The War in Syria, Volume 1 (of 2)

CHAPTER XVII.

Difference between the Admiral and the Author—The Author’s Orders—Captain Berkeley’s Orders—The Author applies for a Court Martial, but is refused—Correspondence with the Admiral—The Admiral’s Dispatches.

At daylight in the morning I went on board the Phoenix steamer, where the Admiral still was; he received me on the quarter-deck, and, after congratulating him on the capture of Acre, I said, I hoped he was satisfied with the position I had taken up. To which, to my great surprise, he replied, in a most abrupt manner, “Not at all! you ought to have gone on to the south-west angle.” Such a reproof on the quarter-deck of a man-of-war, and on such an occasion, given by the Commander-in-Chief to his second in command, even had he committed an error of judgment, cannot be justified, particularly after the services I had brought to so happy a termination on shore, and which had been frequently acknowledged by him.

That the squadron were not anchored so well as they might have been, is quite true, but no blame could be attributed to me, nor did I attribute any to others. When I attacked from the north I never doubted but the ships astern would pass on in the same manner as if I had attacked from the south, and anchor in a line ahead. But Captain Fanshawe, in the Princess Charlotte, as I have before stated, being impressed with the idea that, under any circumstances, he was to take his station astern of the Powerful, and believing we were in shoal water, anchored astern, as did the other ships who were under the same impression, and who had orders to anchor in succession, of which I was not aware. The Revenge, however, being in reserve, corrected the mistake.

I had frequently been engaged with batteries last war, and I believe was the only officer in the squadron who had ever commanded a ship in action against stone walls, and the system I followed was the one I had always been accustomed to; it was the plan followed by the leading ship at the battle of the Nile, and I am not aware that Lord Nelson found fault with Sir Samuel Hood for anchoring abreast of the leading ship; and if that is the tactics to be followed in attacking a line of ships, it is certainly the same that ought to be followed in attacking a line of stone walls. I never saw, in the whole course of my service, the leading ship run along a whole line of either ships or batteries; neither did I ever hear of such a thing. There are two palpable inconveniences attending such an attack; the first is, the leading ship would be disabled before she got to her station; the second, if the ships were in close order of battle, it would be perfectly impossible, in the smoke, for the next ship astern to know the exact moment her leader anchored, and she most probably would run aboard of her, and those astern would fall into the same difficulty. The fact is, the officers were not called on board of the flag-ship, and the plan of the place, and the plan of attack, under all circumstances, was never pointed out to them; each captain had separate instructions, and one did not know the orders of the other. I have before stated, that the first evening the attack was arranged between Captain Boxer and the Admiral, which I fortunately succeeded in changing. The officers were not sent for afterwards, for I went immediately on board my own ship, where I remained till my signal was made to go to the Admiral, (the breeze having sprung up,) who wished to ask my opinion, if we should attack, which was agreed upon; and I think Captain Fanshawe was the only captain there; I certainly never saw either Captain Austin or Captain Berkeley, nor did I know they were ordered to anchor in succession. The orders I received were as follows:

“Princess Charlotte, off Acre,

Nov. 2, 1840.

“Memorandum.—The Princess Charlotte and Powerful are to be ready at daylight to-morrow morning to take their stations along the west front of the battery at Acre, at a distance of about 500 yards, and to commence firing upon the batteries on shore, which is to be continued until the whole seawall is destroyed.

“Should the wind be favourable, and the water sufficiently smooth, the ships may go in under sail; but if the wind is off the land and moderate, steam-vessels will be ordered to tow them.

“Signals made from the Phoenix are to be attended to in the same manner as if made from the Princess Charlotte.

“Robert Stopford, Admiral.”

“To Commodore Napier.”

What were the orders to the other Captains I did not know at the time. Captain Berkeley has since shown me a short note which he received the morning of the action:—

“Dear Berkeley,

“November 3, 1840.

“If the wind comes from the south-west, I mean to sail in from the south.

“Powerful, Princess Charlotte, Bellerophon, Thunderer. Ships to anchor as named in succession. You had better be prepared to bring up by the stern.

“Your’s truly,

“Robert Stopford.”

“To Captain Berkeley.”

It is much to be regretted, after an attack, which succeeded beyond our expectations, that such an observation should have been made to me by the Commander-in-Chief; and I feel quite satisfied that some mischievous person had told the Admiral that the berth I took up had thrown out the rest of the squadron, or words to that effect.

That I was hurt, beyond measure, can be easily conceived. An admiral passing a censure after an action on his second in command was not to be borne with temper; some few words passed on both sides, which I do not recollect, and the conversation finished by my asking, in an abrupt manner, if he had any further commands for me, which was answered in the negative in the same style. I am not at all aware that I had ever given the least cause for this break-out. I certainly had frequently pressed the Admiral to carry on active measures, and perhaps in too urgent a manner, but I had no reason to expect that I should ever have been so treated.

On quitting the Phoenix I went on board the Gorgon, and took the only step open to me, namely, to ask for a court-martial. This was refused, and I had just finished a letter, requesting that the correspondence might be sent to the Admiralty if he persisted in denying me a court-martial, when I was beset by my brother officers, earnestly requesting that I would be pacified, very naturally concluding that a difference of so serious a nature between the Commander-in-Chief and his second, would put a stop to the promotion and rewards that it was expected would be liberally bestowed on the whole squadron. Of this I felt quite aware, but I considered myself so unjustly and so indecorously treated, and that my character as an officer would suffer, unless an investigation took place, as there are always people in the world ready to breathe upon one’s reputation.

This feeling for several days induced me to resist all their endeavours to make matters up, but I at last consented, much against my own inclination, (and I believe, even now, that I was wrong in doing so,) on condition the Admiral would write me a proper letter on the subject. He did write me a letter, which I subjoin:

“My dear Sir,

“November 6.

“I do not apprehend that a difference of opinion implies a censure upon either party, as I cannot allow infallibility to any body.

“That I differed in opinion with you is true, but that therefore censure was intended is without foundation.

“Believe me, my dear Sir,
“Yours truly,
“Robert Stopford.”

“Commodore Napier.”

I made answer:—

“My dear Sir,

“Powerful, November 7, 1840.

“I am glad to find, by your note, which I received last night, that you had no intention to censure me. I placed my ship to the best of my judgment; I could do no more.

“Believe me, &c.,

“Charles Napier.”

“Admiral Stopford.”

Thus ended this unpleasant affair, and all the correspondence was cancelled and destroyed. I cannot say that I was satisfied with the Admiral’s letter: the affront was public, and the reparation should have been public also, but the opinion of my brother officers was, that I ought not to push the matter further, and I most unwillingly complied with their wishes.

It is with reluctance that I have been obliged to treat on this subject, but to write an account of the campaign in Syria and the capture of Acre, without entering upon a point not properly understood, was impossible. I have endeavoured to state plainly everything that occurred, without casting censure upon any one; and the reader must judge whether I was right or wrong.

I close this Chapter with Sir Charles Smith’s report to Lord Palmerston, and the Admiral’s letter to the Admiralty, in which he followed the example of Sir John Jervis, on the 14th of February, 1797, and made no mention of either the second in command, who led in one division, or of Captain Collier, who led in another, or any of the other officers engaged. Captains Boxer and Codrington were thanked for their exertions in sounding. In a second letter which he wrote, and where he had an opportunity of correcting this omission, he makes mention only of his own captain and flag-lieutenant.

“Sir,

“Princess Charlotte, off St. Jean D’Acre,

November 4, 1840.

“You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the town and fortress of Acre were taken possession of by the allied forces under my command this morning in the name of the Sultan.

“The circumstances which led to this result occurred on the 3rd, when a heavy cannonade from the ships and vessels, beginning at 2 P.M. and ending at 5, completely demolished the town, and materially damaged the fortifications, inducing the Egyptians to evacuate the place in the night. A tremendous explosion of a large magazine of powder took place about 4 P.M. on the 3rd.

“The attacks were made upon the west lines and south face of the works, the former composed of the following ships:—viz., Princess Charlotte, Powerful, Bellerophon, Revenge, Thunderer, and Pique, under the immediate command of Commodore Napier (as I thought it advisable to accompany Colonel Sir Charles F. Smith in the Phoenix steamer, to be ready to take advantage of any breach that might be made in either of the two sea faces of the walls of the place for an immediate assault). The south face, being a more contracted anchorage, was occupied by the Edinburgh, Benbow, Castor, Carysfort, Talbot, Wasp, and Hazard: the destruction caused by the fire of the ships on both sides sufficiently proves its rapidity and precision.

“Rear-Admiral Baron de Bandeira, in the Austrian frigate Medea, and the Guerriera, under the command of His Imperial Highness the Archduke Frederick, with the Austrian corvette Lipsia, rendered much assistance. Rear-Admiral Walker Bey, in the Sultan’s ship Mookuddimay-i-hive of 74 guns, took up a most favourable position opposed to the south face, and did good service.

“The steamers Gorgon, Vesuvius, Phoenix, and Stromboli, fired shot and shells into the town with much precision, and it is generally supposed that shells from the Gorgon occasioned the destruction of the powder magazine.

“A flag of truce having been offered by the Turkish Admiral and rejected a short time before, I did not think it necessary or becoming that the summons should be repeated, particularly as hostilities had already commenced, and the ships and steamers had been fired upon as they approached the walls.

“I have not been able to ascertain the number of troops in the town of Acre at the commencement of our fire: they have been estimated at 4500, besides a body of cavalry outside the town of 800. Many lives were lost by the explosion of the magazine. 700 Egyptians and two officers of rank came in this morning with their arms, and surrendered themselves as prisoners.

“To Colonel Sir Charles Smith devolves the task of putting the town and fortifications into a posture of defence, and I am happy to find that his health enables him to perform his duty with his usual intelligence.

“A great quantity of arms and ammunition was found at Acre, and the fortifications were fast getting into a state of preparation against attack.

“I am much indebted to Captain Edward Boxer, of the Pique, and to Captain Codrington, of the Talbot, for the excellent surveys which they made of the shoals round Acre, which enabled the ships to go in without risk of getting ashore.

“I return a list of the killed and wounded in the allied squadrons, but the damage to the masts and rigging can be made good without the ships being sent off the station.

“The success of this enterprise, so important in its results, has called for my acknowledgements in general orders to the officers and men of the combined squadrons, whose united exertions had so much contributed to its attainment.

“I have the honour to be, &c.,

“Robert Stopford, Admiral.”

“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq., &c.”

“My Lord,

“St. Jean d’Acre, Nov. 5, 1840.

“On the 29th ultimo it was finally determined between Sir Robert Stopford and myself that the siege of Acre should be undertaken. I accordingly detached Omar Bey for the purpose of advancing from Sidon with 2000 Turks upon Tyre, and thence to occupy the Pass of the White Mountain, to the northward of this place; and on the 31st, the Admiral made sail from Beyrout roads, having previously embarked in the squadron 3000 men, under the immediate command of the Pacha Selim, and small detachments of Royal Artillery and Sappers under Major Higgins, of the former corps, and Lieutenant Aldrich, Royal Engineers.

“Omar Bey reached the position assigned to him at the same hour on the 2nd inst. that the fleet appeared off Acre.

“Owing to the light winds the ships did not get into action till 2 P.M. on the 3rd, when an animated fire commenced, and was maintained without intermission until darkness closed the operations of the day. About three hours later, the Governor, with a portion of the garrison, quitted the town, which was taken possession of by the allied troops at daylight the following morning. The moral influence on the cause in which we are engaged that will result from its surrender is incalculable.

“During the bombardment the principal magazine and the whole arsenal blew up. By the explosion, two entire regiments, formed in position on the ramparts, were annihilated, and every living creature, within the area of 60,000 square yards, ceased to exist; the loss of life being variously computed at from 1200 to 2000 persons. Those who may have been inclined to doubt the fighting qualities of the Egyptian troops might acquire a lesson from the example of their endurance, if they could but contemplate the devastation and scene of horror by which this once formidable fortress is enshrouded.

“To the Royal Navy I should be guilty of great injustice were I to attempt to record services that will be so much more ably detailed by their gallant and respected Commander-in-Chief; whilst the early departure of the despatch vessel for Malta, and the labour that has devolved on me within the walls, alike deprive me of the means of transmitting returns of ordnance, ammunition, treasure, &c., that have fallen into the hands of the captors, and of giving your Lordship an approximation even to the amount of prisoners, (over 3000,) as many are still coming in, and others are dragged in numbers from their places of refuge and concealment.

“To Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople I have reported the measures I have adopted for the temporary administration of the Pachalic of Acre, pending the pleasure of the Sultan.

“I have, &c.,
“C.F. Smith, Colonel,
“Commanding the Forces in Syria.

“Viscount Palmerston, G.C.B. &c.”

“Princess Charlotte, off St. Jean d’Acre,

“November 8, 1840.

“Since my letter of the 4th another explosion has taken place of a magazine of live shells, from a smouldering fire under the rubbish of the former, which it had been found almost impossible entirely to subdue; one marine of the Benbow was killed, and several others slightly hurt; but I regret to say that gallant officer, Captain Collier, of the Castor, who had so distinguished himself in the attack, was severely wounded, having his leg fractured, and several other hurts of a slighter description, which require his removal to Malta; and the Castor, having her bowsprit badly wounded, and other masts and spars shot away, I have ordered her and the Wasp, having her fore-mast disabled, into Malta to refit, and rejoin me with all dispatch.

“One thousand prisoners have been sent away in the Turkish flag-ship, eighteen officers, and a party of soldiers, by the Talbot, to Constantinople, and 2000 to Beyrout, by the Bellerophon, Thunderer, Revenge, and Edinburgh; and the garrison being placed in a state of order and tolerable security, under Sir Charles Smith, is to be left with 3000 Turkish troops, under Selim Pacha, and about 250 marines, under Lieut.-Colonel Walker, with the protection of the Pique and Stromboli, and occasional visits of other ships, as circumstances require.

“The Hazard resumes her station at Tyre, and Commodore Napier proceeds from Beyrout to take charge of the squadron off Alexandria—Benbow, Magicienne, and Daphne, at Scanderoon and the neighbourhood.

“The people of the country seem very firm in the cause, and keep the neighbourhood clear of Mehemet Ali’s troops. Abundance of ammunition and stores have been found in the place, and arms have been sent in the Benbow and Powerful, for distribution to the inhabitants to the northward. Among those who surrendered themselves was the Polish Colonel Schultz, the chief engineer, who has been sent as a prisoner to Constantinople; he was wounded, and says it was quite impossible to withstand such an incessant stream of fire as was poured from our guns, which I found, on going round the ramparts with Sir Charles Smith, had torn and almost demolished many of the embrasures, and disabled the guns in such a manner, that it did appear extraordinary that the garrison should have made so good a defence; for the state of devastation was beyond description.

“When I see the effects of our fire upon so formidable a fortress, I cannot help feeling the greatest obligation to every officer and man engaged in this enterprise. The cool, steady, and beautifulbeautiful style in which the ships and vessels, through shoals and banks, came into their positions, and the noble spirit that animated the whole, in the destructive fire opened and maintained against a very smart return from the forts and batteries, were most gratifying, and drew forth my admiration, being enabled in the steamer to observe the simultaneous attacks on both faces; but where all were animated with the same spirit, and each did his duty to my heart’s content, it cannot be possible for me to single out cases of individual merit. I may be allowed to observe, however, that in confiding to Captain Fanshawe, my flag-captain, (who had been of great service to me in the previous details and arrangements on this and former occasions during the expedition,) the charge of conducting my flagship, while it behoved me to survey and direct the whole, he most ably fulfilled his trust.

“Lieutenant Granville, my flag-lieutenant, besides the duties he had to perform in the signals, was actively employed in the boats communicating with the different ships along the line of the two divisions, as necessity required; I would, therefore, beg to recommend him to their Lordships’ notice, and I should feel gratified by any mark of approbation their Lordships may be pleased to bestow on the senior officers of each class for their gallant conduct, in common with all, on this important occasion.

“I am, &c.,

“Robert Stopford, Admiral.”

“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq., &c.”

Return of killed and wounded in the squadron under the orders of Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, Commander-in-Chief, in the attack of the fortifications of St. Jean d’Acre, on the 3rd of November, 1840:—

Princess Charlotte—Killed, 1 seaman.

Powerful—Wounded, 1 seaman severely, 2 seamen and 1 royal marine slightly.

Bellerophon—None killed or wounded.

Revenge—Killed, 1 seaman, 1 drummer, royal marines; wounded, 3 seamen severely, 1 royal marine slightly.

Thunderer—None killed or wounded.

Castor—Killed, 4 seamen; wounded, 1 seaman severely, 3 seamen slightly, 2 privates royal marines severely, 1 private royal marine slightly.

Edinburgh—Killed, 2 seamen, 1 drummer royal marine, 1 private royal marine; wounded, Commander F.D. Hastings, slightly; Mr. John Davies, master, slightly; Mr. Joseph Plimsoll, assistant-surgeon, slightly; Mr. Henry Boys, midshipman, slightly; 1 seaman, 1 boy slightly, 1 sergeant royal marines slightly.

Benbow—None killed or wounded.

Pique—None killed or wounded.

Carysfort—None killed or wounded.

Talbot—Wounded, Lieutenant G.B. Le Mesurier, since dead; Mr. Henry Haswell, mate, slightly; 1 seaman severely.

Gorgon—None killed or wounded.

Wasp—Wounded, 5 seamen severely, 1 private royal marine.

Stromboli—None killed or wounded.

Phoenix—None killed or wounded.

Vesuvius—None killed or wounded.

Hazard—Wounded, 1 private royal marine, 1 boy slightly.

Turkish flag-ship, Rear-Admiral Walker—4 killed, 3 wounded.

Medea, Austrian flag-ship, Rear-Admiral Bandeira—1 killed, 4 wounded.

Guerriera, Austrian frigate—1 killed, 2 wounded.

Total killed, 18—Total wounded, 41.

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