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Remainder of Sir W. Sidney Smith’s Dispatches begun tn 1
our lass.
* Tigre, at anchor off Jaffa, May 30, 1799.
My Lord,
The Providence of Almighty God has been wonderfully
manifefted in the defeat and precipitate retreat of the
French army, the means we had of ojjubfing its gigantic
efforts against us being totally inadequate of thcmfelvesto
tlie produ&ion of such a refill t. The measure of their in
iquities seems to have been filled by the maflacre of the
Tfcrkifli prisoners at Jaffa in*cool blood three days after
tlieir capture; and'the Plain of Nazareth has been the;
boundary of Buonaparte's extraordinary career. I
He railed the siege of Acre on the 20th May, leaving
all his heavy artillery behind him, either buried or thrown
into the foa, where, however, it is visible, and can easily
be weighed. The circumftanc.es which led to this event,
subsequent to my lalt dispatch of the 9th inftaift, are as
follow:
Conceiving that tbe ideas of the Syrians, as to the sup
posed irresistible prowess of these invaders, must be chang
ed, since they had witrieffod the checks which the besieg
ing army daily met with in their operations before the
town of Acre, I wrote a circular letter to the Princes and
Chiefs of tlie Christians of Mount Lebanon, and also to
the Sheiks of the ’ Drufes, recalling them to a fonfe of
their duty, and engaging them to cut off the supplies from
the French camp. I sent them aft h* fame time a copy
‘ of Buonaparte's impious proclamation, in which he boalts
of having overthrown all Christian eftablilliments, accom
panied by a suitable exhortation, calling upon them to
chopfe between the friendlhip.of a Christian Knight and
and that of an unprincipled renegado. This letter had all
the effeft that I could desire. They immediately sent me
two Ambassadors, profofling not only friendlhip but obedi
ence; assuring foe that, in proof of the latter, they had
fefit out parties to. arrest such of tlie mountaineers as
Ihould be found carrying wine and gunpowder to the
French camp, and placing 80 prisoners of this defeription
at my dffpolal. I had thus the fatisfa&iori to find Buon
aparte’s career further northward effedlually flopped bv a
warlike people inhabiting an impenetrable country. Gen.
Kleber’s division had been font ealtward towards tlie fords
of the Jordan, to oppofo the Damascus army; it was re
called from thence to take its turn in the daily efforts to
mount the breach at Acre, in which every other division
in fucceifion had failed, with the loss of their bravest men,
and above three fourths of their officers. It seems much
was hoped from this (fivilion, as it had by its fii mnefs, and
the Heady front it oppoftd in the form of a hollow square,
k :pt upwards of 10,000 men in check during a whole day
in the plain between Nazareth and Mount Tabor, till
Buonaparte came with ,his liorfe artillery and extricated
these troops, dispersing the multitude of irregular cavalry
by wiiich they were completely furrounded*
TJ;e Turkish ChiiHick regiment haVing been cerflured
for the ill iiiccefs of their Tally, and their unsteadiness in
the attack of the garden, made a frefti folly the next night,
Soliman Aga, the Lieutenant Colonel, being determined
to retrieve the honor of the regiment by the punctual ex
ecution of the orders I had given him to make himfolf
matter of the enemy’s third parallel, and this he did moft
effectually; but the impetuosity of a few carried them on
to tlie lecond trench, where they loft fome of their stand-
Rrds, though they spiked four guns before their retreat.
Kleber’s division, instead of'mounting the breach according
to Buonaparte’s intention, was thus obliged to spend its
time and its flrength in recovering these works, in which
it fuccpeded after a conflict of three hours, leaving every
thing in ftatu quo except the loss of men, which was very
considerable on both lides. After this failure the French
grenadiers absolutely refilled to mount the breach any
more over the putrid bodies of their unburied companions,
facHiked in former attacks by Buonaparte’s impatience
smd precipitation, which led him to commit such palpable
errors as even foamen could take advantage of. ■
seemed to have no principle of aclion but that of prefling
forward, and appeared to ttick at nothing to obtain tlie
objecl of his ambition, although it must be evident to every
body else that, even if he succeeded to take the town,
the fire of the (hipping must drive him out of k again in a
Ihort time; however tlie knowledge the garrison bad of
the inhuman maflacre at Jaffa rendered them, desperate in
their perlonal defence.
Two attempts to assassinate me in the town having ■
failed, tecouvfo was had to a moft flagrant breach of every
.law of honor anti of war; a flag of truce was font into the
town by the hand of an Arab Dervife, with a letter to the
Pacha, propofling ad ilation of arms for the puipofo of
burying the dead bodies, the stench from which became
intolerable, and threatened the existence of every one of
.us on forth Tides, manj “having tiled delirious within a few
hours after being foized with the firft symptoms of infofli
on. It was natural that we fliould gladly listen to this
proposition, and that we fliould confidently be off our
guard during the conference. While the unfwer was un
der consideration a volley of {hot and {hells on a sudden
announced an aflault, which however the garrison was
ready to receive, and the aflailantx only contributed to
in create the number oi the dead bodies in qutftion, to the
ctarn \\ ihlgrace ot the Genera! who thus diftoyally faefi
firerl them. 1 laved the life of the Arab from the effect
oi the indignation ot the Lurks, and took him off to the
1 igre with nir, from whence I font him back to the Ge
neral, with a rooflage which made the army alhamed of
ha . ing been expo lid to such a merited reproof.
Subordination was now at an end, and all liopes.of suc
cess i.avuig vaniflied, toe enemy Irad no alternative let*; but
,a precipitate retreat, which was put in execution in the -
between the 20th ami atft inftant.* I had above
{a it th.u the battering train of artillery (except the carri
ages, w hich were burnt) is now in r*ur hands, amounting
t*i 1; pieces. 1 lie howitzers and medium r 2 pounders*
origin dlj conveyed by fond vi.tfo much difficulty, and
Jtrrrtr fifth’employed to make the firft breach, were em
barked hi tlie country veflels at Jaffa, to be conveyed
coaffo *•, tin*etfo*r with the vorit among the
wtitmde:!,. which emWraffod bbe rrsreb of the anrv.
This operation was to be tNpefoeJ; I took cure therefore
to be between Jaffa and Damiietta before the French, army
could get as tar as the former ‘place. Th: veflels being
hurried to sea without seamen to navigate them, and the
wounded being in want of every necessary, even water and
provisions, they fleered straight tq his Maiefty’s ttiips, in
full confidence of receiving the succors of humanity, in
which.they were not disappointed. , I haVe font them on
.to Damietta, where they .will receive inch further aid as
their lituation requires, and” which it was out of my power
to give so many. I heir exprefTions of gratitude to us
were mingled with execrations on the name of their Gene
ral, who had, as they faicT, thus expoled them to peril
rather than fairly and’honorably renew the intercourse
with the English, which he had broken off by a falfe and
malicious afforiion, that I had intentionally exposed the
former prisoners to the infe&ion of the plague.. To the
honor of the French army lie it said this assertion was not
believed by them, and it thus recoiled on its author. The
intention of it was evidently to do away the effect which
the proclamation of the Porte began to make on the fiddl
ers, whole eager hands were held above the parapet of ’
their works to receive them when thrown from the breach.
He cannot plead mifinforiuation as his excuse, his Aid de
Camp, M. Lallemand, having had free with
thde prisoners on board the 1 igre when lie came to treat
about them; and having been ordered, though too late,
not to repeat their exprellions of contentment at the pro
fpedf of going home. It was evident to both Tides that
when a General had recourse to such a (hallow, and at the
fame time to such a mean artifice as a malicious falfoliood,
all better resources were at an end, and the defection in
his army was consequently increased to the highest pitch,
llie iitmoft disorder has been manifefted in the retreat,
and the whole track between Acre and Gaza is lire wed
with the dead bodies of those who have funk under fatigue
or the effort of flight wounds, such as could walk, unfor
tunately for them, not having been embarked. The row
-11 boats annoyed the van column of the recreating
army in its march along the beach, and the Arabs harassed
its rear when it turned inland to avoid their fire. We
observed the finoke of musketry behind the land hills from
the attack of a party of them, which came down to our
boats aud touched our flag with every token of union and
refpedf.
Innael Pacha, Governor of Jcrufalem, to whom notice
was.font of Buonaparte’s preparation for retreat, having
filtered this town by land at the fame time that we brougia
our guns to bear on it by foa, a flop was put to the mas
sacre and pillage already begun by the N iblufians. The
English flag iehoifted on the Gonful’s lioufe (under which
tlie Pacha met me) serves as an asylum for all religious
and every defeription of the surviving inhabitants. The
heaps of unburied Frenchmen lying on the bodies of thole
whom they maiTacred two months ago afford another proof
of Divine Justice, which has caufod these murderers to perish
by the infedion ariling from their own atrocious aa. Se
ven ppor wretches are.left alive in the hospital, where
they are protefoed, and fhull be taken care of. • We have
had a moft dangerous and painful duty in disembarking
here to prote<fo the inhabitants, but it has been eff’eaually
done, and Ismael Pacha defonvs every’ credit for his hu
mane exertions and cordial cooperations to that efle&.
I ‘vo thousand cavalry are just dispatched to harass the
French rear, and I am in hopes to overtake their van in
time to profit by their disorder; but this will depend on
the aflembling of fuffident force, and on exertions of which
l am not absolutely matter, though I do my utmost to
give the necessary impnlfo, and anight diretftion. I have
every confidence that the officers and men of the three
ships under my orders, who in the face of a moft formid
able enemy have fortified a town that had not a Angle
heavy gun mounted on the land fide, and wild have carried
on all intercourse by boats under a constant fire of musket
ry and grape, will be able efficacioufly to ailift the army
in its future operations.
This letter will be delivered to your Lordfliip by Lieut.
Canes, First of the Tigre, whom I have judged worthy
to command the Theseus, as Captain, ever lince the death
of my much lamented friend and coadjutor Capt. Miller.
I have taken Lieut. England, First of that ship, to my
afliftance in the Tigre, by whose exertions, and thole of
Lieut. Summers and Mr. Atkinson, together with the
bravery of th? rest of the officers and men, that ship was
laved, though on fire in five places at once, from a jlepofit
of French fliells bu’ sting on board her.
I have the honor to be, See. &c. &c.
W. Sidney Smith.
Rear Admiral Lord Nelson, Rear
Admiral of the Blue , Gfo. ifc.
A lift af killed, wounded , drowned, and prisoners, be
longing to bis Majejly's Jhips employed in tbe defence
of Acre , between the 17 tb March and zotb May,
1799.
Tigre: 17 killed, 48 wounded, 4 drowned, 77 prison
ers. Theseus: 35 killed, 62 wounded, 9 drowned, 5 pri
soners. Alliance: 1 killed, 3 wounded. Total: S3 kil *
led, 113 wounded, 13 drowned, 82 prisoners.
Dated on board his Majesty’s ship Tigre, this 30th day
of May, 1799* W. Sidney Smith.
A return of killed, wounded, and drorenef belonging
to bis Majejly’s Jhips Tigre and Theseus, between tbe
3 d and 9 tb of May, 1799, employed in tbe defence
of Acre .
T igrrt Alexander Finn, Teaman, killed; Charles Con
ay, Joseph Edwards, William Priddle, Morris Shlene,
Teamen, wounded; Thomas Lamb, midshipman; Martin
Christian, John Michael, George Williams, Teamen;
drowned. 1 hefeus: David James, Francis Hard, John
Nelson, foamen, wounded. Total: i Teaman killed, 7
Teamen wounded; 1 midshipman, 3 Teamen, drowned.
Dated bn board his fhip Tigre, this 9th of
May’, 1799. W. Sidney Smith.
A return of killed, wounded, and drowned, belonging
to bis Majejly's Jhips Tigre and Theseus , between
tbe <)tb ,uui 2otb of M&y, t?j<yf ctnphysd in tbe
defense cf Acre.
Lgrt: John Carter, Teaman, killed: Thon&s Smith,
ferjcant of ir > . 3 Knrfefct, T u A D e *JLL,
private marine; wouhded.
Miller, cpttttii
Mornfan, Biggea Forbes, diarltTTamei WebL^fe 6 *
men; 21 Teamen, i bov,. 3 private marines; kilt’dM
Summers; Thomas Atkinson,. matter;
geon; Fred^JfMorris,
Dobfon, midrfnpman; 30 foamen, a boys, t
* n,a!WS > 5 private marines; wounded: 6 foamen ?,!? ° f
marines, drowned. Total: 1 captain, 1 fchooiJLn *
mujftiipmeu, aa seamen, : boy,
alieutciiants, 1 matter, 1 fur-eon, 1 chaplain, 1 mil
rtan, 30 leainen, 2 boys, 2 ierjeants of marines, 7 p r i v J£
marines, wounded; 6 foamen, 3 private marine^
His Majesty a (hip Tigre, 30th May, 1799.
S IDN£ y Smith,
Dick fort and JohnJion
Have just received, per the BRIG UNION
MURRAY, from LONDON, ’
A well chof ri bUPPLY of
European and East India Goods
Which they wi!l dispose of, at the store lately occupied
by Mr. J. B. Wilkinson, at their ufoal low prices/ for
foam or C.ountry Produce.
SjTvannhb, June 19, 17$).
M‘CAI.L an~MI LLF.R ‘
Hjve received by tbe Jbif> Diane, Capt. Belton, from
Liverpool*
AN ASSORTMENT OF
COARSE WOOLLENS,
CONSISTING OP
WHITE, blue, brown, green, and drab plains*
White and colored flannels, 4
Blankets, coatings, Yorkfliire cloths, Ac.
Which are now landing, and will be exposed for sale
at their (tore, N n . 4 Ceimnerce Row.
September 17.
7 • U G A H S. “
LANDING at Watt’s wharf, per the brig Malvina,
from Grenada, and for fide by the fubferiber,
22 Hoglheads and 1 1 lerce Sugar, of an
excellent qnalirv.
JOHN WALLACE.
WANTED, 60 Tierces Ricf., for which calh will be
paid on delivery.
Savannah, October to, 1799.
FRESH FLOUR:
EIGHT Y barrels frefh fuperfine Baltimore flour,
Sixty barrels frefh fuperfine country fleur,
Just received, and for sale.
ALSO ON HAND ,
Jamaica rum, rnolaffes, black varnTTfi in casks, brandy,
paints, oil, nails; white, blue, and brown plains; refo and
duffil blankets. ’
v. Tohnstox, Robehtson, and Cos
OSI. 24.
FALL GOODS.
MEINS and MAQCAY
Have received, per tbe Helen , Capt . Patterfcn, jujl
arrived from London,
A compete AfTorrmcnt ot FALL GOODS,
Which they will fell, at their store, N°. 1 Commerce
Row, on the moft reafenable terms.
Nov. 6. .
N U T i L E.
THE COPARTNERSHIPS of GAIRDNERS and
MITCH EL, and CAIG and CO. being difiblved,
the business. will in future be carried on under the lIRM
of EDWIN GAIRDNER and CO.
Savannah, October i, 1799.
For S A L E,
FOURTH proof Jamaica Rum in puncheons,
First proof Brandy, in butts,
Madeira Wine in half and quarter pipes,
Brown Stout Porter in butts and hogflieads;
Also, A quantity of Pimenta; by
Edzvin Gairdncr £3 CV.
Savannah, O&ober 16, 1799.
B. and F. METCALFE
Have received by the late arrivals from LONJDOB,
via Cbarleftcn,
WHITE, blue, and green plains;
London dulfil blankets,
Womens scarlet and Bath coa'L.g cardinal cloaks,
Durants, calamancoes, bombafots,
Irish linens, cotton dragging, oznabrigs,
Pins, ftationarv;
White, Ted, and yellow paints, ground in oil, In 28 asd
14 lb. kegs;
Boiled linseed oil in 2 anu 3 gallon jugs;
Window glais, 8 by 10 and 10 by 12;
Iron pots, camp ovens, skillets,
Shot afiorted, lead in 1 lb. and 2 lb. bars;
Which they are opening at Mr. Alexander Watt’s
wharf, and will foil, by the packageor piece, on the moft
reasonable terms.
ORober 9, 1799.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE on Ne 7 York
FOR SALE BY
Taylur, Miller, and Cos.
22dDRobcr, 1799.
SAVANNAH: Fkinted y N. JOHNSTON and CCV