In this series of articles, we will chronologically discover the epic of Napoleon in Egypt. In our previous article, we saw how, after conquering Egypt, Napoleon had to take his men to Syria to face the Ottoman army. But after failing to conquer the walls of Acre, coupled with a British landing, Bonaparte had to turn back to defend his hard-won territory. What does the future hold for these thousands of French soldiers, trapped between the desert and the enemy? This is what we will see in this final article, which covers the third scenario of Napoleon in Egypt: The Fall.

In the early hours of May 21^st, 1799, the defenders of Acre discover that the French army has broken camp. During his retreat, Napoleon must deal with the harassment of the enemy while he is slowed by the transportation of the wounded and the victims of the plague. The artillery horses and those of the generals are used for this purpose. Even Bonaparte walks to set an example. Unfortunately, some victims are beyond salvation and ask to be finished off rather than fall into Ottoman hands. The thirst for freedom and the revolutionary spirit have left the hearts of the French, who just lost 600 compatriots to the plague and 1,200 in the fighting. As a result, the army adopts a “scorched earth” policy during its retreat, and only the city of Gaza, which has remained loyal to the French, is spared. The failure at Acre resonates all the way to Egypt, amplified by the Turkish and British envoys who spread additional rumors that the French army has been almost completely destroyed and that Bonaparte himself is dead! But Napoleon quickly silences these lies by making a speech to the people of Cairo and by parading his troops in magnificent style.

NAPOLEON LEAVES

Upon his return, Napoleon learns that Desaix failed to capture Murad Bey and that the Mamluk general has reunited with Ibrahim Bey and a force led by the pasha of Rumelia (the Balkans) who landed in Alexandria. Bonaparte marches to Aboukir to face this combined force of 18,000 Ottomans and Mamluks supported by artillery. The French break through the enemy lines and push the enemy back to the sea, where 10,000 Ottoman fighters drown. Despite yet another grandiose victory, Napoleon comes to realize that his weak forces will not allow him to further extend the borders of his conquest. He decides to return to France in order to avoid having to surrender to the enemy, which would damage his prestige. His decision is also motivated by the fact that France’s main army has suffered setbacks and that the people no longer trust the Directory. He is betting on the fact that his return to the “Mère Patrie” will be lauded. On August 23^rd, 1799, he secretly sets sail, along with some scientists as well as generals Berthier, Murat, Lannes, Marmont and Desaix. After 41 days of navigation, he reaches the French coast without any problems, which is quite a feat considering the number of enemy ships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Kléber is the new commander-in-chief of the Egyptian army and he tries to negotiate with the British. But the British do not respect the first peace treaty and the war resumes with the battle of Heliopolis on March 20^th, 1800. About 600 French soldiers are killed or wounded, while the Turks lose 9,000 men and all their baggage. Despite pleas from the British, the Grand Vizier evacuates Egypt with his army and Mourad Bey flees to the desert before signing a treaty of alliance with the French a few weeks later! Just as the outlook seems favorable to the French, Kléber is assassinated on June 14^th, 1800 (the very same day Desaix is killed in the battle of Marengo!). General Menou takes command.

THE END OF THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT AND SYRIA

As much as Kléber was unquestioned and even admired by his peers, the appointment of Menou, thanks to his seniority in rank, is the source of many conflicts as he is not a true military leader. The surrender of Malta on September 5^th, 1800 further undermines Menou’s leadership. The British, tired of repeated Ottomans’ failures, take matters into their own hands and land on March 1^st, 1801 in Alexandria, which they conquer. Menou, distraught, takes nineteen days to react and ends up at the battle of Canope on March 21^st, 1801. This time though, the French do not face the Ottomans nor the Mamluks, but a much-more disciplined British army led by General Abercromby: 16,000 infantry, 200 horsemen and 2,000 sailors! Menou remains far from the front and gives vague orders to the 8,330 French infantry, 1,380 cavalry and 46 cannons. While the battle seems to be going in favor of the French, thanks in part to a diversion by the corps of dromedaries, General Lanusse is mortally wounded, which saps the momentum of his men. Overwhelmed, Menou sends the dragoons forward on a desperate and futile charge. Although Abercromby is killed by this maneuver, Menou ends up barricading himself in Alexandria, where he is trapped. Belliard, who commands the garrison of Cairo, negotiates a separate treaty for the evacuation of his men on May 27^th, 1801. Menou finally surrenders on August 31^st, 1801. The French are repatriated back to their country by the British, but all their equipment, booty, and discoveries are confiscated… most notably the Rosetta Stone!

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Previous Articles:

A Short Story of the French Campaign in Egypt, Part 1 – The Conquest)

A Short Story of the French Campaign in Egypt, Part 2 – The Syrian Anabasis