Battle of Alexandria, March 21, 1801

�� After the landing of the English at Aboukir and the decisive defeat of the French defenders (who retreated to their stronghold at Alexandria), Sir Ralph Abercromby was to win the battle that immortalized him as it also took his life. It was in this coming battle (sometimes called the Battle of Canopes) that the 92nd Highlanders and the 90th Regiment of Perth Shire Light Infantry of the British army would show their mettle.� These regiments, with the 40th Foot as cover, formed the first order of attack upon the French drawn up at Mandora in front of the main positions on the sand hills stretching between Alexandria and the lake of Aboukir.� With characteristic �lan these devoted British regiments advanced eagerly against the tenacious foe, and although raked by grape shot, rushed to the mouths of the guns and straightway captured them, cutting down their valiant defenders to a man.

��� Shortly after this, General Abercromby had his horse shot under him and was rescued by the Perth Shires.� In the meantime great difficulty had been felt by the seamen and marines in their attempts to drag the guns through the loose sand.� Added to this the English had their first experience of a mirage, and the plain on the right of the enemy appeared to be a vast lake.� At this juncture Abercromby momentarily despaired, and proceeded to await the advance of heavy guns from the ships with which to defend his captured ground.� This halt enabled the French commander, General Menou, to increase his forces to nearly 14,000 men.� It also encouraged him to attack the reckless invaders.

��� Accordingly on the 21st March, at that hour before day break termed by Caesar prima luce, Menou ordered his arms to advance, and drive the British into the lake.� The 42nd Highlanders and the Welsh Fusiliers met them nobly, and after a few rounds of volley firing hurled themselves at the enemy with the bayonet.� Next the French "Invincibles" tore down to the attack in the horrid darkness of smoke, only to find themselves in a lane of Highlanders, who mercilessly slew them.� At least 700 of the French heroes fell and the survivors were glad to deliver their standard to Major Stirling of the 42nd.� Feeling victory within his grasp, Abercromby shouted "My brave Highlanders, remember our country, remember your forefathers!"� Incited by this appeal the Scots went madly to the attack.� As a last effort Menou called on his cavalry to make a final charge.� On they came under Brigadier Roize, only to be thoroughly broken and impaled.

��� Not till then was it noticed that Abercromby was mortally wounded.� He had been ubiquitous in the fight, and at one stage was engaged in a hand to hand struggle with two dragoons.� When his wound was at length insupportable he lay down in agony, and amid the tears and shouts of his followers was taken on board the "Foudroyant" where he died.� Fourteen hundred British and 3,000 French represented the loss that day.� Closely following on this signal victory succeeded the surrender of the French at Cairo, and their evacuation of Egypt.

Author un-known

The Map

The French army is here divided into blue and purple and the British into red and black. This 4 person map is the first official Hawks EW creation to feature this multicolor approach. It has been found to make maps run smoother, and for giant battles like this, makes dividing ones� army with your co-commander much easier. The battle puts players into the action at the point of the French counter-attack (mentioned in the above text). Some features of this map are the Roman ruins on which the British right flank is anchored and the British gun-boats as seen on the historical map next page. The building near the French left represents the lone Mosque which occupied the narrow strip of land. No up-grades and no objectives. The French are obligated to attack.

�Map by [HWK]SirWilliam

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Map taken from https://www.napoleonguide.com/