Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1882 — THE WAR IN EGYPT. [ARTICLE]

THE WAR IN EGYPT.

BoubaifißHal w« IlftUttttttvU., The bombardment of Alexandria was begun at 7:45 o’clock on the morning of Tuesdtf, July 11, by the iron-dads Bultia, Jnperb and Alexandra, of tbe British The batteriea replied at onoe, their abot at twt sassing shaft of the ships. The Inflexible, Temeraire, Penelope, Invincible and Monarch aoon Joined In the battle. Two of the forts eeaaed string attar twenty minutes. The gunboats Bittern, Condor, Beaoon, Decoy and Cygnet attacked and quickly silenoed the Marabout batteries at the eatranoeto the harbor. The Invinoiblo then landed a party of marinea- at Fort Max, who blew up the heavy gnns with dynamite. At the moment of opening the siege dense crowds of people could bo seen making their way toward the palace, and the streets were soon drsortod. The Geneva red oroes was visible over the hospital, and the Dutch and Greek flags oould be soon waving above thoir consulates. At 8 o’clock tb® magazine at Fort Ada, close to the palace, was exploded. At noon four forts had been blown up, when the Arina practically oeased. The English fleet had five men killed aud twenty-seven wounded. Several of the earthworks behind which guns wore mounted proved to bo more sand-heaps. The Turkish Ambassador at London waa telegraphed by the Porte to lose not a moment in urging Lord Granville to order a cessation of firing. In the British House of Lords, Granville said tho bombardment was directed against a military despotism, and was not an act of war against the allied powers. The New York Tribune's special cablegram says of the bombardment: “ The bombardment marks an epoch in the history of warfare, for never has such a storm of shot and shell been hurled against any defenses, either on land or sea. The Alexandra was the first ship to open fire, and, the shots being returned, in a quarter of an hour the action became general. The broadside iron-clads alone remained at anchor. The remainder of the fleet steamed to and fro in the roadstead. The Arabs stood to the guns of the other forts with a sturdy determination until near midday ; but their fire was very ill-directed. Most of the shots fell short or went over the ships, and the few that ■truck did little dsmage. “The result of the engagement has not by. any means fulfilled the expectations of artillerists, and there is much su; prise that the shellsfired from the eighty-ton guns of the Inflexible had so little effect on o earih-works. In considering that, it o’ to be borne in mind that this ship directed lit>r file from a poiut two miles distant from the batteries. The heaviest guns of the other vessels are four of tweuty-five tons on the Monarch, two of twenty-live tons on the Alexandra, aud the rest are armed with eighteen and twelve tons. The heaviest guns mounted on the Egyptian forts are eighteen and twelve tons, of the old Woolwich pattern, but still very serviceable weapons of the larger kind, throwing 400pound shells, calculated to pierce twelve-inch armor. The day’s operations extended over a line of four miles in length.” The bombardment was resumed early on the morning of the 12th. The Inflexible and Temeraire opened fire on Moncrieffe fort, which, during the night, had been repaired. The batteries were evidently much damaged by the first three shots, as they made no response. A steamer was soon seen approaching the fleet with a flag of truce, and a simitar em-' blem was hoisted at the arsenal, when the bombardment was suspended. When the gunboat Bittern proceeded to the harbor to learn the object of the flag of truce, Toulba Pasha sent word that he wished to com--muuicate with Admiral Seymour, and was informed that as a preliminary condition the forts must be surrendered. Several large fires broke out in the city. The Turkish Ambassador at London was informed by Earl Granville that England acted in the name of Europe. - The London Daily Telegraph correspondent telegraphs regarding the second day’s bompardment: “1 took an open boat and. went close alongside land. I found all the batteries facing the sea destroyed and the guns dismounted. An ’ Arab informed me that many hundred persons had been killed between Adjemi and Alexandria. An explosion occurred in the middle of the fort, killing everybody inside. Arabs informod me the noise of bursting shells was like thunder, and they declared hundreds of people were killed in distant streots. They stated that the obstinacy of the defense was owmg to the fact that the batteries were manned by negro Mohammedans. They estimate the loss of life among soldiers and townsfolk at 2,000. “ Naval officers witnessing the combat expressed tho opinion that, with the exception of the Temeraire and the gunboats, the English ships have not distinguished themselves very greatly as artillerists, many shells of the Monarch, Invincible and Suporb falling seriously short. Nearly half the missiles seemed to fall in the water. The guns likewise were served very slowly, giving the Egyptians time to recover from their surprise and regain courage. Foreign officers think lighter guns more quickly served would have ended the action sooner. They give the palm to Lord Charles Beresford, on the Condor, who under heavy fire maneuvered admirably, inflicting heavy loss. Sacking: and Burning: of Alexandria —Horrible Atrocities The entire garrison of Alexandria withdrew, wlide under the protection of a flag of truce, on the morning of July 18, leaving the city in flames. The city had been fired in several directions by the released convicts, who, in conjunction with tho Bedouins and women, perpetrated horrible atrocities. They murdered hundreds of Europeans and Christians, the survivors being compelled to fight their way to the beach, and there being rescued by the telegraph ship Chiltern. A correspondent on board the Invincible telegraphs as follows: “ After daybreak this morning a number of persons were seen on the edge of the water of the harbor. Glasses showed them to bo Europeans. Boats were at once lowered, and crews, armed to the teeth, started to tho shoro. They found aboftt 100 Europeans, many of them wounded, who had gathered in the Anglo- Egyptian Bank and had resisted desperately. They had maintained themselves throughout the night. Toward daylight • their assailants drew eff, and the party made their way to the shore. They reported that Arabi Pasha, before he left with his troops, had the prisons opened, and that the convicts, joined , by tho lower classes and some Bedouins, proceeded to sack tho city and kill every Christian they could find, and "sot the English quarter on fire. From the part they were defending, the Europeans could hear shrieks and cries, and reports of pistols and guns. Scores of fugitives were . cut flown or beaten to death m their sight. The European quarter and the great square are a mats of smoking rums. All the public buildings are destroyed, and nothing European si ems to have escaped the rage of the fanatios. The scenes of carnage on shore are appalling. The town, for some hours after the troops left, was a veritable pandemonium.” It is reported that the bulk of t Egyptian army is at Rosetta, forty mile heist of Alexandria, and at Damcphour, thirty-eight miles southeast of Alexandria. The soldiers had joined in looting the city before leaving it; There has been a great loss of property. The English, American, French, Italian and Austrian Consulates are burned. Arabi will probably fly to Upper Egypt. The maswers.4ff the llih of June was fearfully avengofl upon the Arab batteries by the Infletfitfle’s 81-tpn gnus. Fifteen hundred Arabs safe dead and 2,000 woundi i. Btonc Pasha eaets.hbi-Airtunes.. with the Khedive. The soldiory attempted tb kill Tewfik, who, surrounded by some faithful friends, fled to ltamleh. ■ - ... In the British House of Lords Earl Grto* ville said none of the great powers rdgardfed-: the bombardment as other thafl an aotOf self*; defense. '|S? - Secretary Frelinghnysen states that AjflHb vessels of the Mediterranean squadron Ore At Alexandria, and Admiral Nicholson telegraphs that no lives were lost among the residents. Germany and Austria telegraphed Gladstone their approval of the action orthd British fleet , ■■ ■ 'i

Admiral Seymour landed about, 1,000 marines at Alexandria on the 14th mat, tha balk of whom were sent to guard the Khedive in his palace. They represented all the War ships in the harbor, the American complement being sixty men. Arabs were, pillaging the town, and 200 marines were given ordeifs to march about the city and shoot all rioteTs and looters. Explosions were continually occurring. Ajjartyof bluer jackets spiked nineteen guns.in Fort Gabarri The number of Christians mas sacked by the mob is estimated at 2,000.; It is stated that Arabi Pasha was a fugitive, and that his troops were dispersing. The Turkifeh Primb Minister maintains he must be treated as a rebeL Arabi gave orders to murder the Kheaive, and bura* and pillage the city before quitting it. The fire continued with unacted fuiy., and women were seen _ throwiii ' petroleum upon buildings. All the Arabs carried white handkerchiefs an . sticks. Some Egyptian police were still oh duly A helping to m;uutam order. Twenty armed' Europeans, who escaped the general massacre, wore told by a Pasha, whom they, mot on their way through tho town, that the' Egyptian killed numbered over six hundred. A whole battalion of Arabs were blown Up in one fort during the bombardment. A Constantinople dispatch of the :14th' aayß ’ that at midnight the council of Turkish Ministers decided to make efforts to arrange the Egyptian difficulty, failing Jn which troops would bo sent forward, Prime Minister held that Antoi -PattuC must be treated as a rebel, A Lotion. dispatch says that England will prooeod 'rigoroua-’, ly against the-Egyotian rebels, but will oqmmit no act prejudicial to (he rights, of the Sultan. England and France are in accord touching the Bpjioy to be pursued. ' * • v: *. * •