In the year 1800, a French army, which had been designated the “Army of
the East,” held Egypt in subjection, and the British government
anticipating that India was the meditated scene of conquest, determined
to employ the disposable force of the kingdom in relieving Egypt from
her invaders. After experiencing much severe weather at sea, the fleet
arrived at Malta, where the troops landed, and the abundance of fresh
provisions afforded by the inhabitants was most welcome. Leaving that
island on the 20th. of December, 1800, the armament sailed to Marmorice,
in Asiatic Turkey, where the fleet anchored in a spacious bay environed
by mountains, whilst gunboats were being procured for the expedition,
horses for the cavalry, and a plan of co-operation was in course of
arrangement with the Turks.
This force was under the command of the veteran General Sir Ralph
Abercromby, K.B., and about six thousand men from India and the Cape of
Good Hope, under Major-General Baird, so celebrated for his conduct at
Seringapatam, were appointed to co-operate.
At this period the British forces were brigaded as follows:—Guards,
Major-General the Honourable George J. Ludlow, First Royals, 54th., two
battalions, and 92nd, Major-General (afterwards Sir Eyre) Coote; 8th.,
13th., 18th., and 90th., Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Cradock;
2nd., 50th., and 79th., Major-General Lord Cavan; 30th., 44th., and
89th., Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir John) Doyle; Minorca, De
Rolle’s, and Dillon’s regiments (since disbanded,) Major-General John
Stuart, (afterwards Count of Maida.) The reserve consisted of
detachments of 11th. and Hompesch’s dragoons, 40th., flank companies,
23rd., 28th., 42nd., 58th., and Corsican Rangers, (since disbanded,)
Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore; 12th. and 26th. dragoons,
Major-General the Honourable Edward Finch; artillery and pioneers,
Brigadier-General Lawson.
After some delay at Marmorice, in expectation of receiving
reinforcements of Greeks and Turks, the expedition proceeded to its
destination, and on the 2nd of March, 1801, anchored in the Bay of
Aboukir, eastward of Alexandria, when, notwithstanding all the exertions
of the navy, under the orders of Admiral Lord Keith, the necessary
arrangements for landing the troops could not be effected until a week
afterwards, owing to unfavourable weather, and other obstructions. A
landing was however effected on the 8th. of March.
The troops forming the first division, consisting of the reserve, under
the command of Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore; the brigade of
Guards, under the Honourable Major-General Ludlow; and a portion of the
first brigade, under Major-General Coote, got into the boats early in
the morning; they had generally about six miles to row, and did not
reach the point of landing until ten o’clock. The front of
disembarkation was narrow, and a hill, which commanded the whole, seemed
almost inaccessible. Notwithstanding their being exposed to a very
severe cannonade, and under the fire of grape shot, the troops made good
their landing, ascended the hill, and forced the enemy to retire,
leaving behind him seven pieces of artillery, together with a number of
horses. The troops that ascended the hill in the face of dangers and
difficulties sufficient to intimidate ordinary men, consisted of the
23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and the four flank companies of the 40th.
regiment, under the command of Colonel Spencer, whose conduct was
specially commended in the despatches; in which also the good order of
the disembarkation of the 28th. and 42nd. regiments, under the command
of Brigadier-General Oakes was particularly noticed. Whilst these
regiments formed and mounted the position, the Foot Guards and 58th.
regiment prolonged the attack, the Royals and the 54th. pushing forward
to sustain their gallant comrades. A column of French infantry advancing
through a hollow way with fixed bayonets against the left flank of the
Foot Guards, encountered the two latter regiments; the British advanced,
when their opponents hesitated, fired a volley, and then retreated. The
disembarkation of the army continued on the 8th. and the day
following.[24]
The troops which landed on the 8th., advanced three miles the same day,
and on the 12th., the army moved forward, and came in sight of the
enemy, who was strongly posted with his right to the canal of
Alexandria, and his left towards the sea.
About six o’clock in the morning of the 13th. of March, the British
advanced to attack the enemy’s position in front of Mandora. The leading
brigades were commanded by Major-Generals Cradock and the Earl of Cavan.
The 90th. formed the advanced guard of the front line, and the 92nd.
that of the second; both battalions suffered severely, and were highly
distinguished. These two regiments bear the word “MANDORA” on their
colours. The French having opened a most destructive fire from their
artillery, enfiladed the column to its whole depth, and orders were
consequently given to deploy into line. This was considered a favourable
moment, and the enemy immediately advanced to the attack. Major-General
Cradock formed his brigade under a heavy fire, and the gallant conduct
of the regiments, (the 8th., 13th., 18th., and 90th. infantry,) was
equal to the emergency. In this action Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards
Viscount) Hill commanded the 90th., and exhibited that coolness and
conspicuous bravery so frequently displayed during the Peninsula
campaigns. The remainder of the army were immediately in a situation not
only to face but to repel the enemy. The reserve, under Major-General
Moore, which was on the right, on the change of the position of the
army, moved on in column, and covered the right flank. The French were
driven from their position, and were compelled to retreat over the
plains into the lines on the heights before Alexandria.
In the general orders issued on the following day, it was stated, that
“The Commander-in-Chief has the greatest satisfaction in thanking the
troops for their soldier-like and intrepid conduct in the action of
yesterday; he feels it incumbent on him particularly to express his most
perfect satisfaction with the steady and gallant conduct of
Major-General Cradock’s brigade.”
Having gained a second victory on the shores of Egypt, the army took up
a position about four miles from Alexandria, having a sandy plain in
front, the sea on the right, and the canal of Alexandria and the lake of
Aboukir on the left. The reserve, was posted under Major-General Moore,
on very high ground, projecting a quarter of a mile on the right, and
extending to the large and magnificent ruins of a palace, built in the
time of the Romans, within fifty yards of the sea. This high ground of
sand-hills and old ruins, was about three hundred yards broad; it sloped
gradually down into a valley, which lay between it and the other parts
of the position. The 58th. regiment occupied the ruins, and the 28th. a
redoubt near them; the 23rd. and 42nd., with the flank companies of the
40th., and the Corsican Rangers, were placed a short distance behind the
ruins and the redoubt; the other corps of the army extending to the
canal. The French occupied a parallel position on a high and almost
perpendicular ridge of hills; in the centre of their line appeared Fort
Crétin—in the left of its rear Fort Caffarelli,—Pompey’s Pillar on its
right,—Cleopatra’s Needle on the left, and the city of Alexandria
extending to the sea, with the masts of the shipping in the harbour at
the back of the town. The whole presented a most interesting appearance;
objects celebrated in history, even some of the wonders of the world,
could be distinctly seen, and the ruins under the soldier’s feet were of
interesting antiquity.
For seven days the army occupied this position without interruption; the
soldiers being under arms every morning at three o’clock, and working
parties being afterwards employed in strengthening the post.
BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA.
21ST. MARCH, 1801.
The French army having been augmented by the arrival of additional
troops from the interior, General Menou advanced early on the morning of
the celebrated 21st. of March, and attacked the British position with
great intrepidity. The action commenced about an hour before daylight by
a false attack on the British left, consisting of the 8th., 13th.,
18th., and 90th. regiments, which was under Major-General Cradock’s
command, where they were soon repulsed. The most vigorous efforts of the
enemy were directed against the right, which they endeavoured to turn.
The attack on that point was commenced with great impetuosity by the
French infantry, sustained by a strong body of cavalry, who charged in
column. They were received with equal ardour, and with the utmost
steadiness and discipline. The contest was unusually obstinate; the
enemy was twice repulsed, and his cavalry became repeatedly mixed with
the British infantry. At length they retired, leaving an immense number
of killed and wounded on the field. In these attacks the 28th. and 42nd.
regiments gained great renown; the former had been ordered into the
redoubt on the left of the ruins of the palace of the Ptolemies,—the
left wing of the 42nd. advanced under Major Stirling, and took post on
the open ground quitted by the 28th., and the right wing of the regiment
under Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, formed two hundred yards in the rear
of the left wing. In an instant the ruins, redoubt, and left wing were
attacked by the enemy with great impetuosity; but the steady and
well-directed fire of the British regiments forced their assailants to
retire.
While the front was thus engaged, a column of the famed “Invincible
Legion” advanced, preceded by a six-pounder gun, silently along the
interval between the left of the 42nd. and the right of the Foot Guards,
from which the cavalry picket had retired, and calculating its distance
correctly, although in the dark, it wheeled to its left, and penetrated
unobserved between the wings of the 42nd. regiment drawn up in parallel
lines. The instant this column was seen, the right wing of that regiment
attacked its front with great gallantry, and captured the gun,—the rear
rank of the left wing faced about attacked to its rear, and the French
being thus placed between two fires, rushed towards the ruins of the
ancient palace,—receiving the fire of the 28th. as they passed the
redoubt, of the grenadiers and light infantry of the 40th. as they
passed the ground occupied by these companies, and being pursued in full
career by the 42nd. As the French entered the ruins, two companies of
the 58th. wheeled back, and after firing a few rounds of musketry,
charged with the bayonet. Being thus attacked in front and on the
flanks, and pursued by the Highlanders, who closed with bayonets on the
rear, the “Invincible Legion” resisted until six hundred and fifty of
their number had fallen, when the survivors, about two hundred and fifty
in number, threw down their arms and surrendered, delivering up their
standard to Major Stirling, of the 42nd., who gave it in charge of a
sergeant, with directions to remain close to the gun which the regiment
had taken from the enemy.[25]
This column of the enemy being thus disposed of, the 42nd. instantly
issued from among the ruins, and formed line in battalion on the flat,
with their right supported by the redoubt; but at that moment the French
infantry pressed forward so rapidly, that Major-General Moore ordered
the regiment forward before its formation was completed, when Sir Ralph
Abercromby, who was on the spot, encouraging the troops, called out “My
brave Highlanders, remember your country, remember your forefathers!”
and the regiment rushed forward with heroic ardour, drove back the
French, and pursued them along the sandy plain. Major-General Moore, who
had the advantage of a keen penetrating eye, saw through the increasing
clearness of the atmosphere, fresh columns of the enemy, with three
squadrons of cavalry, prepared to charge through the intervals of the
retreating infantry, and instantly calling to the 42nd. to cease
pursuing, directed them to resume their former ground to resist the
charge of cavalry. This order to fall back to the redoubt was repeated
by Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, but it was only partially heard by the
regiment, owing to the noise from the firing; the companies which heard
it fell back, and the others remained in advance. While in this broken
state, the regiment was charged by the French horsemen, who dashed
forward with great audacity, as to an assured victory; but the gallant
Highlanders stood firm, and their fire thinned the enemy’s ranks in the
advance. All the companies which were formed repulsed the dragoons with
loss; the other companies were broken, yet the Highlanders individually,
or in small groups, maintained a fierce contest with the dragoons, and a
number of single combats took place, in which great courage and activity
were displayed. The French dragoons which had penetrated the broken
companies, or passed through the intervals, turned to their left towards
the ruins of the old Roman palace, as the column of infantry had done
early in the morning, and were nearly annihilated by the fire of the
28th. regiment.
During this fierce contest the British troops had expended their
ammunition, and while a supply was being procured from the ordnance
stores at a distance, their fire ceased; that of the enemy, however, was
continued with great execution, and put to a severe test the patient
endurance of the troops, who suffered severely. When a supply of
ammunition arrived, the enemy retreated, and the action terminated.
One stand of colours and two field pieces were taken.
Sir Ralph Abercromby received a mortal wound at the commencement of the
action, but which he concealed until the battle was decided. This
gallant general died on the 28th. of March, and was buried at Malta. He
was succeeded in the command of the army by Lieutenant-General
(afterwards Lord) Hutchinson. In that officer’s despatch, the conduct of
the reserve, under Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore against
whom the principal attack was directed, was highly noticed;
Major-General Moore and Brigadier-General Oakes, both wounded nearly at
the same time, were specially mentioned; and the 28th. and 42nd.
regiments[26] were reported as having acted “in the most distinguished
and brilliant manner.”
After this victory one division traversed the country to Rosetta, and
captured the forts at that place; part of the army then advanced up the
River Nile, and forced the French troops at the city of Cairo to
surrender. Another portion was engaged in the blockade of Alexandria.
Meanwhile the force under Major-General Baird had sailed from Bombay for
the Red Sea. The original design was to proceed to the port of Suez, but
the monsoon had commenced before the fleet entered the Red Sea, in
April, 1801, when the Major-General determined to land at Cosseir, on
the Red Sea, and brave the difficulties of the desert, in the hope of
affording important aid to the forces which had arrived in Egypt from
Europe. This was the first occasion that British troops had proceeded by
the overland route,[27] which course was again adopted during the
Crimean Campaign, when two regiments of cavalry (10th. and 12th.
Dragoons) proceeded from India to Sebastopol. At this early period the
fourteen-days’ march through the desert was a more serious affair than
in later times.
On landing, the country presented a frightfully desolate prospect, but
the soldiers commenced their march with alacrity, although suffering
from excessive heat and dysentery, occasioned by bad water. The march
was made during the night. A short distance from Cosseir the troops
entered a ravine, which appeared to be the old bed of a river, along
which they travelled three days, when it terminated at Moilah: thence
the desert had generally a hard gravelly soil, until the troops arrived
at Baromba, where the first habitable spot was met with after leaving
Cosseir, not a single hut being previously seen. There was an almost
irresistible inclination to sleep, and some soldiers straggling from the
line of march that they might lie down, lost their lives. About ten
miles from Baromba was Kenna, which was reached without further
difficulty.
Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir John Hely Hutchinson, K.B., who
had succeeded to the command upon the death of General Sir Ralph
Abercromby, advanced to Grand Cairo, which capitulated on the 27th. of
June, 1801. General Menou, refusing to accept the capitulation of Cairo,
was closely besieged in Alexandria. The operations against the enemy’s
works commenced on the 17th. of August. Major-General Coote embarked
with a strong body of troops in the night of the 16th. and 17th. of
August, and effected a landing to the westward of Alexandria, and
immediately invested the strong castle of Marabout.
On the night between the 18th. and 19th., Major-General Coote opened
batteries against the castle of Marabout. This fort, situated on an
island at the entrance to the old harbour of Alexandria, capitulated to
the troops under Major-General Eyre Coote, on the 21st. of August, 1801.
No loss was sustained. A brass gun was captured from the enemy by the
first battalion of the 54th. regiment, which it retained until December,
1841; and on its being placed in the repository established in the Royal
Arsenal at Woolwich, the corps received the royal authority to bear the
word “MARABOUT” on the regimental colours and appointments, in
commemoration of the gallantry evinced by the battalion at the capture
of that fort. No other regiment bears this distinction.
During the evening of the 27th. of August, General Menou sent an
aide-de-camp to request an armistice for three days, in order to afford
time to prepare a capitulation, which after some difficulties and delays
was signed on the 2nd. of September. It is on record that after the
terms of surrender were concluded, the French General received
Brigadier-General Hope with the natural politeness of his countrymen,
and an invitation was given to dinner, the repast consisting entirely of
horse-flesh.
This terminated the campaign in Egypt, and the achievements of the
British army were a prelude to future victories. The troops received the
thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and all the regiments received the
royal authority to bear on their colours the word “EGYPT,” with the
_Sphinx_ as a lasting memorial of the glories acquired during this
arduous and important campaign, which had exalted the military fame of
Great Britain, by the expulsion of the “invincible” legions of
Buonaparte from Egypt, whence he had expected to extend his conquests
through Asia. The following were the regiments employed in Egypt in
1801:—
8th. Light Dragoons, one Troop, Captain Hawkins; 11th. Light Dragoons,
one Troop, Captain A. Money; 12th. Light Dragoons, Colonel Mervyn
Archdall; 22nd. Light Dragoons,[28] Lieutenant-Colonel Honourable
William Lumley; 26th. (afterwards 23rd) Light Dragoons,
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Gordon; Hompesch’s Hussars, (detachment,)
Major Sir Robert T. Wilson; Coldstream Guards, 1st. Battalion,
Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Brice; 3rd. Foot Guards, 1st. Battalion,
Lieutenant-Colonel T. Hilgrove Turner; Royals, 2nd. Battalion,
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Campbell; 2nd. Queen’s Royal, Colonel the Earl
of Dalhousie; 8th. Foot, King’s, Colonel Gordon Drummond; 10th. Foot,
Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Quarrell; 13th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel
Honourable Charles Colville; 18th., Royal Irish, Lieutenant-Colonel
Henry T. Montresor; 20th. Foot, 1st. and 2nd. Battalions,
Lieutenant-Colonel George Smith; 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers,
Lieutenant-Colonel John Hall; 24th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel John R.
Forster; 25th. Foot, Colonel William Dyott; 26th. Foot., Colonel Lord
Elphinstone; 27th. Inniskilling, 1st. and 2nd Battalions,
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Graham; 28th. Foot, Colonel Honourable Edward
Paget; 30th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel William Wilkinson; 40th. Foot,
(Flank Companies,) Colonel Brent Spencer; 42nd. Royal Highland Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Dickson; 44th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel David
Ogilvie; 50th. Foot, Colonel Patrick Wanchope; 54th. Foot, 1st. and 2nd.
Battalions, Lieutenant-Colonel John Thomas Layard; 58th. Foot,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Houstoun; 61st. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel
Francis Carruthers; 79th. Foot, Colonel Alan Cameron; 80th. Foot.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Montresor; 86th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel James
P. Lloyd; 88th. Foot, Colonel William Carr Beresford; 89th. Foot,
Colonel William Stewart; 90th. Foot, Colonel Rowland Hill; 92nd. Foot,
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Erskine; De Watteville’s Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Louis de Watteville; The Queen’s German Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Peter John James Dutens; De Rolle’s Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel the Baron De Dürler; Dillon’s Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel the Baron Perponcher; Royal Corsican Rangers, Major
Hudson Lowe; Ancient Irish Fencibles; Chasseurs Britanniques, Colonel
John Ramsey; and the Staff Corps, (detachment.)