THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA OR CANOPUS, 1801 THE FRENCH EVACUATION OF EGYPT

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c1890s SEPIA PRINT RARE ANTIQUE MILITARY BATTLESCENE PRINT FOLIO SIZE TISSUE WITH ENGRAVINGS OF THE ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE PERIOD BRITISH BATTLES - COMES WITH DESCRIPTIVE TEXT BATTLE OF CANOPUS - 1801 SCANS MINIMIZED TO FIT PAGE THE BATTLE OF ALEXANDRIA OR CANOPUS, 1801 THE FRENCH EVACUATION OF EGYPT After the heroic landing of the English at Aboukir, the decisive defeat of the French defenders, and their scurry back to their stronghold at Alexandria, Sir Ralph Abercromby's crowning effort of his life as a soldier had to be put forth. It was meet that in this triumphant labour he sho_dd be seconded by the heroic_energies of his own countrymen. As will be seen the 92nd Highlanders and the 90th Regiment of P_thshire Light Infantry did much towards the ousting of the French from Egypt. These regiments, with the 40th Foot as cover, formed the first order of attack upon the enemy drawn up at Mandora in front of the French position on the sandhills stretching between Alexandria and the lake of Aboukir. With characteristic elan these devoted regiments advanced eagerly against the foe, and although raked by grape-shot, rushed to the mouths of the guns and straightway captured them, cutting down their valiant defenders to a man. Shortly after this, General Abercromby had his horse shot under him and was rescued by the Perthshires. In the meantime great difficulty had been felt by the seamen and marines in their attempts to drag the guns through the loose sand. Added to this the English had their first experience of a mirage, and the plain on the right of the enemy appeared to be a vast lake. At this juncture Abercromby momentarily despaired, and proceeded to await the. advance of heavy guns from the ships with which to defend his captured ground. This halt enabled the French commander, General Menou, to increase his forces to nearly 14,000 men. It also encouraged him to attack the reckless invaders. Accordingly on the 21st March, at that hour before day-break termed by Cc£sar prima luce, Menou ordered his 'arms to advance, and drive the British into the lake. But there was no surprise, as Abercromby had his men ready. First the pickets were driven in, and the enemy came on with a mighty rush. The 42nd Highlanders and the Welsh Fusiliers met them nobly, and after a few rounds of volley firing hurled themselves at the enemy with the bayonet. Next the French II Invincibles" tore down to the attack in the horrid darkness of smoke, only to find themselves in a lane of Highlanders, who mercilessly slew them. Quite 700 of the French heroes feU and the survivors were glad to deliver their standard to Major Stirling of the 42nd. Feeling victory within his grasp, Abercromby shouted II My brave Highlanders, remember our country, remember your forefathers I " Incited by this appeal the Scots went madly to the attack. As a last effort Menou caUed on his cavalry to make a final charge. On they came under Brigadier Roize, only to be thoroughly broken and impaled. Not till then was it noticed that Abercromby was mortally wounded. He had been ubiquitous in the fight, and at one stage was engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with two dragoons. When his wound was at length insupportable he lay down in agony, and amid the tears and shouts of his followers was taken on board the II Foudroyant" where he died. Fourteen hundred British and 3,000 French represented the loss that day. Closely following on this signa! victory succeeded the surrender of the French at Cairo, and their evacuation of Egypt. Henry Louis Dupray 1841-1909. French military artist Henry Dupray's military paintings, many of which were produced as small sepia prints PUBLISHED DATE c1890s . PAGE SIZE: approx 10 1/4 INCHES x 8 1/4 INCHES IMAGE SIZE: approx 10 X 8 INCHES Engraved Tissue SIZE: approx 16 X 11 INCHES CONDITION SEPIA PRINT - Blank on the back.There is tearing in the left hand margin but doesn't go into the print, otherwise in Excellent Condition. As Scanned.The image is clean, clea. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 6154

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