Leaving Ithamar to keep the centre in check, he charged
the Sultan of Roum with the Sacred Guard, and afforded Jabaster an
opportunity of rallying some part of his forces. The Sultan of Roum,
perceiving that the day was lost by the ill-conduct of his colleagues,
withdrew his troops, retreated in haste, but in good order to Bagdad,
carried off the caliph, his harem, and some of his treasure, and
effected his escape into Syria. In the meantime the discomfiture of
the remaining Turkish army was complete. The Tigris was dyed with their
blood, and the towns through which the river flowed were apprised of the
triumph of Alroy by the floating corpses of his enemies. Thirty thousand
Turks were slain in battle: among them the Sultans of Bagdad and Syria,
and a vast number of atabeks, emirs, and chieftains. A whole division,
finding themselves surrounded, surrendered on terms, and delivered up
their arms. The camps and treasures of the three sultans were alike
captured, and the troops that escaped so completely dispersed, that they
did not attempt to rally, but, disbanded and desperate, prowled over and
plundered the adjoining provinces. The loss of the division of Jabaster
was also severe, but the rest of the army suffered little.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189