Proposed Attack on Sidon abandoned; resumed—Instructions—Correspondence
between the Author and Sir R. Stopford—Arrival at Sidon—Letter of
Sir R. Stopford to the Admiralty—Summons to the Governor—Report to
the Admiral of the Capture of the Town—Excellent behaviour of the
Allied Troops—Fortitude of a Negro Soldier—Return to the Camp at
D’Jounie.
Some new idea had, however, been started in my absence; every body had
his plan, and I am sure the Admiral must have been worried to death with
the projects of the different people who had access to him; and on the
morning of the 24th he informed me by letter that the attack on Sidon
was given up for another.
“Princess Charlotte, D’Jounie Bay,
September 24, 1840.
“Sir,
“I have to acquaint you that the plan on Sidon is to be abandoned for
another which I consider of far more importance, selecting a proper
situation for the Turkish troops to remain in during the winter, as
their remaining where they are is quite impossible.
“Izzet Pacha will accompany the troops going to Tyre, the place which
appears best calculated for a winter settlement, and will, upon
examination, take and keep possession of it if found favourable.
“I am, Sir,
“Your obedient servant,
ROBERT STOPFORD.”
This new project was happily set aside; and, after dining with the
Admiral, on the 25th, I took my leave, promising to be back in
forty-eight hours with the garrison of Sidon, and received orders to the
following effect:
“You will proceed with the steamer named in the margin[14] with the
troops put on board towards Sidon, where you will fall in with the
Thunderer and Wasp, and take them under your orders.
Footnote 14:
Gorgon.
“The object is to arm the inhabitants in that quarter, and, if
necessary, to land troops to allow of their approach towards Damour,
which having done to the best of your power, the troops are to re-embark
and go to Sidon, where you will summon the governor to give up the
place, and on his refusal bring all the fire you can upon the forts and
fortifications, avoiding as much as possible the destruction of private
houses; should you, after due precaution, find the town to be evacuated,
you will land the troops, under protection of the ships and take
possession of it, retaining it long enough to distribute arms to the
Syrians, which is the principal object of the expedition, after which
you will return to this anchorage; but should the Egyptians not leave
the town, you will seize every opportunity of supplying the Syrians with
arms, by landing the troops, if necessary.
“Given under my hand, on board the Princess
Charlotte, off D’Jounie, September 25, 1840.
“ROBERT STOPFORD.”
“Commodore Napier, H.M.S. Powerful.
“By command of the Commander-in-Chief,
“JOSEPH LOUDEN, _Sec._”
This was followed up by a precautionary letter:
“September 25, 1840.
“My dear Commodore,
“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,
“Considering the possession of Sidon as of great importance to the
success of the Sultan’s cause, by giving confidence to his faithful
subjects, and very much embarrassing the measures of Ibrahim Pacha, I
directed Commodore Napier to proceed thither, and, after summoning the
place, to make the attack. I have great satisfaction in communicating,
for their Lordships’ information, the most complete success of this
enterprise, as detailed in the Commodore’s letter herewith sent.
“Our loss, as their Lordships will perceive by the return herewith
transmitted, has been comparatively small, but still much to be
regretted: the only officer killed was Lieutenant Hockin, of the Royal
Marines, a young man of great promise, who had only arrived in the
Stromboli, with a detachment of Royal Marines, in time to take part in
the enterprise.
“The place is still in our possession, and its capture seems to have
been an unexpected blow to Ibrahim Pacha, and has much paralyzed his
measures.
“It is a very pleasing duty to me to call their Lordships’ attention to
the excellent and judicious manner in which the plan of attack upon
Sidon was laid by Commodore Napier, and the spirit and gallantry with
which it was accomplished.
“The ships employed upon this expedition were as follow:—Thunderer,
Captain M.F.F. Berkeley; Guerriera, Austrian frigate, his Royal Highness
Prince Frederick of Austria; Gorgon, Captain Henderson; Cyclops, Captain
Austin; Wasp, Commander Mansel; Hydra, Commander Robinson; Stromboli,
Commander Williams; Gul Sefide, Turkish corvette.
“The Commodore expresses himself much obliged to Commander Mansel for
his intelligent and active services. Amongst several individual acts of
bravery, it appears from every account that the most prominent one
belongs to Mr. Cummings, mate of the Cyclops.
“After the Commodore left Sidon (Captain Berkeley has been left for its
protection, with as many other vessels as can be spared, including the
Guerriera, Austrian frigate), much skill and judgment have been
displayed in putting the place into a good state of defence against an
attack by Ibrahim Pacha, who is in that neighbourhood; and Captain
Berkeley mentions the ready assistance he at all times receives from his
Royal Highness Prince Charles Frederick of Austria.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “ROBERT STOPFORD, _Admiral_.”
“ O’Ferrall, Esq., &c., Admiralty.”
SUMMONS.
“H.B.M. Steam Ship Gorgon,
Sept. 26.
“Sir,
“In the name of the five united Powers, Turkey, England, Austria,
Russia, and Prussia, I demand that you immediately declare for the
Sultan, your Master. Pardon for past offences will be granted; and the
arrears to the troops will be paid by the Sultan.
“CHARLES NAPIER, _Commodore_.”
“To the Governor of Sidon.”
“D’Jounie, Head-Quarters, Army of Lebanon,
Sept. 29, 1840.
“Sir,
“I embarked at sunset of the 25th instant, in obedience to your
directions, with a Turkish battalion, under Chef de battailon Kourschid
Aga, and the first battalion of Royal Marines, under Captain Morrison,
of the Princess Charlotte, in the two steam ships Gorgon and Cyclops,
and proceeded off Sidon. At daylight the Thunderer, and the Austrian
frigate Guerriera, commanded by the Archduke Frederick, a Turkish
corvette, and Wasp, joined; as also Stromboli from England, with 284
marines, under Captain Wylock.
“The wind being light, the Cyclops towed the Thunderer to her position,
previously fixed by Captain Berkeley. The Stromboli towed the Austrian
frigate Guerriera, and the Turkish corvette, who were placed by Captain
Berkeley abreast of the town. The Wasp and Stromboli anchored more to
the southward, to flank it. The Gorgon, Cyclops, and Hydra, who joined
from Tyre with Walker Bey, took up their positions to the southward,
close to the castle. The inclosed summons was sent to the Governor, with
which he refused to comply. The Turkish battalion was now put into the
boats, and rendezvoused round the Cyclops; a few shot and shell were
fired from the Gorgon at the castle and barracks, and shortly after, the
whole of the squadron opened their broadsides to drive the troops from
the houses and the intrenchments they had thrown up to prevent a
landing. In half an hour the firing ceased, and Captain Austin landed
the Turkish battalion in the castle, which is joined to the town by a
narrow causeway; this was effected with some loss. As the enemy still
stuck to their intrenchments, the fire of the ships was again opened,
and the houses in front battered down.
“Commander Mansel, of the Wasp, was directed to seize the first
favourable moment of throwing the detachment of marines, brought out by
Stromboli, and the Austrian marines, into the castle abreast of him,
which he did with great gallantry and judgment.
“Lieutenant Hockin, of the Marines, and several men were killed and
wounded. They were directed to work their way to the upper castle, which
commanded the town.
“The first battalion of marines were now landed by Captain Henderson, of
the Gorgon, on the beach to the northward of the town, where they
formed, and advanced to the walls. All being now ready, the Turkish
battalion, headed by Walker Bey and Captain Austin, pushed along the
causeway, and entered the town. I put myself at the head of the British
marines, and broke into the barracks. Captain Henderson, and another
party, lodged themselves in a house above the barracks; this done, I
marched the battalion along the line wall to the upper gate, broke it
open, and seized the castle. All seemed now quiet below; and leaving a
guard in the castle, we descended through several streets arched over,
where occasional skirmishing took place, with detached parties of
Egyptian troops, who were easily driven, and finally took refuge in a
vaulted barrack, where we found upwards of a thousand men lying ready
for a sortie, should occasion offer, or to lay down their arms, should
they be discovered; the latter was their fate! I congratulate you, Sir,
on the success of this enterprise. The garrison consisted of nearly 3000
men, and not one escaped; our force was under 1000. Our loss, which I
inclose, has been trifling; one marine officer and three seamen, killed;
two mates, a boatswain, and thirty men wounded.
“I have much reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the captains,
officers, and men under my orders; all showed the greatest zeal,
English, Austrian, and Turks vied with each other. Commander Mansel is
an old officer well deserving of promotion. Messrs. McGuire and Price,
old mates, are both severely wounded, and behaved most gallantly, as did
Mr. Cummings, mate of the Cyclops, whose conduct was seen by the Hon.
Captain Berkeley, who wrote him a strong letter on the occasion, and I
trust their Lordships will promote them. My aide-de-camp, Lieut.
Bradley, was also forward on all occasions. The Archduke Frederick
placed his ship well, and kept up an excellent fire; he landed with his
men. Walker Bey, who was there by accident, was the first who advanced
along the causeway.
“My thanks are due to the Hon. Captain Berkeley, who assisted me on all
occasions, as well as to Captains Henderson and Austin, Commanders
Robinson and Williams, and the Captain of the Turkish corvette; to
Captain Morrison, who commanded the Marine Battalion, and to Captain
Wylock, who commanded the Marine Detachment.
“I am also much indebted to Captain Loué, of the Prussian service, who
is attached to my staff.
“I have the honour be, &c.,
“C. NAPIER, _Commodore_.
“P.S.—Since writing my public letter on the capture of Sidon it has come
to my knowledge that there was a complete race between Mr. James Hunt,
midshipman of the Stromboli, and Signor Dominico Chinca, midshipman of
the Austrian frigate Guerriera, who should first place the colours in
the part of the town they landed at.”
“To Admiral the Honourable
Sir Robert Stopford, G.C.B.”
Half the garrison were immediately embarked, and arrived at Beyrout the
same evening, thus keeping our word to the Admiral twenty-four hours
sooner than we had promised.
In taking a town by storm, much confusion necessarily arises,
accompanied by plunder and other barbarities, but to the honour of the
Marines, the Austrians, and the Turks, I believe there never was an
occasion where less blood was spilt, or disorder easier put an end to,
which was to be attributed in a great degree to the exertions and
excellent arrangements of Captain Berkeley (to whom I gave command of
the town,) assisted by the Archduke and the Captains of the squadron.
Souliman Pacha’s family embarked in a French steamer before the attack
began; his house, situated in one of the positions first assailed, I
regret suffered much, in spite of all the efforts of the officer to save
it.
Next morning many wounded Egyptians were found in various parts of the
town, and it was extraordinary to see the patience with which they
endured their sufferings; a black man I particularly observed, with his
leg broken, lying in a corner without uttering a murmur, though he
appeared in much pain: a shutter was procured, on which he managed to
place himself, holding the wounded leg with both hands, (for he would
not accept assistance,) and in this manner he was safely carried to the
hospital. In the afternoon I embarked the remainder of the garrison, and
returned to D’Jounie Bay, after an absence of forty-eight hours, leaving
a battalion of Turks in the town, and the squadron under Captain
Berkeley.
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