War in the East

Bombardment and capture of the fortress of St. Jean D'Acre!-Terrible loss of life!-The celebrated fortress of St. Jean D'Acre, which once resisted the power of Napolean [Napoleon], has been captured by the British and allies, and a dreadful destruction of human lives. The following is the account published in the London papers, and copied from the N. Y. Commercial Gazette.

Owing to the light winds, the ships did not get into action till 2 P. M. on the 3d, when an animated fire was commenced and maintained without intermission, until darkness closed the operations of the day. About 3 hours later the Governor, with a portion of the garrison, quitted the town, which was taken possession of by the allied troops, at daylight the following morning. The moral influence on the cause in which we are engaged that will result from its surrender, is incalculable.

During the bombardment the principal magazine and the whole arsenal blew up. By the explosion two entire regiments, formed in position on the ramparts, were annihilated, and every living creature within the area of sixty thousand square yards ceased to exist; the loss of life being variously estimated at from 12,00 to 2,000 persons.

To her majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, I have reported the measures I have adopted for the temporary administration of the Pachalic of Acre, pending the pleasure of the Sultan.

I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed,) C. F. Smith, Colonel, Commanding the forces in Syria.

Statistics of the bombardment and capture of St. Jean D'Acre.-The action took place on the 3d day of November. The firing commenced at half past 2 P. M.; the action was general at 3 P. M.; the magazine exploded at 4 P.M.; the firing of the south division ceased at 5 P. M.; that of the north west division at 6 P. M.; the town was evacuated during the night, and at 5 A. M. the troops of the allies were landed. The total loss-the British and allies,_F18 killed and 45 wounded; the Egyptians, 2000 by the explosion of the magazine, and 300 on the rampart, killed-wounded unknown-3000 prisoners. The booty-on the walls of Acre, 121 mounted guns, 42 not mounted, and 20 mortars-in store and ready, 97 brass field pieces, and 97 morters [mortars]-besides arms, ammunition, shot, shell, stores of all kinds, military chest, hospital stores, and specie supposed to be near 65,000.

We are favored in this number with a lengthy communication from our beloved Brother W. W. Phelps, who has in former times written much upon the subject of the latter day work, which is now in lively operation, and upon various subjects, to the great satisfaction of all those who have been conversant with the productions of his pen.-Some, who are acquainted with the scenes of the west in the time of our deepest distress and affliction, and are unaquainted [unacquainted] with the restoration of Elder Phelps, it may seem somewhat strange to find this our beloved brother in fellowship with the Saints, and once more wielding his pen in the cause of truth, but the following letter will remove every obstacle: It was read to the Saints in this place and acted upon soon after it came to hand, and with one voice and uplifted hands they received brother Phelps into fellowship.-Men are not perfect.-Peter denied the Lord in the time of peril, and yet the Lord was ready and willing to forgive, and Peter afterward wrought a great work. We believe that Elder Phelps has a great work yet to do, and let the Saints hold him up by the prayer of faith, and help him do it. We hope Elder Phelps will continue to contribute his favors and they shall have a place in our little sheet.

Dayton, Ohio, June 29, 1840. Brother Joseph:-I am alive and with the help of God I mean to live still.-I am as the prodigal Son, though I never doubt or disbelieve the fullness of the gospel: I have been greatly abased and hnmbled [humbled]: and I blessed the God of Israel, when I lately read your prophetic blessing on my head, as follows: "The Lord will chasten him because he taketh honor to himself, and when his soul is greatly humbled, he will forsake the evil, then shall the light of the Lord break upon him, as at noon day, and in him shall be no darkness," &c. I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have passed so it is, and why I know not. I prayed and God answered, but what could I do? Says I, I will repent and live, and ask my old brethren to forgive me, and though they chasten one to death, yet I will die with them, for their God is my God. The least place with them is enough for me, yea it is larger and better than all Babylon. Then I dreamed "that I was in a large house with many mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was said supper must be made ready, as one of the cooks, I saw no meat, but you said there was plenty and showed me much, and as good as I ever saw; and while cutting to cook, you and Hyrum looked very pleasant and smiled, but Sidney's heart and mine beat within us, and we took each others hand and cried for joy." And I awoke and took courage.

I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to be saved if my friends will help me.-Like the captain that was cast away on a desert Island, when he got off he went to sea again, and made his fortune the next time. So let my lot be. I have done wrong and I am sorry.-The beam is in my own eye. I have not walked with my friends according to my holy anointing. I ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ of all the Saints, for I will do right, God helping me. I want your fellowship: if you cannot grant that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are brethren, and our communion used to be sweet. And whenever the Lord brings us together again, I will make all the satisfaction on every point, that Saints of God can require. Amen.

W. W. PHELPS. To Presidents Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, &c.

Dear Brethren: We have been in this place a few days, and have preached faithfully; a very great prospect of some able and influential men embracing the faith in this place. We have moved along slowly, but have left a sealing testimony: baptized a considerable number. We shall write again soon as we learn the result of our labors here more particularly. We are well and in good spirits through the favor of the Lord.

Brother Phelps requests us to write a few lines in his letter, and we cheerfully embrace the opportunity. Bro. Phelps says he wants to live; and we want he should live: but we do not feel ourselves authorized to act upon his case, but have recommended him to you; but he says that his poverty will not allow him to visit you in person at this time, and we think he tells the truth. We therefore advised him to write, which he has done. He tells us, verbally, that he is willing to make any sacrifice to procure your fellowship, life not excepted. Yet reposing that confidence in your magnanimits [magnanimity]

that you will take no advantage of his open and frank confession. If he can obtain your fellowship, he wants to come to Commerce as soon as he can. But if he cannot be received into the fellowship of the church, he must do the best he can in banishment and exile.

Brethren, with you are the keys of the kingdom: to you is power given to "exert your clemency, or display your vengeance." By the former, you will save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins: by the latter, you will forever discourage a returning prodigal, cause sorrow without benefit, pain without pleasure, ending in wretchedness and dispair [despair].

But former experience teaches that you are workman in the art of saving men: therefore, with the greatest confidence do we recommend to your clemency and favorable consideration the author and subject of this communication.

"Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely;" Brother Phelps says, he will; and so far as we are concerned, we say he MAY.

In the bonds of the covenant, ORSON HYDE, JOHN E. PAGE.

To Presidents Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, &c.