The Turks in an official report try to "save their
face" by a wandering story about an attack made by them on the morning of December 19th and a British counter-attack, with the conclusion that we were so alarmed that on the night of December 19th-20th we " hastily embarked part of our forces," under cover of a thick fog. The Turks claim of course to have taken very great booty in munitions, tents, and guns. This in all probability means camp debris which was not worth taking away. With the exception of some six guns which were destroyed by us, our artillery and stores were got away as well as our men. In truth, nothing could be more impudent as well as more false than the Turkish account. The Turks have, however, the excuse of having suffered one of the most galling mischances of war. They lost touch with an enemy, and let him retire without any of that punishment which it was within their power to inflict had they been more wideamake.
