Facsimile · p. 487
Alexandria after the bombardment. On the 13th of Sha'ban, around 2 PM, Arabi's soldiers had evacuated Alexandria. Zahra Bey conveyed this news to the Khedive, stating that Admiral Seymour intended to land naval troops at Ras el-Tin and invited His Highness to his ship for safety. His Highness preferred to go to the Ras el-Tin Palace. He was accompanied by Darwish Pasha. Upon arriving at the palace, he found Admiral Seymour and some of his soldiers waiting for him in the courtyard. In the evening, representatives of the foreign powers visited and congratulated him on his safety. The palace was guarded by English soldiers. The following day, the Admiral landed more troops, whose men patrolled the streets with cannons to calm the residents. The casualties were estimated at one hundred patriots and five Englishmen on the fortifications, not to mention the massacres that occurred during that time in Tanta, El-Mahalla El-Kubra, and other places. After the Khedivial family moved to Ras el-Tin, His Highness summoned Zahra Bey and appointed him as translator for the palace and English officers, entrusting them with preventing any entry into the palace, as the rebels had appointed spies. Arabi and his followers fled to Kafr El-Dawar and encamped there with the intention of advancing. Once the English established control in Alexandria, they began cleaning the markets and streets. They invited the displaced to return to their homes to restore peace and tranquility. During this time, Darwish Pasha was summoned to Istanbul and departed. Ragheb Pasha wrote to Admiral Seymour informing him that Arabi's actions from then on were against the Khedive's orders and that he alone was responsible. Then, His Highness the Khedive wrote to Ahmed Arabi ordering him to cease all military actions and prepare for the English government, as there was no dispute between it and the Egyptian government, and it was ready to hand over the country to a regular force, ensuring peace and security. Arabi responded to the Ras el-Tin Palace, stating that the bombardment by the English ships was with the approval of the Council of Ministers and Darwish Pasha, and that the ministers had declared war on the English. Thus, the Admiral, having now abandoned war for peace after the war had occurred, was seeking a settlement. This could be a denial of the war, but it leans towards reconciliation.