Impossibility of immediately retiring—Letter to the Admiral—His Answer—Arrival of the Emir—Advance upon the Enemy—Doubtful character of the Forces on both sides—Novelty of the Author’s situation—Battle of Boharsof—Defeat and Flight of Ibrahim—An awkward Mistake—A Green Egyptian Flag taken, and said to be lost again—Promptitude of Omar Bey—Turkish mode of Rejoicing—Second Letter of Recall—Note to the Admiral—Letter respecting the Author’s return to D’Jounie—Official Report of the Battle of Boharsof.
Our movements were however begun, and a retreat impossible, without compromising both the Prince and Omar Bey; I therefore decided on going on, and sent orders to our camp to hurry up the two remaining battalions to occupy Ornagacuan, and secure our right when we began the attack: and I ordered a battalion to cross over a deep ravine, ready to turn the enemy’s left when we attacked in front. This latter movement, from the procrastination natural to Turks, was not executed till several hours after the order was given.
As we every moment expected to hear of an attack on the enemy’s rear, the answer to the Admiral’s last letter was simple enough. I subjoin it, and the reply which he made.
“My dear Admiral,
“October 10, 1840, 2 P.M.
“Since you have given the command to Sir Charles Smith, of course I shall return to my ship. I have been too much annoyed with other people’s plans since I have had the command, to offer mine to my successor. It is no part of my character to receive him with either pique or unkindness.
“You do not seem to be at all aware of my present position. I am strongly posted. The enemy is within musket shot of me, strongly posted also. The Emir Bechir is marching in his rear, and I have two battalions ready to cross Dog River higher up to support him, so that if he advances as he writes me he is doing, we shall probably destroy Ibrahim. But I wish you to understand, that it is likely that Souliman Pacha will send more troops up here, and you have taken away from my right the marines and a Turkish battalion; they ought to be sent back, and the steam-boats, if you can spare them, should be kept in the bay, for if we defeat this army, we ought to fall instantly on Souliman; and even if we retire from here, this ought to be done. Admiral Bandeira informs me that 400 men have already been moved up to join the enemy.
“Believe me, &c.,
“(Signed) Charles Napier.
“P.S. I have just received a note from Sir Charles Smith, who, I hear, is gone to Tyre. Were I to retreat, as he says you wish me to do, the Emir Bechir and all his men would be cut to pieces.