The War in Syria, Volume 1 (of 2)

In Short

This book serves as a primary historical record of the 1840 military campaign in Syria, written by a key naval participant. It details the British effort to restore Ottoman authority in the Levant by breaking the influence of Mehemet Ali and his son, Ibrahim Pacha. Blending personal correspondence, official reports, and candid commentary on naval leadership, the work captures the volatile transition of Eastern Mediterranean power. Its enduring value lies in its transparency—it offers an unvarnished look at the friction between commanders and the practical realities of nineteenth-century naval warfare.

The Story

The narrative begins with the author, a commodore in the British Navy, arriving in the Levant during a period of escalating tension. The central conflict revolves around Mehemet Ali, the ruler of Egypt, whose expanding power threatens the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. While European powers initially held a somewhat favorable view of the Pacha—even assisting in the modernization of his navy—his aggressive taxation and conscription policies in Syria eventually alienate his subjects and draw the ire of the Great Powers.

The arc of the story follows the British naval effort to suppress an insurrection in the Lebanon mountains and to eventually force the Egyptian army out of Syria. The author describes the initial frustration of operating with limited intelligence and the constant struggle to coordinate with Allied consuls and local leaders. As the British fleet shifts from monitoring the coast to active intervention, the story details a series of military engagements, including the assault on D’Jebail and the successful capture of the port of Sidon. These victories serve to embolden local mountaineers who rise up against Egyptian rule, yet the campaign is constantly hampered by disagreements among the leadership.

The author frequently finds himself at odds with his superiors, particularly regarding the pace and nature of military operations. He is often critical of the "meddling" of local governors and the perceived indecision of the Admiral in command. The conflict reaches a turning point at the Battle of Boharsof, where the author, acting with a degree of autonomy, helps engineer the defeat of Ibrahim Pacha’s forces. Despite his successes, the author remains deeply cynical about the administrative chaos that follows, noting that the Ottoman authorities often alienate the very people they are meant to liberate.

The climax of the campaign arrives with the naval bombardment and capture of the fortress of Acre. The author’s detailed description of the tactical planning for this assault—including his own warnings about the risks of the proposed strategy—provides a rare insight into the precarious nature of nineteenth-century naval maneuvers. Following this victory, the Egyptian forces are effectively broken. The narrative concludes with the author’s diplomatic mission to Alexandria, where he observes the Pacha’s surprisingly advanced naval infrastructure and reflects on the broader implications of the war. Ultimately, the book paints a picture of a successful but messy intervention, where military triumph is tempered by the recognition of the long-term instability caused by shifting colonial and imperial interests.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The author sets the scene by detailing his arrival in the Levant and his initial attempts to understand the complex political landscape. He highlights the early missteps of the Allied fleets and expresses his dissatisfaction with the passive approach taken toward the rising tensions.

The rising unrest As insurrection breaks out in the mountains of Lebanon, the author transitions to a more active role on the coast. He documents his direct communication with the Egyptian leadership, attempting to curb the "useless barbarity" of the conflict while navigating the conflicting interests of the local consuls.

Tactical engagement The focus shifts to specific military operations, beginning with the failed assault on D’Jebail and the more successful seizure of Sidon. The author meticulously reports on the bravery of his marines and the logistical challenges of coordinating a multinational force under fire.

Command and control Tensions within the British leadership bubble over as the author clashes with his superiors over the necessity of bold maneuvers. He recounts the frustration of being ordered to stand down while he believes a decisive strike could end the conflict, leading to the pivotal Battle of Boharsof.

The final blow The narrative culminates in the high-stakes naval bombardment of the fortress at Acre. The author recounts his skepticism regarding the Admiral’s plan, the execution of the assault, and the eventual surrender of the Egyptian garrison.

The aftermath The book concludes with an assessment of the campaign’s impact in Alexandria. The author offers a final evaluation of Mehemet Ali’s rule and the fragile state of the region following the intervention.

The People

The book is defined by the clashing egos and contrasting motivations of its key figures. The author, Commodore Sir Charles Napier, emerges as an impatient, highly capable, and opinionated officer who views himself as more decisive than his peers. His primary adversary in the field is Ibrahim Pacha, the Egyptian general, whom he respects for his military acumen even while working to dismantle his control over Syria. Mehemet Ali looms over the entire narrative as an "astonishing man"—a ruler whose rapid modernization of Egypt and its navy earns the author’s reluctant admiration, even as he views the Pacha’s expansionist ambitions as a threat to the established order.

Within the British hierarchy, the author experiences ongoing friction with Admiral Sir Robert Stopford. The Admiral represents the cautious, bureaucratic face of the Admiralty, often favoring restraint and diplomatic protocols, which stands in stark contrast to the Commodore’s preference for rapid, aggressive action. Souliman Pacha, an Egyptian officer, is portrayed with surprising nuance; he acts as a foil to the conflict, demonstrating "generous behavior" and maintaining a professional, albeit doomed, resistance against the British. Finally, Colonel Sir Charles Smith enters the story as a figure of institutional authority, sent to take command and imposing a new structure that leaves the author feeling marginalized. Each of these men is fundamentally changed by the campaign, as their reputations, relationships, and the very map of the Levant are permanently reshaped by the victory at Acre.

In Its Own Voice

"I observe with pain and regret that a general conflagration began in the mountains a few hours after the march of the troops from this place."

This line appears in a letter from the author to an Egyptian admiral, expressing his horror at the civilian suffering caused by the ongoing warfare.

"He has made officers and sailors of his Arabs, and has instilled some of his own activity into the minds of the indolent Turks in his service."

The author reflects on the surprising modernization of the Egyptian military after having witnessed the impressive naval installations in Alexandria.

"Had I been Commander-in-Chief, at my own risk and my own responsibility, I would have shipped old Izzet Pacha of to Constantinople, which would at once have shown a determination that oppression should not go on."

This quote, taken from a personal letter to Lord Minto, captures the author's frustration with the poor governance of the local Ottoman officials.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the tension between professional military ambition and the cold, often contradictory, requirements of imperial geopolitics. The book investigates the question of whether foreign intervention can truly "liberate" a region or if it merely trades one form of tyranny for another. Through the author’s eyes, we see the fragility of the "Eastern Question"—the ongoing competition between the Great Powers for influence over the crumbling Ottoman Empire. The narrative asks whether the modernization attempted by local rulers like Mehemet Ali can be reconciled with European dominance, or if such efforts are inevitably destined for suppression. It is a study of the friction between those who fight the war and those who formulate the policies that dictate the terms of the engagement.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in military history, naval strategy, or the nineteenth-century "Great Game" will find this book an essential, if challenging, primary source. It captures the visceral experience of a commander in the field—the uncertainty, the inter-service rivalries, and the constant navigation of international politics. For those who appreciate history told from the inside, the inclusion of original letters and despatches allows the reader to bypass modern interpretation and engage directly with the voices of the time.

However, the book demands patience. It is dense with the names of minor officials, technical descriptions of ship maneuvers, and the formal, sometimes stilted, language of Victorian military correspondence. The reader will encounter the period’s specific attitudes toward "Eastern" cultures, which are framed through the lens of nineteenth-century European imperialism. The author’s tone is consistently self-assured and often aggrieved, which, while providing a clear sense of his personality, requires the reader to look past his biases to understand the broader context. Ultimately, this book stays with you not for its prose, but for the clarity of its insight into how conflicts are won on the water and why the political aftermath is often far more difficult to navigate than the battle itself.