DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4794#0028
24
Among tlie di fficulties sustained by th®
commander-in-chief, it might be reckoned,
that not a single map could be procured
which could be confided in ; and even the
best draught which came into his hands.
o 1 *
and was distributed among the officers,
proved ridiculously defective. Sir Sydney
Smith was the only officer acquainted with the
coast, and therefore assisted as far as he knew.
Capt. Boyle, of Minorca, had also some idea
of the situation of the French army in Egypt;
but, upon the whole, it is a positive fact,
that Sir Ralph Abercrombie was so little ac-
quainted with the strength of the enemy he
was preparing to attack, that he rated their
force, at the highest calculation, only at
10,000 French and .5,000 auxiliaries ; — then
exceeding the number stated in the official
information sent from home, and on which
the expedition was originally formed.
. The British army consisted of 1.5,330 men
only, including 999 sick, 500 Maltese, and
various descriptions of people attached to an
army, except officers ; so that, at the highest
statement, its effective force in the field did
not exceed 12,000.
J
The fleet had not been long on its course,
when a Greek vessel, laden with mules, foun-
dered, and only one man was saved. These
Greek vessels, not being able to beat up
with the men of war and the English trans-
ports, were mostly dispersed. This was a
serious misfortune, as the cavalry and ar-
Among tlie di fficulties sustained by th®
commander-in-chief, it might be reckoned,
that not a single map could be procured
which could be confided in ; and even the
best draught which came into his hands.
o 1 *
and was distributed among the officers,
proved ridiculously defective. Sir Sydney
Smith was the only officer acquainted with the
coast, and therefore assisted as far as he knew.
Capt. Boyle, of Minorca, had also some idea
of the situation of the French army in Egypt;
but, upon the whole, it is a positive fact,
that Sir Ralph Abercrombie was so little ac-
quainted with the strength of the enemy he
was preparing to attack, that he rated their
force, at the highest calculation, only at
10,000 French and .5,000 auxiliaries ; — then
exceeding the number stated in the official
information sent from home, and on which
the expedition was originally formed.
. The British army consisted of 1.5,330 men
only, including 999 sick, 500 Maltese, and
various descriptions of people attached to an
army, except officers ; so that, at the highest
statement, its effective force in the field did
not exceed 12,000.
J
The fleet had not been long on its course,
when a Greek vessel, laden with mules, foun-
dered, and only one man was saved. These
Greek vessels, not being able to beat up
with the men of war and the English trans-
ports, were mostly dispersed. This was a
serious misfortune, as the cavalry and ar-