“October 4, 1840.
“I have received your kind letter, and find you are sorry that I took the Turkish troops with me; they came of their own accord, not to fight, only for amusement, and they have returned quite safe. The troops of the mountains, after one day’s fighting, drove back Osman Pacha, took more than 300 prisoners and more than 60 killed, still my troops are following him to Natasanine. What you say about coming by the province of Kátá, when we meet, we will talk about it; I will do everything I can; but now what is necessary is for one scheik and 500 men to remain in Tegretil Bunduk (near Masra), to prevent the enemy from entering Kesrouan, and we have written about it, and expect to put this place in order before we return. I have the ague and fever; it is very bad for us. The provisions have not been sent. There is no excuse for the muleteers, as they can hear our firing. Mr. Wood promised to come to me; he has not; if the fever returns to me, and I cannot come to you, let him come to me, and we will talk together about this business.”
The following are my letters to the Earl of Minto and Viscount Palmerston.
“My Lord,
“Head-quarters, Army of Lebanon,
D’Jounie, October 7, 1840.
“The Admiral’s dispatch will inform your Lordship what is passing here. The Little Prince, Emir Bechir, destroyed Osman Pacha’s army on the 4th, with his mountaineers, and crossed over Dog River this morning. I have moved forward the Turkish troops, and am preparing to advance the whole army by land and by water, preparatory to attacking Souliman Pacha, who is still at Beyrout, and in the neighbourhood; the town is strongly barricaded, and as yet we have not attempted it. If we succeed in moving him we have little more to do in Lebanon; and I do not think the enemy will enter these provinces again. We expect every day 4000 more Turks; and I hear that Sir Charles Smith is better; if he is able to work, my functions cease, which I regret; however, I have had a glorious time of it, and all my plans have completely succeeded.
“I have the honour to be, &c.,
“Charles Napier.”
“To the Right Hon. Earl Minto.”