Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-26
SIR SAMUEL BAKER.
Total MisapprehensiOn- Expe-
ditfOm y Failure.


ditfon n Failure.
From the New York Sun, August 2O.l
A prominent military officer Of the
Egyptian government, who is native oil
the United States, and is now revisiting
this country, being on furlough, was re-
quested by Sun reporter to tell the
facts in relation TO the famous expedl-
ton which Sir Samuel Baker undertook
for the Khedive. The gentleman said
that there had been total misappre-
hension of the facts of the case through
out the world, and that by the first OF
next January an official report OF the
expedition would be published, which
would make it apparent that Sir Samuel
Baker had failed to accomplish any
important thing which he was sent to do.
The story of the expedition, accord
ing to his statement. is as follows: In
1869 the Khedive at his own personal
expense fitted out party of 500 soldiers
and about as many attendants, and
placed Sir Samuel Baker in command at
a salary of 10000 per annum. The
subordinate officers were mostly foreign
ers who had entered the service OF the
Khedive. The objects of the expedi-
ton were the abolition of slavery in the
provinces lying between Gondokero and
the lakes Albert and Victoria Nyanza.
and the launching upon these lakes OF
three iron-clad steamers which were car
ried in sections. Everything which it
was thought might be needed was sup
piled in profusion, and contract Tor
three years was made with Sir Samuel.
A start was made, and until Condo
koro was reached all went smoother.
Here Sir Samuel was advised by all who
were acquainted with the country to de-
yiate from bis intended routine, as it
was extremely pRrilous for him to at
tempt to 90, as proposed, straight up a
branch of the White Nile. With char;
acteristic obstinacy, however. he refused
to change his route, and set his soldiers
at work cutting the reeds in the river to
opea o channel. Great numbers OF the
soldiers died here from the attacks of
kind of insect, which, when it bites, de-
! posites an egg under the KIN. From
this egg grows o worm as large round as
a mans Gnger and six or eight inches
in length. When tnis worm comes out
he leaves hole reaching to the bone.
The force was reduced to less than two
hundred and sixty, large numbers Of the
officers, Including the doctor, dying
here, and Sir SAMUEL had to wait for re-
Inducements. On their arrival, instead
Of trying TO abolish slavery in the pro-
yinces mentioned, he attempted to make
slaves of the natives who refused to AID
him in carrying his heavy freight. de
abandoned one Of the steamers. and
pushed on, but was not successful IN his
endeayors to reach the lakes, although
be had reached them on his former ex-
pedition.
In April, 1872, up to which time he
had incurred an expense TO the hhedive
of over e4l6,O00, he asked for and re-
ceived further reinforcements, his com
mand having again been reduced to less
than two hundred soldiers. Soon after
the arT;yal of the reinforcements he iiell
back, having accomplished nothing that
be went to do, and, IN order to cover his
defeat he promulgated theory about
Lske Albert flowing into the White hile,
which ;s considered in Egypt to be ar
rant nonsense. he GlFo wrote letter
to a member of the royal stag IN Eng
land, in which he lays the blame enarely
on the Egyptian government, which ne
accuses of trying 70 hinder him in vari-
GUS ways.
This our informant stigmatIses as
false and basely ungrateful.