[17]. See Chapters [XI]. and [XII].; and also Levant Papers, Part III., pp. 203, 268, 275.
[18].
Major-General Sir C. F. Smith to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
Head-quarters, Beyrout, Nov. 24, 1840.
I have great satisfaction in acquainting your Lordship that a prudent adherence to my instructions from the Foreign Office has struck a heavier blow on the army of Ibrahim Pacha than a series of general actions could have achieved. Each succeeding victory could only have withdrawn us so much farther from our resources, without advancing, in any degree, the cause we have in hand. I take not merit to myself, unless it be for my forbearance. For the number and the nature of the troops under my command, and the extended line of coast I have to guard, compelled me to be strictly on the defensive in the towns already in our possession, whilst a forward movement would have been unmilitary and unmeaning.
Wearied in waiting for an opportunity of practising his well-disciplined cavalry and artillery upon a detachment of Turkish infantry, Ibrahim, on the 21st instant, broke up from Zachle and Malaka in full retreat on Damascus, where he now is with 30,000 men, including 7000 cavalry and artillery. He has pushed a corps of 3000 irregular cavalry to El Mezereib, on the road towards Mecca,—the only route now open to him for a final retreat into Egypt,—whither I calculate on his going the moment he receives from Alexandria the political news brought by the Oriental.
In as far as regards the sway of Mehemet Ali in Syria, I look upon the military part of the question as determined.
| I have, &c., (Signed) C. F. Smith, Major-Gen. Commanding. |
P.S. The Emir Effendi and other chiefs who left Ibrahim near Damascus, report his force to exceed 50,000, of whom 40,000 are said to be effective.