THE BOMBARDMENT OF SFAX.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4027, 24 November 1881, Page 3

THE BOMBARDMENT OF SFAX.

The following account of the bombardment of Sfax is taken from the " Western Morning News " :—Full details of the bombardment of Sfnx have now been received at Paris. On Saturday morning a battalion of soldiers and several com panics of marines, supplied by the fleet, embarked in launches towed in Ahedjrection of Sfax, and as they were proceeding on their way, the ironclads kept up a well sustained fire in order to cover the landing. The preparations by the Arabs were of a more extensive character than the nomnd tribes could have been given credit for. They had constructed a battery with guns planted at the water side, so as to rake the surface of the water wilh theirfire. Theobjectof this was evidently to blow tho boats conveying the landing parlies out of the water, but the bombardment of the ironolad squadron, which consisted of seven vessels, played havoc with the battery. 1 All the guns but two have been speedily | placed hors de combat. The breastworks of the battery appear to have been constructed 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 tbe insurgents and hoisted the French flag in its place. They then attacked tbe gates, which were blown open, and the citidel was 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 ; many hurrying out of the houses fired at the enemy, at tbe same time rushing rapidly on from one building to another as the French troops advanced. The struggle lasted about an hour. Tbe losses of the natives are estimated at 800 men.