Autograph letter signed by Gordon of Khartoum (Charles G.) Sudan dated 1884

GORDON, Charles G. (Gordon of Khartoum 1833-1885) Autograph letter signed to Charles Stanley Monck, 4th Viscount Governor General of Canada 
 
5 Rockstone Place, Southampton, 14 January 1884.
 
Bifolium (c. 180 x 110 mm), written on two sides. Light horizontal fold line, minor handling wear; very good.
 
A significant letter written on the eve of Gordon’s fateful summons to undertake the Sudan mission, in which he outlines his intention to travel to Brussels in connection with a proposed appointment in the Congo under Leopold II of Belgium: “I am going to town tomorrow and to Brussels on Wednesday to wait decision of Govt as to my going to Congo. I do not yet know if my resignation is accepted or not. I drifted into this Congo business and promised the King of the Belgians.” He adds a personal note of regard, “I hope you & Lady Stanley & your family are well,” addressing Monck informally as “Sir Charles.”
 
The letter captures a fork in the road moment for Gordon. On the day following its writing, 15 January 1884, he was summoned to the War Office by Garnet Wolseley to discuss the situation in the Sudan. Although he proceeded briefly towards Brussels, he was immediately recalled; within days he had accepted the British government’s request to go to Egypt, leading to his appointment as Governor-General of the Sudan, the subsequent events and his death at Khartoum.