The Egyptians had taken up a strong position on the left of the
Kelbson (or Dog River), and as it became necessary to dislodge them,
Commodore Napier marched out of cantonments on the 24th, to effect
that object. He had with him four Turkish battalions under Selim
Pacha, the 2nd battalion of Royal Marines under Captain Fegan, and an
Austrian rocket detachment under Alfiere di Vasielli Baldisiretto.
The ground on either side of the Kelbson is very high and
precipitous, and would afford its defenders very great advantages
over an attacking party. To counteract this, a Turkish battalion
descended unobserved near the entrance of the gorge, through which
the Dog River runs, and gained the heights on the opposite side; the
marines and Austrian rocket detachment crossed higher up, crowned the
heights, and advanced on the enemy's position about two leagues off.
The Turkish battalion remained in position to cover the right in the
event of Suliman Pacha advancing from Beyrout to disturb their
operations.
The enemy then took up a new position on the heights of Ornochojonen,
in consequence of observing the advance of three Turkish battalions
to attack them.
The Turks advanced with great gallantry, General Jochmus, the chief
of the staff, accompanied by the Commodore's aid-de-camp, Lieutenant
Bradley, of the 'Powerful,' put himself at the head of the
skirmishers, and showed a gallant example, which was admirably
followed by Selim Pacha, at the head of a battalion well supported by
the people of the country.
The enemy's skirmishers were speedily driven in, and their main body,
consisting of some 700 men, fired two volleys and retired in great
confusion; the Turks following them up with so much vigour that
between 400 and 500 prisoners were made and the rest dispersed.
Lieutenant Bradley, from the way in which he particularly exposed
himself in front of the skirmishers, was highly spoken of in the
despatch. In this operation, which opened the whole of the Kata
district, and enabled a number of mountaineers to obtain arms, none
of the British were killed or wounded. The next day the Commodore
recrossed the river to his former position, and made preparations for
an attack on Sidon.