The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-11-06
Chinese Gordon a Prisoner

A dispatch from Cairo to the Morninq
Ne,rs says the Mahdi in the beginning Of
September. hearing Of the advance of the
British forces, made a supreme effort to
reduce Khartoum. which place at the end
OF September was surrounded by $50, 900
rebels. The supplies falling. the garrison
began to waver. "A deputation of officers
complained bitterly to Gen. Gordon that
they had been deceived by promise of
British assistance, and they accused him
of aiding In the deception. The deputa,
ton also demanded that Il retreat he made
to Dongola. and threatened that if this
action were not taken they would join the
Mahdi. General Gordon thereupon con-
sented to the plan proposed. Meanwhile !.
panic arose, and eight thousand soldiers
and civilians deserted in a body. Two
thousand men remained faithful and en-
barked with General Gordon. The rebels
were advised of what had occurred, and
harrassed the retreat to Shendy, where
masses of rebels. provided with artillery.
disabled the flotilla. Only Colonel Stewards
vessel succeeded in passing Berber, and
shortly afterward it was wrecked. The
turn southwark, and on reaching Shendy
the entire force was captured, About the
9Th OF October General Gordon was sent
under a strong escort to the Mahdi s camp.
where he is now close prisoner.
Great anxiety is felt here about the re-
port that General Gordon has been cap
tured. There has been nothing authentic
to contradict it. but outside dispatches
point to his continued occupation at Khar.
toum. If the report should prove true. If
would effect a total reversal of the politi-
cal situation in England.
The Foreign Office discredits the de-
spatch to the Paris Morning Nems announc
ing the capture Of Gen. Gordon. A de.
spatch to the Daily Nelcs from Debbah saws
the powerful Takara tribes, which are in
imical to the Mahdi. have captured Ell
Obeid. 1t is said the Mahdi's prestige is
waning among the tribes between Debbah
and Ell Obeid.
LATER.-LONDoN, Nov. 4.-Gen. Lord
Wolseley, who is at Dongola, in reply to a
as to the condition of affairs at Khartoum
says that Col. Kitchener telegraphs that
Arabs from the south report all Quiet
One of our messengers, who was sent to
khartOum some days ago, reached that
place and was received by Gen. Gordon
with a salute and parade of his troops.
The British and French constlls were with
Col. Stewart, whose boat was reported
wrecked several days ago at Wada Garda
1t is supposed that M. Nicola remained
behind. and it is therefore safe.
The Mahdi, with strong force of reb.
els, had advanced upon Amderman, oppo-
site KhartOum, and asked Gen. Gordon to
surrender. Gen. Gordon replied that he
would hold Khartoum against him for or
twelve years. The Mahdi then retired
days journey south, declaring that he
would not fight for two months. Many of
his followers left him. & -
The governor Of Kassala had promised
to come to the assistance of Gen. Gordon.
Mohammed Elkheir held Rerher for the
Mahdi, but the people are afraid that Con
Gordon will attack that place The road
from Berber to Khartoum is closed. ex.
cept by the way oil Netemat, which latter
place the rebels visit nightly.
A Suakin dispatch states that the rebels
attacked the railway there Yesterday
evening, but were successfully repulsed.