Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-01-25
GORDON'S TRAGIC DEATH.
dispatch to New York SUM-

and this time an absolutely authentic
account Of the last hours of Gen. Gordon,
the hero of Khartoum, whose lonely |
tomb in the centre of the Soudan is now |
venerated even by the Mahdists as that !
of saint. The account, which has been |
collated with various documents and re-
ports, and officially declared to be true, is |
furnished by Demetrio Georgia, a
Greek, who recently arrived at Suakin
from Khartoum. Georgia was born at
Berber, and was present at the capture
and sack of Khartoum. Here is his story
as told to Gen. Grenfell:
81 was at Khartoum the night it was
taken. The Nile had gone back so that
part of the city was open. Gordon did
not construct fresh trenches and ram
parts, because he thought there was
sufficient troops to defend the city. There
were three thousand, think. The gaps
and all round about were held by large
force under Farig Pasha. That night
Farig moved his troops, especially the
blacks, from the gaps, saying the soldiers
were wanted on the other side. Gordon
had perfect confidence in Farig.
1.-The attack took place at two points.
AT the largest gap there was no resist
ance. If the British army, or even few
of them, had arrived even one hour be-
fore the attack took place, Khartoum
would not have been taken, and Gordon's
troops would have fought to the last.
Farig had sent word to the Mahdi: I'm
less you attack tonight all is lost. In
that night all was blood and flames. The
city had passed over from the command
of Gordon to the Mahdi. 1t was dread
full night. | shall remember it to my dy-
ing day. The air echoed with horrible
shrieks, yells, lamentations, and wailings,
and smelt of blood.
81 had three friends, Greeks. hasten
ed to rescue them. 1 had two Mahdst
uniforms given me by an Arab friend.
One gave to one friend, putting on the
other myself. 1t was nearing daybreak
when took my friends to my house.
Some Arabs rushed in telling me ought
p
seraglio, they called tat once. asked
why. They replied, All the great officers
of the Mahdi have gone there to kill Cor
don Pasha.' When they saw that the
third friend had no Mahdist garment on
they slew him.
"We were then taken into the court
yard. l saw Gordon Pasha smoking a
cigarette on balcony facing the river.
We had entered at the back of the palace,
entering the yard where the sycamore
tree is. Georgia Demetrio, the principal
medical officer of the Soudan and the
provinces, and Nicola Lemindta, the
Greek consul, were with him. Five
hundred dervishes, who had been sent by
the Mahdi with special orders to take
Gordon alive, stood at the foot of the
staircase. | went up the stairs, being
sent by the men below, who were yocif-
Grating Gordon Pasha Gordon Pasha =
"Gordon coolly left the balcony. Fly
said the other two, while there is yet
time. Go in at the little door and take
the boat
Shall fly and leave my post?' Cor
, don replied, Indignantly. That, indeed,
, would be disgrace. shall not fly
she then went into his inner room and
donned his full uniform and sword.
Then he came out and grandly drew
himself up to his full height. On his
, yisape was n look of scorn
whom seek YEP he asked, on gazing
at the sea Of angry faces.
Gordon Pashar they cried.
! "'You want him, do you? l am he.
Come up hither,' Gordon replied.
son being urged by Demetrio and the
Greek consul to fly, Gordon replied +:
For shame! Would you have me abandon
!, my post ignominiously He could
t easily have escaped at the rear then.
Gas Gordon stood boldly facing the
, dervishes several superior Mahdst gen.
erals came up. The dervishes allowed
them to pass. They assembled the stairs
and asked for the Pasha. Gordon met
"a tiltu say luz dii uc, anu udIuti
them his sword in military fashion, in
s timating that he knew they had taken
, the place and that consequently he sur
r rendered according to the usages of war.
e But Nassas, one of the generals, snatch
4 ed hold of his sword, at the same time in
brutal and most cowardly manner
: striking Gordon an unexpected blow.
+ The Pasha would have fought desperate
= ly had he thought he would not be treat
: ed in an honorable manner. He fell roll
- ling down the stairs. As he rolled
: another general speared him on the left
+ side, inflcting dangerous wound.
4 ''rhus died Gordon. | was there, a
S spectator to the CHASTITY deed. got out
a of the way when he rolled to the bottom
a of the stairs. Some say that Gordon
= uao out nm m littla niaoac but ntbars ra.