THE RESCUE OF COLONEL WILSON AND HIS MEN.

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

THE RESCUE OF COLONEL WILSON AND HIS MEN.

LoN' on, February 10.— A despatch from Korti, dated February 9th, says : Lord Beresiord has returned in safety to Gubat, bringing with him Colonel W lsnn and paity, who were stranded on an island borne distance up the Mile while returning from Khartoum Some difficulty was experienced in fetching away the stranded party, for the rebels on the river banks kept up a constant firing, and shortly aftei the party embarked a bullet from a rebel rifle pierced the boiler of the steamer, makii/g it necessary to anchor under fire and make repairs. The British fire, how ever, took effect, and the rebels were driven oft". Immediately after reaching Gubat tjolonel ilson started for Korti to roport in person to Lord Woleeley the details of his reconnoissance at Khartoum.

Additional Details. Lord Wol^elm tolegraphs further particulars of Beresford's rescuo of Colonel Wilson :—": — " When the steamer had gone down the river about three miles, a battery of the enemy on the left bank opened fire upon it. The steamer returned the fire, i which was kept up while it anchored tor repairs. Meanwhile Colonel Wilson, with a small party, took four guns and landed on the right bank. The party marched down tho river till directl< opposite the battery, put their guns in position and opened fire. Much assistance was thus rendered to Lord Charles in keeping the fire of the enemy down, and at sunset Colonel Wilson and party marched on three miles farther down the river and halted for the night, and weie there joined by Lord Charles the following morning The steamer mean whilo had another engagement with the rebel battery, but succeeded in passing it without serious harm Colonel Wilson and party were again taken un board, and the steamer proceeded to Gubat without further difficulty. During the passage from the island to I «>ubat one man was killed and seven injured." Lord Wolseley concludes his dcs patch with these words : "I cannot speak too highly of the pluck of Lord Charles Beresford and party. Colonel Wilson's men, likewise, behaved admirably, and with the usual determination of English men." Gubat is strongly fortified to resist a possible siege. A fort has been constructed, triangular in shape, with deep ditches in front, and brushwood and wirework out side, to impede the enemy in the event of an attack.