[Gutenberg 49224] • The Journals of Major-Gen. C. G. Gordon, C.B., at Kartoum.

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to [www.million-books.com](http://www.million-books.com) where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE MISSION OF COLONEL SIB CHARLES WILSON, R.E., K.C.M.G. Vebt severe criticisms have been made upon the manner in which Sir Charles Wilson carried out the duties that had been entrusted to him, with regard to communicating with General Gordon at Kartoum. The charges made against him may be with advantage restricted to two: ? First: The delay in not proceeding to Kartoum at the latest on the morning of the 22nd; and Second: In not having pushed on to Kartoum itself in order to ascertain General Gordon's fate beyond a doubt. Sir Charles Wilson left England in order to assume the position of Head of the Intelligence Department, and also with the tacit understanding that he was to be specially employed in order to open direct communication with General Gordon. Having this special object in view, Sir Charles Wilson accompanied Sir Herbert Stewart's force towards the Nile; and, when that gallant and highly-distinguished officer was wounded on the 19th January, he found himself in command. Now this force, which did not equal a British battalion upon its war strength, was hampered with a number of wounded officers and men, some of whom were with it, while others ? the bulk ? were in a zereba constructed at some distance in its rear. Sir Charles Wilson, however, advanced to the Nile, where he bivouacked for the night; and on the morning of the 20th he returned to the zereba, and brought back with him to Gubat the wounded who had been left behind. Early in the morning of the 21st, General Gordon's steamers appeared, and landed their soldiers, who took part in the operations of that day. Reports now reached Sir Charles Wilson that, exclusive of the Arabs in Metemma, large numbers were advancing from the north and from the south. It therefore became imperative...