Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-26
Behiud the Scenes with Arab.

Special to the Cincinnati Commerci l.
New YORK, September 22.-From
the accounts of several Egyptian Of
fcers who have taken part in various
events oithe war, | am able to compile
the following particulars of events as
seen from the rebel side:
The loss Of the Egyptian troops in
the bombardment OF Alexandria was
go killed, chiefly by spliuters or fall.
ing stones. On the second Cay a panic
-,.z-d the entire population, military
and civil, owing to a report, that the
the feet were about to fire upon the
city and an immense exodus took
place. The scene, both without and
within the walls, was awful.
The Bedouins robbed and murdered
with impunity, aud only ceased their
d%epredalions upon thirty being shot
red-handed. On the morning of the
18th Arab was still close outside the
walls, with the bulk of his army. Two
battalions were left to guard the city,
With orders to evacuate it upon the
British landing. These, however,
Joined the mob and the Bedouins 10
firing, shooting and numbering. Arab,
fearing the British might land at
Aboukir, and so cut off his retreat,
made a for,ed march to Kafr-el- Dwar,
where, at the time, no works Of defense
existed. Ten thousand fellaheen at
once set to work at the Entertainments,
which soon made such progress that
Arab had no longer any fear Of attack.
Upon the news arriving at Tantah OF
the wholesale slaughter of Christians
there, Arab sent a body Of military to
hang the twelve r~ipgleaders Of the
mob. He also sent orders through the
country that all Christians should be
left unmolested, under the pain OF
death. He rewarded Ahmed Bey,
who protected the fugitives who had
escaped from the massacre at Tautah.
Upon receipt of Tewfk's decree dis
missing Arab. the Champer Of No
tanles decided that only the Sultan
could proclaim him a rebel. They
accordingly t~elegraphed three times
TO Constantinople, but received no
reply.
At a council Of war held on the 9th
Of August, fearing an attack from
Ismailia, it was decided TO destroy the
canal. There was much discussion
whether it should be destroyed at
once, or whether it would be better Ia
wait for an act Of hostility in that
direction. In the meantime engineers
we're dispatched with torpedOes Ia
Kantara, Serapeum and Chaloof. Nah.
mould Fehmi strongly urged the i'm
mediate destruction of the canal, but
this was opposed by Arab when NJ.
de Lesseps guaranteed its neutrality
and SO certainly saved the canal from
considerable damage. The torpedo
parties were only Withdrawn ten hours
before Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived al
Ismailia.
General Alison's attack from Alex.
andria on August 5 was regarded BY
Egyptians as a repulse Of the British.
My informant was utterly amazed on
hearing from me how exceedingly
small was the loss throughout the
campaign.
The Bedouins caused a great deal Of
trouble, and we're Of no real use, as
they always faltered when the firing
began. No strong steps we're taken
against them, as it was desired TO pre-
vent them from joining us. Upto the
last regular trains from the interior to
Kafr-el- war were carrying excur-
sionists, who would each place a hand.
full Of soil on the works, and invoke
the aid Of Allah. On the 2lst news
arrived Of the British occupation Of
Ismailia. An aide-de camp was at
once dispatched to have an interview
with NJ. de Lesseps, but he failed in
the attempt TO do so.
Mahmoud Fehmi was sent 10 com
mand the force on that side, but upon
his capture a council Of war reeog-