From 12th Oct. to 20th Oct. 1884.
EVENTS OF KARTOUM.
Together with a paper, Intelligence Department, on False Prophet.[118]
To be pruned down if published.
C. G. GORDON.
[JOURNAL.]
October 12.—Post left for Metemma by Towfikia to-day. I am almost decided to evacuate Halfeyeh, and put Shaggyeh, now there, at Goba.[119] I dug up a shell yesterday which was at the foot of a lay figure at north side, and see that the reason of their (the shells) not proving fatal is that they are buried too deep, and their force is expended laterally—a man must be over them to be hurt. Of course this would be remedied in regular warfare. Were I to put them out again, I would lay the shells on the surface of the ground, hiding the fuses or ignitors, and run the risk of their being seen. Men going to assault a place do not pick their steps, as if they were crossing a street. I have ordered the concentration of guns on part of lines opposite to which Arabs bombard us. I have ordered silence for the two or three first rounds of the Arabs, and then to give them some salvoes.