Page 54 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883
P. 54
42 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THIS PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
Tousoun Pasha again advanced and attacked Tarabah, but failed, and
bis force retreated with some loss to Tayif. Mohammed ’Ali then pre
pared to renew the campaign. Such was the position of affaire when
news was received of the death of the Amir Su’ood-bin-’Abdul 'Azeez,
which occurred at El-Der’cyyah on the I7fh of April 18Id, he having
attained the age of sixty-eight years.
'Abdullah, the eldest son of Su’ood, bad been elected to the succession
during his father’s lifetime, and, on the
A.D. 1814.
death of the latter, took his place as
'Abdnllah-bin-Su’ood. Chief of the Wahabccs without opposi
tion.
In January 1815 Mohammed 'Ali inflicted a defeat on the Wahabcc
army which was 20,000* strong, and
A.D. 1815.
shortly after returned with bis own
troops to Jiddah. Tousoun Pasha continued the campaign, and operating
from Medina, entered the town of El-Rass, the capital of the district of
El-Kascein ; the army of the Amir 'Abdullab-bin-Su'ood being then at
'Ancyzab, little further east. At this juncture Mohammed 'Ali, who had
again advanced to Medina, received the news of the landing of Napolean
from Elba, and immediately returned to Egypt. Tousouu, however, was
reinforced in El-Kasccm, and having opened negotiations with the
"Wahaboe Amir, the latter sent his uncle, 'Abdullah-bin-'Abdul 'Azcez, to
the Egyptian camp to conclude a peace which was effected, the terms
being on the basis of the Amir’s submission to the Sultan of Turkey,
and engagement to give homages, ar.d even to present himself in person
at Constantinople if require! by the Sultan to do so. 'Abdullah further
agreed to surrender Der’evyah to whomsoever the Sultan should appoint
to be Governor, and to make restitution of the valuables plundered from
Medina by the Wahabccs under Su’ood. The submission of the Amir
on this occasion was the more uuaccountable that the Egyptian army
was at the time in a critical position, and by operating on its communi
cations and intercepting supplies, the Wahabees might liave destroyed
it. The Amir so far fulfilled the terras of the treaty as to despatch
deputies and hostages to Egypt, but he nevertheless proceeded to punish
those of the Arab tribes who bad joined
[Mengin.] the Turks, and to prepare for the defence
of El-Der'eyyah.
The Viceroy, on learning the terms of the peace concluded by
his son, refused to ratify them, demanding that 'Abdullah should person
ally appear before him in Egypt to answer for his conduct. He also
dismisjid the Wahabee Euvoys and sent further reinforcements to
Arabia. About the same time Tousoun Pasha, hearing of the occurrence
of a revolution in Egypt, hastened to return there, leaving garrisons in
Medina and other towns.
• Note.-The Wahahee force* were col lock'd and marshalled be clans and district*.
Tbov from ttcb district formed a rorpa under the personal leadership of tho local Amif
or Chief. Each soldier brought bit own anni and furnitbed hit own rations and th#
•oldier* made their own gunpowder. Foot toldier* mod eamrl ridert rcceired no paj. Tb*
csrulr/ received forage and allowances. A strict discipline was maintained.