Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-06
THE mAHDI TRIUMPHANT.


I XHIRTOUX IN REBEB HANDS,.
The CITY ralIs Tarsuss Trsschssy -Bensfsi
Gs,aen.s Fsse unknswn--tsisdness IN Ess-
lard Gives wsy to Universal Dsrrsssisa--
Exesiessns In London.
ny caiae TO the Dispateh.
I.ospox, February 8. - General
wolseley ielegrsphs that Khartoum has
fallen. lie says that when Colonel
Wilson. who went from Metemnch TO
Khartoum. reached the latter place he
found il in the hands Of the rebels. lie
returned to Metemneh -under heavy
fire from both banks Of the river.
The Daily Telegraph, on official au-
thority. confirms the report Of the fail Of
Khartoum. 1t says the rebels secured
the city by treachery. General Gordon
is probably prisoner in the hands OF
the victors.
The War Office has issued the follow
ing: r
!. kilograms from General Wolseley
announce that the fall Of khartoum
took place January Goth. He says
Colonel Wilson arrived at Khartoum on
January 2Sth, and was greatly sur
priscd to find that the enemy were IN
possession Of that place. He immedi-
atcly started on his return down the
river. and proceeded under a heavy IRE
from the. rebels. When some miles be-
io,r sh,blaka cataract Colonel Wilson's
steamers were wrecked, but he and his
whole party managed to reach an island
in safety. where they are secure.
| Steamers have gone to bring them back
10 the British camp near Metemneh.
General Wolseley says he has no IN
formation as to the fate of General Tor
don. and does not know whether he IS
dead OF alive.
| Great EXCITEMENT IN ENGLAND.
There is no longer any doubt but that
the Mahdi holds possession OF the town
of Khartoum. Some hopes are enter
tanned that General Gordon may stllf
be holding out in the citadel OF the
town. Meanwhile the excitement IN
London and everywhere throughout
the British Isles where the news
is known is rising TO feyer-heat.
Clubs and public resorts OF every de.
scription are thronged with crowds OF
people eager to catch the last syllable
of intelligence from the distant Egyp-
tian desert. Through Fleet street and
Strand street it is almost impossible to
make ones way, so crowded are these
thoroughfares with throngs OF curious
and excited citizens. Most people take
a gloomy view of the position oil
the British troops in the Soudan.
The jubilant gladness which has
characterized England in regard to
Egypt ever since the welcome
news of General Stewards success
full arrival in the neighborhood of Me-
temneh was received has given way to
universal depression, and expressions
of dismay and foreboding come from
almost everybody. 1t is too early to
estimate the influence Of the news Oh
the political situation. The War Office
is besieeed with army officers rendering
their services for active duty in the
Soudan.
OTHER DISASTERS FEARED.
Numerous kilograms are being re.
ceiyed from officers throughout the coun'
try asking for assignments to rescue the
expedition should the Government con
clude to take such action.
The capture of Khartoum has created
grave fears, especially in army circles
for the safety Of General Stewart and
his army. A number of military Off
GERS of repute even express the opinion
that unless reinforcements are hurried
forward to Korti the fall of khartoum
nav lead to disasters to the forces un
der Lord Wolseley and General Earle
A Cabinet council hasbeen summoned
to meet at once.
Mr.. Gladstone is fearfully disturbed
by the news. and some people believe
he will resign.
TREAC CHERRY or THE NATIVE TROOPS
A native reports that the Mahdi hat
10000 men in the vicinity of khartoum
and that he introduced a number of hi:
emissaries into the city. These emissa
ries mingled freely with the native
troops under General Gordon. and by
brides. threats, and working on Their
religious feelings. induced them to mu
tiny. Seven thousand Of the garrison
deserted to the rebels. leaving Genera
Gordon only $500 faithful soldiers
With this small force he attempted tC
hold the city against the Mahdi's grea
army. but after severe fighting, il
which large number of rebels wer'
killed, he was compelled to surrender
NOTHING KNOWN ABOUT GORDON.
When Sir Charles Wilson reached
KhartOum he found that the Mahdi'!
forces occupied both the town and eta
del. lie tried to land and ascertain th'
fate Of General Gordon; but this ste,
he found impossible. The enemy
guns were turned upon him in full force
He was therefore compelled to turn hi,
back upon the fallen city and return t.
Gabat without finding out whether
General Gordon was dead or alive.
THE CABINET APPREHENSIVE.
The news of the downfall of Khar
toum has created grave apprehension il
regard to the whole Egyptian problem
among the members of the Cabiaet
Mr.. Gladstone and Earl Granville start.
ed for London as soon as the news
reached them. A Cabinet Council will
be held this evening.
The military authorities are Of opin.
ion that General Gordon sent the
greater part Of his troops down the
Nile to meet General Stewards force,
and so depleted was the garrison in The
town and citadel of Khartoum that an
attack by the enemy from 0mdurman
was rendered much easier.
The greatest activity prevails at the
War Department. Many Of the officials
remained on duty all last night.
Lord Wolseley telegraphs that he does
not consider the British position at
Gabat in any immediate danger.
THE NEWS RECEIVED IN CAIRO.
I