The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-09
A TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT.
Traitorous Pashas Hewn to Pieces at Khar-
toum Under the Christian Gordon.

Traitorous Pashas Hewn to Pieces at Xhar-
toum Under the Christian Gordon.
Lcndon Daily News.
On stepping out of my tent in camp this morn
ing, | observed approaching me man with a
bronzed, hatchet-shaped visage. He was clothed
in Egyptian uniform, and his countenance wore
a peculiarly weary and careworn expression as,
looking me full in the face, he said: ''You do not
know mel We were at Kowa Fort together, and
marched together in the army of Hicks Pasha."
/ remembered him at once and exchanged notes.
"And where have you been since left youg"
asked. ~ returned, he answered. "at the same
time that you did to Khartoum. You would like
to hear something of our life through the long
siege? Well, will tell YOU After had invited
him into my tent, and sat me down to make
notes OF his story, he continued:
After the anniversary of the birth of Mo
manned Wad Sheik Ell Obeid came opposite
Khartoum to the other side of Bahr-el Azrek,
aud encamped on the isle. Gordon Pasha sent
for the troops under Hessein Abraham and Ma
homet Abru Said, who had been made Pashas
by Gordon Pasha Directly we landed we
formed four deep square Even so marched
boldly from the shore One gun is at an angle
of the square. They charged us furiously; but,
ali! how they scampered. Shattered was the
great band of rebels. But now what have to
relate fills my heart with grief. The traitor
Abraham takes off his tarbash, puts it in his
breast, from which he takes a dervish's cap put
ing it on his head Next to this what does he
tells him to sound the kus-rah' ('retreat;)
this in military Turkish signifies defeat. The
brave boy refused, and said: 'Pasha, we are not
defeated; and l will not sound as you order. Then
he cleaveS the brave boys head with his cimeter,
and smites others who would not turn. Now,
when enemies see these things come to pass,
they gainrheart, return, and attack us again. We
become disorganized-why nOts We fly back to
the outworks and huts we had left, close to the
cemetery. But we did not let the traitorous
Pasha escape. We circle round his horse and
compel him to retire with us; much does he
struggle beg, and protest. he had endeavored to
escape; but escape for him was not. We brought
him back, bound hand and foot.
Nov, all these things" continued my inform
ant, ''and how the traitorous Pasha had been
the cause of our disgrace. Gordon Pasha had
spied from the top of his house. He was much
grieved; and when the wicked Pashas, who were
both guilty. were brought bound as | said, hand
and foot, before him, he spake never q word ex-
cept, Away with themr He was reading Holy
Writ at the time. They were tried by court
martial, and sentenced to death Seven days
afterward they were executed in the inner yard,
near the large square of the prison They were
hewn in pieces by halbert / saw the execu-
ton, so it is no use of your saying they were
shot l tell you, according to Turkish military
law, a military traitor is always sentenced to be
cut to pieces. The two were bound up against
the wall by chains and rings Two soldiers
armed with sharp hatchets approached them
from out of the sides of square we had formed.
The prisoners crime was read out and their
sentence. A hundred soldiers were present,
some senior officers, but not Gordon Pasha. The
senior Bey cried out, Executioners, perform
sentence on the traitors" Immediately these
advanced close, and Topped off first their arms
above the elbows, then the legs above the knees;
then cut their bodies in twain then decapitated
them. They died not till they were cut asunder,
then their heads fell on their breasts, and they
expired with hideous yell. Surely their fate
was deserved. l cannot say whether Gordon
Pasha knew of this manner Of execution. l tell
you this is the Turkish mode of furnishing mill
tary traitors and it is just punishment"