LORD WOLSELEY AND GENERAL GORDON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1122, 25 February 1885, Page 3

LORD WOLSELEY AND GENERAL GORDON.

When the first boats with troops on board had succeeded in passing the Third .Cataract of the Nile, in November last, Lord Wolseley issued the following proclamation, which will now be read with melancholy interest by most of our readers. The critical reader will probably obseive .thatj though Lord Wolseley speaks confidently of the rescue of General Gordon, the language he uses, nevertheless, suggests, the existence of a deep undercurrent of orsgiving in his lordship's roiud. The* following is Lord Wolseley's proclamation :—: —

" To th.c soldiers and sailors of the Nile expedition. — The relief of General Gordon and his garrison, so long besieged in Khartoum, is the glorious mission which the Queen has entrusted to us. It is an enterprise that will sdr the heart of every soldier and sailor fortunate enough to have bean selected to share in it. The very magnitude of its difficulties only stimulates us to increased exertion.

" We are all proud of General Gordon's gallant:, self-sacrificing defence of Khartoum, which has added, if possible, to his already high . reputation. He cannot hold out many months longer, and he now calls upon us to save his garrison. His heroism and patriotism are household words wherever our language is spoken, and not only has his safety become a matter of national importance, but the knowledge that a brave comrade is in need of help urges us to push forward with redoubled energy. Neither he nor his garrison can be allowed to meet the sad fate which, bef el his gallant companion in arms, Colonel Stewart, who, when endeavoring to carry out an enterprise of unusual danger, was cruelly and treacherously murdered by his ciptors. We can, aud will, with God's help, save General Gordon from such a death.

"The labor of working up this river is immense, and to bear it uncomplainingly demands the highest soldierly qualities — that contempt for danger and that determination to overcome difficulties which in previous campaigns have so distingu-'shed all ranks of Her Majesty's army and navy. The physical obstacles that impede our rapid progress are considerable ; but who cares for them, when it is remembered that General Gordon and his garrison are in danger? Under God their safety is now in your hands, and, come what may, we must' save them. To British soldiers and sailors it is needless to say more."