A Narrative of the Expedition to Dongola and Sennaar: Under the Command of His Excellence Ismael Pasha, undertaken; by Order of His Highness Mehemmed Ali Pasha, Viceroy of; Egypt, By An American In The Service Of The Viceroy — John Shaqi
A Narrative of the Expedition to Dongola and Sennaar: Under the Command of His Excellence Ismael Pasha, undertaken; by Order of His Highness Mehemmed Ali Pasha, Viceroy of; Egypt, By An American In The Service Of The ViceroyEnglish, George Bethune
History
A Narrative of the Expedition to Dongola and Sennaar: Under the Command of His Excellence Ismael Pasha, undertaken; by Order of His Highness Mehemmed Ali Pasha, Viceroy of; Egypt, By An American In The Service Of The Viceroy
English, George Bethune
Dunqulah (Sudan) -- History; Sennar (Sudan) -- History; Sudan -- History -- 1821-1881; Sudan -- History -- To 1821
On the 12th of Rebi, I passed over to the camp of the Pasha. I did not
however obtain an audience of his Excellence till two days after, when,
being alone, he sent for me, and received me in the most nattering
manner, ordering me as usual to sit in his presence. After the usual
compliments, I informed his Excellence that I had been much mortified
and distressed, that the act of God, in depriving me of the use of my
eyes a few days before his Excellence left Wady Halfa, had prevented
me from accompanying his victorious march, and participating in the
exploits of his troops; so that I had not arrived till there was nothing
left to do. His Excellence replied that a "great deal more remained to
be done, in which I should have a share." I replied with a compliment,
and then demanded horses and camels for myself, and the soldiers I
had brought with me; he replied "that I should have them." After some
further conversation, of a confidential nature, I retired. During the
nine days following, I had reason to applaud the humanity and good
policy of the Pasha, in offering amnesty and peace to all the brigands
who should come in and surrender themselves. Several of their chiefs,
whom they call "Maleks" accompanied by their followers, came in while
the camp remained near Meroe. The chiefs were presented with costly
habiliments, and the written protection of his Excellence, recognizing
them as under his safeguard; and returned with their followers to
their homes, tranquillized and contented. The most rigid discipline
was observed in the camp, to prevent the people of the country from
suffering by the presence of the army. Some soldiers and domestics were
severely beaten for taking sheep and goats without paying for them,
and five of the Abbadies (or auxiliaries mounted on dromedaries) were
impaled for having seized some camels from the peasants. It was truly
honorable to the army and its commander to see villages embosomed in a
camp, whose inhabitants, men, women and children, pursued their usual
occupations, without molestation and without fear. In the country below,
which had been the scene of combat, the fields were deserted, and for
several days I had not seen a peasant at work upon the ground. In
the vicinity of the camp of the Pasha, where the people had submitted
themselves, the discordant creak of the water-wheels frequently
attracted the ear, and the peasants cultivated their fields within
musket shot of the camp of a conqueror.
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