McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-02-12
A GREET BLOW 10 ENGLAND.

|
The Rebels IL. Possession of KJtartomm Aftes
Sanguinary Stru0gie-BritOns Witd ,citl.
| Excitement.
| Intelligence was received in London on the
5th that Khartoum had been captured by the
rebels The wher. a5outs of Gen. Gordon is
unknown. 1t is probable he is in the hands of
the victors. Gen. WolseleY telegraphs that
when. Col. Wilson, who went from Metemneh
| to Khartoum, reached the latter place he
found it in the hands of the rebels. He re-
turned to Metemneh under heavy fire from
both banks of the river
The English war Office issued the following:
"Telegrams from Gen. Wolseley announce
that the fall of Khartoum took place January
&c. He says that Col. Wilson arrived at Kbar-
tOum January IS, and was greatly surprised to
fnd the enemy in pcss ssion of that place.
He Immediately returned down the river under
q heavy fire from the rebels When some miles
below the Sheeplaka cataract Col. Wilson's
steamers were wrecked, but he and his party
managed to reach an island in safety, where
they are in safety. A steamer has gone to
bring them back to the British camp near
Metemneh. Gen. Woseley says he has no in
formation regarding the fate of Gen. Gordon
and does not know whether he is dead or
alive"
he found the Mahdis forces in possession of
the town and citadel. He tried TO land and
ascertain the fate of Gordon, but this step he
found impossible. The enemy's guns were
turned upon him in full force. He was there
fore compelled to turn his back upon the
fallen city and return to Gubat without find
ing whether Gordon was dead or alive. A ma
tive reports that the Mahdi had COO 900 men in
the vicinity of KhartOum and he introduced a
number of his emissarics into the city. These
mixed freely with the native troops under
General CORDED and by brides, threats and
working on their religious feelings induced
them to mutiny. Seven thousand of the garri-
son deserted, leaving Gordon only $500 faith
full soldiers. With this small force he tried to
hold the city against the Mahdi's great army,
but after severe fighting in which large
number of rebels were killed, he was compelled
to surrender.
The excitement, says London dispatch,
over the news is at fever heat. Clubs and
public resorts of every description are thronged
with crowds of people eager to catch the last
syllable of intelligence from the distant Egyp-
tian desert. Throughout Fleet street aud tue
Strand it is almost impossible to make ones
way, so crowded are these thOroughfares
with throngs of curious and excited cit-
Zens. Most people took q gloomy view of
the position of the British troops in Soudan,
and the jubilant gladness which characterized
England in regard to Egypt ever since the well
come news of Stewards successful arrival in
the neighborhood of Metemneh was received,
has given way to despair Expressions of dis
may and fOrebodfng come from almost every
body. 1t is too early to estimate the influence
of the news on the political situation. The
war Office is besieged with army officers ten
dering their services for active duty in the
SOudan. Numerous kilograms are being re-
ceived from officers throughout the country
asking assignments to rescue the expedition
should the government conclude to take such
action. The capture of Khartoum created
grave fears. especially in army circles, for the
safety of General Stewart and his army. A
number of military officers of repute even eX-
press the opinion that unless reinforcements
are hurried forward to Korti the fall of Khar-
toum may lead to disasters to the forces under
Lord Wolseley and General Earle. A cabinet
council has been summoned to meet at once.
Gladstone is fearfuly disturbed by the news
and some people believe he will resign.