One hundred years ago
Lord Wolseley has decided to make an immediate rush on Metemneh, close to Shendy, where the Mahdi . has stationed a force variously estimated at from 5,000 to 3,000 men. Metemneh once cleared, the short road to Shendy is open; and at Shendy General Gordon had recently four steamers watching for the arrival of the British. General Wolseley, therefore, has sent two con- voys of supplies.to Gakdul; and General Stewart, who had returned to Korti, was to proceed to Gakdul on the 8th inst. with all mounted men and 400 of the Sussex Regiment. He would adv- ance on Metemneh at once, and it is hoped that he would arrive there on the 15th inst.; but to do this, the Mahdi's force must have been previously over- thrown. It is posted, it is believed, on a spur of the hills which stretch down almost to Metemneh; but of its strength or composition nothing appears to be accurately known. General Stewart's whole force cannot exceed 2,000 men, but it is believed to be adequate, even if the Soudanese fight as desperately as at El Teb. Shendy once occupied, the remainder of the force can be for- warded thither by the desert route, while General Stewart proceeds either in steamers or along the bank of the river to Khartoum, 110 miles away.
Spectator, 10 January 1885
Previous page
