The remount of the cavalry formed an ostensible, almost an only reason, for the expedition visiting Asia Minor, and consuming time that might have been so successfully employed. The horses arrived, but from their wretched quality and condition they proved a sorry equivalent for the expense and trouble their acquisition cost.
While the expedition was in the harbour of Marmorrice, an awful tempest came suddenly on, and raged with unintermitting fury for two days. It thundered violently—hailstones fell as large as walnuts—deluges of water rushed from the mountains, sweeping everything away. The horses broke loose—the ships drove from their anchors—the Swiftsure, a seventy-four, was struck with lightning—and many others lost masts, spars, and were otherwise disabled. Amid this elemental war, signal-guns fired from vessels in distress, and the howling of wolves and other wild animals in the woods, added to the uproar.
After a protracted delay in waiting for the Turkish armament, which was expected to have been in perfect readiness, the expedition left the harbour without it on the 23rd of February. The sight, when the fleet got under weigh, was most imposing; the men-of-war, transports, and store-ships amounting to one hundred and seventy-five sail.
The British army was composed of the whole or portions of twenty-seven regiments, exclusive of artillery and pioneers.[1] Its total strength in rank and file, including one thousand sick and five hundred Maltese, was fifteen thousand three hundred and thirty men. In this number all the attachés of the army were reckoned—and consequently the entire force that could have been combatant in the field would not exceed twelve thousand bayonets and sabres. This was certainly a small army with which to attack an enemy in possession of the country, holding fortified posts, with a powerful artillery, a numerous cavalry, and having a perfect acquaintance with the only places on the coast where it was practicable to disembark in safety.
[1] EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY.
Guards—Major-General Ludlow.
1st, or Royals, 2nd battalions 54th and 92nd—Major-General Coote.
8th, 13th, 90th—Major-General Craddock.
2nd, or Queen’s, 50th, 79th—Major-General Lord Craven.
18th, 30th, 44th, 89th—Brigadier-General Doyle.
Minorca, De Rolde’s, Dillon’s—Major-General Stuart.
RESERVE.
40th, Flank Company, 23rd, 28th, 42nd, 58th, Corsican Rangers—Major-General Moore.
Detachment 11th Dragoons, 12th Dragoons, 26th Dragoons—Brigadier-General Finch.
Artillery and Prince’s—Brigadier-General Lawson.