The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-02-11
Gen. Gordon at KhartOs1ss.

General Gordon has for more than a
year been the center Of interest In that
part OF Egypt known as the Soudan. The
Soudan Is q vast tract, peopled by wild
tribes, held to Egypt by feeble allegiance
These tribes were in revolt at the time
when Arab Bey incit the revolution
against the Knedive, which resulted In
English Intervention 10 the Khedives be-
half, and occasioned the campaign which
ended In the battle OF Tel-el keoir. The
Arab leader, Mshdi, had begun hi move
ment as early as 1881. He repulsed an
Egyptian detachment which was sent out
TO bring him to terms, and later, in the
same year, defeated strong force which
wes sent against him under -Rsshid bey.
In June, 1882, he annihilated the main
Egyptian army of the Soudau. Then be
assumed the offensive, and overran the
open country unchecked Attempting to
take FL Obeid BY assault, however, be was
repulsed with loss Of 5000 men. few
months after the town surrendered, and
most OF the garrison took service under
the Mahdi. After affairs In lower Egypt
had become somewhat tranquil, the Egyp-
tian Government bethougbt itself OF this
venturous rebel, and prepared for opera
tions against him. Col. Hicks was ap.
pointed to the command Of an Egyptian
force which, In the early summer OF 1883,
conducted short and successful campaign
10 the SEMINAR district against . section Of
the Mahdl's force. In September, at the
head of an army of about 10000 men, Col.
Hicks started for Ell Ooeid. He was led
into ambush through treachery, and his
entire force was aHnihilated. The British
Government was unwilling to leave the
10000 soldiers, mostly Egyptians, to the
mercy of Mahdi's followers, and Gen. Cor
don went to Khartoum to provide In the
best manner for the safety Of the European
population Of Khartoum, and Of the Egyp-
tian garrisons throughout the country, As
we'll % for the evacuation Of the Soudan,
with the exception Of the seaboard.
Be reached Khartoum February 18th,
and was received with great demonstra-
tions of joy by the people. He issued
proclamation defining bis mission to be
ito arrange for the evacuation Of the Sou
dan, according to the wish OF the Govern
ment." He liberated prisoners and made
preparation to remove the white to Berher.
He urged that Zebehr, the native chief, be
given . commission by the Government,
who was to have command when be with
drew. The English Government, however,
did not share his confidence 10 Zebehr, and
turned deaf ear to all Of Gen. Gordon's
entreaties to commission him. Gen. Cor.
don soon telegraphed, 1.-THE conviction that
I shall te caught 10 Khartoum," AMI ON the
Sd Of March be wrote: "Even II was
mean enough to escape, have no power to
do So" General Gordon did most of bis
fighting with the Arabs from his steamer iu
the river and bis stubborn defense was due
to his own pluck and endurance rather
than to the efficiency Of his troops. He
has held the place under the gravest Of
difficulties.
Khartoum Is a city Of $4,000 to 5000
Inhabitants, with . floating population OF
800 to 1900, including few Europeans.
1t Is the chief town Of the region, 1900
miles up the Nile from Cairo. Met.mnsh
IL about 30 miles below Khartoum. Gen.
Wolseleys expedition for the relief Of
Gordon, started more than three months
ago, up the Nile, by steamers and barges.
BY perilous and difficult navigation and
hard marching, they reached Korti, and
Of 1900 men under Gen. Stew
art, reached Metemneh and engaged the
rebels near that place January II. From
this point, Gen. Wilson was sent to COM
municate with Gordon, but, alas, found
the city he had so long defended, In the
hands Of the enemy.