Huntsville gazette., 1884-11-08
GORDON CAPTURED,


Account From Native Sources Of tho Re.
treat of General Gordon and the Remnant
of His Forces From Kkartoum and the
Final Capture Of Gordon 1t Shendy-Tha-
Intrepid Enslishman Turner Ov,r to II
Mahdi.
Carlo, November 2
A telegram from Dongols to the Khediv.
received yesterday, gives details Of
the story of Gordon's capture, told by 4
shiekh, who left Ehendy October 7th.
Seven weeks ago, Khartoum being sur
rounded by strong force of rebels, and
provisions being scarce, the feeling OF
discomfort and insubordinstion which had
for some time existed among the garrison
manifested 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 of the siege was
useless, waited upon General Gordon,
told him of the mutinOus disposition of
great part of the garrison, and asked
where the promised relief for the expedi~
ton was ana when it might be-
expected to. come to their aid. Re.
then accused Gordon of deception, Of
holding out false hopes that he might
achieve greater glory in the barely pos
sible event of holding Khartoum until as
sistance should arrive, and declared that
the temper of the garrison was such that
full and satisfactory explanation must
be made or trouble would ensue. Gordon
replied that the British expedition for re-
lief was already at Dongola, and making
all possible speed toward Khartoum. The
officers 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 thu garrison de-
serted to the rebels, leaving only 1900
faithful to General Gordon The neces-
sity for speedy departure was now ap-
parent, and with his remaining followers
General Gordon embarked and pro-
ceeded down the Nile toward Shen-
dy. The first few hours of the voy-
age were uneventful, but as the boats
proceeded down the river they were be-
set by the rebels, who throrged the banks
and threw spears. and arrows at the fee
ing party, wounding many of the occu-
pants of the boats, some OF them serious
ly. BY some rapid means s'f communica-
ton the rebels were able h, 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 retreat
ing garrison.
While passing Shendy, ths'rebels in pos
session of that town opened a heavy
artillery fire upon the beats, disabling
several of them, and forcing them SO near
the opposite bank they were grounded.
The remaining boats, which succeeded in
passing, kept on down the river, but were
SO frequently and savagely attacked from
the banks, that General Gordon decided
to return rather than expose his COM
mand to certain death by proceeding.
The boats, with the exception of the one
commanded by Colonel Stewart,
which was far in advance
of the others, were accordingly
headed toward Shendy, and proceeded up
the river. Arriving at Shendy, they were
again attacked and compelled to surren-
der. The occupants of the boats which
had grounded had already been captured
and taken on shore. The officers and
lHcH dIc etIu pIlSVueIS dI tSucuIy, DuI on
October 9Th General Gordon was placed
In charge of a strong gusrd, and con-
veyed to the headquarters of Ell Mahdi.
Colonel Stewards boat is knowr to have 1
passed Berber, but beyond this nothing
definite can be learned of It.
CAIRO, November &c oionel Wilson
telegraphs from Ambuk3l hat three
men who arrived from Kharto7m re.
port they saw Colonels Stewart, Power
and Herbin on board steamer wrecked
some days ago at Wady Cara. The
same men report that Gordon's steamers
had brought 400, ,00o bushels of grain from
Senaar.