Detail of the Retreat of the Egyptians—Treacherous Intentions of
the Turkish Authorities—Decided Conduct of the British
Officers—Guarantees exchanged—Fright of Rechid Pacha—Letter
from Ibrahim to the Seraskier—The Author’s Letters to Lords
Minto and Palmerston.
On the 22nd of January General Jochmus wrote to the Seraskier from
Jerusalem[61] that as Ibrahim had passed to the south of the Dead Sea,
with his disorganized army, there was no necessity for negociation, and
that Baron Dumont corroborated the complete defeat of the Egyptians. (I
suppose he means the taking of Maan, defended by twenty men, for we have
had no account of any action, therefore there could not be a defeat.)
The Baron appears to have been within gun-shot of Ibrahim’s columns and
did not see the artillery; it was therefore concluded that the guns were
buried in the Desert, but I believe it will be found that they all
arrived safe at Cairo; at all events we have not heard of their having
been dug up.
“The cavalry,” observes the General, “are reduced to 2500 horses and 700
dismounted horsemen, in a miserable condition, and if it had not been
for the Convention”—(oh! that Convention!)—“two battalions, in the
almost impracticable passes of Wadi-el-Ghor, would have been sufficient
to stop the columns.” To catch a bird you must put salt on his tail,—to
stop the columns they must have come _through_ the Ghor, which,
according to Col. Napier, they never did, having only _crossed_ it to
the south of the Dead Sea, on their way to Gaza.
Hassan Pacha, who commanded the division to which Colonel Napier was
attached, reported that he had sent a safe conduct to Achmet Menikli
Pacha, commander of the Egyptian cavalry, and that his officer conducted
him to Gaza. Colonel Napier knows nothing of this, nor does Lieutenant
Loring, who, after communicating with this division, set out in search
of Ibrahim, of whom he could get no tidings, and returned to Gaza;
therefore the safe conduct must have existed only in Hassan Pacha’s
imagination, or if he did send it, it certainly never arrived; but if it
was sent, more shame to the Turkish authorities, who not only meditated
attacking Ibrahim, fancying his army was destroyed, but had actually
given orders to that effect. This Captain Stewart ascertained from
Rechid Pacha, who admitted that orders had been sent to General Jochmus
to act upon Ibrahim’s line of march, and impede it as much as possible,
abstaining at the same time from any direct attack. But as Ibrahim’s
troops began to arrive in a very different state from that which this
gentleman expected, he changed his mind and set out for Jaffa, post
haste, overtook the courier with the letter, and put it into Colonel
Bridgeman’s hands, who immediately protested in the council against such
proceedings[62], which would compromise the honour both of Great Britain
and Turkey, after the guarantees that had been exchanged between Captain
Stewart, Colonels Rose and Alderson, and the Egyptian Generals[63]. This
decided conduct of Colonel Bridgeman had the desired effect; promises
were given that no hostile movement should be made, but every possible
assistance should be afforded. These assurances were kept, but more
owing to the strength of Ibrahim than to the good faith of the Turkish
authorities; and as for Rechid, the officer who recommended the movement
against Ibrahim, I am informed by an eye-witness, that he went into
Ibrahim’s presence with fear and trembling, using the words, “_Il
m’assassinera_,” and absolutely stooped down and kissed the hem of his
garment.
On the arrival of Ibrahim Pacha he approved of the conduct of his
Generals, and made the following reply to the Seraskier:—
“Your Highness,
“I am going from Syria for Egypt. Your letter has reached me; the
Egyptian troops are concentrating in Gaza, and when they have their
necessary supplies, they will go immediately according to your wishes.
“I have written this to you in a friendly manner and have sent it to
your Highness.
(Signed) “IBRAHIM.”
Being duly informed of the arrival of Ibrahim, and how affairs were
going on in Syria, I wrote as follows to Lord Minto and Viscount
Palmerston:—
“Carysfort, Alexandria,
February 5, 1841.
“My Lord,
“Ibrahim Pacha arrived at Gaza on the 31st, with the rear-guard of the
Syrian army; he has brought from Syria between 20,000 and 30,000 men,
including 6000 cavalry in good order.
“The Turkish authorities at Jaffa were very much disposed to find a
pretence to attack him, and I believe nothing but his strong force
prevented it. He has already commenced his march across the Desert, and
in a week hence there will not be an Egyptian soldier in Syria.
“It was arranged that the Syrians, if any were with the army, were to
return from Gaza, but I suspect Ibrahim was afraid to disorganize his
army by letting them go. Captain Stewart was there, and I wrote to him
to say they were not to be embarked, unless he had a suspicion that the
Turks intended using them against Ibrahim; in that case, I recommended
them to be disarmed, or even allowed to retire into Egypt; in fact, he
was to do anything to avoid a collision, and as there are an abundance
of Egyptians in Turkey, it will be an easy matter to exchange them.
“I dined with the Pacha yesterday; he is quite satisfied now his army is
safe, and I am sure if the Porte will now let him alone he will improve
this country much; but he is apprehensive they will demand some part of
his fleet, and otherwise vex him. He looks to England to protect him,
and if we do, he will become our vassal if we wish it; in fact, there is
nothing we can ask in reason that he will not do. Next to Egypt being a
colony of England, it is best that it should be an independent power,
paying tribute to the Porte. Our commerce to India will become very
extensive; and the facility of travelling become easier every day. He
intends putting a lock from the canal into the Nile, to enable
passengers to go from hence to Cairo without moving from the steam-boats
that are to be established, and I have no doubt ere long a railroad will
be made from Cairo to Suez; the distance is eighty-four miles. Four in
hand may be driven across the desert at present.
“I shall remain here, (unless ordered to the contrary,) till I hear the
last man is out of Syria. I think the sooner the Consuls return the
better. I have not heard a word about them.
“I have, &c.,
“CHARLES NAPIER.”
“To the Right Hon. Earl Minto.”
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“H.M. Steam-vessel Stromboli, Alexandria,
February 6, 1841.
“My Lord,
“In my last communication to your Lordship, I mentioned that Ibrahim
Pacha had arrived at Gaza. I was mistaken; he arrived on the 31st of
January, with the rear-guard of his army, the whole consisting of
between 30,000 and 40,000 men in good order. The Turkish authorities
were very much disposed to interrupt them; and indeed, General Jochmus
did advance on Gaza, (contrary to the opinion of General Michell,) with
the intention of attacking him, but retreated rather precipitately. I
have written in very strong terms to him, and have instructed Captain
Stewart to protest against any attempt he may make; and by the last
accounts I had from him, all is quiet. Ibrahim began to retire across
the Desert on the 1st, and I apprehend by the 15th there will not be an
Egyptian soldier in Syria. The Pacha has not yet received the hereditary
title from the Porte, but I trust your Lordship will push the point; he
has all the desire to throw himself into the arms of England.
“I dined with him a few days ago. I have had a good deal of conversation
with him and Boghos Bey about abolishing the Slave Trade, and I have
some hopes of carrying that point before I leave this, which will not be
till after the arrival of the Liverpool on the 16th. I have made him
quite understand that nothing will gain him so many friends as such a
measure.
“I have, &c.,
“CHARLES NAPIER.”
“To Lord Viscount Palmerston.”
Footnote 61:
_General Jochmus to the Seraskier._
Head-quarters, Jerusalem,
27 Zilkadé, 1257, (Jan. 22, 1841,) 11 A.M.
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I arrived here
yesterday evening. Lieutenant-General Hassan Pacha also returned here
yesterday from Chalil-Rachman; and Selim Pacha, with the brigade of
Chalid Pacha, will be here to-day, so that this evening a force of
twenty-one battalions, and eighteen guns will be assembled at
Jerusalem. The cavalry of Riza Pacha will this evening or to-morrow
morning join that of the Murchardsou, who must have arrived yesterday
evening at El-Chalil. The forces, in the central positions in which
they are, ought to be more than sufficient to support our negotiations
with Ibrahim, if they should have taken place; but as the latter must
be, according to the statements of all the deserters, to the south of
the Dead Sea, there is no longer any occasion for negotiation. His
army is in complete disorder, for want of provisions, owing to the
capture of Maan: and all the deserters state, that even before
reaching the magazines (now burnt), the whole infantry subsisted for
four or six days upon camel’s flesh. I found Baron Dumont here, who
corroborates the complete defeat of the Egyptians. As he saw the three
first columns pass within gun-shot, and as in the second where,
according to all accounts, the artillery ought to have been, he only
saw a great number of camels and mules, it is generally believed here
that Ibrahim has buried his cannons in the Desert.
The third column only of his infantry was seen, reduced to 5000 men; a
separate body at Jufila of 2000 men, who were some days since with
Ibrahim Pacha near to Kerek: all these people were half dead with
hunger. The losses of Ibrahim in men, in horses, and in beasts of
burden, in passing the Jordan, were very great. Finally, his
Excellency Hassan Pacha upon the news of peace, sent a safe conduct to
Ahmed Menikli Pacha, commander of the Egyptian cavalry, and gave him
to understand that he would not attack him in his retreat, provided
that he did not come to plunder the villages near to Chalil. Ahmed
Menikli Pacha, conducted by an officer of Hassan Pacha, then chose the
road towards Gaza in his retreat upon Egypt. The cavalry, reduced to
2500 horses and 700 dismounted horsemen, was in the most miserable
condition: and had it not been for the Convention, two battalions in
the almost impracticable passes of the Wadi-el-Ghor, one day south of
Chalil, would have been sufficient to stop that column. It appears to
be very necessary for the troops coming towards Gaza to withdraw, in
order that there may never be more than 3000 men at a time in this
place. I request your Excellency to communicate this letter to General
Michell.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) A. JOCHMUS, _Lieut-General_.
P.S. There is plenty of barley at El-Chalil, and there are other
provisions there, but rice and butter must be sent there.
Footnote 62:
See _Levant Papers_, Part III., p. 315.
Footnote 63:
_Guarantee by Menikli Pacha, and the other Chief Officers of
the Egyptian Army, at present encamped near Gaza._
Gaza, January 28, 1841.
We, the Undersigned, being assembled in council with Commodore Houston
Stewart, Royal British Navy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Alderson, Royal
Engineers, after the discussion which has taken place, have pledged
ourselves, that his Highness Ibrahim Pacha will, on his arrival at
Gaza, execute the orders of his Highness Mehemet Ali, the Viceroy of
Egypt, for the evacuation of Syria, and that he will not make any
movement whatever against those orders; for all of which we give our
signatures and affix our seals.
(Signed) AHMED MENIKLI, _Gen. of Division_; KOURCHID, _Gen. of
Division_; SELIM, _Gen. of Division_; AHMED DRAMALY, _Gen. of
Division_; ISHMAEL, _Gen. of Brigade_; IBRAHIM, _Gen. of
Brigade_; MAHMOUD BEY, _Capt. Navy_.
-------
_Captain Houston Stewart and Lieutenant-Colonel Alderson to Menikli
Ahmed Pacha and the other Chief Officers of the Egyptian Army at
present encamped near Gaza._
Gaza, January 28, 1841.
In consequence of the written guarantee which you have now given us,
making yourself responsible that his Excellency Ibrahim Pacha, as well
as yourselves, will implicitly obey, and forthwith carry into effect
with perfect good faith, the orders of his Excellency Mehemet Ali
Pacha for the evacuation of Syria by the whole of the Egyptian army:
We, Houston Stewart, Captain of Her Britannic Majesty’s ship Benbow,
and Senior Naval Officer on the coast of Syria, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Ralph Carr Alderson, Royal Engineers, representing here the united
forces of Great Britain, do pledge ourselves that no molestation nor
any obstacle be put in the way of such evacuation, and that you are
perfectly safe in diminishing your forces here as fast as possible;
and, further, that provided you continue to make that diminution to
the satisfaction of the said Lieutenant-Colonel Alderson, we promise
to insist with his Excellency the Seraskier, Zacharias Pacha,
Commanding-in-Chief the Ottoman forces, that no advance shall be made
by the Turkish troops now at Megdill, nor Governor be sent to Gaza,
until Colonel Alderson shall have reported the evacuation complete;
and we promise, that if the Turkish authorities refuse to ratify and
accept any one of these conditions, we will immediately, and in
perfect honourable faith, give you notice thereof.
(Signed) HOUSTON STEWART.
R. C. ALDERSON.
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_Guarantee by the Seraskier, the Moustechar Effendi, and
Lieutenant-General Jochmus._
We, the Undersigned, upon the received declaration of his Excellency
Menikli Ahmed Pacha and the other Egyptian Generals and Officers, to
carry forthwith into execution the entire evacuation of Syria and the
Desert, consent and promise faithfully to abstain from any hostile
movement, according to the promise given by Commodore Stewart and
Colonel Alderson, with the proviso that the forces at present near and
at Gaza, march on El-Arish within seven days from this, embarking such
men in transports as are sick, unfit for campaign, and unable to march
according to Colonel Alderson’s judgment, and provided no movement is
made by any Egyptian force at Gaza, east or northward.
Given under our hand and seal at the Imperial head-quarters of Jaffa,
January 30, 1841.
(L.S.) MOUSTECHAR EFFENDI, _Seraskier_,
JOCHMUS, _Lieutenant-General_.