Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-08-13
; CAMP OF SfDI-KHALlF. june 90

CAMP OF SiDI-KHALiF. June 90
nad the honor ofgving you au account, my
last despatch, othe motives which prevented the ar
my from advancing from Sid Khalif. In consequence
the hopes OF the enemy INCREASED On the cath at
GAVIN OF day, the Turks and Arabs presented them
serves showing very extensive front, and with as
much order on the 10th. Arrangements were
made, that at the first attack, they should be driven
back two leagues at least, which was effected with
great Prection. The division Berthezene and the LIST
Brigade of the division Loverdo. ma rcbed forward
with battery of field artillery As soon ba-
tallions were drawn up in columns and had advanced
into the plain which extends in front of the camp the
enemy fed on ali sides. The French troops crossed
the plain with great rapidly At the distance of
bout mil'-metris from the camp, the country chan
gesits aspect il Is more nneven on the brow of the
heights which surround Aiglers. the vine and the
hedges and the fruit trees, that cover the SOIL re-
mind one of the most fertile and best cultivated
countries in Europe
It was TO be supposed that the Turks would defend
themselves with vgor, protected by the OBJ
stacles which their country afford. But beaten and
discouraged, they continued to retreat thought it
advisable to avail myself ofthis circumstance tn cross
this dangerous part of the COUNT; and the French
troops soon reached the limit which separated it from
an open space, they took their positions. raynt
separated them from the enemy who at length halted
on the brow ofthe height opposite those which we
occupied The artillery had overcome, with the
usual skill, all opposing difficulties They formed q
now dispersed the groups which still presented them
selves before us.
1t appears that the Turks were apprehcnsive of be
ing driven into place from which we were distan
only TO thousand metres. A powder magazine hat
been placed the slope of the hills they occupied
They blew it up the explosion violent Tbs
clouds OF thick smoke which height of more
than 100 metres, and which reflect ed the rays of the
sun, presented to the army magnificent spectacle
eSudin was present-he seized his pencil This ey
pOsion produced no harm
Two squadrons of chasseurs followed the movements
OF the infantry; but the precpitate flight of the enc
my, and the nature of the country, would not allow
them to charge.
Phe number killed has been inconsiderable. Onl,
one officer has been dangerously wounded; 1t is the
second offour sons who have followed me into Africa
am in hopes that he will live serve his King anl
country.
400 oxen were taken the day of battle thus ths
army certain not to be in want of meat for OF
DAYS.
Whilst the enemy was engaged the westerly wind
which had kept off the convoy which left the bay O
Palma on the 18th ceased to blow An eastery wine
drove 1t to its anchorage which it reached last night
fo-day the landing commenced. II takes place with
out obstable. Since the 18th communities tions have
been perfectly free between the army and the fleet
they were mt even interrupted during the violen,
storm, OF which have already given account To
day the cannonadiDg has continued The Turks pre-
sented themselves In great numbers. The Arabs were
much more scattered than the preceding da, s.
Their object appears to be less fight than to at,ac
Struggling men and pIage them
Arrangements made attack the eremy to
morrow at day break.
The foil wing is extract of private letter of the
18th ult from Sid Ferruch:-"The manonuvre ma Dc
by our army al Staonei. simple it is, has dscon
certed troops who ignorant of the art of war; ant
who would have yielded much sooner, if they were
not endowed with very remarkable personal courage
a Turk, who was severely wounded, killed hmsel
with his dagger. to avoid falling into our hands alive
The number of our wounded would not have been 81
considerable it is if it had been decided to marc
sooner upon the enemys batteres which at first pu
great many of our men hors de combat 1t is impos
slble to compute the loss of the enemy on account
their custom of carrying off their slain and wounded
we found about lOU hOrses and 25 to 80 mon killed
One wounded man only fell into our hards, his RICH
leg Is totbe ampuiated. On beng asked why the,
treated PRISONERS ill., he answer ed severaitr,es
KiI me, end do not ask such Questions five ma,
Judge OF the number OF the enemy Ivy the extern, 81
their camp, they may be reckoned at 10 to $4,000
men. Yet do not think they so numerous The,
bury their dead with religious reverence--the hsa,
always turned TO the east saw GO buried in tn
morning at spot. There were four which the
had not time to put into the ground. Welearn tha
the Commander charged to oppose our landing Ina
bee decapitated, by order of the Dey Tier, is CIV
cry appearance that similar execution will tax
place at Algers this evening"
Another.lettcr of the above date from Sdi Ferruct
says-"'The evaporation of our soldiers is at tn,
highest pitch; they thirst to avenge the a.rociou
crueltes committed by the barbarians on the prison
ere. When a man is taken by an Arab, he is sub
Jeeted 10 treatment more atfOcIous than thOus
and dearhs before he is killed. The decap ia e.
trunk and scattered limbs of one unfortunate soldic
lately found. Ii is also said that female suit
tier. who fell into their hands, was beheaded not
withstanding she offered TO ransom her life with a
the money she had about her The Arab took tn
money and then massacred the woman. On the 18th
the General-in Chief away several of the prls
oncrs, giving them great may copies ofhis Procla
maB,ion to be distributed amongst the Caloglis. Tn
Bedouns eame..hemselves to the outposts to ask 70
them. On the 18th, four Of scheicks came t.
the Commander in Chief to inquire ifthe proclama
ton authentic, and whether he would guarantee
its execution On receiving assurances in the affr
native, they declared that he Arabs were anxi
ous to throw off the yoke of the Turks and tha
if the only object of che Frenc1 to drive then
from the country, the Arabs would refuse them al
further support
1t Is asserted, that il was agreed between Genera