Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849; Syria -- History; Turkey -- History -- 1829-1878
“You may naturally suppose that Ibrahim Pacha is not blind to our
proceedings, and that he will know the weakening of our camp by the
absence of our forces going with you. I therefore recommend your return
as speedily as possible after arming the people about Sidon. My letters
from Alexandretta are so anxious for a ship that I shall send the
Magicienne to Captain Stewart to order him there. Mr. Werry, our Consul,
has been directed to quit, or remain prisoner in his house; he has
chosen the latter. Much more efficient measures are taken there to
oppose our proceedings than we find here. Tongues are cut out if persons
are found to congregate contrary to the orders of Ibrahim.
“Yours, &c.,
“ROBERT STOPFORD.”
“September 25, 11 o’clock.
“My dear Admiral,
“I shall be back as quick as possible. Depend upon it Ibrahim Pacha will
not touch our camp; the worst thing he could do would be to come in
contact with us; he will not know of my absence before I return. Steam
gives us a great superiority, and we shall keep them moving. I have
pointed out to Jochmus what he must do under any circumstances.
“Believe me,
“Yours, &c.,
“CHARLES NAPIER.”
At midnight we left Beyrout with the Gorgon and Cyclops, having a
battalion of marines, 500 strong, under Captain Morrison, and a Turkish
battalion of like force, commanded by Kourschid Aga. My broad pennant
was on board the Gorgon, which, by the bye, was quite irregular, as a
blue pennant cannot be moved, and any Captain might have objected
serving under it, unless appointed to the ship where it was flying. The
general printed instructions provided a remedy, by authorizing the
Commander-in-Chief to substitute a red pennant, which, however, the
Admiral, for reasons of which I am not aware, did not think proper to
do.
At daylight next morning, the castles of Sidon, the twin sister of Tyre,
the emporium of commerce in days gone by, appeared above the horizon,
and the squadron under Captain Berkeley close at hand, anxiously
expecting our arrival. Seeing no mountaineers at Damour, we pushed on at
once to Sidon, which was summoned, and, on receiving no answer by eleven
o’clock, the attack began, the description of which I give in my letter
to the Admiral, together with his to the Admiralty:
“Princess Charlotte, D’Jounie Bay,
October 4, 1840.
“Sir,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account