Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-06

wltt repeated volleys of artillery. When
ooi. Wilson's tiotilla approached Khartoum.
II was compelled to run gauntlet under heavy
nre from both banks. When the British
force reached Omdurman, the rebels contin-
ued the fusilade. Things looked worse when
1t was discovered that the enemy was in pos
session of the Island of Tut,i The English
stlll pushed ahead, but were dsmayed TO find
the garrison firing on them. No flags were
nylng from the public buildings and tue town
appeared to be in indisputed possession of the
enemy. The palace seemed TO have been
gutted. Finding il impossible to land in the
race OF overwhelming numbers, the British
retired. Rumors concerning the fate of Gen
Gordon are many and varied, but all agree
that the Mahdi captured khartoum by treach-
cry Ihe most reliable reports point to the
one, Fara Psha, as traitor. 1t is said. he
oeing LEFT In charge OF the rsmparts, open
ed the gates Jan. 26th and admitted the enc
my Some rumors state that the Mahdi is coop
ed up In the church. Gen. Gordon has been
seen wearing the Mahdl's uniform The ma
!orlty agree, however, that Gen. Gordon has
been killed
Col. Wilson had three steamers, two of
which were wrecked in the Nile, exactly half
way between Khartoum and Metemneh, and
the third steamer, bearing Col. Wortley and
MS party, came on and brought the news to
the British camp near Metemneh.
CAIRO, Feb. 5.
The first news of the falls of khartoum
received here was from London. Official
dispatches have not been published. It'd
lngs of the capture created the utmost con-
sternation among the inhabitants.
LONDON, Feb. ).
The excitement over the fall of Khartoum
Is increasing. A constant stream of anxious
inquirers, including Sir Wm. Vernon Har-
court, Geo Otto Trevelyan and other min
listers, is pouring INTO the war office. A great
sensation was caused in the Irish gar
risOns at Dublin when the report was re-
celved. 1t Is understood that the fall of
khartoum will not check the advance of Gen
Wolseiey, whose main body will probably
march across the desa.t at once and beseige
hhartoum at the earliest possible moment.
PARIS, Feb. ).
The news OF the khartoum catastrophe
created an immense sensation in this city.
LONDON, Feb. ).
A council was held at the war office this
evening and it was decided to advise. the gov
ernment to dispatch 5000 troops to Suakim
Immediately.
Gen Stephenson telegraphs that 5000 men
will be needed TO clear the road to Berber,
as the news of the fall of Khartoum will in
duce the central tribes to join Osman Digna.
Gen. Wolseiey has renewed his demand for
an expedition to Suakim, to consist of 5000
men under Gen. Greaves. IL is reported that
Gen. Wolseley commenced the advance to-
day, for the relief of troops near Metemneh,
and that he sent orders to Gen Earle to hasten
his advance to Berber, in order to assist in
the relief of Metemneh.
Several newspapers have made application
10 the war office, for permit to communicate
the instructions to their correspondents, but
they nave all received the reply that Gen
Wolseley has sole authority in the matter
Liberal and conservative papers generally
express the opinion that the sole responsible
ity for the fall OF Khartoum rests with the
ministry, who refused to allow the relief ex-
petition to start in time. The conservative
intend to raise the question of confidence in
the ministry as soon as Parliament reassem-
bles.
Orders have been despatched to Woolwich
dock yard to Immediately prepare and send
months rations and 5000 men for the Khar-
tOum expedition.
CAIRO, Feb. ).
Rumors have reached here that 1000 men
were massacred at khartoum. The news of
the disaster has cast gloom over the entire
European colony in Egypt The English
garrison now consists of 300 men at Alex
andria $3.50 at Cairo and $50 marines at Suez.
There are no forces at Port Said excepting
one gun boat.