Wilson, Robert Thomas: The British expedition to Egypt: carefully abridged in two parts (London, 1803)

with 6000 men opposed to 800, remained a
quiet spectator ; but it was certainly this
general’s duty to forbear making any move-
ment with the left wing, as that would have
disordered the position, and brought on still

greater inconveniences.

General Regnier is only correct in saying,
that the battle was fought by the right of
the English army alone ; but he thus includes
praise in what he meant only for blame.—

The French army, he owns

was 9700 men

strong, including loOO cavalry, with forty-
six pieces of cannon, The British, lessened
by the actions of the Sth and the 13th, by
the men left in care of the wounded, the ab-

sence of the 92nd regiment, the marines and
o 7 . -
dismounted dragoons, did not yield an eftec-
tive strength of ten thousand men, including
three hundred cavalry. But it was the half
of that number that opposed the united at-
tack of the French army, exclusive of 800
men on its right, and conquered by their
valour and exertions. But it is probable that
W'hat stung General Regnier was the Gazette
o o
account, which states “ that the French right
z o
was always kept refused.” It is still admitted
that the conduct of the French soldiers was

extremely gallant in that action, though, as
well as the officers, many were in a state of
intoxication. One of the latter was so much
so when taken, that he became the object of
general derision. This battle, however,
neither decided the fate of Egypt nor gained
an inch of ground. The French still retained.