THE BOMBARDMENT OF SFAX.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 231, 6 September 1881, Page 3

THE BOMBARDMENT OF SFAX.

[By Tedeobaph.] [Per B.s. Te Anon at the Bluff ] PLYMOUTH, August 23. The following account of the bombardment of Sfax is taken from the “ Western Morning News ’’: —Full details of the bombardment of Sfax have now been received at Paris. On Saturday morning a battalion of soldiers and several companies of marines, supplied by the fleet, embarked in launches towed in the direction of Sfax, and as they were proceeding on the way, the ironclads kept up a well sustained fire in order to cover the landing. The preparations by the Arabs to resist the landing wore of a more extensive character than the nomad tribes could have been given credit for. They had constructed a battery with guns planted at the waterside, so as to rake the surface of the water with their fire. The object 'of this was evidently to blow the boats conveying the landing parties out of the water, but the bombardment of the ironolad squadron, which consisted of seven vessels, played hayoo with the battery. All the guns but two seem to have been speedily placed hors de combat. The breastworks of the battery appear to have been construoted of Alfalfa grass, to which the shells very soon set fire. The two guns which were left undisabled do not appear to have in any way impeded the landing of the troops. The Arabs, however, showed great pluck. When the sailors and battalion of the 92nd Regiment reached the beach they were received by a heavy musketry fire from behind the blazing grass battery. The sailors dashed at it and drove away the defenders, most of whom were killed. Commandant Miob, of the ship Alma, seized the green standard that still floated over the battery which had been occupied by the insurgents and hoisted the French flag in its place. They then attacked the gates, which were blown open, and the citadel carried, apparently after some insignificant resistance. The French, however, met with considerable opposition in their endeavor to possess themselves of the town. The Arabs disputed the ground inch by inch j many hurrying out of the houses fired at the enemy, at the same time rushing rapidly on from one building to another as the French troops advanced. The struggle lasted about an hour. The losses of the natives are estimated at 800 men.