The loss of the ROYAL IRISH regiment was Captain George Jones, killed; three officers, one serjeant, and forty-five rank and file wounded.
On the morning of the 21st of March, the French issued from their position, and attacked the British line; but they encountered an opposition which they were unable to overcome, and the English army was once more triumphant over the numerous veteran troops of France. This action afforded the ROYAL IRISH regiment another opportunity of gaining honour on the distant shores of Egypt; and its gallant bearing throughout the day was conspicuous. This victory was however clouded with the fall of the brave Sir Ralph Abercromby, who died of wounds received in action. He was succeeded in the command of the army by Major-General (afterwards Lord) Hutchinson.
Soon afterwards a body of British troops traversed the country to Rosetta, where a small force of British, Turks, and Greeks was assembled, and took post at Hamed. The EIGHTEENTH regiment, and two other corps, followed on the 13th of April, and, after the surrender of Fort St. Julian, a strong division of the army advanced up the banks of the Nile, to attack the French troops in Upper Egypt.
The ROYAL IRISH regiment took part in the operations by which the French were driven from El Aft, and from the fortified post of Rahmanie, and forced to retire upon Cairo.
Following the retreating enemy up the country, the EIGHTEENTH arrived, with the army, at the vicinity of the celebrated pyramids of Egypt, in the early part of June; and after a halt of several days they advanced upon the city of Cairo, which was besieged by the united British and Turkish forces, and in a few days the garrison surrendered, on condition of being sent back to France.
The capture of the capital of Egypt added fresh laurels to the British arms; and the troops which had acquired these honours retired down the Nile to the vicinity of Alexandria, and, having driven in the French outposts, commenced the siege of that place with vigour. In the beginning of September, the garrison surrendered, on condition of being sent back to France.
Thus was Egypt delivered from the power of France; and the British troops, which overcame the boasted invincible legions of Bonaparte, and forced the Army of the East to surrender its conquests, were rewarded with the thanks of Parliament, the approbation of their Sovereign, and the royal authority to bear on their colours the "Sphinx," with the word "Egypt;" and the officers were permitted to receive gold medals from the Grand Seignior.
Immediately after the conquest of Egypt, the British generals and admirals endeavoured to promote still further the interests of their country by preparing to make additional acquisitions, and the ROYAL IRISH regiment was one of the corps selected to proceed on another expedition. Several corps sailed on the 12th of September; but were met at sea by a ship of war bringing information that the preliminaries of a treaty of peace were signed; the troops proceeded to Malta, where the ROYAL IRISH regiment arrived in October.
After performing garrison duty at Valetta for six weeks, the regiment proceeded to the island of Elba, and occupied the fortress of Porto Ferrajo, the French being in possession of other parts of the island.
1802