Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-02-18

A dispatch from Korti says: Lord Beresford
returned in safety to Gubst. bringing with him
Col Wilson and party, who were str .nded on an
Isl nd some distance up the Nile lille r turn
ing from khartoun. Some difficulty was ex-
pericnecd In fetching away the stranded party.
The re Jels on the river banks kept up constant
firing, and shortly alter the party embarked a
bullet from a rebei's rifle pier, ed the boiler OF
the steamer. 1t was necessary to anchor under
tre and make repairs. The British fire, how
ever, row took effect and the rebels were re-
pu sed. Immediately after reaching Gubat Col.
Wilson started for korti, VIII re he has n W ar
rived 10 report in person to Lcrd Nolseley the
details OF his reconnaissance at Il hartoum.
Lord Wolseiey tele graphs fur her particulars
OF Beresford's rescue of Col. Wilson. When the
steamer had gone down the river about three
miles q battery Of the enemy on the left bank
opened fire upon it. The steamer returned the
fire, which was kept up while the steamer
anchored for repairs. Meanwhile toL. Wilson.
with a small party, took four guns and landed
on the right bank. The party marched down
the river till directly opposite the battery, put
the guns in position, and opened fire. Much
assistance was thus rendered Lord Charles
Berestord in keeping the fire OF the enemy
down. At sunset Col. Wilson and party
marched on three miles further down the
river and halted for the night. and were there
joined by Lord Charles ON the following morn
ing. The steamer meanwhile had another en-
gagemen with the rebel battery, but succeeded
in passing it without serious harm. Col Wilson
and party were again taken on board, and the
steamer proceeded to Gubat without further
difficulty. During the passage from the island
to Gubat one man was killed and seven injured.
OF the injured four were natives, scalded in the
engine-room.
Lord Wolseley concludes his dispatch with
these words: Il cannot speak too highly of the
pluck of Lord Charles Beresford and party.
Col. Wilson's men likewise behaved admirably
and with the usual determination of English
men,"
Sir Charles Beresford and party were ten
hours under fire before they were able to rescus
Col. Wilson. The enemy used rifles from be-
hind Entertainments. The fire from the enemy's
cannon was effective. In addition to the hole
made In the boiler, q shell burst on the steamer.
The British fire was most effective, silencing the
rebel guns and forcing the men 10 seek shelter.
Gubat is strongly fortified to resist a possible
siege. A fort has been constructed, triangular
in shape, with deep bitches In front. Brush
wood and wirewOrk outside will impede the
enemy in the event Of an attack.
The letter recently sent by the Mehdi to the
English officers on Colonel Wilson'S steamer
contained q postscript saying that it was the
Mehdi's first and last letter to the English, and
that unless they submitted he would kill all the
Kaffer dogs, The bearer of the letter, a dervish,
urged the Egyptians on the steamer TO join the
Mehdis army, saying that God had sent tho
Mehdi to convert the world, and that the Mehdi
intended to march straight TO STEAMBOAT On tho
day after the steamer stranded the Mehdfs emir
landed on the island and urged the British to
surrender. Sunday evening, Hamid Bey. two
skippers, and seventeen natives deserted the
steamer.