lake Mareotis rendered the communication between Alexandria and Rhamanieh very difficult. At last I was made acquainted with the English having arrived at Suez. Scarcely had I been joined by General Lagrange's troops, when I thought it necessary, before the English army drew near Cairo, that I should proceed to Belbeis, in order to reconnoitre the enemy, dive into their projects, attack them, and see whether there was any possibility to drive them back to Salahieh. In effect, on the 14th I selected the small body which was to be entrusted with the defence of Cairo, under General Almeras's orders; and on the 15th I marched out with the rest of the troops, commanded by the Generals of Division Lagrange and Robin. We spent the night of that day in Elmeneyer, having driven away a few detachments of the enemy we met with. On the 16th, at day-break, I was preparing to proceed to Belbeis, when our enemies presented themselves, advancing towards us with artillery. I marched against them, occupying the heights of the Desert to the east of Elmeneyer. I send you a separate account of this engagement, which lasted till noon. On seeing that the enemy retreated to another quarter, and abandoned their posts, when I went to attack them; that they were obstinately bent upon not evacuating Egypt; and that by attacking them in this manner, I spent my ammunition, and lost my people, without the least utility: dreading, on the other hand, lest a pretty considerable number of horse, which had disappeared that morning after a very warm attack, should have gone to Cairo; considering, besides, that the English and Captain Pacha's troops might have followed General Lagrange, and actually be within one or two days march of Cairo; I resolved to trace my way back, in order to defend the Nile, raise batteries, fortify Gizah, and protect, as much as possible, the whole of our immense line. On my return to Cairo, General Almeras acquainted me, that he had sent several expresses to announce the arrival of the English and Captain Pacha at Terrané. Surrounded by these numerous armies, which were daily reinforced by natives of the country, Arabs and Mamelukes (for all those of Upper Egypt enlisted themselves under the Captain Pacha's banners), and also by inhabitants of Asia, allured by hopes of plunder, I had to defend the city of Cairo, the inhabitants of which, if they should side with the enemy against us, could have supplied 29 or 30,000 men. The line of circumvallation of our our camps occupied an extent of 12600 toises. I had no cash. The monies gathered since the departure of the army are due to the general and private officers, and the people employed in the army, who, being requested so to do, lent their money to defray the expences of the troops. We likewise derived supply from ordinary and extraordinary contributions, and from the mint. We had but a scanty supply of provision, and ammunition for the artillery was very scarce; stores, gunpowder, and gun-carriages must have been collected, entrenchments raised, &c. Alexandria was like an island of very difficult access, and with it I had not had any kind of intercourse for twenty-two days. I revolved in my mind whether we could retreat to Upper Egypt; but that country, attentively examined, offered no military post. I had but few means of transport, and it was not to be hoped, that the enemy would allow me time to prepare my retreat. In no city were to be found conveniencies to erect an arsenal, or stores for the works I had to undertake; and, on the other hand, a dreadful plague was raging in that country. We might have retreated to Damietta, but, from the accounts I had received, that city and the place of Lesbé were in the hands of the Ottoman army, and I had not a sufficiency of ammunition to gain two battles. Both generals, officers, and soldiers employed themselves in digging ditches, and entrenchments were raised and guns mounted. Our position looked respectable on all sides, and we were supposed to be so strong, that the enemy fancied they must, before they could get into Cairo, open their way through its ruins and heaps of slain: the inhabitants of Cairo persuaded themselves, that the least rebellious motion against us would prove the signal of death for their chiefs, who were in custody, and of destruction to their city. It was known, that we were all determined to perish, or dictate the terms of our retreat; and therefore all the motions of the enemy were very slow, they proceeded with the greatest caution, and they would not approach us till after uniting very powerful means. This served to give us time, and enable us to receive the instructions of the Commander in Chief, from whom I had not heard for forty-five days. On the 13th of June a detachment of dromedaries arrived, and I got a letter, but without instructions concerning the line of conduct I was to pursue in these critical circumstances. I sent the detachment back, to inform the General in Chief of our situation, with which he seemed to be unac quainted. quainted. On the 20th we saw ourselves completely surrounded by the combined armies, and all communication from without cut off. On the following days the enemy drove in some of our advanced posts, and began to raise batteries. They had formed a bridge of boats in the villages of Chaubrat, and a body of troops was coming down from Upper Egypt. On the 22d a suspension of arms was agreed upon. On the 23d a conference took place between three French officers, and an equal number of . those of the combined armies. On the 24th we proposed the terms of our retreat. On the 27th they were accepted, and ratified on the 28th. Our lines of circumvallation could not be defended against an assault, on account of their immense extent, and the weakness of several points. We had scarcely 150 rounds for each gun; the inhabitants of Cairo in our rear, who, no longer getting provision from the country, would certainly, in case of attack, have concerted their measures with the besiegers. Our lines being carried, the troops could not have retreated to the castle without much difficulty; every thing must have been left behind. Our resistance, the quantity of our provision considered, might have lasted between twenty and twenty-five days; but then there remained no hope of being admitted to negotiate, we must forcibly surrender at discretion, and comply with the enemy's orders. What capitulation could we have expected from two Turkish armies, masters of Egypt and Cairo? Would the English have been able to keep them within bounds? However, we should have taken this course, if any means of communication with France, or any hopes of assistance had been left us. You must have been acquainted, for eight months past, with General Abercromby's expedition; you have done whatever lay in your power for the brave soldiers of Egypt, whom you regard as your children. You sent Gantheaume with 5000 men; if he could have arrived in time, our situation would have been quite different. He could not join us, and all your exertions have been of no avail. For these four months we have defended every inch of ground. Our situation is not unknown to you, and you have undoubtedly done every thing to better it, but nothing arrived. What could we expect? I shall bestow no encomiums either on the generals, chiefs, officers, or soldiers. These warriors, covered with wounds, put to the rout, under your orders, five Austrian armies in Italy, and conquered Egypt. They have been struggling these three years with the want want of all necessaries, with the plague, and the united exertions of Europe and Asia. You know every one of them; they have constantly shewed themselves worthy of their former commander. You will find annexed the plan of the military district of Cairo. Look at it, and let your attention be directed to the situation of the troops, and the stock of our ammunition and cash. Read also the statements of the Chief Engineer and Commandant of Artillery. Greek Inscription discovered on Pompey's Pillar. ΤΟ . . . . . ΩΤΑΤΟΝ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ ..... ΤΟΝ ΠΟΛΙΟΥΧΟΝ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΙΑΣ The Characters which could not be traced, have been supplied by the Rev. Mr. Hayter. ΤΟΝ ΤΙΜΙΩΤΑΤΟΝ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ ΤΟΝ ΠΟΛΙΟΥΧΟΝ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΕΙΑΣ ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝΟΝ ΤΟΝ CEBACTON TRANSLATION. TO DIOCLETIANUS AUGUSTUS MOST ADORABLE EMPEROR, THE TUTELAR DEITY OF ALEXANDRIA, Inscrip |