“D’Jounie, head-quarters of the Army
of Lebanon, Sept. 25, 1840.
“In obedience to your directions to drive the enemy from the position they had been fortifying for some days, on the left of Dog River, I marched out of our cantonments at daylight of the 24th, with four Turkish battalions, under his Excellency Selim Pacha; the second battalion of Royal Marines, under Capt. Fegan; and an Austrian rocket detachment, under Alfred de Vasilli Baldisiritto.
“The ground on either side of the river is very high and precipitous, and offers great advantages to the defending, and very considerable danger to the attacking party; to secure against this, a Turkish battalion descended unseen near the entrance of the gorge through which Dog River runs, and gained the heights on the other side. The marines and Austrian rocket detachment, covered by this battalion, 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 our right, in the event of Souliman Pacha advancing from Beyrout to disturb our operations.
“Three Turkish battalions descended into the gorge before the marines pushed their way up the river, and advanced by a mountain path to turn the enemy’s left; this being perceived they abandoned their intrenchments, and occupied a new position on the heights of Ornagacuan, about a league to the right of their intrenchments.
“The Turks advanced with great rapidity and gallantry.
“General Jochmus, the chief of the staff, accompanied by my aide-de-camp, Lieut. Bradley, of the Powerful, put himself at the head of the skirmishers, and showed a noble example, which was as nobly followed by his Excellency Selim Pacha, at the head of a battalion. The country people also joined, and were not the last in advancing. The enemy’s skirmishers were speedily driven in, and their main body, consisting of about 700 men, fired two volleys, and retired in great confusion; the Turks following them up with so much vigour that between 300 and 400 prisoners were made, and the rest dispersed. The enemy’s moving from their first position, on which the marines advanced, threw them out, and the work was done entirely by the Turks; they are, however, most anxious to try their strength, and I hope an opportunity will soon offer.
“This operation opened the whole district of Kata, and the mountaineers, who had been driven from their homes, flocked down in great numbers, and were immediately armed.
“I have great reason to be satisfied with the conduct of his Excellency Selim Pacha, and with General Jochmus, who fearlessly exposed himself in front, accompanied by my young friend, Lieut. Bradley, who for the first time smelt powder.
“We have had a Turkish officer wounded and two men killed. Inclosed is a list of Turkish officers who particularly distinguished themselves, and whom I trust will meet with some mark of favour from the Sultan.