“Robert Stopford, Admiral.”
“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq., &c.”
“My Lord,
“St. Jean d’Acre, Nov. 5, 1840.
“On the 29th ultimo it was finally determined between Sir Robert Stopford and myself that the siege of Acre should be undertaken. I accordingly detached Omar Bey for the purpose of advancing from Sidon with 2000 Turks upon Tyre, and thence to occupy the Pass of the White Mountain, to the northward of this place; and on the 31st, the Admiral made sail from Beyrout roads, having previously embarked in the squadron 3000 men, under the immediate command of the Pacha Selim, and small detachments of Royal Artillery and Sappers under Major Higgins, of the former corps, and Lieutenant Aldrich, Royal Engineers.
“Omar Bey reached the position assigned to him at the same hour on the 2nd inst. that the fleet appeared off Acre.
“Owing to the light winds the ships did not get into action till 2 P.M. on the 3rd, when an animated fire commenced, and was maintained without intermission until darkness closed the operations of the day. About three hours later, the Governor, with a portion of the garrison, quitted the town, which was taken possession of by the allied troops at daylight the following morning. The moral influence on the cause in which we are engaged that will result from its surrender is incalculable.
“During the bombardment the principal magazine and the whole arsenal blew up. By the explosion, two entire regiments, formed in position on the ramparts, were annihilated, and every living creature, within the area of 60,000 square yards, ceased to exist; the loss of life being variously computed at from 1200 to 2000 persons. Those who may have been inclined to doubt the fighting qualities of the Egyptian troops might acquire a lesson from the example of their endurance, if they could but contemplate the devastation and scene of horror by which this once formidable fortress is enshrouded.
“To the Royal Navy I should be guilty of great injustice were I to attempt to record services that will be so much more ably detailed by their gallant and respected Commander-in-Chief; whilst the early departure of the despatch vessel for Malta, and the labour that has devolved on me within the walls, alike deprive me of the means of transmitting returns of ordnance, ammunition, treasure, &c., that have fallen into the hands of the captors, and of giving your Lordship an approximation even to the amount of prisoners, (over 3000,) as many are still coming in, and others are dragged in numbers from their places of refuge and concealment.
“To Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople I have reported the measures I have adopted for the temporary administration of the Pachalic of Acre, pending the pleasure of the Sultan.