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Persia was sending an army of twenty thousand mon to thoir assistance, which gave great con-
fidenco to tho Persians inside. Persians have informed me that they heard these reports, and
many bolieved them ; also they have most positively assurod mo that their Consul never
wrote or communicated with them, and on hearing he had roturned to Bagdad, did not consider
there was any danger. The Consul asserts he wroto to the Chief Priest Ha joe Seid Uansem,
which the latter most positively denies. It is to be regretted that finding the Pasha was dc*
termined to act, lie did not communicate with the Persians, but I do not*feel at all certain that
they would have listened to liis advice, the war had now become a' rcligioui war and all felt
confident the placo would not be taken. The Pasha told me that letters wero intercepted
addressed by tho Arabs to the people of Kerbclla, telling them to hold out, that twelve
thousand men wore comming to their assistance, and would attack the Pasha’s camp.
The siege had now lasted many days fighting aud negotiating daily, tbo Seraskier
finding his guns made no impression, aud the guns on the bastion and wall pieces giving him
much annoyance, took up a new line of attack by the Nujif road a short distance east of his
former position. From this he entered the gardens and fought his way step by step for
several days. The troops during this time underwent groat fatigue ; they had to cut a road
through a grove of date trees about one hundred yards wide for the distance ot a quarter of a
mile. The trees were cut down mostly during the night by the Arabs who accompanied tho
army assisted by the soldiers, until thoy reached tho tomb of lbn Humsab, which was in
possession of the Yeramua, here severo fighting took place, the troops at last drove them out.
At this place the Seraskier established his main battery of four guns about three hundred and
fifty yards from the wall of the town, which he constructed from the wall surrounding the
tomb. The trees between the battery and the town were smashed by the shot. The camp
remained in its former position. The inhabitants getting short of shot, tho brass railing
which surrounds the outer part of the tomh of Abbas was taken and cast into balls and shot;
and the Persian sbopkeopers were forced to provide any materials they had for that purpose.
The walls were daily crowded by the inhabitants who vonted the grossest abuse on tho Sultan,
and cursed the soldiers and their religion, tho chief people of Kerbella doing all in their power
to excite the religious feelings of tho Shceahs against the Soonics. The Mollahs also wore most
active, I have been told,as they could not fight, they repaired any damages the wall
might receive, they prayed also in the Mosques encouraging and exciting the people telling
thom it was a religious war. It is a well known fact that Sr-id Seid, (he has charge of the Mosque
of Abbas, and has much influence in Kerbella) when all had noarly agreed to the Pasha’s
proposition, got up in the assembly, and dashing his turban on the ground, exclaimed, “do
you call yourselves Sheeahs, and talk of giving up the town, and your wives to the infidels
outside.” Tho Chief Priest Ilajee Seid Uansem did all in his power to prevent hostilities, ho
preached against their proceedings, he was abused and threatened, they would not listen to him.
This l have heard from many people who were at Kerbella. At this time all were unanim­
ous in defending the place.
The position of tho Seraskier had now become very perilous. The Euphrates had risen
the bridge of boats was carried away, and no provisions had for many days arrived from
Bagdad. The men were fatigued and dispirited from exposure to the cold and damp, half,
rations were only served out, and many desertions took placo. In this state of affairs the
Seraskier called a council of war of his officers and it was resolved that the place should bo
taken by assault; up to this timo the firo of the ortillery had been very slack, and the walls of
the town had sustained no damage. On the 11th January, Ferik Koord Mahomet Pasha
arrived at tho Scraskicr’s camp, accompanied by a Monsiaur de Theveuin a French otficer in the
Turkish service, a vigorous fire was kept upon the town, and on the 12th the Ferik reported the
breech practicable. Alwan an Arab was despatched to the town with a flag of truco, and the
Seraskier's last proposals. The Chiefs met him at the gate, and a long and violent debate
ensued. They had all agreed to the terras proponed, wheo Mcorza Sauleb, Ycramus, got up
and drew his swords, and dashing his turban on tho ground, sworo by the Prophet that, as they
had gono so far they could not recede, but must now put their trust in God and the Prophet.
The meeting dispersed, Alwan Arab returned to the Seraskier, hostilities commenced, and after
sunset the batteries ceased firing. The cold this night was excessive.
Upwards of eight thousand Arabs were in the town, being Shoeahs had arrived to assist
tho inhabitants, it was there red (*ic) finding themeeBes not well treated, boiug badly supplied
with food, powder and ball, they got discontented, and the night (sic). The Chiefs got alarmed
aud pacified them, thuy were distributed amongst the chiefs and po»plo, food was soized and pre­
pared for them. The firiug in the batteries having ceased, the inhabitants fancied there was
no immediate danger and the Arabs instead of returning to their posts remained in the
houses, where they hud been distributed that night.
Tho Seraskier immediately made his arrangements to carry tho placo ky assault. The
atorraing party was divided into threo divisions commanded by lahir Be" of the iwoosul
llrigado ; one division was ordered to fiold the breach; (tho breach was about ft ft) yards wuc)
tho second division to rush along the wall inside t ho Nujif gato, adistauco of sixty or seventy
yards, to open it, and let in tho main body of troops, whilst tho third division consisting or
artillery men wero to got possessrn of tho guns in the nearest bastions, and lura t cm
against the town. Tahir Beg, finding that tho soldiers did not muoh relish the task they had
before them promised if they gained the broach, they might do as they pleased when t ey
entired tho town. The Soraskior also promised one hundred piastres for overy Yoramus
hood.