The NINETY-SECOND regiment embarked at George’s Town on the 30th of August, and sailed on the following day. After touching at Gibraltar, it proceeded to Cadiz, arrived in the bay on the 3rd of October,—and made preparations to land. The enemy, however, sent a flag of truce, but a disease was ravaging the city at the time, and the fleet quitted the coast in order to avoid infection, proceeding afterwards to Gibraltar, where it arrived on the 29th of October.
The regiment arrived at Minorca on the 6th of November, sailed again on the 21st, and anchored at Malta on the 1st of December. This island, after a blockade of two years, had been compelled by famine, to surrender in September, 1800, to Great Britain.
The British Government having resolved to effect the expulsion of the French from Egypt, an army[9] amounting to about fifteen thousand men, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, was assembled under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, at Marmorice Bay, on the coast of Asiatic Turkey. The regiment sailed from Malta on the 26th of December, and arrived at Marmorice Bay on the 29th. During the foregoing period, the regiment was occasionally landed for exercise and practice, as if before an enemy.
1801
Some weeks were lost at Marmorice, in expectation of receiving reinforcements of Greeks and Turks; and the expedition did not proceed to its final destination until the 23rd of February, 1801. On the 2nd of March, it anchored in the Bay of Aboukir, eastward of Alexandria; but notwithstanding all the exertions of the navy, under Admiral Lord Keith’s orders, the necessary arrangements could not be made for landing the troops, until a week afterwards, in consequence of unfavorable weather, and other obstructions.
A landing was effected on the 8th of March; a body of French troops, supported by several batteries, awaited the arrival of their opponents, but were forced to give way in defiance of every exertion, and after severe loss on both sides.
The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, landed during the action, and took up a position for the night on the heights of Aboukir. The regiment mustered one lieut.-colonel, two majors, six captains, ten lieutenants, six ensigns, six staff, fifty serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and six hundred and seventy-two rank and file.
On the 9th of March, the regiment advanced about a mile further towards Alexandria. On the day following, it marched to the heights of Mandora, and remained in position, while the artillery and stores were being landed. Nothing of importance occurred this day, beyond a smart skirmish, as the enemy slowly retired.
The army again moved forward on the 12th of March, and came in sight of the enemy, who was strongly posted with his right to the canal of Alexandria, and his left to the sea.