NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL. THE STORMING OF SFAX.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 57, 6 September 1881, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL. THE STORMING OF SFAX.

DETERMINED RESISTANCE BY THE ARABS. THE FRENCH VICTORIOUS. [united press association. 1 [ per rotorua, at the bluff ] Plymouth. 23rd July. The following account of the bombardment of Sfax is taken from the Western Morning News : — Full details of the bombardment of Sfax have now reached Paris. On Saturday morning a battalion of soldiers and several corps of marines, supplied by the fleet, embarked in launches towed iv the direotion of s-fax. As they proceeded on their way, the ironclads kept a well-sustained fire, under cover of which the landing was effected. The preparations of the Arabs to resist the landing were of a more extensive character than nomad tribes could have been given credit for. Tney had constructed a battery at Kasante, with guns planted on the waterside, so as to rake the surface of tho water with their fire. The object of this was evidently to blow the boats, containing the landing parties, out of the water, but the bombardment of the ironclad squadron, whioh consisted of seventy vessels, supported by five gun pieces, played havoo with the battery at Kasante. All the guns but two seem to have been speedily placed hors de combat. The breastwork of the battery appearß to have been constructed of alpha grass, to which the shells very soon set fire. The two guna, which were left undisturbed, do not appear to have in any way impeded the landing of the troop 3. The Arabs, however, showed great pluck when the sa>lors and a battalion of the 92nd Regiment reached the beach, where they were received by a heavy musketry fire from behind the blazing alpha 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 was occupied by insurgents, and hoisted the French flag in its place. He 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 the endeavour to possess themselves of the town. The Arabs disputed tho ground, inch by inch. Tho struggle lasted about an hour, and the losses of the natives are estimated at 800 men.