“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.