session of the capital of Egypt. At the same time, to hold in
check the troops of Mourad, Bonaparte directed an intrenched
camp to be formed higher up the Nile, at the distance of ten
miles from Cairo.
While such was the progress of the french by land, the fleet,
which had conveyed them to Egypt, lay at anchor in the bay of
Aboukeer, under the command of admiral Brueys. Expecting
an attack from the english, the french admiral had anchored his
ships in a line, as near the shore as he thought he could venture
with safety, and, as he hoped, to preclude the english from getting
between them and the land. In this O however he was mistaken.
On the 1 st of august lord Nelson arrived in the bay, and
by one of those bold and scientific manoeuvres, which distinguish
british seamen, he ran between the french line and the shore with
half his squadron, so as to place it’s van between two fires. The
french, thus hemmed in, defended themselves with great gallantry.
At half past five in the afternoon the attack commenced:
about a quarter after nine the admiral’s ship, l’Orient, of 120 guns>
took fire', and at ten o’clock it blew up: the brave Brueys having
before been cut in two by a chainshot on the quarterdeck, on
which he maintained his post though he had previously received
three severe wounds. As the english silenced the fire of the headmost
ships, they proceeded to those in the rear, and thus the ac?
tion continued till the afternoon of the next day, when two french
ships of the line, and two frigates, which had yet suffered little,
cut their cables, and stood out to sea. These alone escaped, only
one of the english ships being in a condition to pursue them: six
sail of the line were taken : one was run on shore, and burnt by
it’s captain: three others were burnt by the english, two of them
having previously run aground during the action: one frigate was
burnt, and another sunk. In this action the french fleet consisted
of thirteen , sail of the line, and four frigates, mounting 1 lg o guns,
and was supported by a battery of guns and mortars on shore, with
several gunboats on the flanks: - the english fleet had likewise
thirteen sail of the fine, one of which however ran aground, and
could have no concern in the action, one fifty gun ship, and a
brig, carrying, in all 1026 guns.
This destruction of their fleet cut off all hope of retreat from
the french, as well as every expectation of reinforcement or supplies;
so that no safety remained for them but in victory, no dépendance
but on their own resources. When Bonaparte had
remained a sufficient time at Cairo, to form such regulations, and
adopt such precautions, as he deemed necessary to secure this
acquisition, he set out on his march to finish the conquest of
and drive entirely out of the country Ibrahim bey, who
had fled with his army toward Syria. On the 7th of august he
departed with an army draughted from three different divisions of
his troops; and after a forced march of four hours, the advanced
guard arrived at Salahieh, ju st as Ibrahim was hastening off at the
news of their approach. His rear guard was attacked by a small
body of french hussars and'chasseurs ; but these were too few, to
make any impression on it. Ibrahim was pursued into the desert,
where he abandoned two pieces of cannon scarcely serviceable,
and a few tired horses laden with tents: and near Belbeis the french