Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-20

by forty pieces of cannon. But the infantry
were an undsciplined rabble; the guns, wanting
carriages, were mounted on clumsy wooden
frames; and the Notifications OF the camp were
but commenced, and presented no formidable
opposition Buonaparte made his DISPOSE
tons He extended his line to the right, in
such manner as to keep out of gunshoi OF the
entrenched camp; and have only to encounter
the line of cavalry.
Murad Bey saw this movement, and, fully a.
ware Of its consequence, prepared 20 charge
with his magnificent body Of horse, declaring
he would cut the French up like gourds. Bou-
naparte, as he directed the infantry 10 form
squares TO receive them, called out to his men,
'From yonder Pyramids, twenty centuries be-
hold YOUR actions The Mameukes advanced
with the utmost speed, and corresponding fury
and charged with horrible yells. They diso:-
dered one of the French squares OF infantry,
which would have been sabred in an instant,
bu, that the mass Of this fiery militia was lit.
tie behind the dvanced guard The French
had moment 10 restore order, and used it,
The combat then in some degree resembed
that which, nearly twenty years afterwards,
took place al Waterloo; the hostile cavalry fu.
riously charging the squares Of infantry, ana
irving BY the most pndaunted efforts OF cour-
age, to break in upon them at every practicable
point, while a tremendous fire Of muskeuy
grape shot, and shells, crossing in various d-
rections, repaid their audacity. Nothing in
war was ever seen more desperate than The ex-
er,iors of the Mamelukes Failing 10 force their
horses through The French squares, individuals
were seen TO wheel them round and rein them
back on the ranks, that they might disorder
them by kicking. AS they became frantic with
despair, they hurled at the immovable phalanx-
es. which they could not break, their pistols,
their poniards, and their carabines. Those vino
fell wounded 10 the ground, dragged themselves
on, to cut at the legs OF the French with their
crooked sabrcs. But their efforts were all in
vain.
The Mamelukes, after the most courageous
Efforts 10 accomplish their purpose, were final.
" beaten off with great slaughter; and as they
could not form or act in squadron, their retreat
became confused flight. The greaterpar' at
tempted 10 return TO their camp, from that
sor, Of instinct, as napoleon termed 1t, which
leads fugitives 10 retire in the same direction
in which they had advanced BY taking this
route they placed themselves belwixt the
French and the Nile; and the sustained and IN
supportable FIRE Of the former soon obliged them
TO plunge into the river, in hopes TO escape by
swimming 10 the opposite bank--a desperate
effort, in which few SUCCEEDED. Their infantry
at the same time evacuated their camp with
out show Of resistance, precipitated them
selves into the boats, and endeavored to cross
the Nile. Very MANY Of these also were de-
stroyed. The French soldiers long afterwards
occupied themselves in fishing for the drowned
MameIukes, and failed not to find money and
yaluables upon all whom they could recover.
Murad Bey, with part of his best Mamelukes
escaped the slaughter by more regular move
meni to the left, and retreated by Gizeh into
Upper Egypt.
Thus were in great measure destroyed. the ,
finest cavalry, considered as individual horse
men, that were ever known to exist. Gould
have united the Mameuke horse 10 the French
infantry, said BuonaparN, Il would have reek-
oned myself master Of the world The de.
struction of body hitherto regarded as irwin
chile, struck terror, not through Egypt only,
blu, far into Africa and Asia, wherever the Mos
lem religion prevailed; and the rolling fire of
musketry by which the victory was achieved,
proc ured for Buonaparte the oriental appela-
lion, of Sultan Kebir, or King Of Fire.
After this combat, which, TO render il more
striking TO the Parisiaps, Buonapar,e termed
the Battle ofthe Pyramids" Cairo surrender.
ed without resistance. The shattered remains
of the Mamelukes who had swum the Nile and
united under Ibrahim Bey, were compelled to
retreat into Syria. a party Of three hundred
French cavalry ventured TO attack them at Sa-
lahieh, but were severely handled by Ibrahim
Bey and his followers, who, having cut many Of
them to pieces, pursued their retreat without
farther interruption. Lower Egypt was com.
pletely in the hands Of the French, and thus far
the expedition of Buonaparle had been perfect
ly successful. Blu, it was not the will OF Hea-
ven, that even the most fortunate of men should
escape reverses, and severe one awaited Ma
poleon.