New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-31
TINE SOvDIVCivPITGNS.

KhartOun was the centre of interest for tbs
British Empire when the year opened There was
n solitary EIsish sentry there on guard for nearly
a year. defending the city against assault from
fanatical hordes of Arabs, against treachery
within the walls and against Government; III Lon-
don which, whcn it happened to know Its mind
upon Egyptian policy, deferred decision until ~
was too late 10 act successfully. All ChIstendOm
had become interested IN his fate, and eagerly
awaiting tidings of his rescue by the expedition
that had been ascending the Nile in open boats.
Lord Wolsclcy, on arriving at Korti, had received
from General Gordon q secret message reporting
the straits TO which he had been reduced and urg-
Ing the desperate need Of haste in the advance OF
the expedition. He decided to divide Als forces
INTO three columns, one to make n forced march
across the desert TO Metemneh a second TO support
tbis movement from Korti, if rcinforcoments
should be needed, and third to follow the long
eastern bend of the Nile 70 Abou damned, pun
ishing Colonel Stewards murdcrerS by the way
The flying column, 1000 men strong was COM
monded by Sir Herbert Stewart. II trayerscd the
desert distance OF nearly $50 miles, making
halt at GakGu and on January Il narrowly es-
capped defeat at Abou koa. The column had
running fl sht from the battlefield TO Gubat on the
Nile the commander being morGy wounded.
There the English were joined by portion of Cen
eral GoTdon'S force no had descended the Nile IN
four steamers. After threatening an assault upon
Metemnch, SIR Charles Wilson started for Khar-
toum on January n with two steamers. He APP
preached the city on the fourth day, but learned
that II had fallen two days before (Jannary 2Oj
that the gates had been opened by treachery thas
General Gordon had been killed, and that the hahdis
! victorious army of 10000 Arabs cCalu 10"
| march norrhward. The costly expedition after The
tedious passage of the cataracts the forced marchi
across the desert and The desperate fighting had ar
rived forty-cight hours too late. The sentry haa
disappeared from the rampant.
Not only had the objective point of the expedition
suddenly vanished, but the scattered divisions Oh
tho English army were in imminent peril
! Sir Charles Wilson's steamers, returning lroh
Khartoum. were wrecked in the river, ana ths
force was rescued only with great difficulty "
Lord Charles BercsfoId The reinforcements SEM
to Gubat under Sir Redyers Butler arrived W.'houS
| fighting but the signal almost lnme"iauey
given for retreat from an untenable position Ini'
movement was successfully conducted during GU
ruary. The column marching eastward mac mean ,
while won n brilliant victory near DulAa' UeH''
Earle being killed. General Byackenbny was ~,
preaching Abou Ilammcd when his for'c vac
called TO Korti and Dongola. Orders h"u w. 900
sued bv the Government for dispatchus Gno.
Rntisb troops and . 800 Sikhs and SepoSs W II "a
kim under General Graham 20 clear wv ..r'td in
Bcrber This torce was rapidly co. osnau
March, and desultory campaign agaiiiadt ed NV Sir
| DIvna WAS begun. A brigade comniahuou ~ the
John McNeill was surprised by the ARABS, a ra1.
IIindostanees were stampedod, the Engsm MIA
ments holding their position WIN iSisasIrons
steadness and rescuing the army iIon' v "''"'