New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-22
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN BURNABY.

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burn
ahy, better known Captain Burnaby,
who is reported 10 have fallen in the engage
ment near Metemnch. was educated at Harrow and
subsequently at German university. He Joined
the Royal Horse Guards Blue cornei in 1850,
became great fayorite in English society and de-
veloped characteristic taste for travel and advent
ure. His best known journey undertaken
late in November 1875, and is described In " A
Ride to Khiva," a fascinating volume. At that
time Russian diplomatists were accustomed to
dscaim any intention of striking at In
dia. OF of extending the dominion of
the Gar long way across the steppes of Central
Asia. Captain Burnaby told many terrible stories
of the dealings of General Kaufman with the tribes
of Turkestan and earned the hearty dislike of the
Russian officers by repeating their boasts respect
ing India. HIS experience in Khiva converted him
into an antI-Russian Of the ierccst type.
In 1876 and 1877 Captain Burnaby made
tended tour in Asia Minor, returning to
London soon after the outbreak Of
the Russian-Turksh war. lie travelled from
Scutari to Angora and Erzingan and thence by the
EuphTates to Erzerum where he inspected the fOri-
ications. He then proceeded to Bayazid, a Turk
ish fortress the night of their strategic line of
defence This stronghold is distant about three
hours march from Persia and twelve hours from
Erivan. At this place he found it simply i'm
possible 10 get over the mountains to Van. owing
to the heavy SHOWS, and he therefore determined to
return to Persia and visit Hoy, where he stayed
some days. Here he ascertained that the Persans
busily occupied in preparing q camp for
10000 men, and they openly declared their
mten ton to join Russia in the event of war
between that Power and Turkey. From
Hoy he rode through the Kotoor Pass to Van, the
capital of Armenia, From Van he had an exceed
"a rn raI tGif
snow to kars. He also visited Batum and Irebi-
zOnd, and returned to London with ample ma
terias for an interesting volume. He did not
remain in England to write It, but went to the
scene of war in the Balkan, accompanying the
Turkish Army las newspaper correspondent, and
sharing in Suleimans disasters and retreat. lie
subsequently took part in the Egyptian campaign
in q similar capacity.
Captain Burnaby was indefatigabc and
intelligent traveller, and a man of unquesiOned
courage and literary industry lie had an Unborn
love OF adventure and novelty, was ready at any
Time lor any sudden enterprise, whether balloon
rae across the Channel or arduous campaign,
ana was a persistent contributor TO English Jour
mas on all public questions specially the Eastern
question. His age was forty three
METEMNEH AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
Metemneh, near which the recent battle was
fought in Egypt, Is on the west bank of the
Nile, nearly opposite Shendy, below the Sixth Cat
aract, and about 100 miles north of Khartoum II
at this point that General Wolseley expected
TO reach the river again. having left it at Kort TO
avoid an immense curve in the stream. From
Kort to Metemneh the distance by water is 400
miles, but across the desert is only 175. On jan
uary the cavalry were at Gakdul, about half way
between the two and, having established post,
went back TO KOrti to escort the infantry and
trans to Gakdul Thence the mounted forces were
10 Advance to Metemneh where 1000 of the enemy
reported TO be waiting to resist the advance
on KhartOum.
The route from Korti TO Metemneh is through
barren desert with occasional Oases. That at Gak-
dul is one of them. Geseral Stewards camel train
marched frOn Korti to this poiut-half way to
Metemneh-in sixty. olive hours without stopping