Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-25
GEN. G0RD0N'S JOURNALS
A UNIQUE MEDLEY OF COMMENT
AND SOLILOQUY.

book will contain an etched portrait Of
Gen. Gordon, two maps and thirty illus
trations, reproduced in fac simile from
sketches from Gen. Gordon himself. Gen.
Gordon's diaries are in six parts. The
first is from Sept. 10 to Sept. %, and con-
tains Is pages. The second is from Sept.
% to Sept. 80, and contains Al pages.
The third is from Oct. to Oct. Il. and
contains 50 pages. The fourth is from
Oct. II to Oct. 20, and contains
% pages. The fifth is from Oct. 20 to
Nov 8, aud contains 93pages. The sixth
is from Nov. to Dec. H. and contains
l04 pages. The frat, second, third and
fourth diaries are addressed to Lieut.. Col.
Stewart, G. NJ. G., chief of staff The fifth
and sixth arc addressed to the chief of
staff of the expeditionary force be-
fore the relief of the gaTri-
son. The first and second diaries
were sent on Sept. 30 by steamer to Berber
via Sheudy. The third was sent by the
steamer Tewktia on Oct. 12 to Metemna,
and the sixth left In the steamer Bordeen
on Dec. 10. Each diary has the same re-
marks, sometimes repeated three times on
the outside of the journal, 10 the effect
that 1t should be pruned down prior 10
publication. The journals, or diaries,
were handed over to Sir Charles Wilson
on Jan. - at Metemna by the officer
commanding Gen, Gordon's steamers.
GORDON NOT SUPPORTED.
WASHINGTON, June PA London cor
respondent of the EUeRiRg Star reviewing
Gen. GOrdOn's diaries describes the book
as an extraordinary one. First comes an
introduction by Editor Egm0nt Hake. He
contends that 1t is unfair and illogical to
say that Gen. Gordon exceeded the in-
stFuctiOns of her Majesty's government,
because he was appointed by the
Egyptian Government and sanctioned
by the British Government. The latter
could have no control unless it
openly declared for the annexation of
Egypt and SOudan. The Khedive dele
gated his power to Gen. Gordon. There
fore, says Mr.. Hake, to exceed his instruc-
tiOns was an impOssibility, and secondly
Gen, Gordon was constantly thwarted
and never supported. Mr.. Hake gives
thirteen specific instances of Tefusals of
Gen. GOrdOn's most urgent requests. At
last Gen. Gordon telegraphed that he
would do his best, out felt convinced that
he would be caught at Khartoum. Next
comes description Of Gen. GOrdOn's pO-
sition at Khartoum. the mission OF Sir
Charlee Wilson 9Dd a description Of hie
journal, ali by his brother, Sir Henry w.
Gordon.
WILSON NOT BLAMED.
The latter expresses the belief that no
blame attaches to Sir Wilson. The gov
ernment handed them to Sir Henry, eX-
pressing a wish for their complete publi-
cation. Only six or seven pages are
omitted. On the outside wrapper, which
is glass cloth, is written: "NO secrets 30
far as l am concerned. G. 6. Gordon"
The diaries are a strange medley, and
were written evidently in perfect sim
cerity, but varying in style. manner and
subject from page to page. One page will
be an abstruse statistical discussion Of
II he social aud political aspects Of the
Egyptian problem. Then follows, perhaps,
a page of reading like a Biblical commen-
tary, with many scriptural quotations and
cross references, giving Gen. GOrdOn's
peculiar views, which the editor Is com
PEELED to make great effort to explain in
foOt-notes. Then suddenly comes bit Of
reminiscence of life III England or else
where, or a story about some Arab child.
Then he turns aside to discuss his own
feelings and habits, and ends perhaps
with a funny sketch, followed by a de-
claratiOn that he is resigned to Gods Will.
Much is underlined.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS.
The following extracts give an idea of
the varying character Of the diary, and
Gen. GOrdOn's opinions: "FOT my part
am always frightened, and very much so.
fear the future of all engagement. II is
not the fear Of death; that is past thank
God, but fea7 of defeat, and It's conse-
quences 10 US. The near approach Of the
Mahdi has not troubled me; ] have al
ways felt that we should meet face to
face ere the matter ended. Gen. Cor
don's head was taken before El Mahdi,
according TO the latest aceOuntsl.
| toss up in my mind whether, If the place
is taken 10 blow up the palace and all in
IL, or be taken. with Gods help maintain
my faith. and If necessary suffer for it.
think that / shall elect the last from
professional military point OF view.
Speaking materially j wish / was the
Mahdi. | would Laugh at all Europe. i
own To having been very insuDordinate TO
Her Majpsty's government, but II IS IN
my nature. ! cannot help 10. j know
that II / was chief ] would never employ
myself, for ! am an inc0rrigible. hope
/ am not going down TO history as the
cause Of this expedition. ! decline the
imputation. come 20 deliver the garri-
son. This is constantly repeated.
BRITISH EXPEDITION.
The waste Of money and expense Of life
by the present expedition Is utterly due
10 the indeclsion Of our government. !
hate our diDlomatists. | think, with few
exceptions, that they are arrant hum
bugs"
Here follows funny sketch Of two
dlplomatists. entitled "E. n. and B. e..
discussing the above statement"
"Put yourselfin my position. II you
say make a rapid retreat and leave
sennaar TO its fate, will say no; ! would
sooner die first. II you say then you
are no longer Governor General, ! then
am all right. All responsibility Is on you.'
THE above Is repeated again and again,
and is the key OF Gen. 9Ordon's whole
view.1 "If any emissary letter comes or
derlnR me 20 leave / will not obey r. but
will stay here and fall with the town aud
run all risks" This ialn capitals
AWAITING THE END.
The last entry is Dec. IA, and says;
"NOw mark this. II an eXpedlu0nary
force-and / ask for no more than 200
men-if they do not come In ten days the
town may fall. / have done my best Tor
the honor OF our country. Goodbye"
The appendix contains q letter OF nine
paees from III Mahdi 10 Gen. Gordon
/ telling Of the capture Of Col. stewart and
the cOnsuls, and giving the contents oi
many OF gen. GordOns dispatches, ana
adding. "We never miss any Oi your
| novel, and eummonlng him 10 Decome "A
/ Moslnm or surrender. Gen. oordon's
1 only comment on this letter was, "COme
onu throughout The diary u ~ stated
that the help Of Turkey would Dc solu-