108 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
but commencing the pillage too soon, the enemy rallied, and attacked the Russians-
who were busy plundering-with so much impetuosity, that they were
driven from the town in all directions. This untoward circumstance compelled
the British to abandon the positions they had stormed, and to fall back upon
their former station. Another attack on the stronghold of the enemy was made
on the 3d of October. The conflict lasted the whole day, but the enemy abandoned
their positions during the night. On this occasion Sir Ralph Abercromby
had two horses shot under him. Sir John Moore was twice wounded severely,
and reluctantly carried off the field; while the Marquis of Huntly (the late
Duke of Gordon), who, at the head of the 92d regiment, was eminently dis.
tinguished, received a wound from a ball in the shoulder.
The Dutch and French troops having taken up another strong position
between Benerwych and the Zuyder-Zee, it was resolved to dislodge them before
they could receive reinforcements. A day of sanguinary fighting ensued, which
continued without intermission until ten o'clock at night, amid deluges of rain,
General Brune having been reinforced with six thousand additional men, and
the ground he occupied being nearly impregnable, while the arms and ammunition
of the British, who were all night exposed to the elements, were rendered
useless, retreat became a measure of necessity. Upon this the Duke of York
entered into an armistice with the Republican forces, by which the troops were
allowed to embark for England, where they arrived in safety.
No. LII.
GENERAL SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY, K.B.,
VIEWING THE ARMY, ENCAMPED ON THE PLAINS OF EGYPT.
IN the month of June 1800, General Abercromby was appointed Commanderin-
Chief of the troops ultimately destined for Egypt. Owing to casualties
unnecessary to mention, the armament did not reach the place of its destination
till the 8th of March 1801, on which day the troops disembarked in Aboukir
Bay, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of the French to prevent them.
On the 13th March, Sir Ralph attacked the French in their position, and
succeeded, after a keen contest, in forcing them to retreat to the heights of
Nicopolis. An attempt to take these heights, which were found to be comhanded
by the guns of the fort, proved unsuccessful. The British took up the
position formerly occupied by the enemy, with their right to the sea, and their
left to the canal of Alexandria, thus cutting off all communication with the city.
On the 18th the garrison of Aboukir surrendered.
General Menou, the French commander, having been reinforced, attempted to
take the British by surprise, and suddenly attacked their positions with his whole
force, The enemy advanced with much impetuosity, shouting as they went,
