Huntsville gazette., 1882-07-22
The Second Day.

OFF ALEXANDRIA, July IL, . p H.
At ocock a. IN. the Admiral summoned
the Captains of the fleet to consultation. The
result OF the del beration was decision that
the sea was too heavy for serious operat ons.
The rolling of the iron-clads would unsettle
their aim and the town might suffer severely
from shot flying too high. Admiral Seymour
therefore deferred the intended attack on the.
Marabout forts, but directed the Temeraire
and intie ibfe to watch the Ras-el-Tin and Ada
forts. At half-past ten the Temeraire sig
nailed that parties of soldiers were at work
at the bo .pital battery near Fort Ada. The
two iron-clads opened fire. Only six rounds
Of shot and shrapnel were fired. All took
effect, the practice being excellent. The
troops engaged upon the work at once
abandoned it, and firing ceased. white flag
was now hoisted at the lighthouse The Bit
tern was sent inside to inquire as to the in
tentOnS of the Government. After she
steamed CT, the Temeraire made the flowing
signal: 1.-The body of men we saw work ing the
hospital battery dispersed ait r our last
shrapnel was fired. They took refuge in tie
easements close by. We saw about 160 men,
armed with rides, running toward the light
house fort They carried hags.s We saw. also
an Egyptian General, apparently Arabi Pasha,
surrounded by his staff"
At three O'Clock the Bittern was seen steam
ing Out of the hsrbor. As she came out she
sgnaled: Negotiations have failed. L have
accordingly Informed the authorities on shore
that you will engage the batteries at half-paSt
three
From this it seemed as if the officer and
staff observed in the hosp tai battery. finding
themselves in dangerous pos ton and un-
able to escape, had simply hoisted nag or
truce in order to get out of the fire. There
was great Indignation expressed that nve
hours should have been wasted in abortive
negotiations, while meanwhile the swell had
increased so much that the fire from the YES
sells, if hoStlitieS were resumed, would be IN
effective.
At half past three the Bittern arrived along
side. Lieutenant Lambton reported that the
evidert object of the flag Of truce was TO gam
time. When the Il ttern went IN large Doales
of troops were evacua!ing the barracks Denlnd
the forts, going out in full marching order.
The Ministers had no proposals to make
Lieutenant Lambton Informed them ne nad
not come to offer conditions, but to receive
proposals. He informed them we did not con-
slider ourselves at war with Egypt, b.lt that the
Mex fort must he occupied by our troops. ana
Fort Marabout he destroyed. They replied
that Fort Marabout had already been evacu-
ated, but they could give no definite answer
as to the Mex fort. Finding no agreement was
likely, and being unwilling TO waste 1ui tner
time, Lieutenant Lambton left. The Military
Governor conducted the conversation He
was in command during the action yesterday.
He admitted that the troops had suffered
heavy losses. Lieutenant Lambton informed
him that, should he agree to the terms. the
troops would be allowed to evacuate the forts
with their rifles and all the honors OF war;
but, unless these terms were comphei WITH,
no negotiations cOul1 be entered upon. 90
the Bttern steamed out and the Egyptians
hauled down the flag OF truce.
Orders have been given to the Iemeralre
and Superb to fire two rounds each at Fort
Pharos. We shall do the same at the Mex
fort. If there is no reply we shall anchor Tor
the night and resume operations tomorrow
1t is pity we have not two or three thousand
troops, for it would be easy enodgh to occupy
the town and save it from destruction which,
Judging from the increasing coniiagratlons,
the mob has prepared for it,
july 12, midnight.
The barracks, houses and wind-mlls around
Fort Mex have been shattered to pieces. A
portion of the Ras-el-Tin p1lace. recently IN
habited by Dervisch Pasha, which formed
separate building from the Khedlye's resi-
dence, has been burned to the ground. Ihe
lighthouse is still standing, but a number OF
holes are visible in the masonry, and the light
appears to be injured.
4 large fire is now visible in the direction Of
the British Consulate.
In the Khedives palace is q large gap
caused by shell. The harem palace is com
pletely gutted. The bombar6ment had evil
IDENTIFY produced great moral effect upon the
military officers. Another flag of truce has
been hoisted Another fire has just broken
out and fears that mob has begun to illage
and destroy are expressed. The Admiral is
again sending ashore to inform the authori-
ties that he accepts the flag of truce, but that
it will be the last truce to VIII ch he will agree,
and that henceforth he will consider that
hosting the white flag signifies unconditional
surrender, and will act accordingly.
OFF ALEXANDRIA, July 1880 a. m.
1 took an open boat and went close alons-
side land. found all the Batteries facing the
sea destroyed and the guns dismounted- An
Arab informed me that many hundred persons
had been killed between Adiemi and AieXan-
dria. An explosion occurred in the middle Of
the fort, killing everybody inside. The light
house will probably soon fall. Arabs informed
me the noise of bursting shells was like thIn-
der, and they declared hundreds of people
were killed in distant streets. They stated
that the obstnacy of the defense was owing
to the fact that the batteries were manned by
negro MOhammedans. They estimate the loss
of life among soldiers and townsfolk at two
thousand.
Naval officers witnessing the combat ex-
pressed the opinion that. with the exception
Of the Temeraire and the gunboats, the En-
glsh ships have not distinguished themselves
very greatly as artiIlerists, many shells from
the Monarch, Invincible aud superb falling
short. Nearly half the missiles
seemed to fall in the water. The guns like
wise 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 nave /
ended the action sooner.
July 13, 1:s0 a. m
At daylight, this morning, Tag Of truce was was
flying at Ras-et Tin palace The Hehcon WIN
a flag of truce flying, and the Inylnc; PIE, ,1Oh-
arch and Penelope are now stcamIng mo tne /
nneF harbcr. The remainder OF thf sgui1T0n !
are outside, steaming about The hre N the |
town has greatly extended during the night A |
Turkish vessel is sti... lying OF Ramleh. 1here
i heavy sea on,