The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-03-11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH II, 1885.
LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.


Last October the Mahdi sent an
autograph letter to General Gordon
exulting over the wreck of Colonel
Stewards steamer and the murder of
that officer and his companions, and
in proof Of the knowledge that dis
aster had overtaken Stewart, he in
dorsed copies of documents found
on the steamer and an account show
ing the state of the munitions and
supplies at Khartoum at the time of
Stewards departure. BY the mes
senger who brought the letter Cen
eral Gordon sent back defiant re-
ply to the Mahdi. He said: ~ do
not care how many men you killed,
or what success you gained. 1t
makes no difference to me-" After
more in the same vein, he concluded
with: II do not care what forces
you have. l am made Of iron and
intend to hold on here
On Sept. 18th Gordon wrote:
''How many times have written,
asking for re-enforcements, but my
letters have never been answered.
The hearts of my gallant men are
weary with this long waiting for as
sistance and failure to receive any
word Of encouragement which would
lead them to expect help shortly.
While you eat, drink and rest in
good beds, we are always fighting"
In a letter written on Nov. 4th
General Gordon declined to agree
with the home authorities that the
expedition under Lord Wolseley was
for the purpose Of rescuing him, but
was, he says, designed to rescue the
garrison at Khartoum.
A letter written in December is as
follows: 81 have five steamers and
nine guns at Metemneh awaiting
your orders. l can hold out forty
days longer with ease. After that
it will be difficult. The loss of Colo
mel Stewart is terrible. 1 told him
to give you all the information pos
sible. He had my journal from
January 3rd to September 10th.
l have sent out scores of mes
sages 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 no key and it is no
use, the Mahdi knows everything.
Take the road from Abullot to Me-
temneh. I do not fear the Mahdi.
Both the Greek Consul and the Aus
trian Consul are safe. The Mahdi
has captured a letter from the King
of Abyssinia to me. Your expedi-
ton, as l understand, is for the re-
lief of the garrison at Khartoum,
which 1 failed to accomplish. 1 de-
cline to admit that it is for rescue
for me personally"
A letter from General Gordon,
dated September 9th, contains the
following statement: eve have
sufficient money and provisions here
at Khartoum to last four months.
At the expiration Of that period we
shall be much embarrassed.
How many times have we written
asking for re-enforcements and call.
ing your serious attention to the
Soudan, and no answer came?'
General Gordon also instructed
the messenger sent from Khartoum,
December 18th, to deliver the fol
lowing message to Lord Wolseley
''Don't scatter your troops. Bring
plenty troops. The enemy il
numerous. We still hold Omdur
man. The Mahdi's lines are beyont
Muncho. The Mahdists on
month ago attacked Omdurman ane
disabled one of our steamers. w
disabled one Of their guns. Fight
ing was renewed on the south sid
three days later and the rebels were
again repulsed. Come quickly
don't leave Berber in the rear. Kee
the enemy in the front. Don't lie
the rumors Of your approac
spread"
On August oath, General Gordo
wrote to the English Naval Com
mander at MassOWah: HWe hay