DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6553#0207
128
APPENDIX.
I have already observed, that the dress and appointments of
the men consisted of a red tarhonch, a white, dingy red, brown,
or blue loose jacket, buttoned up to the chin, loose breeches, and
leggins to match, red slippers, white leather belts, which were
never cleaned, a pouch of bad black leather, a waist-belt, a
sword, and a socket for a bayonet without a scabbard ; their arms
were clean, and in good order, and their bayonets were generally
fixed. They had a sullen and dejected look, a most unmilitary
appearance, and irregular habits. I have repeatedly seen sentries
squa'ted on tin ground, engaged in talking to other people, or in
spinning, with their firelocks resting against a wall. Their arms
were regularly lodged, in arm racks, at the several guards, but they
turned out in a very slovenly manner ; and,by the altercations, and
quarrelling, that took place between the non-commissioned officers
and the men in relieving the sentries, it appeared that the reliefs
were not regularly told off.
The Syrian battalions were very young, and of low stature ;
and, as their officers, and sergeants were full-grown Arabs, they did
not appear to advantage. It was said that many of them died
from the effects of the climate, when stationed in Egypt.
I never examined an infantry barrack, but several battalions
were encamped without the walls of Cairo in a very regular
manner, and the whole had a better appearance than could have
been expected ; the tents were white, and clean, and the guards,
and sentries were regularly posted. Their wives and families were
hutted at some distance in the rear, where there was a sort of
bazaar.
I saw eight battalions, each consisting of eight companies,
in all about 4500 men, inspected by the minister of war, on an
extensive desert plain near the encampment ; they were drawn
up in close order, their line was good, but their files were very
loose. The drums were in their rear; and the music on the right
flank ; the pioneers were well equipped.
One field-officer in each battalion was mounted. Some of the
officers were in full dress, but the whole of the men were in
white. The Egyptian battalions were composed of stout Arabs,
and were said to have served, when Acre was taken from the Turks,7
7 Acre is remarkable on many accounts, and will be for ever connected with
the name of a most distinguished character, whose glory is identified with that
of his country, which he served with such heroic enterprise, and with such pre-
eminent success. The exploits of Sir Sidney Smith are still remembered with
admiration, and with respect in Syria ; they appear, indeed, from the little re-
APPENDIX.
I have already observed, that the dress and appointments of
the men consisted of a red tarhonch, a white, dingy red, brown,
or blue loose jacket, buttoned up to the chin, loose breeches, and
leggins to match, red slippers, white leather belts, which were
never cleaned, a pouch of bad black leather, a waist-belt, a
sword, and a socket for a bayonet without a scabbard ; their arms
were clean, and in good order, and their bayonets were generally
fixed. They had a sullen and dejected look, a most unmilitary
appearance, and irregular habits. I have repeatedly seen sentries
squa'ted on tin ground, engaged in talking to other people, or in
spinning, with their firelocks resting against a wall. Their arms
were regularly lodged, in arm racks, at the several guards, but they
turned out in a very slovenly manner ; and,by the altercations, and
quarrelling, that took place between the non-commissioned officers
and the men in relieving the sentries, it appeared that the reliefs
were not regularly told off.
The Syrian battalions were very young, and of low stature ;
and, as their officers, and sergeants were full-grown Arabs, they did
not appear to advantage. It was said that many of them died
from the effects of the climate, when stationed in Egypt.
I never examined an infantry barrack, but several battalions
were encamped without the walls of Cairo in a very regular
manner, and the whole had a better appearance than could have
been expected ; the tents were white, and clean, and the guards,
and sentries were regularly posted. Their wives and families were
hutted at some distance in the rear, where there was a sort of
bazaar.
I saw eight battalions, each consisting of eight companies,
in all about 4500 men, inspected by the minister of war, on an
extensive desert plain near the encampment ; they were drawn
up in close order, their line was good, but their files were very
loose. The drums were in their rear; and the music on the right
flank ; the pioneers were well equipped.
One field-officer in each battalion was mounted. Some of the
officers were in full dress, but the whole of the men were in
white. The Egyptian battalions were composed of stout Arabs,
and were said to have served, when Acre was taken from the Turks,7
7 Acre is remarkable on many accounts, and will be for ever connected with
the name of a most distinguished character, whose glory is identified with that
of his country, which he served with such heroic enterprise, and with such pre-
eminent success. The exploits of Sir Sidney Smith are still remembered with
admiration, and with respect in Syria ; they appear, indeed, from the little re-