A HORRIBLE MASSACRE IN KHARTOUM.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 6

A HORRIBLE MASSACRE IN KHARTOUM.

The Mahdi's Troops Butcher tho Inhabitants. I o^don, February 10. — The following additional details of the killing of Goneral Gordon and the fall ot Khartoum have been received : At daybreak on the day of the capture, which is variously stated as the 26th and 27th of January, General Gordon's attention was attracted by a tremendous tumult in the streets. He left the so called Palace, or Government building, in which he had made his headquarters, to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. Just a*> he reached the street he was stabbed in the back and fell dead. The tumult waa caused by the Mahdi's troops, who had gained access to the interior of the town through treachery, and who were soon in complete possession of the place, including the citadel. A fearful massacreof the garrison followed. Thescenes of slaughter are described as surpassing the Bulgarian atrocities, and rivalling the wor.-it horrors of che Sepoy mutiny. The panic-stricken Egyptians were captured in flight, and put to death with the most fiendish tortures. Some wero transfixed with spears and left to bleed to death. Most of the victims were mutilated in the most horrible manner. Their eyos were gouged out, their noses slit, and their tongues torn out by the roots. In many cases mutilated parts of victims' bodies were thrust into their mouths while they were still living. The mass-acre included many non-combatants, and Egyptian women were subjected to the most shame ful indignities. More than 100 women and , young girls were given over to the Mahdi's followers to be used as slaves. After the slaughter, many Arabs were seen rushing about the streets with the heads of Egyptians impaled upon spears. The next night was spent in a saturnalia of blood and debauchery.

The Mahdi's Headquarters. Since the capture of Khartoum the Mahdi has repaired the fortifications and made the plaoe well well nigh impregnable He has made it his permanent headquarters and is s<aid to have abundance of guns, email arms and ammunition Both of Colonel Wilson's steamers were wrejked owing to the treachery of the pilots, who will be court-martialled.

Universal Grief. London, February 11.— All the morning papers have their columns bordered with black as a token of the grief which is universally felt over Gordon's fata. Some papers confine the mourning emblem to the editorial page, but in most of them the column rules are reversed on all the pages The "News" says:— The age of chivalry was revived again in Gordon's history, and the whole world thrills with passionate grief at this Christian warrior's death." The "News" publisher the foMowing from Gakdul: -Natives who escaped from Khaitmin say that General Gordon was killed while in the act of leaving his house to rally his faithful troops. The latter were cut down to a man, and for hours the best part o? the town was the scene of merciless slaughter, not even women and children being spared. All the notables were spared except the treacherous Pashas and their followers.

Gordon's Death Confirmed. London, February 11. — General Lord Wolseley telegraphs the Government that scouts sent to Khartoum have returned. They confirm the report of the killing of General Gordon and the atrocities com mitted in Khartoum by El Mahdi's men.

Another Aooount of Gordon's Death. Londch, February 15 —A telegram was received at the War Office to-day from General Wolseley. He sends an account of the fall of Khartoum as given by native eyewitnesses to the entrance of the rebels into the town. Khartoum, this informant says was entered by El Mahdi's forces at daybreak on the morning of January 26th General Gordon was killed by a volley from lebel riflemen while on his way from headquarters to the Austrian Consulate. The Austrian Consul was killed in his residence, and the Greek Consul was held a prisoner by Mahdi.

The Reported Treachery Confirmed. Kokti, February 15. — The Mudir is now convinced that Khartoum has fallen, and that General Gordon is dead. A cavass of Ibrahim Bey Kuehdi states that a larag admitted tho rebels to Khartoum ».he ciivas^, with his master, went to the Govornment House and met Gordon coming our., armed, with Mohammed Boy Mustaplia and twenty cavasses While proceeding to the Austrian Consulate's they met a party ot robels, who fired a volley, and Gordon and Mahornmed Muatapha fell dead.

Hassan Bey in Command of Troops. Cairo, February 15. -At the request of General Wolseley, Hassan Bey, a brother of the Khodivo, has assumed command of the Egyptian troops in tioudan, with the title ot Go\ernor-General. Hassan Bey wanted his acceptance made a condition upon recruiting four thousand Turkish soldiers, but finally agreed tv accept the command of the Egyptians.

Gordon's Presentiment London, February 11th. — General Gordon, before hi- departuie on his mission to the Soudan, told a personal friend, who now makes tho story public, he entertained a presentiment that he would never return trom Khaitoum. Gordon said tho pro- ! sentiment was distinct and intense, and he could not push it off. Throughout hi." entire lite, he said, he had always been stiongly and correctly alFected by presentiments. During hi-* military caieerin China he was guided by them, but neve>, oven in the moat cubical moments ot th »t eventful period, had he ever expected death. The friend also asserts that in pursuance of his belief in the presentiment which covered him with its shadow before he started for Khartoum, General Gordon actually bestowed upon his chosen friends all hw trinkets and mementoes A curious coincidence is that the fall of Kharroum occurred upon the anniversary of '-eneral Gordon's departure for Khartoum from Cairo a year ago, and also on his 52nd birthday.