tinople, and rendered the crescent triumphant, not only in the Hellespont, but along the shores of the Mediterranean. Nor did this seem altogether improbable, for the two great officers of state had been ordered to assemble a powerful fleet and army, while the English cavalry was to be remounted by fine Turkish horses of the Arabian breed.

But expectations like these were not doomed to be fully realized. On the contrary, the delay produced by empty promises was not likely to be compensated by any correspondent advantage. To investigate the cause, it became necessary to detach an officer of rank, and Major-general Moore was accordingly chosen for that purpose. On his arrival in the vizir's camp at Jappa, he found all the doubts that had been hitherto entertained but too amply verified. He there beheld an army, if it may be so denominated, chiefly composed of Asiatics, raised according to the exploded principles of the feudal system, equally destitute of discipline and subordination. Afraid to muster his troops lest a mutiny should ensue, equally exposed to the ravages of the plague, the musquetry of his own followers, and the intrigues of the seraglio during his absence, his highness could afford nothing but expectations, while little reliance was to be placed on the naval succours to be afforded by the Captain Pacha.

At length, on the 20th of February 1801, the British fleet sailed with an army on board of between

The Grand Vizier and Captain Pacha.

fifteen

fifteen and sixteen thousand, but whose effective force is said not to have exceeded twelve thousand men. It also laboured under many disadvantages, as may be learned from the account of an officer embarked on this expedition. According to him the troops.wanted many comforts which that part of Asia Minor could not produce; although several vessels taken on their way from France to Alexandria had afforded a very seasonable supply, being laden with all the epicurean luxuries she could send out. The greatest misfortune was the total want of information respecting Egypt. Not a map to be depended upon could be procured, and the best draught from which information could be formed, and which was distributed to the generals, proved ridiculously incorrect. Sir Sidney Smith was the only officer who knew at all the locality of the coast, and he certainly, as far as he had seen, afforded perfect information. But he had never been in the interior of the country.

Captain Boyle, at Minorca, had given an idea of the disposition of the French, which, considering the caution it was necessary for him to use, and the vigilance which guarded him, did his zeal and address great honour.

"Mr. Baldwin the British Consul at Alexandria, who had been sent for from Naples by Sir Ralph

* History of the British Expedition to Egypt, &c. by Sir Robert Wilson, p. 7.

† Captain Boyle was wrecked in the Cormorant, off Damiett, when on his way to Alexandria in a cartel, and made prisoner, contrary to the usages of war.

Abercromby,

Abercromby, on account of his respectable character and influence in Egypt, could not be supposed to give much military information. It is, however, a positive fact, extraordinary as it may appear, that so little was Sir Ralph Abercromby acquainted with the strength of the enemy he was preparing to attack, that he rated their force, at the greatest calculation, at only ten thousand French, and five thousand auxiliaries, then exceeding the number stated in the official information sent from home, and on which the expedition was originally formed."

But the good fortune and bravery of the English prevailed on this memorable occasion, notwithstanding the multitude of obstacles opposed to their suc

cess.

Asquadron of men of war and transports, amounting to two hundred sail, having arrived in Aboukir bay March 7th, anchored near the spot rendered so celebrated by the glorious victory of the Nile. The first division of the army, amounting to near six thousand

*The FOLLOWING LIST will exhibit the DISTRIBUTION of the

men, having embarked in the boats, a rocket was fired at three o'clock in the morning as a signal to proceed to the place of rendezvous, and at nine they advanced towards the beach, steering directly towards that part of the shore where the enemy appeared most formidable. The French occupied an admirable military position, consisting of a steep sand hill receding towards the centre, in form of an amphitheatre, which, together with the castle of Aboukir, poured down a most terrible and continued discharge of shot, shell and grape, so as to furrow up the waves on all sides of the approaching flotilla.

Notwithstanding this, Major-general Moore having leaped on shore with the reserve, the twenty-third regiment, and the four flank companies of the fortieth,

belonging to his brigade, rushed up the eminence, and charged with fixed bayonets. The effect produced by this gallant movement was such as might have been expected, for another body of troops was also enabled to get on shore, and the enemy, instead of fighting with their usual obstinacy, retreated to Alexandria, while the invaders encamped with their right to the sca, and their left to the Lake Maadie.*

* It will be seen from the following extracts from the general orders and dispatches, that the conduct of General Moore upon this occasion did not escape the notice of the commander in chief:

Camp near Aboukir, March 9, 1801.

"The gallant behaviour of the troops in the action of yesterday claims from the commander in chief the warmest praise that he can bestow; and it is with particular satisfaction that he has observed their conduct, marked equally by ardent bravery, coolness, regularity, and order.

Major-generals Coote, Ludlow, and Moore, and Brigadiergeneral Oakes, who led on the troops that effected the landing, and were engaged, will be pleased to accept Sir Ralph Abercromby's thanks for the able manner in which they conducted the whole operation."

The Commander in Chief, &c.

Extract from a dispatch, addressed to the right honourable Henry Dundas, from General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K. B. commander in chief of his Majesty's troops serving in the Mediterranean. "SIR, Camp before Alexandria, March 10, 1801. "Although it was not originally my intention to have commenced the operations of the British army in Egypt on the side of Alexandria, yet circumstances arose that induced me to change my opinion. We were much longer delayed on the coast of Asia Minor than we had at first any reason to apprehend; and we were ultimately obliged to sail from Marmorice in a very imperfect state of preparation. I am fully sensible of the exertions of his Majesty's ambassador at the Ottoman Porte, as well as of the quarter

master