In this new series of articles, we will discover chronologically the epic of Napoleon in Egypt. We will divide this expedition into three parts, which correspond to the three shorter scenarios you’ll find in the actual game. Let’s start with THE CONQUEST!
The year is 1797. Napoleon Bonaparte returns from a year of campaigning in Italy, covered in glory. The French Directory, which then ruled Republican France, finds this general far too popular and begins to fear him. It is thus decided to send him to conquer Egypt! But why this adventure over 3,000 kilometers away from the homeland?
Of course, the arguments in favor of this adventure are many. France would seize a formidably well-placed colony. The potential isthmus of Suez – a project conceived in France as early as the 17th century – would open up a new commercial route to the Indies that would be much faster than the one controlled by the British via the Cape. Moreover, such a route would allow the French to provide the Indians with military support in their fight against the British, France’s perennial enemies. General Bonaparte is no fool and knows that the Directory wants to keep him away from France. But at the same time, he knows his time has not yet come and that this fabulous expedition could increase his glory and fame even more.
THE GREAT DEPARTURE
The expedition is meticulously prepared by Bonaparte. He surrounds himself with the best elements of the army to supervise an expeditionary corps of 50,000 men. Of course, the veterans of his Italian campaign are the first to join. He also gathers 187 scholars, artists and men of letters. Finally, he takes along a group of civil administrators whom he intends to form the embryo of the colony’s government. It should be noted that some of these bureaucrats were very experienced politicians, and the Directory was likewise pleased to see these potentially troublesome people go! Many fine minds were thus gathered to carry the ideas of the Revolution, all thirsting for adventure! And yet, apart from Bonaparte and a few generals, nobody knows the destination of this expedition! The secret will be revealed to all only once at sea!
On the 9th of May 1798, the fleet of 400 ships finally leaves the ports of Toulon and Marseille. It arrives in Malta on June 9th 1798 and Ferdinand de Himpech, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, refuses to supply it with water. For Bonaparte, it is the perfect justification to seize the island in order to maintain lines of communication with France. He therefore has French troops land at several points, quickly obtaining the capitulation of Malta. He appoints a French administrator and drafts a new constitution to reform the administration of the island. He leaves about three thousand men behind to garrison Malta. To compensate for this, five hundred Ottoman slaves are freed and join the fleet. A Maltese legion is also formed from the Grand Master’s guards and the Malta regiment. The fleet leaves after a week and the men land on July 1st in Alexandria. Bonaparte launches the assault on the city the next day with five thousand men. Alexandria and its fort capitulate quickly but generals Kleber and Menou are wounded in the attack!
THE CROSSING OF THE DESERT AND THE BATTLE OF THE PYRAMIDS
In order to avoid a premature confrontation with a large enemy force, Napoleon gives the order to avoid the main road to Cairo, and to go through the desert! Desaix is the first to leave Alexandria, on July 3rd. This crossing will obviously be very hard because of the lack of water. A small parallel detachment goes down the Nile and is ambushed at Chebreis on July 13th. This is the first real battle against the Mamluks, who blocked the river with armed ships and had placed their cavalry and cannons on the bank. The French troops disembark in a hurry and form five squares which easily repel the attacks of the Mamluks, who are disoriented by these “living fortresses”. They retreat with heavy losses in the face of this unexpected enemy. As a result, Murad Bey, the Mamluk general, decides to ambush the French before they reach Cairo.
Murad Bey camps on the left bank of the Nile with more than six thousand elite cavalrymen, all their followers on foot plus more than four thousand infantrymen in entrenchments. On the right bank, the army corps of lbrahim Bey is positioned, and a large flotilla covers the river. On July 21st, Bonaparte is finally spotted with his army on the left bank, having forced march with limited supply for several days. His five divisions are staggered. He organizes them in squares with six ranks front and behind, and three ranks on the sides. The artillery is at the corners. Around 4 PM, the Mamluks charge the Desaix and Reynier divisions. They are repulsed with heavy losses. The French counterattack on the left bank and the Mamluks are routed. The French victory is total. Murad Bey withdraws towards the South and Upper Egypt, while Ibrahim Bey heads towards the road to Syria. A thousand Mamluks are killed on the field or drown while French losses are minimal. The road to Cairo is now free, and the potential booty considerable.
THE NAVAL BATTLE OF ABOUKIR BAY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
Meanwhile, Admiral Brueys decides to shelter the French fleet in Aboukir Bay, knowing that he had been spotted since July 20th by two British ships coming close to the harbor. He thus knows that Nelson will arrive soon… On August 1st 1798, the thirteen French ships are anchored in a line and connected between them with chains to defend against incoming ships. The arrival of the British is detected at 2 PM but Nelson waits until 6 PM to launch an attack with his fourteen squadrons. The British overtake the line of French ships and manage to catch them in a crossfire at a ratio of two or three to one. Brueys is killed and his flagship, the Orient, explodes. The French fleet is massacred; only four ships manage to escape. It’s a complete disaster!
After unsuccessfully pursuing Ibrahim Bey on the road to Syria, Bonaparte turns back and returns to Cairo on August 15th. While on the way back, he learns of the Aboukir Bay disaster which condemns him to remain in Egypt and forfeits any hope for reinforcements!
PACIFY THE SOUTH
The French administrators settle in Cairo and everything goes very fast! The first newspaper is published on August 29th and on the 22nd of September, the first issue of the Décade, the journal of the scholars of the Institut d’Égypte, is also published. Indeed, the Institut actually holds its first assembly as soon as August 23rd!
Much remains to do for Bonaparte to organize and pacify this immense country though. He first has to face a bloody revolt in Cairo. Then, Desaix is assigned the task to pursue Murad Bey who retreated towards the South. The general starts marching inexorably deeper along the Nile as the Mamluks flee under his attacks. Logistics and supply become increasingly complex to manage. On October 7th, at Sediman, Murad Bey finally agrees to battle and Desaix disembarks his men and advances towards his opponent. He forms a large square in the center and two small squares on each wing: one hundred and fifty men on the right, two hundred men on the left. The Mamluks rush against these infantrymen. The center and the left squares hold, but the right square eventually gives way after killing many enemies.
The French are not out of the woods yet though as Murad Bey had put five cannons in position, a great danger for a tight formation like Desaix’s. The French general decides to counterattack and his infantrymen rush the guns, four of which are taken. From then on, the horsemen of Murad Bey flee, peppered by French-fired cannonballs. The Mamluk losses are great and Desaix, despite his brilliant victory, is furious at not being able to pursue as he has no mounted troops. When he is joined by Davout and his thousand cavalrymen, Desaix sets off again towards the South with four thousand men and a flotilla which follows and supports him along the Nile.
Meanwhile, Napoleon’s diplomatic network is rapidly expanding and the country’s elites are beginning to rally to the French. Such is the case of Copt Moallem Jacob, former minister of Soliman Bey, and the sheik of Beni Adin, who provide the escort for the logistical caravans between Darfur and Cairo.
Murad Bey tries to rally forces that would allow him to fight back and manage to foment a revolt in Meniet, behind Desaix. Davout is sent back with his dragoons to handle these dangerous outbreaks, and although outnumbered one to ten, he manages to eliminate thousands of insurgents for only about fifteen French soldiers wounded, thus restoring tranquility to the rearguard.
The long-awaited confrontation takes place on January 22nd 1799 in front of Samhoud. Murad Bey is at the head of fifteen hundred Mamluks and has the support of Hassan Bey and his five hundred soldiers. Mecca also sent him about two thousand infantrymen, considered brave and fanatical. Arabs complete this force with about three thousand horsemen and seven thousand footmen. Desaix takes the initiative and advances towards them with three squares which are immediately charged by the Mamluk cavalry. Again, the French take a stand and fight back, and the Egyptians in disorder are caught in a pincer by Davout’s cavalry. The Mamluks have no choice but to flee into the desert, leaving hundreds of dead behind them while the French suffer… a single loss! The victory is once again total. The advance continues and on the 26th, Thebes is reached.
With Murad Bey on the run and both banks of the Nile under control, Napoleon sets his sights on Syria where Ibrahim Bey and other surprises await him. This is what we will cover in our next article which will relate the events of the second scenario: The Syrian Anabasis.
Author: Pascal Toupy
Looking forward to this game. But Napoleon doesn’t seem to be a big draw on P500 these days.