The Dillon tribune., 1885-02-28
GORDON'S ORGANS.
Publication of the Correspondence OF the
Dead English General.

Publication Of the Correspondence of the
Dead English General.
\ number of dispatches from General
Gordon to the Government in regard to
the situation of affairs at khartoum previ
Gus to the surrender have been published
in the London papers. 'On November 4th
General Gordon declined to agree with the
home authorities that the expedition under
General Wolselcy was for the purpose Of
rescuing him, but was, he says, for the pur-
pose Of rescuing the garrison at khar'
toum. On September 18th he wrote as
follows: "How ,nany times have writ
ten, asking for reintorcements? But my
letters have never been answered. The
hearts of my gallant army are weary with
this long waiting for assistance, and failure
to receive any word Of encouragement
which leads them to expect help shortly.
While you eat drink and rest in good beds
we are always fighting" 1t appears from
the letter dated December 14th that Cor
don never said II can hold out for years."
as has been published, but, on the contrary,
declared that food was scarce, and relief
should be sent him at once.
Again he wrote: "Lupton Bey has sur
rendered. have sent out scores of mes
sengers in all directions during the last
eight months. DO not send private letters
to me. The risk is too great. Do not
write me in cipher. have none and it
is no use The Mahdi knows everything.
Take the road from Abullat to Mctemneh.
You need not fear the Mahdi. Both the
Greek Consul and the Austrian Consul is
safe The Mal,di has captured a letter
from the King Of Abyssinia to me. Your
expedition, as | understand, is for the re-
lief of the garrison at Khartoum, which !
failed to accomplish. decline to admit it
is for the rescue of me personally"
The letter from General Gordon dated
September 9th contains the following
statement; ave have sufficient money
and provisions here at Khartoum to last
four months. AT the expiration of that
period we shall be much embarrassed. Al
though we wrote you it was impossible to
send Colonel Stewart to Berberon account
of many things which occurred here, we
afterward saw fit to send him, together
with the French and Ehgfisn cosssuls, irs a
small steamer to Dongola to communicate
with the British commander there concern
ing the Soudan matter. We detailed two
large steamers to accompany them to Ber-
Der to keep the way clear for them to pass
by Berber towards Dongola. How many
times have we written for reinforcements,
and called your serious attention to Sou
dan, and no answer came:'
General Gordon also instructed the mes
senger sent from Khartoum on December
14th to deliver the following message to
Lord Wolseley: Don't scatter your
troops. Bring plenty Of troops. The en-
envy are numerous. We still hold Omdur-
man. The Mahdi's lines are beyond
Mursho. A month ago he attacked Om-
durman, and disabled one of our steamers.
We disabled one of their guns. Fighting
was renewed on the south side three days
later, and the rebels again were repulsed.
Come quickly. Don't leave Berber in the
rear. Keep the enemy in 'front.' Don't let
rumors Of your approach spread"
The English Blue Book concerning
Egypt contains telegram received in Sep
tember, which gives summary of letters
sent by General Gordon on various dates
from April o1st to July 21st, 1884.
In one Of these General Gordon says:
"Let relief expedition follow the right
bank of the Nile from Wady Halfa to Ber-
Der, in the hope Of surprising Berber. 1t
you find it impossible to follow the Nile,
take the Massowah, Taunkit, Kassalar
road. I would not leave Khartoum if
could"
On August 24th Gordon wrote to the
English commander at Massowah: ave !
have FIVE months provisions. l hope to
get more. Our country's role has not been
very noble in Egypt or the Soudan." |
Lorne Speaks.