On March 21 the French made a third and final attack on Abercromby's army, now in the immediate vicinity of Alexandria. This again was repulsed, but our casualties were very heavy, amounting to 75 officers and 1,400 of all ranks killed and wounded, the heaviest loss falling on the 42nd (Royal Highlanders), a corps which in all three actions had shown the most consummate gallantry, its casualties in the three engagements being 506 killed and wounded. In the course of this action Sir Ralph Abercromby received a mortal wound, and the command of the army devolved upon General Hutchinson. Leaving a sufficient force to cover Alexandria, the new Commander-in-Chief at once commenced an advance on Cairo, and on June 13 he had the satisfaction of receiving the surrender of 13,000 French soldiers, who were massed at the capital. Of these, some 8,000 were effectives, and the task of guarding them on the return march to the sea was one that required much acumen, for the total number of British troops at this time at Cairo was barely 4,000. The army at Alexandria had, however, been reinforced by a strong brigade from the Mediterranean, made up of the 20th (Lancashire Fusiliers), 24th (South Wales Borderers), 25th (King's Own Scottish Borderers), 26th (Cameronians), and the 27th (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers).

A further addition to the British army was now made in the shape of a division which had been despatched from India under the command of a tried and gallant officer, Sir David Baird. It comprised a squadron of the 8th Hussars, the 10th (Lincolns), 86th (Royal Irish Rifles), 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers), 88th (Connaught Rangers), four battalions of sepoys, some English gunners in the Company's service, and some native sappers. The 8th Hussars and 86th (Royal Irish Rifles) had landed at Suez, and marched direct across the desert to Cairo. The other regiments were disembarked at Kosseir, whence they marched to Keneh, on the Nile, a distance of 100 miles; then, taking native boats, they dropped down stream to Cairo. As soon as the convoy of prisoners had embarked to France, General Hutchinson was enabled to turn his attention to Alexandria, in which a considerable garrison was closely besieged.

Marabout, August 17, 1802.

This battle honour is borne by the Dorsetshires, and commemorates the service of the 54th Regiment in the operations outside Alexandria in the summer of 1802. The old 54th had been entrusted with the task of keeping watch and ward over the French garrison in Fort Marabout, and it was their successful capture of the redoubt at the tomb of a Moslem saint which brought home to General Menou the futility of further resistance. He hoisted the white flag, when he and his army were permitted a safe conduct to France, on giving an undertaking that they would not serve against England during the continuance of the war. The Treaty of Amiens followed soon after the surrender of Alexandria, and on the renewal of hostilities in 1803 the army of Egypt was once more free to act against us.

Before quitting the subject of the Egyptian campaign of 1802, it appears pertinent to remark that there seems to exist no valid reason why the 8th Hussars should not be accorded this distinction. It may be urged that the headquarters of the regiment was not present. The 11th Hussars bear the honour, and but one troop was in Egypt, so that this contention does not hold good. Again, it may be urged that they were not engaged. This would bear with equal force against the infantry regiments which formed a portion of Sir David Baird's force. All these have been authorized to bear the distinction of "Egypt" (with the Sphinx). Why the 8th Hussars have been denied this privilege is one of the many anomalies which surround the question of battle honours.[10]

Casualties in the Three Principal Engagements in Egypt.

Regiments.MARCH 8.MARCH 13 (MANDORA).MARCH 21 (ALEXANDRIA).AUGUST 23 (MARABOUT).
Officers.Men.Officers.Men.Officers.Men.Officers.Men.
K.W.K.W.K.W.K.W.K.W.K.W.K.W.K.W.
11th Hussars-----------3----
12th Hussars-----11----6----
Royal Artillery-----2215-51440----
Royal Engineers----------------
Coldstream Guards1517691124--753----
Scots Guards--540--4141341153----
1st Royal Scots-41243--421-4969----
2nd Queen's------114-1-10----
8th King's Liverpool Regt.-----61165--12----
13th Somerset Light Infantry----1916100---1----
18th Royal Irish----13-45---1----
23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers-2638--24-1514----
28th Gloucesters--53411923-42050----
30th East Lancashire----1226-2424----
40th South Lancashire121531---2-142----
42nd Black Watch-821148-31124848253----
44th Essex-----3222-1115----
50th West Kent----1-539-4137----
54th Dorsetshire12417-7133712448-2214
58th Northampton121045--2912219----
79th Cameron Highlanders-----3558-1120----
89th Royal Irish Fusiliers-------7-2210----
90th Scottish Rifles----1729214---1----
92nd Gordon Highlanders-----1119110-2337----

Egypt, 1882.

The following regiments have been authorized to add the above honour to their colours and appointments: