The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1801-07-07 00:00:00, page 2

"SIR,
" I have the honor to inform you, that,
after the affair of the 13th March, the army
took a portion about four miles from Alex
andria, having a sandy plain in their front,
the sea on their right, and the canal of Alex
andria (at present dry) and the Lake of A
boukir on their left. In this position we
remained without any material occurrence
taking place until the 21st of March, when
the enemy attacked us with nearly the whole
of their force, amounting probably to elev
en or twelve x thoufand men. Os fourteen
demi-brigades of infantry which the French
have in this country, twelve appear to have
been engaged, and all their cavalry, with the
exception of one regiment.
'' The enemy made the following dispo
sition of their army:
"Gen. Lanufle was on their left with 4
demi brigades of infantry, and a considera
ble body of cavalry, commanded by Gen.
Roize ; Generals Friant and Rampon were
in the centre, witti 5 demi-brigades ; Gen.
Regnier on the right, with two demi-brig
ades and two regiments of cavalry ; Gen,
D Eftain commanded the advanced guard,
confiding of one d^mi-brigade, some light
troops, anefa detachment of cavalry.
.r "The action commenced about an hour
before day-light, by a fhlfe attack on our
left, which was under Maj. Gen. Graddock's
command, where they were foqn repulsed.
The molt vigorous efforts of the enemy
were, however, directed against our right,
which they had used every possible exertion
to turn. The attack on that point was be
gun with, great impetuosity by the French
infantry, sustained by a strong body of cav
alry, who charged in column. They were
received by our troops with equal ardor, and
the utmost steadiness and discipline. The
contest was unusually obstinate; the enemy
were twice repulsed, and their cavalry were
repeatedly mixed with our infantry. They
at length retired, leaving a prodigious num
ber of dead and whunded on the field.
"While this was palling on the figlitz
: they attempted to penetrate our centre with
a column of infantry; who were also re
pulsed, and obliged to retreat with loss.-—
The French during the whole of the ac
tion refu fed their right. They pulhed for
ward, however,' a corps of light troops, sup
ported by a body of infantry and cavalry, to
Keep our left in check, which certainly was,
at that time, the weakest part of our line.
& "We have taken about two hundred psi-
“ SIR,
''l have the honor to acquaint you, that
on the IBth of March, an affair took place
between a Patrole of our cavalry and one of
the enemy, in the neighborhood of Alexan
dria : I'have to regret that Col. Archdall of
the 12th Light Dragoons received a wound
in the arm, which has since been amputat
ed, and that we have loft some valuable of
ficers'and men. Inclofed herewith I have
the honor to transmit to you a lift of the
killed, wounded, and taken prisoners on
that day. I have the honor to he, &c.,
(Signed)
"J. H. HUTCHINSON."
rte admired in the former part of this work,
while it will be free from that turgidity of
style which has been not undefervedl, blata
ed in the last writings of Dr. Gillfes.
Some tranflatjons from Anacreon by the
elegant pen of the late Mr, John Wilkes,
will Toon be given to the public. The Jour
nal of his Life; Written by +imfelf, will
probably pot n ake its appearance, till after
the close of the present reign, or until after
the death of many of the living personages,
whole names have found a d^ingufbed place
in it.
tyere follows a return of killed, wounded, &c.
1 quarter Mafler ; 7 rank and file. 2, horjes killed;
2 officers, 1 ferjeant, 6 rank and file, 12 horses,
wounded ; 3 officers, 1 quarter mafler, 12 rank
andjile,7 horses, miffing.]
Late foreign intelligence.
By the brig Peacock, Capt. Crafts, arrived'at Boj
ton, from London, bringing papers to the 21st
of Olay —Seventeen days latefl.
«&<.<^g<gcg>^^>g>g>fo .>.>. >
The Warfare in Egypt.
LONDON GAZETTE, MAT 15.
Lord Hobart, received this morning, dis
patches from Egypt.
"Camp before Alexandria,
March 19, 1801.
"stR,
" I have the honor to inclofe the articles
of capitulation of the fort of Aboukir, toge
ther with a return of the prisoners surren
dered, and of the ordnance and stores found
in the fort. I have the honor to he, &c.
66 RA. ABERCROMBY."
[(^ Here follow free articles of capitulation in
\ the French language, by which the garrison were
allowed the honors of war, to be conducted onboard
the Bi itifh fleet : There were 12 cannon in this fort,
and 150 prifoners.]
"Head Quarters,jour miles from Alexandria,
April sth, 1801.
" Camp four miles from Alexandria,
sth April, 1801.
" It is impossible for me to do justice to
the zeal of the officers and to the gallantry
of the soldiers of this army. The Reserve,
against whom the principal attack of the en
emy was dire&ed,conduaed themselves with
unexampled spirit.—They refilled the im,
petuofity of the French infantty, and re
pulsed several charges of cavalry. Major
Gen. Moore was wounded at' their head,
though not dangerously. I regret, howe
ver, the temporary absence from the army
of this highly valuable and merritorious of
ficer, whose counsel and co-operation would
be fo'highly neceffaiy to me at this moment.
Brig. Gen. Oaks was wounded nearly at
the fame time, and the army has been de
prived of the service of an excellent officer.
The 28th and 42d regiments aided in the
most distinguished and brilliant manner.—
Col. Paget, an officer of great promise, was
wounded at the head of the former regiment ;
he has since, though not quite recovered, re
turned to his duty.
" Brigadier General Stuart and the for
eign Brigade supported the Reserve with
much promptness and spirit : indeed it is
but justice to this corps to fay, that they
have,, on all occasions, endeavored to emu
late the zeal and spirit exhibited by the Brit
ish troops, and perfedly succeeded. Maj.
Gen. Ludlow deserves much approbation for
his condu& when the centre of the army
was attacked ; under his guidance the guards
conduaed themselves in the most cool, in
trepid, and foldierlike manner ; they receiv
ed very effeaual support by a movement of
the right of Gen. Coote's brigade. Brig.
Gen. Hope was wounded in the hand ; the
army has been deprived of the services of a
most active, zealous, and judicious officer.
" The loss of the enemy has been great ;
it is calculated at upwards of 3000 killed,
wounded, and taken, prisoners. Gen. Roize
who commanded the cavalry, which fuffer
ed considerably, was killed in the field.—
Generals Lanufle and Bodet, are since dead
of their wounds. I have been informed,
that feveral 1 other general officers, whose
names I do not know, have been either kill
ed or wounded.
“ I'cannot conclude this letter without
solemnly assuring you, that in the arduous
contest in which we are at present engaged,
his Majesty's troops in 'Egypt have faithful
ly difeharged their duty to their country,
and nobly upheld the fame of the British
name and nation I have the honor to
be, &c. (Signed)
J. H. HUTCHINSON.
Here follows a lift of killed, wounded, toe. the
total of which was 10 officers, 9 Jergeants, 294
rank and file, KILLED; 60 officers, 48 sergeants,
3 drummers, 1082 rank and file, MOUNDED ;
3 officers, i sergeant, 28 rank and file, miffing.—
Thenamp of the officers killed, Gen. Abercromby,
Col. Durens, Lt. Col. Ogilvie, Maj. Bij/et, Capts.
St. Pern, Gibson, Lieutenants Colin Campbell, Rob
ert Anderson, Stewart, Jocelyn, Duvergier, De
jeau, ang EnJign Campbell.
Os the officers wounded were Maj. Gen. Moore,
Brig. Gens. Hope, Oakes, and Lawson.
N, B. Qrie jland of colours, and two field pieces
were taken.
Admiralty Office, May 15,1801.
Lt. Cobbett, arrived this morning from
Egypt' bringing dispatches from Lord Keith
to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated
“ Fondroyant, Aboukir Bay,'
' April s, 1&01.
" s k ß *
" I have very great concern in acquaint
ing you, that in a desperate attack made up
on our fines by the French army on the
morning of the 24ft ult. my gallapt and re
fpe&able colleague Gen. Sir Ralph Aber
cromby, unfortunately received a wound,
of which he died on board this ship on the
28th. It is tinneceffary to fay how much
this calamity has been regretted by the army
and by the fleet. Their Lordships will ob
serve that the enemy were repulsed with ve
ry great loss. I enclose, for their informa-
Toners (not wounded ;) but it was impossible
to pursue our victory, on account of our in
feriority in' cavalry, and bccaufe the French
had lined the opposite hills with cannon un
der which they retired. We also have fuf
fered con fiderably; few more severe actions
have ever been fought, considering the num
bers engaged on both sides. We have sus
tained an irreparable lots in the person of
our never fufficiently to be lamented Com
mander in Chief, Sir Ralph Abercromby,
who was mortally wounded in the a&ion,
and died on the 2sth of March. I believe
he was wounded early, but he Concealed his
Situation from those about him, and conti
nued in the field, giving his orders with that
coolness and perspicuity, which had ever
marked his charaaer, until long after the
a&ion was over, when he fainted through
weakness and loss of blood. Were it per
mitted for a soldier to regret any one who
ba< fallen in the fcrvice of his country, I
might be excused for lamenting him more
than any other person ; but it is some con
solation to those who tenderly loved him,
that as his life was honorable, so was his
death glorious. His memory will be re
corded in the annals of his country, will be
sacred toeverv British soldier, and embalm
ed in the recolle&ion of a grateful pofteri-
I tion, a copy of Sir Sidney Smith's report of
that fnftained by the detachment of seamen
serving underhis orders ; and have the plea
fore of adding, that bis own wo^pd has not
been so material as to deprive me of his ser
vices. The Marines were not engage.',
having been, previonlly to the aaion, ap
pointed to the duty of Aboukit Castle, and
its vicinity. 1 have the honor to be, &c.
"KEITH."
ferences, and ordered 5000 of his troops to
join the Imperial army, for the ptirpofe of
the expulsion of the enemy from Egypt.—
The firft party that joined, consisted of about
450 good cavalry, well mounted, and seve
ral parties have joined since.
In the attack which Gen. Menou made
on the English, 21st March, after a council
of War was held at Alexandria, the greater
part of the corps which he brought up from
Cairo conlifted of Copts, Greeks, and Afri
can recruits.
Another and a decisive battle is expelled
in Egypt, when Gen. Regnier shall come
up, who is on his march with a ffefh corps
of 12,000 French and African troops. Mu
rad Bey likewise has promised the French
assistance.
HOUSE OF LORDS— Mavio.
Lord Hobart preferred a MeHashrom
the King, dating, that he had gaffed the
dignity of Baroness to Lady, Abeicromby,
which was to defeend to the male heirs ot
Sir Ralph, with a pension of 20001. a year
and desiring their Lordthips to enable him
to secure the latter part of the grant.
Reinforcements to Egypt.
LONDON, MAY 21.
The guards who have been drafted for
Egypt, march thg morning for Portsmouth,
where they arc to embark with the 24th &
26th regiments, and fail immediately, under
convoy of the Leda and Active frigates.—
The two battalions of the 20th regiment,
Rationed at Minorca, fix regiments of cav
alry, included the York Hussars, and a corps
ot artillery, are also under orders for the
fame destination. x
Six regiments of cavalry, five of infantry,
and a corps of artillery, comprise the rein
forcements now under orders for Egypt. —
The transports will be convoyed by a squad
ron of 3 (hips of the line, with frigates, un
der the command; of Rear Adm. Pole, and
as many troops will be put on board the
men of war as they can conveniently take.
A large quantity of military ftotes, &c. is
also preparing for Egypt.
The Citoyen Francois, of the 13th inst.
has inferred a letter, dated Havre, the 6th,
which Rates, that “ letters from Toulon an
nounce, that the squadron commanded by
Ad. Gantheaume, failed on the 25th April,
with 4000 tro ps for Egypt."
Affairs in the Nirtb of Europe.<
COPENHAGEN, APRIL 28.
The English Admiral, Sir Hyde Parker,
has written a very polite aofwer to the Ruf
fian Ambaffadof, M. Lifakewitz, in which
he expresses his happiness at hearing the
SwiftJure, off Alexandria,
April 7, 1801.
We have, in our endeavors to keep off
the Ihore, been obliged to carry fail to such
a degree'as nearly to tear our ship to pieces ;
and we received further proof of the impos
sibility of forming an effectual blockade of
any port, even in this sure country. Oh
the night of our return from the offing we
spoke the Pearl frigate, bringing us advice
of the failing of a French squadron of 7 fail
of the line, a frigate, two sloops, and two
(tore (hips, for this place, having 7000
troops, and 3;Generals on board. Lord
Keith has been busied in preparing the
Stately for the line, and our force now con
fids of the Fondroyant, of 84 guns ; Tigre,
80 ; Ajax, Northumberland, Swiftfure,
Kent, and Minotaur, of 74 ; Stately of 64 ;
with several final] vcffelsb
Downing faeet, May 16.
By advices received this morning from
Major H< lloway, dated the camp of the
Grand Vizir at Gaza, March 20, 1801, it
appears, that on the 18th of that month,
1000 Asiatic cavalry advanced from that
place, and on the following day 1000 Arab
cavalry. This body is to be under the com
mand of Tahir Pa(ha, as an advanced guard.
On its arrival at El Arilh', it is to halt a day
or two, until Mahomet Pacha arrives with a
considerable part of the army, probably a
bout 5000 men, when Tahir Paiha is to ad
vance to Catieh. It is the Grand Vizir's
intention that these 2000 cavairy should join
the Britifli army whenever the Commander
in Chief may require it.
It also appears, that Djeggar Pallia has
entered into an accommodation of all dis-
"P, S. the Captain Pacha arrived on
the gth ult. with 3 fail of the line, and a
body of troops ; and on the following day
a Turkish Vice-Admiral joined.",
[Here follows a lift of the Jedmen killed and woun
ded, amounting to 25 only.]
CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL It.
It is remarkable in the account of Gen. Hutch*
infon of the battle between the French Republi
cans and the Britifli troops in Egypt, that the Brit*
iih have loft their commander in chief, Abercrom
b ie. This was told by captain Sawyer, who left
Palermo, in Sicily, on the 27th of April, and ar
rived here a few days since, but was disbelieved
by all the federal papers. Capt. S. also said the
second in command was dead: it appears that
Gen. Moore, whom we suppose to be an officer
alluded to, was reported to have been wounded,
was then incapable of duty, and is now probably
laid out for another monument in Wellmimfler.
Thus four general officers were wounded, two cf
which are no more, even according to the official
account of the present commander, to which feme
credit is due, although by no means implicit con
fidence—if we are to judge by what happened in
our own revolution. For in that period, there
was never a perfectly correct statement pntlifhed
by the ministry in England ; and the ostensible
and real accounts were known to be very differ
ent : i. e. those that were private and confiden
tial, and those which were designed for publica
tion. Let us, however, keep to the “ official ac
counts" that have been exhibited by the miniffer,
garbled as they probably have been, and we (hall
find that the British are literally besieged in Egypt,
as much as Gen. Gage was ever besieged in B,ollQn,
and not by an infatuated multitude, as General
Washington's troops were then called by General
Burgoyne, but by force of the oldest and bravest
soldiers, under the molt experienced commanders
in the world. The Britifli have not penetrated a
foot since the battle, nor does it appear why this
official account of a finguinary action, on the 21g
of March, was not written until the sth of April
The General Ays not a word of Buonaparte's In
vincibles being cut up, nor of their (laniard being
taken. These fabrications are calculated for a
London mob, to keep up their spirits and mate
them hold out a little longer. He reports two
hundred prisoners, not wounded—but lays noth
ing of the number of French left on the ground,
killed and wounded, which he might easily have
counted , nor does he speak of a tingle officer of
rank being made a prisoner.
As to the editorial comments, they are evident
ly deceptions and unworthy criticifin. Generat
Hutchinson modejily fays, the French loss is calcu
lated at three thousand, but he does not fay who
flood calculator. In Short, when we view these
Britifli soldiers, with officers of family and fortune
cooped up in Egypt, under the burning fun of
that country, every person mnft fee at a glance,
that they haye a very nnpromifing talk to per
form, to d'ifpoffefs the French of Egypt, and to
keep it afterwards in their own hands " for the
benefit of the Turks." It was the opinion of
well informed men in Palermo, which is said to
be only ten days fail from Egypt, that the Britifli
could not keep possession of the latter place.
[lndep. Chronicle.
Boson, July 2.
t On Friday lad arrived at, N. York, the Sarah.
M-Claren, from Bourdeaux, with papers to the
ijth'of May. An article under the Toulon head
of April*22d flares, That the Enalifh were totally
defeated in Egypt, in different actions, which took
place on the s6th and 27th of Germinal, (15th and
16th April.)-—This news arrived by a xeffel r whi&
was sent express from Alexandria, the 28th Ger
minal for Toulon, and which on lier parage
was taken by an English cruiser and carried into
Mahon.,..
The English they fay, are so the utmost confter
natien; their fleets in the Mediterranean being in
want ofevery thing, and the Ship's crews in a very
sickly slate. All the ports in Italy being (hut
against them, they will ihortl, be forced to,eave
those seas, in order to re-victual, and to avoid
periling by an epidemic."
Fajhionable Amusements. , ,
On Wednesday the 10th ult. a DUEL was fought
onthe Jersey shore, oppofire New-Callie, between
Alexander Scewart, jun. and Thomas Stockton,
fefidents of Wilmington. The combatants ex
changed but one shot, by which Mr. Stockton was
wounded near the h)p. A reconciliation of the
parties then took place.
On Saturday the 19th ult. a Duel was fought <„
the Pennsylvania more, between David Jonts and
Washington Morton, both of New-York. The
pacific difpofittons of his Ruffian Majdty,
ahd that he had ithtrediaiely given orders
sot all humilities againit the Ruffians, Danes
and Swedes, to cease.
The Emperor Alexander has written a
letter to Louis XVIII. confirming the pen
sion of 200,000 roubles, granted him by his
predecessor ; and informing that unhappy
Prince that nothing should be wanting on
his part, to alleviate his misfortunes, when
ever an opportunity Should offer.
Buonaparte's Invincible Standard, was
yesterday brought to Lord Hobart's office,
in Whitehall, (his Lordship being Secretary
of State for India affairs ;j they were bro't
by Mr. Baldwin, the Britifb consul at E
gypt. They were very much worn ; the
Consular Insignia of the -Republic are em
blazoned on them.
PARIS, may 13.
An American frigate entered the road of
Havre, on the evening of the 19th Floreal :
It had on board the new Ambassador of the
United States, charged to carry to Paris the
ratification of the Treaty of Peace conclud
ed with the French Republic.
Carnot, the Ex-minister at war, is at
Paris.
LONDON, MAY 8.
The return of Adm. Parker to Copenha
gen, and the fufpenlion of all hostilities in
the Baltic, ,leave us nothing interesting to
look for from that tide. The Danes ac
cording to private letters, were to leave
Hamburg on the yth inst. and it was expe&-
ed that the Prussians would evacuate Bremen
with equal difpatch.'.
Sir Hyde Parker has been recalled as com
mander in chief of the Baltic fleet, and the
command conferred on Lord Nelson.