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corps advancing on the eastern side. The Maineluke encampment was taken by surprise, and all their baggage captured, with 700 camels. General Murat, with another moveable column, marched to the lakes of Natron, to disperse the Arabs and cut off the retreat of Murad Bey, who fell back with precipitation, on learning the approach of the French. Murad afterwards encamped near the pyramids of Gizeh, on the side of the desert; but, being closely pressed, fled once more to Upper Egypt. Unruffled amidst all his misfortunes, this Egyptian Fabius, combining the exercise of patient courage, with all the resources of active policy, had calculated his means, and justly appreciated their effects amidst the various occurrences of a disastrous war. Though he had to oppose at the same time, a foreign enemy, and the rival pretensions of his jealous equals, he continued to preserve a firm authority over his party, by sharing in their privations. He was become their rallying point, the leader of their destiny, and of all their movements, and commanded them as absolutely as in the time of his greatest prosperity.

Buonaparte, having repaired to Gizeh in person, was there informed that a Turkish flotilla of 100 sail, had anchored on the 11th, at Aboukir, of which they had taken the castle and fortified the peninsula. Sensible of the necessity of bringing the enemy to immediate action, he took a position at the village of Birket, near one of the angles of lake Maidi, a point from which he could march with equal facility to Etko, Rosetta, Alexandria, and Aboukir. This disposition had likewise the advantage of confining the enemy to the peninsula, intercepting their reinforcements, and cutting off their communication with the country. On the 24th, the head-quarters were removed to Alexandria, and in the afternoon removed to the wells between that place and Aboukir; while Kleber occupied Fena, on the opposite side of the Nile, in his rout to join the main army. At day-break, on the 25th of July,

'the French troops began to advance. The vanguard, commanded by Murat, was composed of 400 horse, and three battalions of infantry, under the immediate direction of general Destaing. It was followed by the division of Lasues, forming a kind of right wing, while the division of Lanusse and that of Kleber, whose arrival was expected in the course of the day, formed the reserve. A detachment was ordered to take a position between Alexandria and the army, to preserve a communication with that city, and to oppose Murad Bey and the Arabs, who threatened to effect a junction with the Turkish army. On the opposite side of lake Maidi, or Maadie, and near Rosetta, general Menon was posted with directions to harass the enemy's left, and cannonade such vessels as might appear on the lake.

The first line of the Ottoman army was ranged about half a league in front of the fort of Aboukir. On its right, 1000 men occupied a mount of sand, defended towards the sea by entrenchments, and supported by a village, into which 1200 troops had been thrown, with four pieces of cannon. The left was stationed on a detached sand-hill, about 600 toises in front of the line and to the left of the peninsula Their second position was nearly 300 toises in the rear of the village, and 600 behind the right of the first line. The centre occupied a French redoubt, which had been stormed on their landing; the right of the centre was behind an entrenchment, and the left posted on some low sand-hills, between the battery and the sea, and under the protection of the battery and the gun-boats. These two lines were defended by 8500 men.. In the interval between them, 2000 men were placed with six pieces of cannon, aided by some gun-boats, and in the rear of the second, and about 100 toises behind the redoubt, lay the village and fort of Aboukir, occupied by 1500 troops. The collective force of Mustapha Pacha, the commander, amounted to 15,000 men. His first line was badly fortified, but was rendered of consequence by covering

the important wells of Aboukir. In these sultry regions, a spring of water often forms the subject of dispute between contending tribes, and is generally the central point of attack and defence. The second line was his main position, and was defended by 12 pieces of cannon.

When the foremost of the advanced guard touched the Arabian van, Buonaparte ordered the columns to halt and made dispositions for the attack. General Destaign with three battalions was to carry the eminence on the Turkish right, while a picquet of cavalry was to prevent its defenders from retiring to the village. Lasues was directed to, advance against their left, and in like manner send part of his cavalry to intercept their retreat while the rest proeeeded against the Turkish centre. In a few moments the Turkish right gave way, but fell back on the village, and their left consisting of 2000 men, being also discomfited, were killed or driven into the sea. The troops in the village reinforced by a detachment from the left of the second line, made a spirited resistance, but were compelled to abandon their post and retire to the redoubt in the centre of their next position. This point being flanked by a ditch of communication extending to the sea on the right and bending to the left, was of considerable strength, and now defended by 9090 men.

After a short cannonade Destaigu's battalions were ordered to advance against the redoubt, while a column marched along the shore to charge with the bayonet the Turkish right. The French cavalry attacked their left, but rushing inconsiderately between the redoubt and the gun-boats they were driven back, and notwithstanding repeated charges, experienced each time a similar repulse. The French column on the left was also checked by the flank ing fire of the redoubt and the batteries, the Turks occasionally advancing with great bravery armed with sabres and pistols, and having their muskets slung behind them. Several of them, undismayed by the heavy fire of the French artillery, even darted from their entrenchments to cut off the heads of the wounded and the dead,

that they might receive the reward which their government bestows on these acts of barbarity. So firm an opposition disconcerted the French army and obliged it to fall back a few paces that it might form form and rally. Buonaparte ordered two battalions under general Lasnes, to march against the Turkish left. This officer availing himself of the enemy's. imprudence in issuing from their entrenchments, vigorously attacked the fort on its left and on the breast-work. His troops rushing forward leaped into the ditch, mounted the parapet, and entered into the redoubt. The whole French line, animated by one impulse now rushed forward with impetuous fury, swept the enemy's entrenchments, and traversed their positions as far as the ditch of the fort. By this fortunate and unexpected movement, the retreat to Aboukir was cut off. One half of the Ottoman army was driven into the sea; and either shot, cut in pieces, or drowned. Two thousand lay dead on the field of battie, and the rest with Mustapha were taken prisoners, or surrendered in the fort with all their tents, baggage, and artil lery. The loss of the French amounted to 3000 killed and wounded: but of the unfortunate Moslems, whose ships were moored in the road of Aboukir, two leagues distant from the shore, not man escaped to communicate the destruction of his countrymen. Sir Sidney Smith, who arrived at Aboukir to join the Anglo-Russian fleet, was a witness to the defeat of his allies without the power of rendering them the most trivial assistance. assistance. His squadron His squadron united with that of the Russians and of Allah-Fetah Bey, could only collect the wrecks of an expedition destined to effect the re covery of Egypt, and the extermination of "the remains of the French army" as the forces of Buonaparte were termed, in the language of the seraglio.

On the day after the battle of Aboukir, Buonaparte returned to Alexandria. He had been informed by some communications with the pilots of the English vessels, of the first reverses that had

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occurred to the French armies in Italy and upon the Rhine, and acquainted with the disorders which prevailed in the administration of the government, the struggles of contending factions, and the impatience of the people. Exulting in the victory of Aboukir, which, in his opinion, more than counterbalanced his defeat at Acre, he was not unwilling to abandon Egypt at a moment so propitious to his military reputation; confident in the superiority of his genius and the fertility of resources he looked forward with enthusiastic ardor to the opportunity of retrieving the conquests and the glory of his country. He contemplated with his usual sagacity the exaltation that might possibly await the exertion of his talents for intrigue, amidst contending parties, and the exercise of his military skill. With an ambition that stimulated him to the most arduous enterprises he possessed that secres y which is frequently of eminent advantage in their execution. Absorbed in his own reflections, he silently meditated his ambitious schemes, without subjecting them to be defeated by the indiscretion of a confident. His prudence and reserve reserve were particularly observable at the present important crisis, when his departure from Egypt might have been justly regarded as a desertion of troops which had served him so faithfully, which had devoted their lives to the accomplish ment of his favourite enterprise, and which, apprised of his intention, might in their first emotions of surprise and disgust, have made him a victim to their resentment. For these reasons he practised the most profound secresy in the execution of his design. Admiral Gantheaume whom he instructed to prepare the frigates which were to convey him to France, was not informed of their destination; nor was general Kleber, his successor in the command, apprised of the honor which awaited him. Generals Berthier, Lasnes, Murat, Andreossi, Marmont, and Bessieres, with Berthier, Monget, and Arnaud, three men of scieuce, all of whom were to accompany him to

France, came to the place of embarkation on the 22nd of August, in conformity with a letter addressed to them: but even then, Berthier alone was made ac.. quainted quainted with his intention. In conformity with his orders Kleber opened a letter, which the general left for him, twenty-four hours after he had sailed, expressing the regret with which he abandoned the army, and the expedience of returning to France, and appointing Kleber to succeed him as commanderin-chief. He fortunately escaped the hostile fleets which were cruising in the Mediterranean, and having touched at his native town Ajaccio in Corsica, proceeded on his voyage, and on the 7th of October landed at the port of Frejus. A prodigious concourse of people attended his journey to the capital, he was perpetually hailed with joyful acclamations, and the cities and towns through which he passed vied with each other in the extravagance of their homage and adulation. But all these demonstrations of attachment were exceeded by the plaudits and caresses of the Parisians, when he made his appearance at the theatre. theatre. The simplicity of his dress, so decorous in those who derive distinction from their atchievements, gave additional effect, to the studied courtesy, and artful condescension which he displayed to all classes, and particularly to the soldiers who had shared his triumphs in former campaigns. A few days after his arrival a festival was celebrated in his honour, strikingly characteristic of the French people and of the object of their adoration. That he might not be disappointed in his views by that envy which an excess of good fortune is apt to excite, he requested that Moreau might be joined with himself in the honors intended by the celebration and treated that general with the respect and af fability due to his merit. The church of St. Sulpice was formed into the temple of victory: the walls were decorated with the utmost magnificence and with the richest tapestry; and the standards captured from the enemies of France

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were exhibited as trophies to the generals by whose valour and conduct they had been won. Buonaparte courteous, unassuming, and simple in his address and manners, lulled by the frankness

and modesty of his demeanor, the suspicions of his enemies, and secured the affection of a people whom he probably despised, and over whom he had secretly resolved to usurp the sovereign dominion.

HISTORY OF THE WAR.
HISTORY

CHAP. XXIII.

Policy of Tippoo Sultan-His Intrigues with the French-Arrival of Lord Morning ton at Calcutta-His Negotiations with the Sultan-Commencement of HostilitiesBiographical Sketches of General Harris, and the DUKE OF WELLINGTON, then Colonel Wellesley-Siege of Seringapatam-Capture of the Place, and its Results-Death of Tippoo-Division of his Dominions.

THE

HE last war between the East India Company and Tippoo Saib, was terminated in 1792, by a pacification, which deprived the sultan of one-half of his dominions, and exhausted his finances by the exaction of an enormous tribute. Conditions so humiliating planted in his breast the seeds of resentment and revenge, and he continued to keep a watchful eye on every circumstance in the politics of Europe and Asia that might be improved into the means of destroying the ascendency of the English in India. Of his determination to recover his hereditary possessions, and to inflict the most signal vengeance on his enemies, his posthumous journal presents a singular example. "The means" (he observes)" which I have taken to keep in remembrance the misfortunes I experienced six years ago, from the malice of my enemies, are, to discontinue sleeping in a cotton bed, and to make use of a cloth one; when I am victorious, I shall resume the bed of cotton." The The first indications of his ambitious and revengeful designs, were exhibited in his intrigues with Madajee Scindia, and afterwards with his successor Dowlet Ron Scindia, a powerful Mahratta chief at the court of Poonah, for the purpose of undermining the authority of the Paishwa, Ron Pundit Purdham, under whose administration the treaty of alliance had been formed

with the English company. The dissensions of the court of Hyderabad, where the aged Nizam was sinking to the grave, were equally favorable to the intrigues of his emissaries. Agreeably with the general practise of the Indian princes at this period, a corps of 14,000 men had been formed and disciplined according to the European manner, under the direction of Monsieur Raymond, a French officer; and, influenced by the party, by whose advice this measure had been adopted, the Nizam dismissed a British detachment, which had served him as a body-guard since the conclusion of the late war. The purpose of that prince's evil counsellors was evinced by an event which immediately ensued. Before the troops had reached the company's territories, he was obliged to solicit their return, to subdue a rebellion raised by Ali Jah, one of his sons. The intrigues at Poonah and Hyderabad, may be considered as accessaries only to the general system of policy pursued by Tippoo. He determined not only to overthrow the British power, but to accomplish an entire revolution in all the governments of India: a design in which he was encouraged and assisted by Zemaan Shah, a descendant from Ahmed Kaun Abdalla, an Asghan chief, who followed, in 1739, the standard of Nadir Shah, and who possessed dominions so extensive and populous, that

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