At this time 6 officers, 7 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 15 privates were employed recruiting in Scotland.*

Meanwhile the French army which had been left by Napoleon in Egypt, consisting of about 30,000 men, with about 15,000 Copts, Greeks, and Arabs as allies, was in possession of that country, and the British Government determined to wrest it from them.

It was intended that three armies should co-operate. The Turks were to march across the desert from Asia Minor; a body of British troops under Sir David Baird was to be brought from India by the Red Sea; and the main army of the British was to be landed on the opposite shores. This last and most important body was part of that which had been harassing the coasts of France and Spain, and which was now assembled at Malta, about 15,000 strong, under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.†

The 92nd numbered 730 N.-C. officers and rank and file on January 1st, 1801.

The regiment sailed for Marmorice Bay, on the coast of Asia Minor, and arrived at that fine harbour early in January. The expedition remained there in expectation of Turkish reinforcements and horses for the cavalry. There was much sickness in the army, which, with the exception of short intervals, had been at sea, often in very bad weather, since May 1800. All the sick were encamped on shore, and regiments were successively encamped while their ships were being cleaned; the rest landed daily, practising disembarking, and for exercise and bathing. Great attention was paid to their health, every man being obliged to wear flannel next his skin, etc. At this place they experienced a fearful storm, which continued three days and nights, the hailstones being as large as walnuts. Many ships were drifted on shore, tents were blown away, and horses broke loose, causing great confusion and suffering to the invalids. A good market was

* These seem to have composed the Recruiting or 11th Company.

+ At Malta officers and men of the "Experimental Rifle Corps" rejoined their regiments. Sir R. Abercromby took with him only the troops for unlimited service; those enlisted for service limited to Europe he left.

R. T. Wilson's "History of the Expedition to Egypt."

established, where sheep cost a dollar each, and plenty of fruit and vegetables could be had at cheap rates, the good conduct and fair dealing of the soldiers giving confidence to the inhabitants.

In February, Volunteer Mungo Macpherson, of the 92nd, was promoted ensign in the 42nd.

A curious story was told of two officers of the 92nd, who, while at Marmorice, met during a walk a very magnificently dressed Turk, followed by a number of retainers. One of the officers, with British contempt for this display of Oriental grandeur, and thinking it possible the grandee might understand English, but certainly would be ignorant of Gaelic, said to his companion, " Co a ghalla is mathair d'on chu leisg so?" What was his astonishment when the Turk answered, "Seadh a' ille agus gu'de an seorsa mathair dh'araich thusa mar

chuilean."
"*

After mutual apologies and explanations, the Celtic Turk dined on board with the officers, and afterwards sent boatloads of fruit and vegetables for all the men. His name was Campbell, and, having in a quarrel killed a school-fellow at Fort-William, he had fled the country, entered the Turkish service, and had risen to high position.

At last Sir Ralph, tired of waiting for the Turks, determined to attack the French with the force under his immediate command, and set sail on the 22nd February, the voyage being enlivened by the capture of several French ships laden with luxuries for their army, which afforded a seasonable supply to the British. On the 2nd March † this magnificent array of nearly 200 ships cast anchor in the Bay of Aboukir, near Alexandria, at the spot where Nelson had, three years before, defeated the French fleet.

Dr Clark, in the "Memoirs of Colonel J. Cameron," gives it translated more politely than it was told to me in the original :-"Do you see the fellow with the tail? It is easy telling who his mother was, the lazy dog!" "Ay, my lad, and what sort of mother may own you for her whelp?"

On the 2nd March a French frigate, which turned out to be the Régénérée, was seen standing into Alexandria. She had found herself during the night unexpectedly among the British fleet, and actually continued her course with it unsuspected till she hoisted French colours as she stood in to Alexandria.-R. T. Wilson.

On the 1st March, at sea off Alexandria, the 92nd had only 496 rank and file present and fit for duty, 129 being sick present, 38 in hospital, and others left in various places.

The General Orders as to a landing express the satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief with the behaviour of the troops. in their transactions with the inhabitants at Marmorice Bay; he trusts the same exemplary conduct will be continued, and the manners, customs, and religious opinions of the people most rigidly respected. The regimental preparations for landing included putting leather peaks to their bonnets, and giving into store their greatcoats, fatigue jackets, and trousers, taking with them two shirts, a blanket, razor, and cleaning materials.

The landing, which had been delayed by stormy weather, was effected on the morning of the 8th. The troops, with their muskets unloaded, took their places silently in the boats, each boat containing fifty men, while armed vessels covered the flanks as the line rowed vigorously towards the shore. The French, confident in the strength of their position on the heights above the beach,* had not thought it necessary to oppose so difficult an operation with a large force; but it was composed of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, while the guns on the fort of Aboukir also commanded the landing.

They allowed the invaders to approach within easy range, then opened so heavy a fire of shot, shell, grape, and musketry that the water was ploughed up by it, and the foam was like surf rolling on breakers. Several boats were sunk, and the loss among the crowded crews was severe, causing momentary confusion; but the sailors pulled hard, the soldiers sat silent and steady, their arms in their hands, anxious for the moment to use them, and the line pressed forward with such precision that the bows of almost all the first division struck the sand. at the same time.† The troops instantly jumped into the water, which in many places reached their middles, loading

The sandhills rose in one part to a height of 180 feet. The French had 2000 men and twelve guns.-R. T. Wilson.

† Alison. The landing was effected by the Reserve under Major-General Moore, the Brigade of Guards (Coldstream and 3rd Guards) under MajorGeneral Hon. J. Ludlow, and part (including the 92nd) of Major-General Coote's Brigade, who commanded the whole, about 5500, all infantry. The soldiers carried sixty rounds of ammunition and two spare flints each.

G

and forming as quickly as they could. The French cavalry charged, and advancing into the water, made havoc among the British, till they, overcoming all difficulties and falling into line, with loud cheers drove the horsemen before them. The 23rd and 40th rushed up the heights without firing a shot, but charging with the bayonet two battalions which crowned it, and taking three pieces of cannon.

The 42nd formed as on parade, then mounted the position notwithstanding the fire from two guns and a battalion of infantry. They were then attacked by cavalry, which they quickly repulsed. The 28th also distinguished themselves. The Guards had hardly got out of their boats when they were suddenly charged by cavalry from behind the sandhills, but the 58th, already formed on their right, checked the cavalry by their fire, giving the Guards time to present a front, when the cavalry again retreated with loss. The 54th and Royals landed at the instant that 600 infantry were advancing through a hollow against the left flank of the Guards, but on seeing the fresh arrival they fired a volley and retreated.

The exaltation at this moment cannot be described. The French, finding the heights carried, and General Coote advancing with his brigade, ran from all points of their position, but maintained a retreating fight for about an hour, when the whole of the British troops were established on the heights, though weaker by 500 men killed and wounded. The enemy

had lost 300 men and 8 pieces of artillery.

The Gordon Highlanders did not meet with such determined opposition as did the regiments on their right, but they did considerable execution, and pursued the enemy for some distance, when they were ordered to halt and pile arms.

This brilliant opening had most important effects on the fate of the campaign; the gallant conduct of the troops, and the rapidity of their success in sight of the whole fleet, filled the soldiers, many of whom were young and inexperienced, with confidence in their own prowess, even against these veterans of France, of whom some regiments, from their constant career of victory in Italy, were called "The Invincibles."* G.O., Aboukir Heights, March 9th, 1801.—The gallant be

* Alison.

haviour of the troops in the action of yesterday claims from the Commander-in-Chief the warmest praise that he can bestow. It was with particular satisfaction that he observed that conduct marked equally by ardent bravery, and by coolness, regularity, and order.

After thanking Major-Generals Coote, Ludlow, and Moore, and Brigadier-General Oakes, who commanded the troops engaged, he goes on to acknowledge "the effective assistance received from the navy on this occasion, in consequence of the judicious arrangements made by Admiral Lord Keith."

No doubt many feats of individual bravery were performed, and long remembered. It is still told in Brae Lochaber how Donald Cameron, known as Donald Mor Og, a man remarkable for his great strength, was on this occasion attacked by a French dragoon, when Donald, parrying the Frenchman's blow, transfixed him with his bayonet, and lifting him from the saddle threw him over his shoulder among his comrades, crying, "Sin agibh fhearaibh, spéic a dh' Abercromby!'

When the Gordons halted, the heat of the day, and the powder getting into their mouths in biting off heads of cartridges, had made them very thirsty, when, to their relief, they found in the huts which had been occupied by the enemy not only plenty of water, but camp kettles on the fires, containing mutton, poultry, and everything in preparation for a good dinner, which the French had intended to enjoy after they had

* "There, men, 's a blow for Abercromby!" Donald, when he had left the regiment, was often visited by the Duke of Gordon (who, as Marquis of Huntly, had been his colonel) when passing through his Lochaber estates, and would press on his old commander the best his cottage afforded, treating him with the respectful familiarity which is characteristic of the old-fashioned Highlander. Donald was a good deer-stalker; shootings were not let then, and his friend the Duke did not allow him to be interfered with. Donald Mor Og came of a fighting family. His father, Donald Mor Cameron, carried Lochiel's standard at Prestonpans. In crossing the moss then existing there, at the beginning of the action, the men got out of order, and Lochiel ordered them to halt and dress their ranks, when Donald Mor cried, "An Diabhul 'halt' na 'dress' bhios an so an diugh; leigibh leis na daoine dol air an aghairt f'had s'tha iad blath!" "Gum beannachadh Dia thu,"

answered Lochiel, "biodh mar a tha thu agradh." "The devil a 'halt' or 'dress' will there be to-day; let the men go on while their blood is up." "God bless you, let it be as you say,"-and the clan rushed on to victory. -Told by the Rev. A. Stewart, Nether Lochaber.