DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0228
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 1,95
I do not mean to depreciate the merits of the gallant
defenders of the breach at Acri, when I mention, that some
of the inhabitants who were present when it was besieged by
the French, seemed to think that the last attempts of Buona-
parte to storm the place were frustrated by the treachery or
disaffection of some officers in command upon that attack,
who were ordered to meet and mutually support each other
at the head of their respective columns, after they had suc-
ceeded in forcing the breach. One column penetrated into
the gardens of the seraglio, where Djezzar was, and not
being supported by the others, was cut in pieces: the
latter were obliged to retreat. On this Buonaparte decided
on abandoning his enterprise. The Christians with whom I
talked on the subject, said they were only waiting for the
capture of Acri to rise in his favour: the whole of Syria
would have then joined him, to the entire subversion of the
Turkish government in that part of the world. The asser-
tions of people after so long an interval of time, are, however,
always to be received with caution; yet the importance at-
tached to the possession of Acri is so great, that no European
power will ever be considered master of Syria till that town
is captured. The details of the expedition of Buonaparte
in the Precis des E'venemens Militaires, give every reason
to suppose he would not have made such sacrifices unless the
capture of the place was to ensure extraordinary advantages.
2 c 2
I do not mean to depreciate the merits of the gallant
defenders of the breach at Acri, when I mention, that some
of the inhabitants who were present when it was besieged by
the French, seemed to think that the last attempts of Buona-
parte to storm the place were frustrated by the treachery or
disaffection of some officers in command upon that attack,
who were ordered to meet and mutually support each other
at the head of their respective columns, after they had suc-
ceeded in forcing the breach. One column penetrated into
the gardens of the seraglio, where Djezzar was, and not
being supported by the others, was cut in pieces: the
latter were obliged to retreat. On this Buonaparte decided
on abandoning his enterprise. The Christians with whom I
talked on the subject, said they were only waiting for the
capture of Acri to rise in his favour: the whole of Syria
would have then joined him, to the entire subversion of the
Turkish government in that part of the world. The asser-
tions of people after so long an interval of time, are, however,
always to be received with caution; yet the importance at-
tached to the possession of Acri is so great, that no European
power will ever be considered master of Syria till that town
is captured. The details of the expedition of Buonaparte
in the Precis des E'venemens Militaires, give every reason
to suppose he would not have made such sacrifices unless the
capture of the place was to ensure extraordinary advantages.
2 c 2