One hundred years ago
The Times correspondent at Khar- toum telegraphed on March 16 that General Gordon's attack on the in- surgent Sheikhs had been defeated, part- ly by the cowardice of the Egyptian soldiers, who broke without fighting, and partly by the treachery of two Pashas, who rode into the square and cut down their own gunners. They were tried by court-martial and shot, by General Gordon's order. The Mandi has, moreover, rejected the Sultanship of Kordofan, and sent to General Gor- don a Dervish's robe, with an order to turn Mahommedan. The General is, therefore, standing on the defensive; but in his letters he hoped, when the Nile rises, to give a good account of his enemies, the steamers then aiding his efforts. Steamers are excellent places for Egyptian troops, as they cannot run away.
Spectator, 5 April 1884
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