“General Michell had not been consulted, nor had any questions been asked of Colonel Bridgeman, Majors Robe and Wilbraham, or myself, as to the state of the Gaza road, although we had been nearly halfway to that place. I will merely add, (having, since that period, twice travelled the road by daylight,) that nearly the whole of it is a sandy soil, and I should say the rain which had fallen had rather been beneficial than otherwise. “If we had disapproved of the expedition in the first instance, how much greater was our mortification at having to abandon it after having come in contact with the enemy. “We learned afterwards that the Egyptian cavalry, with whom we had been engaged at Medjdel, was making its customary reconnoissance to ascertain if any movement had been made on the part of the Turks, as well as to forage: and that, in all probability, the action had been brought on by the dashing conduct of Colonel Rose in charging their advanced picquet.” Footnote 29: See _Levant Papers_, Part III., p. 288. Footnote 30: _General Michell to Viscount Palmerston._ December 31, 1840. Our situation will be very embarrassing until the negotiations are terminated, since any act of hostility on our part may be construed into a breach of faith, and may disturb arrangements half concluded. I am, therefore, anxiously expecting orders from Lord Ponsonby upon the subject. In the meantime his Excellency’s latest instructions to General Jochmus, and upon which he is prepared and resolved to act with energy, dictate a continuance of offensive operations. Footnote 31: Alluding to the probability of his retiring by D’Jenin. Footnote 32: He does not give the date. Footnote 33: Captain Stewart and General Michell do not confirm this. Footnote 34: _General Jochmus to Admiral Stopford._ Head-quarters, Jaffa, Jan. 17, 1841. Sir, I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that on the 14th instant I directed a division of ten battalions of infantry, 1800 irregular and Tatar horse, 150 regular cavalry, and 14 pieces of artillery, to march from Ramla towards Gaza. This latter village is abandoned by the enemy, who has a flying camp of 1200 regular and 1800 irregular horse, with eight pieces of horse artillery, at three-quarters of an hour’s march south of Gaza, whence he draws his forage and provisions: but ravages, at the same time, the country, carrying off cattle and mules to a great extent from most of the villages south of Ramla. The object of my movement was the protection of these villages, but principally the destruction of the enemy’s provisions at Gaza, in case Ibrahim Pacha, distressed in the Desert, should have struck off south of the Dead Sea towards Gaza.