The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-03
THE TALE TOLD BY A SHEIKH
InsubOrdinatiOn at KhartOum Results
in the DesertiOn of 5000 Men,
Leaving Gordon but 1000 Troops, with
Which Force He Attempts to Reach Dom
COLA, but Is Captured on the Way.
AN IN1PRoBABLE STORY.


A Statement Alleging the Capture of General
Gordon by the Rebels.
CAIRO, Nov. IA telegram from Dongola to
the Khedve gives the details of the story of
Gordon's capture told by Sheikh, who left
Shendy Oct. Z. Seven weeks ago, Khartoum
being surrounded by a strong force of rebels,
and provisions being scarce, the feeling of dis
content and insubordination which had for
some time existed among the garrison mani
tested itself in open opposition to the policy of
General Gordon. This feeling was shared alike
by officers and men, and many of the former
who had become convinced that further pro-
longation of resistance to the siege was useless
waited upon General Gordon and told told
him of the mutinous disposition of a
great part of the garrison, and asked
where the promised relief expedition was, and
when it might be expected to come to their aid
Receiving no satisfactory reply, they then ac-
cused Gordon of the deception of holding out
false hopes that he might achieve greater glory
in the barely possible event of holding Khar-
toum until assistance should arrive, and de-
clared that the temper of the garrison was such
that full and satisfactory explanation of the
situation must be made trouble would ensue
Gordon replied that the British expedition for
their relief was already at Dongola, and making
all possible speed toward Khartoum. The Off
GERS then asked Gordon to lead them northward
to meet it.
Gordon agreed to do so, and ordered Colonel
Stewart to procure boats for the purpose. This
Colonel Stewart set out to do but before he had
completed his preparations 5000 of the garrison
deserted to the rebels, leaving only 2, 600 faith
full to General Gordon The necessity for a
speedy departure was now apparent and with
his remaining followers General Gordon en-
barked and proceeded down the Nile toward
Shendy. The first few hours of the voyage
were uneventful, but the boats proceeded
down the river they were beset by parties of
rebels who thronged the banks and threw spears
and arrows at the fleeing party, wounding
many of the occupants of the boats, some
of them seriously. by some rapid means of
communication the rebels were enabled to call
from the mountains thousands of natives, who
awaited upon the banks further down the river
the approach of the boats. Many of them were
armed with rifles, which they used with deadly
effect upon the retreatug garrison While
passing Shendy the rebels in possession of that
town poured a heavy artillery fire the boats
disabling several of them and forcing them so
near the opposite bank that they were grounded
The remaining boats, which succeeded in pass
ing, kept on down the river but were so frequent
ly and savagely attacked from the banks that
General Gordon decided to return rather than
expose his command to certain death by pro-
ceeding
The boats, with the exception of the one com
manded by Colonel Stewart which was far in
advance of the others, were accordingly headed
toward Shendy, and proceeded up the river. Ar
irving at Sesndy, they were again attacked and
compelled to surrender The occupants of the
boat which had grounded had already been
captured and taken on shore. The officers and
men are still prisoners, but on October 9th, Gen
eral Gordon was placed in charge of a strong
guard and conveyed to the headquarters of Ell
Mahdi Colonel Stewards boat is known to have
passed Berber, but beyond this nothing definite
can be learned of it,