'File X/3 Disorders & Raids near Basra & in Koweit [Kuwait] Hinterland' [‎44r] (87/303)

CONFIDENTIAL
No. 928, dated Bushire, the 17th (received 25th) April 1910,
From— Lieutenant-Colonbl P. Z. Cox, C.I.E, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To The Hon’BLE Mr. S. H. Butler, C.S 1 ., CI.E., Secretary to the Govern
ment of India in the Foreign Department.
In continuation of Major Trevor’s communication of 30th March, I have the
negociated, I will defer offering comment until receipt of my next report. Mean
while Captain Shakespear knows what line to take with Shaikh Mubarak.
3. A copy of the Political Agent’s note on Shaikh Mubarak’s military
arrangements is being sent separately to the Chief of the Staff's Division.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your First Assistant’s letter
No. 743, dated the 22nd March 1910, but before replying thereto it will be more
convenient if I continue chronologically my report No. C.-12, dated the qth
March. '
2. For facility of reference I aUach extracts from my diary which give
in sufficient detail the accounts, as they were received, of the reverse inflicted by
Shaikh Sadun upon the Bin Subah and Bin Saud forces.
3* a contrast to these accounts the following description of this ** regret-
able incident ” as furnished to me by Shaikh Mubarak himself is interesting, if
fallacious. The Shaikh said that the attack by the combined forces was in the
first place badly planned : in spite of this fact, however, it was successful and
broke up Shaikh Sadun’s cavalry who fled leaving a number of dead on the field.
Unfortunately the attack took place over the dried-up bed of a large rain-pool,
from which a very heavy cloud of dust rose ; owing to the natural confusion of
the attack and the subsequent impenetrable dust the combined horsemen who
made the first attack lost-their bearings whilst their supporting “ thalul ” riders
(camelry) remained in ignorance as to what had resulted from the charge. Sadun,
as he galloped put of the melee, apparently at once grasped the situation and with
rare geneial-ship seems to have rallied his broken cavalry and led them round under
cover of the dust to attack the bewildered camelry. The camelry naturally assum
ing an attack upon them could not be possible without their horsemen having been
already defeated, broke at once and fled to save their skins and “ thaluls ”.
Sadun having disposed of the camelry turned his attention to the horsemen who
already confused by their first attack were wondering what had become of their
supporting camelry. Receiving no support and being again attacked they also
fled leaving Sadun master of the field. Shaikh Mubarak averred that his men
lost very few of their camels and even succeeded in securing some of Sadun’s
mares in their first attack. He gave the casualties as only 3 men of his own
Reshaida and some 120 of Sadun’s men killed. Sadun’s son, Thamir, had his
mare killed under him, himself being shot through the thigh, whilst 5 of the smaller
Dhaffir Shaikhs were amongst the dead on Sadun’s side. The Shaikh denied
that Sadun was supported by any Shammar, as reported in my diary ; he said
that Sadun had asked Ibn Sebhan (Ibn Rashid’s guardian and regent) for assist
ance but the latter had refused it.
4. The few casualties on the Kuwait side show that the affair, in spite of
Shaikh Mubarak’s somewhat ingenious explanation, was undoubtedly a disgrace
• No. C.-I4, dated the 30th March 1910. honour to enclose a ^report from the Poli-
tlCrll Appnf. Kuwait rPiorQrrl irirr tVio hTn.-t-oi*
No. C.-I4, dated the 30th March 1910.
tical Agent, Kuwait, regarding the Kuwait
expedition against Shaikh Sadun.
last week, and as my latest information is that a peaceable settlement is being
2. Despatch of the papers has been somewhat delayed owing to my absence
No. C.-14, dated Kuwait, the 30th March 1910.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, I.A , Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kuwait,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.