This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.
GENERAL GORDON:
SAINT AND SOLDIER.
By
J. WARDLE, C.C.,
a personal friend.
nottingham:
Henry B. Saxton, King Street.
1904.
p. 3PREFACE.
Nothing but the greatest possible pressure from my many kind friends who have heard my lecture on “General Gordon: Saintand Soldier,” who knew of my intimacy with him, and had seen some of the letters referred to, would have induced me to narrate this little story of a noble life. I am greatly indebted to many friends, authors, and newspapers, for extracts and incidents, etc., etc.; and to them I beg to offer my best thanks and humble apology. This book is issued in the hope,that, with all its imperfections, it may inspire the young men ofour times to imitate the Christ-like spirit and example of our illustrious and noble hero, C. G. Gordon.
J. Wardle.
p. 5THIS BRIEF STORY
of a
NOBLE, SAINTLY and HEROIC LIFE,
I Dedicate with Much Affection
To My Son,
JOSEPH GORDON WARDLE
—Sir William Jones.
p. 9INDEX.
Chapter I.—Introduction—Gordon’s birth, parentage and school—His first experience of warfarein the Crimea—His display of exceptional soldierly qualities—The storming of Sebastopol and its fall.
Chapter II.—Gordon assisting to lay down frontiers in Russia, Turkey and Armenia—Gordon in China—Burning of the Summer Palace—Chinese rebellion and its suppression.
Chapter III.—Gordon at Manchester—My experiences with him—Ragged School work—Amongst the poor, the old, the sick—Some of his letters to me, showing his deep solicitude for the lads.
Chapter IV.—Gordon’s letters—Leaflet,&c.—His work at Gravesend—Amongst his “Kings”—His call to foreign service, and leave taking—The public regret.
Chapter V.—His first appointment as Governor General of the Soudan—His journey to, and his arrival at Khartoum—His many difficulties—His visit to King Johnof Abyssinia, and resignation.
Chapter VI.—Gordon’s return to Egypt and welcome by the Khedive—Home again—A second visit to China—Soudan very unsettled—The Madhi winning battles—Hicks Pasha’s army annihilated—Gordon sent for; agrees again to go to Khartoum.
p. 10Chapter VII.—Gordon’s starting for Khartoum (2nd appointment)—His arrival and reception—Khartoum surrounded—Letter from the Madhi to Gordon—Gordon’s reply—His many and severe trials in Khartoum.
Chapter VIII.—Expedition of Lord Wolseley’sto relieve Gordon—Terrible marches in the desert—Battle of Abu