Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1885 — CAPTURE OF KHARTOUM. [ARTICLE]

CAPTURE OF KHARTOUM.

It Falls Into the Hands of the False Prophet the 26th ✓ of January. Gen. Gordon Either a Prisoner or Killed —Treacherous Arabs Flocking to the MahdL [London cablegram.] The streets are filled with an anxious and dismayed people, eager to catch the last syllable ot intelligence from the distant Egyptian desert. Universal depression has taken the place of tho jubilant gladness which a few days ago greeted the news of Stewart's victory near Metemneh. This exciting state of affairs is dne to the fact that intelligence was received this morning that Khartoum had been captured} by the Arabian rebels. Nothing is known of General Gordon, who is probably a prisoner in the hands of the victors. A Cabinet counsel has been summoned to meet at onoe. Gladstone is fearfully disturbed by the news, and some people belieye he will resign. According to the Daily Chronicle , the firs! telegram was reoeived at the War Offioe last night from Gen Wolseley the Daily Telegraph, asserting that it did so on official authority, published the report, which, no' to noon, was not confirmed by the War Office. Shortly after noon the War Offioe made public a telegram from Gen Wolseley announcing that the fall of Khartoum took place on Jan 26. CoL Wilson arrived at Khartoum Jan 28, and greatly surprised to find that the enemy were.in possession of that place. Hs immediately started on his return down the river and proceeded under a heavy fire from the rebels. When some miles below the Shublaka cataract CoL Wilson’s steamers were wrecked, bnt he and bis whole party managed to reach an island in safety, where they are secure. A steamer has gone to bring them back to the British camp near Metemmeh. Gen Wolseley says he has no information regarding the fate of Gen Gordon* and does not know whether he is dead or alive. Further details reveal the fact that the first news of the fall of Khartoum received by Gen. Wolseley was brought by a messenges, who left the island where Gen Wilson got stranded and came on foot to Gnbat. Two messengers were dispatched to Korti, via Abu-Klea and Gakdul. They reached their destination, which is regarded as owing to the news that Khartonm’s fall was not known in the desert. The intelligence of the disaster* however, has sinoe spread far and wide. Borne tribes that hitherto professed friendship for England have declare'd for El Mahdi The Arabs still hold Metemneh. The garrison there received the news of the fall of Khartoum with repeated salvos of artillery. When Col. Wilson’s flotilla approached Khartoum he was compelled to run the gauntlet of a heavy fire from both banks. The rebels had four Krupp guns on the river banks at Halfiyeh to bombard the steamers. When the British force reached Omdurman numbers of rebels continued the fusillade. Things looked worse when it was discovered that the enemy waa in possesion of the island of Tuti, just outside the city. The English still pushed ahead, but were dismayed to find that the garrison commenced firing upon them. No flags were flying from the public buildings, and the town appeared in undisputed possession of the enemy. The palace seemed gutted. Finding it impossible to land in face of the overwhelming numbers of rebels, the British were obliged, to retire. The rumors concerning the fate of Gen. Gordon are many and varied, bnt all agree that El Mahdi captured Khartoum by treachery. The most reliable reports point to one Faraz Pasha as the traitor. It is said that he, being left in charge of the ramparts, opened the gates on Jan. 26 and admitted the enemy. Some rumors, state that El Mahdi, together with a few Levantines, is cooped np in the church. Others say that Gen. Gordon was seen wearing El Mahdl’a uniform. The majority agree, however, that Gen. Gordon was killed. CoL Wilson had three steamers, two of which were wrecked half-way between Khartoum and Metemneh. The third steamer, bearing CoL Wortiey, came on, and brought the news to the British camp near Metemneh. Lord Wolseley does not consider the British position at Gnbat in, any immediate danger. Gen. Stewart is doing well. All the British wounded have been brought back to the camp at Gakdul Wells.; A native reports that the Mahdi had 60,000 men. in the vicinity of Khartoum, and he introduced a number of his emissaries into the city. These emissaries mingled freely with the native troops under Gen. Gordon, and by bribes, threats, and working on their religious feelings induced them to mutiny. Seven thousand of tho garrison deserted to the rebels, leaving Gen. Gordon only 2,500 faithful soldiers. With this small force he attempted to hold the city against the Mahdi’s great army, but after severe fighting, in which a large number of rebels were killed, he was compelled to surrender. Wilfrid Blunt, the friend and counsel for Arabi Pasha, says that it is his opinion that El Mahdi, being humane and well accustomed to the usages of war, will treat Gen. Gordon welL