The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-23
RELIEF FOR GORDON.
Difficulty of Aiding the Gallant Commander
Now Besieged in Khartoum.
IHeraldl

Herald
The state Of the Soudan and the danger
Gus position Of the garrison OF KhartOum
naturally attract attention at the present
moment. The probability OF sending re-
lief across the desert becomes a matter OF
importance, ard some account OF the re-
zion will re of interest while movements
on the part OF the Egyptians or General
Gordon are expected. The distance from
Massowah to Khartoum in straight line
is near to four hundred miles, while from
Suaklm to Berber is only about two
hundred. Bcrber, again, is two hum
dred miles north OF Khartoum, but
along that line there is the Nile,
which would supply water for troops and
might be used for boats to carry troops and
stores TO Kbartoum for its relief, or to aid
the garrison in the other direction il an
evacuation should be determined upon.
The route from Massowah, although the
longest, has some advantages. 1t crosses
the northern spurs OF the Abyssnian
mountains along good part OF its length,
and water is plentiful, and even rivers
may be found on this line, such as the
Barca, the Cash or March, and the Atbara.
The Suakim-Berber route, on the contrary,
is through the great Nubian desert, where
wells are few, and the water in them is OF
the most doubtful kind. It's being the
shorter Of the two is its great merit il Il
sudden move has to be made.
ATTACK OF THE ARABS.
A large force of the enemy, 1900 or
1000 in number, horse and foot, assembled
near Khartoum last month, and was on the
evening OF the 18th ultimo drawn up under
arms, with banners waving, on the right
bank OF the Nile, opposite TO the Palace.
At 3 O'Clock the next morning the Times
correspondent was awakened by a heavy
rifle fire. He could see the flashes from
the roof OF the Palace. The firing con-
tinued till daybreak, when about G,000
rebels returned from the direction OF the
river and drew up in four ranks, each
nearly two miles long. Later in the
day they commenced making huts
and putting up tents. He subsequent
lv discovered that the cause of the
firing was an attack on party OF 800 sol
diers who had been sent down the river
for fire-wood. The following are General
Gordon's words on the subject: only
Of last night have mfor-
tunately been put stop to by the follow
ing circumstance 1t appears that bv some
negligence 800 Of the black
troops had been left on the Nile below.
These were cut off by the advance OF the
Arabs, and they attempted to get to
Khartoum at night by means OF boats.
When passing Hal6yeh they were seen
by the rebels, who opened fire on
them, killing one hundred. In conse-
quence OF some further disgraceful negli-
gence, the steamers that should have gone
to their rescue did not get under weigh for
six hours after the event. This sad loss,
with the intelligence brought 10 me later
that some Chaggias who had been block
AIDED at Hal6yeh had gone over to the re-
bells, combined with the vast acc emulation
Of these latter on the other bank OF the
Nile, have decided me 10 restrict myself TO
the defence OF Khartoum, and not TO risk
any outside expedition further than may
be necessary to keep the enyirons clear"
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
On the 18th the correspondent had an IN
terview with General Gordon. who an |
nounced his intention OF attacking the re- |
bells on the following day. The reasons he |
gave for this course were as follows: 81
have 800 men, TO whom have given arms,
md who have remained faithful TO me, shut |
up at Halfyeb, some miles to the north OF
Khartoum. The presence OF the enemy
round Halfyeh blocks our line OF eommu-
lications by steamer. For instance, the |
steamer Bourdain yesterday attempted to
pass and the rebels opened fire, wounding
hree soldiers. The rebels cannot be more
han 1000, and i will make my attack on
hree sides-one from that OF khartoum,
,ne from that OF the beleaguered garrison,
md one from armed steamers. The rebels |
nave entrenched themselves along the
'iver-bank, being thus enabled to lire with
on passing steamers, and 1 must
iislodge them. This assemblage OF rebels
mas not apparently interfered with the for
warding OF supplies TO the town market.
One hundred camels carrying food arrived
lere to-day. This is above the usual
laily number, and the fact shows that
he people would not rise unless
hey were egged on by some NAL
contents. They would be quiet II they |
believed the Government had any back |
bone. Provided that no influence be |
brought TO bear from without the loss Of |
IN action will not involve immediate dan