General Charles Gordon (Part 2 - Gordon of Khartoum)
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Published 2022-02-18
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General Gordon was killed when the city was stormed in January 1885 during the Sudanese Mahdist revolt and his death reached legendary heights as an example of heroism, selflessness and acceptance of duty in Queen Victoria’s British Empire. This is the story of General Charles Gordon of Khartoum…the man and the legend.
If you missed the first part of this story then watch it by clicking the link below:
• General Charles Gordon (Part 1 - Chi...
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
Charles George Gordon was a general in the British Army who served with distinction in the Crimean War and then in China during the Taiping Rebellions where he was dubbed “Chinese Gordon” by the British Press.
General Gordon was appointed Governor-General of the Egyptian province of Sudan where he attempted to curb the Arab slave trade.
Always a maverick, who had a reputation of disobeying orders, Charles Gordon was also a mystical evangelical Christian.
Disillusioned with the corruption of Egyptian officials he resigned his position in Sudan and returned to Britain.
Just over a year after his departure, a Suffi mystic called Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself to be the Mahdi and vowed to rid Sudan of its Egyptian overlords.
The Sudanese Mahdist revolt swept all before it.
Apart from some pockets on the coast, the Egyptian presence was confined to the city of Khartoum.
Gordon was sent by the British government back to Khartoum with strict orders to organise an evacuation of Egyptian troops and foreign civilians.
Gordon, or Gordon Pasha as he was known in Sudan, ignored those orders and set about organising a defence of the city.
The Mahdi’s army soon besieged Khartoum.
The siege of Khartoum lasted nearly a year from 1884-1885.
Cut off and with food supplies dwindling, Gordon appealed to the British government to send a military expedition to relieve the city (and defeat the Mahdist revolt in the process. Exactly what the British Prime Minister, Gladstone, had been wary of all along.
With the Press now clamouring to rescue their darling, now referred to Gordon of Khartoum, the government felt compelled to organise a military expedition under General Sir Garnett Wolseley.
Eventually on the 28th January, a small flotilla of steamboats carrying a 20-man advance guard of British soldiers arrived at Khartoum only to discover that the siege of Khartoum had ended 2 days before hand as the Mahdist army (often called “Dervishes” by the British) had stormed the city killing General Charles Gordon.
Charles George Gordon was now elevated from hero to an almost mystical status of Gordon of Khartoum.
The famous painting of General Gordon's death “Gordon’s Last Stand” shows him meekly accepting death as a Christian martyr against the forces of Islam.
Whether that is exactly how Gordon died is a matter of dispute but the Victorian PR machine went into overdrive and the legend of Gordon of Khartoum became a cornerstone in the story of the British Empire.
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
All Comments (21)
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Wow, I'm speachless - what a story, what a man. Told by a passionate historian.
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A wonderfully told story about the perils of being Gordon. Woolsey certainly had taken his sweet time preparing for the expedition. Well done, amigo 👏 👍 I enjoyed the content of intrepid British soldiers in service for the empire.
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Two films that had gotten me interested in British colonial and African history was Zulu and Khartoum. When I started wargaming in the early 80s I had inerest for this period and I started colecting figures after 85. Around 95 I amassed around 800 Zulus, but didn't work on the Sudan. Sometime in the early 2000s I started working on the Sudan, but it wasn't around 2012 that the Mahdis army had grown too over 2000 15mm miniatures and the British and Egyptian over 500+. Now watching your show has gotten a fire in me to march on Khartoum and save Gordon.
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I sincerely hope this channel gets the appreciation it deserves, and think we may be seeing a new mark felton or lindybiegie
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My Dad, who passed 4 Jan, would have loved your channel. His Master's thesis was about the Boxer Rebellion. I didn't see any videos on this subject on your channel..would love to hear your take. 🙂
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" Khartoum" was the first real movie I ever saw as a 7 year old in a old cinema in Dodoma Tanzania in 1968 i think lol - i loved that movie , i have it on dvd and I love the line Charlton Heston utters ....." I'll have you shot !!!" - the dignity , the honour , the sacrifice were themes I never forgot - oh for pure altruism !!!! :-)
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This has to be one of the most fascinating wars ever
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Great video as always. It was Gordon that got me into history. My Grandmother used to have a picture of him on the wall draped in black cloth (very Victorian) to commemorate his death it was that that spurred me on into learning about him when i was a kid. The pictute had been in the family for years. Sadly that picture disappeared along time ago as I would loved to have owned it today.
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Found this channel via his Zulu videos, loved them,I really like the way he paints the whole picture,from politics to fighting
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Amazing how tough these men were.
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I have never heard of this part of the history of Britain. I love it because you are teaching me so much and giving me a greater appreciation of British military history. Thank you!
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Another fascinating subject,well covered and knowledgeable l live in Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 and near the old treasury building,at the top of town,there is a statue of General Gordon ,erected by the grateful people of the then colony of Victoria ,in his memory.
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Can't stop watching The History Chap's videos. Hoping he does some on the American Revolution.
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Hi Chris! Excellent video. I wanted to find out more about this because I've just read Wilbur Smith's book Triumph of the Sun, that is based around the Siege of Khartoum. Fantastic read and intense! Gordon was definitely a courageous man who refused to give way, and who should be remembered. Thanks again and I'm looking forward to watching your other videos!
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Very good presentation , thanks . Really enjoyable . A lot of work too!
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This was absolutely brilliant, its so hard to find great quality videos such as this that cover this topic and time period. Thank you !
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Great Job ! It's sometimes too easy to paint a picture of someone when using only the military outcomes as a picture of someone who has failed . Fetterman ( Sioux 1866 ) Custer ( Sioux 1876 ) , Chelmsford ( Isandlwana 1879 ) . Personalities picture greatly in understanding why ? Ego , Pride , underestimating your enemy . Lack of Communication or ignoring them play a part . In the end ? The fallen are idolized and those who made the mistake and did not die like the fallen , are shamed . Ismay ( Titanic 1912 ) . Again , Great Job !
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Excellent Chris!...and a great subject too. You had me captivated as always...Thank you Sir!
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Charlton Heston portrayed Gordon PERFECTLY in Khartoum. If anyone hasn't seen this movie you need to!
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Gordon was a complex character but did put his money to good use in funding poor schools and other charitable works in Gravesend Kent - still remembered.
