Destruction of Stores at Beyrout—Intermeddling of Izzet
Pacha—Correspondence between the Author and Sir R. Stopford—Visit to
Tyre and Sidon, and Reconnoissance of Acre.
On the 2nd of October an Egyptian gunner deserted to the Hastings, at
Beyrout, and gave information that a train was laid along the bridge to
the eastern castle, in which there was a considerable quantity of
powder, and he offered to accompany a party to cut the train and seize
the powder. Commander Worth, in one of the Hastings’ boats, volunteered
this dangerous service, and, protected by the launch and pinnace of the
Edinburgh, and covered by the fire of the ships, landed on the bridge,
under a heavy fire of musketry, cut off the train, then got into the
castle, brought off 31 barrels of powder, and threw over the walls about
60 or 70 more. This service was not performed without loss: Mr. Luscomb,
a midshipman of the Hastings, was killed, the Egyptian, and two seamen
of the Hastings, and one of the Edinburgh, wounded. In the afternoon
another landing took place, under Commander Hastings, of the Edinburgh,
and they brought off six cases and one barrel, and threw a great number
over the walls. On this occasion there was only one man wounded. Though
these expeditions were successful, it showed the enemy were alive, and
the loss met with put another damper on the attack of Beyrout.
Izzet Pacha, a meddling and savage old Turk, without capacity, had been
appointed Governor of Syria; hitherto he had been quiet, but as things
began to brighten he began to meddle, and urged me to march on Merouba
and attack Osman Pacha, not considering that by so doing we exposed
ourselves to be attacked by Souliman, who was within four hours’ march
of our position; he also proposed to abandon Sidon, which had been
captured only a few days before; in this he was supported by many who
ought to have known better, and I was urged to undertake this Quixotic
expedition merely to please the old Pacha. This I peremptorily refused;
he then sent Admiral Walker to Sir Robert Stopford to urge him to
attempt it, and he wrote to me on the subject:—
“October 1, 1840.
“My dear Commodore,
“The Pacha has sent Admiral Walker to me to say that he is very desirous
of going this evening to a post four hours’ distant to attack a party of
troops belonging to Osman Pacha, and that he wishes to have a battalion
of marines with him, and some rockets, asking if I had any objection to
this plan. In the first place, I am very unwilling to place marines
under Turkish officers; and secondly, I have no confidence in them.
“I do not hear of General Jochmus going out with the Pacha, or having
been consulted.
“I shall, therefore, express to the Pacha my wish that this expedition
should be delayed until the return of some troops from Sidon, by which
time you may perhaps discover the object of this plan, with the
probability of its success.
“The Pacha also signified his wish that Sidon should be abandoned, and
an attack made on Tripoli.
“Beyrout appears to have revived again; the Pacha says there are 4500
men in its immediate neighbourhood. It is of no use getting more men
from the mountains till we have arms to give them.
“If Sir Charles Smith is well enough on his arrival I shall request him
to look at Sidon, to ascertain the nature of its defences.
“I wish Berkeley would send a steamer here.
“Your’s truly,
“ROBERT STOPFORD.”
“To Commodore Napier.”
To this I made answer as follows:
“October 1, 1840.
“My dear Admiral,
“I would certainly not allow our marines to go out with Turks; when they
go, I go; and I quite agree with you we ought to pause a day or two. I
am turning over things in my mind, and I shall shortly prepare you a
coup; to cross Dog River cannot be done with safety; I have been all
over the ground to-day. I send you a letter to Souliman Pacha; if you
approve of it you can send it, and if not you had better keep it. I have
not had time to see you to-day, but will to-morrow, in the course of the
day.
“Believe me your’s, &c.
“CHAS. NAPIER.”
“Admiral Sir R. Stopford, G.C.B.”
This affair was in consequence given up, and I proceeded in the Hydra to
Sidon, which I found Captain Berkeley had put in a good posture of
defence; he accompanied me to Tyre, which was under the protection of
Captain Collier; and I found it a very unfit place to put a force on
shore for the winter, being only fifteen miles from Acre, where there
was a strong garrison, possessing every material requisite to drive us
out, should the squadron be obliged to quit the coast. From Tyre we went
on to Acre, which was closely reconnoitred, but not without receiving a
salutation from the batteries; only one shot took effect, but did no
damage.
In the evening I returned to D’Jounie, bringing back the marine
battalion, perfectly satisfied, as were all who accompanied me, that
Acre presented no difficulties that could not be overcome, when the
proper time arrived for attacking it.
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