Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-08-03
The Massacre in Syria.

thrilling account of the Massacre at
DER Ell Kansr, the letter being dated
Beirut, June IS:
8 Scarcely bad We heard the news of
Zableh's fall. and thought Of what would
become of DER Ell Kamar, when we re-
ceived fearful tidings from that noun
tain city.
As the Druses finished their work of
desoIstion in Zahleh, word was passed
round among them, We will take DER
ell Ksmsr next That very Tuesday
evening they commenced putting their
threat into execution. Companies Of
six, seven and eight bessn to enter the
city, and to plumber. Towards sunset
large force of Drases arrived, snd aII
night long they carried on their opera
tons unmolested. The Deirites seemed
panic-strieken not gun was fred. not
sword was drawn, not an arm stretched
out to save their property or themselves.
Toward dawn on Wednesday morning, a
work of slaughter commenced. at which
my heart stands still as l write of it.
From boys at the age of ten years, TO
tottering old m en- of eighty, not one es-
capped. In many houses. two, three,
four and FIVE fell before the destroying
sword. Around and around the blood
thirsty gang roamed, hunting in every
nook and corner, in cellars and in wells,
in stables and in the housetops, till not
man was leftto bury the slain. There
they still lie. rendering the place q re-
| sort for vultures, and an uninhabitable
place for men. Women, crazed b Y
their fears. the sights and their losses,
rushed frantically around-houseless,
homeless-for the FIRE was made to con-
sumo what it could lick up with its ten
thousand tongues.
The population of DER is-,cas 1000.
Two thousand five hundred men are
said to have persisted. It had been bet
ter for the women if they, too, had shar-
ed the fate Of their husbands. Many fed
to the government troops stationed in the
midst of the city. These to the number
of two or three hundred, were standing
without the gate, which had been barred
against them, begging for admission.
Druse swords and hatchets made desper-
ately short work with them. Those
who had taken refuge within, were one
by one thrown out of the windows, to
meet the fate from which they had fed
; Only two houses are left standing, Rev.
Mr. Birds and the dwelling of one Of
i. the governors departments. Mr.. Bird
went up yesterday to bring away some
goods. Il will be long before he car
with safety to his health go again
Some few people escaped to the seaboarC
r The English magnanimously sent dowr
the steamers yesterday to bring them uE
: and refugees from Hasbeiga and Sidon
? Both arrived toward midnight last night
. bringing one thousand passengers, most
; ly women and children. Mr. Fordi
$ family also came from Sidon. The
| French men-of-war offered their boat:
to help them land these poor refugees
$ They have no clothing, no money, o,
i homes. and almost no hopes. VIII,
: made US to differ? The French govern
4 ment vessels have gone up to Tripod
and Latakia and along the coast, 10 avn
q the enemy and comfort the feeble-mind
d ed. The English sent back one vesse
4 to Sidon for those who were left behind
A very prevalent rumor is current
e that B'hamdun is to fall to-day. TIL
0 Druses are gathering in the district call
It ed Melton, for great battle. That dis
! trict is about four or FIVE hours from here
: The Consuls, and captains of the Eng
lish, French and Russian men-of-wal
i being in our harbor, held meeting yes
u terday to devise means for insuring an
preserving the peace Of Beirut. Fac
+ vessel steamed up last night, so as to b
: able to turn around, and in short, TO b
ready for any emergency. An Eng
: lish vessel Of Ito guns lies directly be
: fore the city. ! keep my carpet-ba
} packed, ready to go on board the steam
t. er If ordered to do so by the Consul. H
" gives himself no rest day or night
e constantly doing all in his power to war
d off evil, or prevent the consequences (
J. that already committed. Do not fee
Il anxious about me. I am cheerful an,
! peaceful all the time. Should the No:
: lem rise here-which is not expected--w
y shall Immediately go on board the Ens
d lish war vessels. You gave me TO Go
Is by baptism. You renewed and confirm
- ed that conservation when you gave n
: leave TO come here. Leave me in th
y hands Of my Father and your Fathe
ot my God and your Cod
-