The sun., 1885-02-22
RETREAT DOWN THE NILE.
UNCONFIRMED RUMORS or DISASTER
JO GEN. EULLER's FORCES.

Great Anxiety In Ensiand-A Story started
by th. Tusks tat Jeddas thNs wolsei~y has
Killed Ifim.eir-rni-ioiic Demon.trations
In England At the Departure ofthe Guards
LONDON, Feb. 2i.-Rumors were current
to-day OF serious disaster to the force OF Gen.
Butler. which is intrcnched ut Abu- Klca Wells.
but neither the War Oflice nor any OF the sov-
eral news agencies have anything to confirm
tho reports. Tho ruinors are therefore pro-
nounced stock -iobbing canards.
1t is expected that Gen. Bulor's relief trans
ports from Gakdul will reach Abu-K -Kca to-day.
II is feared that tho rotreat upon Gnkdul will
bo attended with heavy losses. Water is scarce.
the cameis are dying from exhaustion. and the
amount OF ammunition is limited II tho
Mahdi's advance should be accelerated. Gen.
Buffers eItrO force will be imperied. Mr..
Pearcc. the correspondent OF the Daily Netcs
with Con. Butler. is missing.
Tho feeling Of anxiety regarding Cen. Bull
lers most unfortunate plight Is widespread
and intense. Tho specini dispatches in the
Chronicle and tho Daily Telegraph give painfully
grunhic descriptions OF the situation OF tho
troops. hcmmcd in by hordes OF Arabs
| and having before them apparently only
the alternatives of slaughter or starvation. If
they can continue their retrograde movement
to Gakdul they can lie provsioned. and prob
ably succored by sortie from korti. But to
got to Gnkdul they must rely upon their camels.
and they are already reduced to the necessity
OF eating camel flesh to maintain thoir
lives. Their work is constant and ex-
hausting. They are intrenching themselves
on all sides with tho best materials at hand.
and arc continually subjected to harassing
fire. which is tlcrcest at night. The Arabs havo
established Gordon OF sharpshootcrs on three
sides Of their position. and it Is impossible to
return the fire effectively. because the Arab
riflemen are so widely deployed. The casual
ties thus far have boen small in actual num-
bers. but they are terribly largo in proportion
to the whole number OF troops In the detach-
ment. The officials at the War Ohlce admit
that Gen. Buffers position Is critical. but OK
press themselves as positive that he will be
| abe to make good his retreat to Gakdul with
most of his troops.
Lieut.. General Graham. who commands The
expedition to open up the Suhkiin- Berher
route, intends from present indications. to use
artillery pretty freely on the Arab forces under
the Chatham naval depot TO shin to Snakim,
within two days, twenty thousand ,shrapnel
The Woolwich arsenal is now working night
and day turning out artillery material tor the
Gen. Graham. before his departure for Sua-
kim. had an interview with ismail Pasha. the
%nd Of tsyp and thh keh1 rasha both Of
Egyptian Minister Of War. and at ono timo
served as Goyernor-General of the Soudan at
Bcrber and knows the country and the tribes
perfectly; He warned Gen Graham that, If no
undertook to so from Saakim S in March. he
said, is fatal To- Europeans; 1t b.Eins In March:
and blows for i've weeks. Ismail Pashn advised
tumn. He also advised the gradual construc-
| ton of the Suakim- Berb.r Railway. which could
emy by block houses at short distances apart.
Tho Army and Nary Gazette says that march
s to the wh ns hs s ,ns
army OF Cambyses.
Admiralty has given orders for the construc;
ton of 4 large number Of steam launc ches and
cutters. designed to be taken to pieces and con-
kim to Berber. the armalnents will include
riiied moriars. guns. and rockets. They are to
used in operations on the Nile against Berber
| and khartoum. Several similar boats will be
desert to Gen. Brackenbury. 1t is estimated
fhai r brpnd r1 gauge raroad n @ from Sunklm to
months for its construction.
Gen. Wolseey is now straining every nerve
to get the scattered portions Of his army to-
Nils. II h. succeeds in making tha, retreat. a
heartfelt Thanksgiving will be sent up from
now is that Gen. Wolseley. with what troops he
has ut korti. may be compelled to retreat ns
Gems Brackenbury and Butler to their fate. In
the face OF these gloomy facts the Var ONCE
simply drawing the Arabs into a trap. The
theory put forth Is that Gen Wolseley is n
nsa 70 aIow FL Mahd 70 his
time have become so fun of f"nntical zeal that
he will want to proceed to Mecca. md then he
the flower OF the English army. III Mahdi has
not yst signit,ed his intention Of carrying out
his share OF the programme.
promised Faral: IlO, 900 thaers to betrny KI.ar-
Hu Fara @ n.f ,hs @ Mahdi % h"nsea d'n & Mrh
is said that tho Mahdi captured $4,000 Remin.-
4 despatch from ron ,r' K"rti states that the funeral
effect OF his wounds Feb. l6 at Gakdul Wells
men we're in tears. The Hussars. endeayored
by forced marches to reach Gakdnl Wells in
They have therefore asked permission to build
cairn to mark the last resting place OF the
The enthusiasm OF the London populace for
the vigorous prosecution OF the war In the
occasion Of the departure Of the Scots Guards Gu l
from the capital. Their leayo.takinn was
marked with ns same pathetic incidsnis which
and Grenadier Guards. Even greater intensity
Of feeling Was MANIFESTED; The march, march from
muItiludes that It WAS almost mposs ibIe for
As soon as the Guards came in sight the air
WAS rent with cheors and long utter they had
passed ont of view he enthusiasm continued to
lnd expression in repeated huzzns. Arrived ut
th" bridge. the Guards found the Prince OF
10 bid them God-peed. The Prince signniz"i
tho event by appearing in tho uniform OF the
Guards. He addressed them briefly. encourage
ing them to high end"avor. md expressing tho
hope that the necessity of their absence from
England might be Of brief duration. THO royal
party remained while the Guards embarked
upon thu steamer to take them to Gravrsend.
As the steamer moved down tho river the great
tnrong that had witnessed the cmbnrkation
chsered with patriotic .fervor The men were
in excellent spirits. and tho trip to Gravesend
was enlivenel by the singing Of patriotic songs.
At Gravesend nn enthusinstic greeting awaited
them. and they were transferred to tho steamer
which carries them to Egypt amid cheers.
Evory soldier belonging to tho Scots Guards
received present yesterday OF an ounce OF ex-
ceilent tobacco. 1t Was given them by u lady
who keeps her name secret.
The Cnnard Steamship Com pany has offered
the Gov-rnment the use Of tho Oregon for
Transporting troops to Egypt in case Of an
emergency, without stipuntilig terms
Tho Queens message does not call out tho
reserves. hut orders the soldiers at present
serving, who would o!hprwiso be- on tlei to re-
tire as Reserves, to remain in active service
until further notice.