THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2399, 10 May 1884, Page 2

THE WAR IN SOUDAN.

GENERAL GORDON IN KHARTOUM.

News readied London on March 30fcb that on the 19th General Gordon made a sortie from Khartoum with 3000 men, two guns, and a squadron of Bashi-Bazouk cavalry, accompanied by three steamers on the River Nile. The rebels were encamped near Halfeyk. Sixty of the enemy's cavalry charged the Bashi-Bazouks and put them to flight. On nearing the rebels General Gordon drew up his troops in the form of a square, in which position they were kept until they were attacked by the enemy, when the Egyptians turned and fled. Two hundred of them were slaughtered, and three of their guns were lost. Notwithstandthis check, General Gordon declares Khartoum quite safe until winter. Later advices received in London on March 31sfc give details of General Gordon's rout. The rebels pursued the Egyptians two miles after the battle, near Halfeck, and the confusion during the retreat was fearful to behold. The Egyptian regulars and Bashi-Bazouks kept shouting that their generals had betrayed them. The wounded received no attention for seven hours. The troops had been clamoring for three weeks before they met the enemy. In the early part of the encounter the Egyptians were successful, aud many of the rebels were actually in full retreat, when their cavalry made a desperate charge. Despite this reverse it is said the inhabitants of Khartoum still remain firm friends of Gordon. Oue Arab sent £IOOO to replenish his treasury in part. Auother equipped 2000 blacks for him. Two black Pashas have been arrested for charging into the ranks of their own troops, thus allowiug the enemy to enter the gap they made. Reports were current in London on April 3rd that General Gordon had met with a further reverse. In a letter to the explorer Schweinbeig, the General says the demeanor of the people had changed considerably since he was last in Soudan. ■ Despatches received at London from Cairo on April sth, represent Gordon's position as becoming desperate. In a letter to Commander Maxwell he writes—"We exist day by day, and although excitement is desirable sometimes, we can have too much of it, while the responsibility is heavy. I can only trust in God's mercy for there is nothing else." The latest news from London on April 12th gives indications that Government intend to undertake an autumn campaign towards Khartoum, and are making preparations for such an event. It is certain that the last estimate which Gordon sent of the time he could hold out was only two months more. The survey of the Nile as far as the Second Cataract, which Captain Molyneux undertook some weeks ago at the command of the Admiralty, to determine the feasibility of the use of gunboats, has been completed, and Captain Molyneux returned to Cairo on April 7th. He is now ordered to report on the appearance of the river as far as Shendy. He is also to report on the scheme for getting English regiments across the Korosko desert.