The British force at this time consisted of the following ships:--The
'Princess Charlotte,' 110 flag-ship; 'Powerful,' 84, Commodore
Napier; 'Ganges,' 84; 'Bellerophon,' 80; 'Thunderer,' 84; 'Benbow,'
74; 'Edinburgh,' 76; 'Revenge,' 76; 'Hastings,' 74; 'Castor,' 36;
'Pique,' 36; 'Carysfort,' 26; 'Zebra,' 16; and four steamers.
The Turkish squadron under Admiral Walker consisted of one
line-of-battle ship, three 50-gun frigates, two corvettes, and one
brig. There were also two Austrian frigates and one corvette.
On the evening of the 9th, the Turkish troops and marines were moved
into the steam-boats, which the following morning proceeded off
Beyrout Point to draw the enemy's troops in that direction. At 10
the 'Powerful,' 'Pique,' 'Castor,' 'Carysfort,' 'Daphne,' and 'Wasp,'
with Admiral Walker in a Turkish line-of-battle ship, a frigate, and
corvette, weighed and stood towards D'Jounie. While the 'Castor' and
one steamer anchored off Nahr-el-Kelb, and landed a Turkish battalion
to keep the Egyptians in check, the rest of the squadron anchored off
D'Jounie, where the whole of the troops under the judicious
arrangements of Admiral Walker and Captain Reynolds were landed by
four o'clock. The heights were forthwith occupied by the troops; and
the Commodore's head-quarters were established in a Maronite chapel,
which had a gun placed in it, and was otherwise fortified. A couple
of companies of marines, under Captain Childs, were sent to reinforce
the Turks at Nahr-el-Kelb, and a battalion was posted in the village
of Zug, about a league distant from the camp. Beyond them, a couple
of battalions of Turks occupied a strong position, having their left
flank protected by an impassable gorge. After the troops were
landed, the ships and steamers took up positions to protect the
flanks of the camp, should it be attacked. Admiral Stopford, with
the 'Princess Charlotte,' 'Bellerophon,' 'Ganges,' 'Thunderer,'
'Edinburgh,' 'Hastings,' 'Benbow,' and the Austrian squadron,
remained at Beyrout, which, though they cannonaded it for several
days, still held out. The 'Zebra' and the Austrian frigate
'Guerriera' covered the bridge near the quarantine ground, and the
'Revenge' was stationed in the bay between it and the Dog River to
harass the enemy, and give timely notice at head-quarters should they
advance. The first day the inhabitants who had been driven into the
mountains came in slowly for arms; but the few who did so accepted
them eagerly and returned to the mountains to drive away the Emir
Bechir's troops and open the mountain passes. This being done the
sheiks and their mountaineer followers crowded in numbers under the
standard of the Sultan.
The Commodore having entrenched his position, pushed forward his
troops, and himself led an expedition a considerable distance to
reconnoitre the position of the Egyptian General Osman at Merouba.
While the cannonading was going on at Beyrout, the Indian Mail
arrived; and Suliman Pacha, the Governor, to show his courtesy and
forbearance, hoisted a flag of truce, and delivered the mail, with a
polite message, assuring the British that all letters to and from
India should be carefully forwarded.
The Admiral, not to be outdone in politeness, sent a package of wine
to the Pacha, rightly conjecturing that it would not prove an
unwelcome present.
On the 2nd of October, an Egyptian gunner, who had deserted, came on
board the 'Hastings,' at Beyrout, and gave information that a train
had been laid along the bridge to the eastern castle, where a large
quantity of powder was concealed; and he undertook to guide a party
to cut the train and seize the powder.
Commander Worth at once offered to perform this dangerous service,
and numbers volunteered to follow him. He embarked in one of the
boats of the 'Hastings,' protected by the launch and pinnace of the
'Edinburgh,' and covered by the fire of the ships. Dashing on, in
the face of a heavy fire of musketry, he landed on the bridge, cut
off the train, and then forced his way into the castle, over the
walls of which he threw some 60 or 70 barrels of powder, and
succeeded in bringing off 31 barrels more.
Unfortunately, in this service, Mr. Luscomb, a midshipman of the
'Hastings,' was killed; the Egyptian, and two seamen of the
'Hastings,' and one of the 'Edinburgh,' were wounded.