidly across to Metemmeh.
"If I were not restricted by time, the first cqurse
should be by far the most satisfactory, the safest,. and,
would ensure the best results, but I know that Generstt
Gordon is pressed by want of food, and the hot seasoo
is not far off, when military operations in this couns
are trying to the health of European soldiers.
"Therefore decided upon the last-mentioned course,
and as reported to your lordship by telegraph on the
20th December, I despatched Brigadier-General Sir
Herbert Stewart on the 30th ult. to seize the Gakdol
Wells. which are 100 miles from this and about 76
from Metemmeh.

"Covering in this column of route about 450 mile
of the Nile Talley, this army seems countless to the
native mind, which is incapable of estimating nuts"
hers. The most exaggerated stories of our great
strength are current, and have certainly reached
Nfohamet Achmet ; indeed, the impression has got
abroad that for some deep reason we persist in pre"
tending that our great army is only a small one.
"Although the physical obstacles encountered
the ascent of the Nile above the Second Cataract hare
seen considerable, and although the labour of ser;
iounting the many cataracts between Sarras sou
Hannek has tested to a remarkable degree the
strength and endurance of the troops, the advance of
the boats tip the river ha.; been accomplished ill 5
manner which has reflected the highest credit upon
all ranks, and has conclusively; proved, if proof Nore
wanting, that her Majesty's soldiers of to-day peesel
all that strength of body and that military pride 80
regimental spirit for which the British Army has beeo
long renowned.

. ,
" The Nile has now fallen so low that its navigation
by the native craft of the country has become quite
impossible, but to our boats movement by water is
actually more feasible to-day than it was in Novell'
her last, nor am I led to anticipate by those who are
best acquainted with the river that any stage of vin,teur
will be reached during the next three months, vlbl,cr,
cannot be successfully passed by our English-btu"
craft. In fact our English-built boats have been 5°
far a complete success, and without them ir would
have been simply impossible for this force to haYe
reached Korti ready and provisioned for a movement
on Khartoum.
"The average time taken by the boats in ascend'
ing the river from the head of the Second Cataract
near Wady Haifa to this place, a distance of 450
miles, has been about 40 days, and, although the
labour of rowing, poling, and tracking up tille
numerous cataracts which mark the first 250 n'hes
has been very great, the health of the troops has beell
so good that their physical and fighting condition
at the present moment is of the highest possible el-
cellence."

to 1 "------
craft. In

The following are instructions of Lard Wolseley te
Colonel Sir Charles Wilson:
"Camp, Korti, Jan. 18, 1885.
"1. You will accompany the column under the
command of Brigadier General Sir Herbert Stewart'
K.C.8., which will leave Korti to-morrow for
Metemmeh. Your intimate knowledge of Soudall
affairs will enable you to be of great use to l3lre
during the operations away from these head-quarters.
2. You will endeavour to enter into friendly relati°n!
with the llassaniyeh tribe, and to induce them,
possible, to carry supplies for us across the desert, Oh'
to sell us sheep, cattle, &c. 3. As soon as Metetaree" •
is in our occupation, Sir H. Stewart will despatch
messenger to Korti with an account of his march, lie"
and you will be good enough to send me by same
opportunity all political information you may ha/e
obtained. All news of General Gordon, the so-called
&c. 4. lam sending Captain Lord Charlee
Beresford, R.N., with a small party of seamen t°,e
accompany Sir H. Stewart to Metemineh, where, n"
there are any steamers, Lord Charles Beresford
tale possession of one or two of them, as
may think best. Any Egyptian fallaheen soldiers cri
them can be converted into camel drivers, and ccini„;
back here with unloaded camels. 5. As soon
Lord Charles Beresford reports that he is rceti
to proceed with one or more steamers to
toum, you will go to that place with him, se
deliver the enclosed letter to General Gordo
I leave it open, so that you may read it.
Orders have been given to Sir H. Stewart to sena
small detachment of infantry with you to Khartoon3;
If you like you can, upon arriving there, march thet
men through the city to show the people that BritisP
troops are near at hand. If there is any epidemic
town you will not do this. I do not wish than
sleep in the city. They must return with yon wo,
Metemmeh. You will only stay at Khartoum 1,0%
enough to confer fully with General Gordon. INy'ra
done so, you will return with Lord Charles Beresfo 1
in steamers to Metemmeh. 7. My letter to Geoeff),
Gordon will explain to you the object of your misele
You will confer with him both upon the military
upon the political situation. You are aware et
the great difficulty of feeding the army at such bre%
distance from the sea. You know how we are off
the matter of supplies, the condition and distributionn
of the troops under my command, the dates wh,eit
Major General Earle will be able to move on i,B
Ahmed, &c. 8. I am sending with you the thra
officers named in the margin (Major Dickson, Fiears.
Dragoons, Lieutenant Stuart Wortley, Royal Biqa
The third to be named on arrival at Metemmeh), /1;0
will accompany you to Khartoum, and will rer°lito.
there to assist General Gordon until I am chle,eh
'relieve that place. 9. It is always possible that W" I
Mahomet Achmet fully realises that an English
is approaching Khartoum he will retreat and
raise the siege. Khartoum would, under such 61.00,
stances, continue to be political centre of our operaticce,
but Berber would become our military objectlo
No British troops would be sent to Khartoum, her?nr_
a few redcoats in steamers for the purpose of ltbe
pressing on the inhabitants the fact that it was tcfrip
presence of our army they owed their safety.
siege of Khartoum being thus raised, all our rcl"7„e.
arrangements would be made with a view to the i 131710
diate occupation of Berber, and to a march acroesnoa
desert to Ariab, on the Souakim road. Thee ii6pa
arrival at Metemmeh it is very possible you 1"Y us.
papers or letters from General Gordon awaitieg
hy the
You will be good enough to send them to lice to
;irst messenger coming here. Upon your retu,lad,
Metemmeh from Khartoum you will rejoin n 39 la
quarters at your earliest possible convenience. 1.,.
(Signed) " WOLSBLEY, Gec.,Terlsoo
The remaining despatches relate to "1 boat
journey, the fall of Khartoum, the uncertaintYlrfacal
Gordon, and military movements which have Bthese
heen made known. It will be seen from,ordoo
despatches that the statement that General oot
had written that he could hold out for year°
mentioned or confirmed.

A lady is showing a visitor the family portre'itS
t,h father
form," picture gallery. "That officer there in the 11:op
'1(.74," she says, "was my great-great-grand.;.,
was as brave as a lion, but cue of the most tin,, be
innateti
not
of men. He never fought a battle in whicAie
j tt
ot have an arm or a leg carried away."
she adds, proudly, "He took part in torentr°
engagements." rna'q'
" l'm afraid I was cheated on those lightning_l
"What's the matter with them ?" "I hadn't l'7ia'n4
up more'n a month when a fearful stroke of lig"'"flinct
knocked 'ern all ways, and burned my barxlvon a
everything in it." "But didn't the agent gi 11
ve a
guarantee ?" "Oh! yes. I wrote to hirai 110.4
rote back very consolingly." "What did be ;600
That lightning never strikes twice in the -
place."

I