Ch.XXIV, p.546, f.1
"He [the governor of Zanjan] fearing for himself at once took measures to
safeguard his authority and forwarded to Mirza Muhammad-Taqi Khan
Amir-i-Kabir a garbled account of the affair; for he was fearful lest
another should acquire more influence than he possessed and so his
authority and consideration should be weakened. In consequence of his
representations Siyyid Ali Khan Lieutenant-Colonel of Firuz-Kuh received
the royal command to proceed with a numerous body of horse and foot to
Zanjan, and to arrest Mulla Muhammad-'Ali, who had retired with his
followers (nearly five thousand in number) to the citadel. On his
arrival Siyyid Ali Khan laid siege to the citadel and thus was the fire
of strife kindled, and day by day the number of those slain on either side
increased until at length he suffered an ignominious defeat and was obliged
to ask for reinforcements from the capital. The government wished to send
Ja'far-Quli Khan, Lieutenant-Colonel, the brother of I'timadu'd-Dawlih,
but he excused himself, and said to Mirza Taqi Khan Amir-i-Kabir: `I'm
not an Ibn-i-Ziyad to go and make war on a band of siyyids and men of
learning of whose tenets I know nothing, though I should be ready enough to
fight Russians Jews or other infidels.' Other officers besides him showed
a disinclination to take part in this war. Amongst these was Mir Siyyid
Husayn Khan of Firuz-Kuh, whom Mirza Taqi Khan the Amir dismissed
and disgraced as soon as he became acquainted with his sentiments. So also
many of the officers who were of the sect of the Aliyu'llahis, although
they went to the war withdrew from it when they learned more of the
matter. For their chief had forbidden them to fight, and therefore they
fled. For it is written in their books that when the soldiers of Guran
shall come to the capital of the king then the Lord of the Age (whom they
call God) shall appear; and this prophecy was now accomplished. They also
possess certain poems which contain the date of the Manifestation, and
these too came true. So they were convinced that this was the Truth
become manifest, and begged to be excused from taking part in the war,
which thing they declared themselves unable to do. And to the Babis they
said: `In subsequent conflicts, when the framework of your religion shall
have gathered strength, we will help you.' In short, when the officers of
the army perceived in their opponents naught but devotion, godliness, and
piety, some wavered in secret and did not put forth their full strength in
the war." (The "Tarikh-i-Jadid," pp. 138-43.)