The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-06

clnde to take such action. The capture of Khar-
toum has created grave fears, especially in army
circles, for the safety of Gen. Stewart and his
army. number of military officers of repute
even express the opinion that, unless reinforce
ments are hurried forward to Korti, the fall of
Khartoum may lead to disaster to the forces un-
der Lord Woolseley and Gen. Earle
a native reports that the Mahdi had
$4,000 men in the vicinity of Khartoum, and that
he introduced number of his emissaries into
the city These emissaries mingled freely with
the native troops under General Gordon, and by
brides, threats and working on their religious
feelings, induced them to mutiny. Seven thou
sand of the garrison deserted to the rebels, leav-
ing Gordon only $500 faithful soldiers. With
this small force he attempted to hold the city
against the Mahdis great army, but after severe
fighting, in which a large number of rebels were
killed, he was compelled to surrender.
When Sir Charles Wilson reached Khartoum he
found that the Madhis forces had occupied both
the town and the citadel. He tried to land and as
certain the fate of Gordon, but this step he
found impossible. The enemy's guns were
turned upon him in full force, and no was COM
PEELED to turn his back upon the fallen city and
return to Gubat without finding out whether
Gordon was dead or alive.
Colonel Wilson had three steamers, two of
which were wrecked in the Nile, exactly half
way between Khartoum and Metemneh The
third steamer, bearing Colonel Wilson and party,
came on and brought the news to the British
camp near Metemneh.
The first news of the fall of Khartoum received
nv
gerlwho left the island where Colonel Wilson
was stranded and came on foot to Gubat. Two
messengers were despatched to Korti via Abu-
klea and Gakdul. They reached their destina-
ton, which is regarded as being due to the fact
that the news of Khartoums fall was not known
in the desert Intelligence of the disaster, how
ever, has since spread far and wide, and some
tribes that hitherto professed friendship for
England have declared for the Mahd The
Arabs still hold Metemneh. The garrison there
received the news of the fall of Khartoum with
repeated savos Of artillery.
THE APPROACH TO KARToUM
When. Col Wilson's fotilla approached Khar-
toum. it was compelled to run the guautlet of a
heavy fire from both banks The rebels had
four Krupp guns on the river banks at Halfujeh
to lombard the steamers. When the British force
reached Omdurman, numbers of rebels continued
the fusillade. and things looked worse when it
was discovered that the enemy was in posses
sion of the island of Suit. just outside the city
The English still pushed ahead, but
were dismayed to find that the gar
rison commenced firing upon them. No flags
were flying from the public buildings and the
town appeared in undsputed possession
of the enemy. The palace seemed Quilted. Find
ing it impossible to land in the face of the over
whelming numbers os rebels the British were
obliged to retire. The rumors concerning the
fate of General Gordon are many and varied,
but all agree that the Mahdi captured Khartoum
by treachery The most reliable reports point
to one Faraz Pasha as the traitor 1t is SAID
that he, being left in charge of the ramparts,
opened the gates on JAN 26 and admitted the
enemy. Some rumors state that the Mahdi, to-
gether with a few Levantnes, are cooped up
in church; others that General Gordon was
seen seearing the Mahdi's uniform. A majority.
however, agree that General Gordon was killed.