Khartoum and Gordon As soon as Major General Gordon reached Khartoum, the Sudanese rejoiced greatly, believing that Gordon would surely bring them soldiers who would force the Mahdi to accept such terms and prevent him from advancing to Khartoum. However, the Mahdi was submissive and accepted Gordon's terms without question.

If there had been soldiers, even a few thousand, Gordon would have been able to repel the Mahdi and prevent him from advancing. The British and Khedivial governments, not wanting to abandon him, sent him telegrams.

Among these was a notification that he was the hope of the Mahdi.

And Ali sent proclamations by telegraph acknowledging the Mahdi's authority over the Sudan and that he had been appointed by the British government, as stated in his letter to the Mahdi.

He added that he had waived arrears of taxes and public funds and waived taxes for three years in the future.

A telegram was sent to Hussein Suri Pasha from the Residency, appointing Colonel de Cottrell in his place, an Englishman who had been in Omdurman for a year.

The Director of Khartoum and the actual Director.