TCD MS 10516 folio 22 recto
Sunday: September 10th 1916: Nasiriyah.
Times are not very exciting.
The garrison sent one small expedition up the river on the 2nd September. Its object was to place a friendly Arab Sheik at the head of the village of El Khidr which had recently been devastated by us. No opposition was expected so the party was a small one, consisting of but two gunboats with an escort of about 150 rifles. The account of what occurred does not appear very creditable to us. The Sheik had a goodly following; he felt quite strong enough to maintain his position in the village against his Arab enemies. He gave us to understand that he could not resist regular troops. He would guarantee to exert influence in El Khidr, to defend the place against all attack but that of a force of regular soldiers. We, on the other hand, were to use