The Calcutta Medal.—Like the medal of Mysore, there are two varieties of the Seringapatam medal owing to mistakes on the part of the die-cutters. The sun at its meridian, a significant and symbolic feature in the Soho medal, is omitted in that struck at Calcutta; moreover the medal is not so large, being only 1⅛ in. in diameter, is thinner, has a loop for suspension by a cord, and, what is very important, of inferior craftsmanship—so that in considering the value or authenticity of a medal for the famous battle of Seringapatam the collector has to remember several important features, since while he may hold in his hand two medals differing somewhat in size, design, and quality of craftsmanship, he may find that both are perfectly genuine. The Calcutta mint issued 83 gold and 2,786 silver medals, so that the collector must carefully consider what he is about when a silver-gilt medal is offered for sale; only 185 bona-fide medals of that quality were issued, but of the 850 British-struck silver medals many have been gilded to simulate the rarer medals, while a number of the smaller and inferior Indian-struck medals have been gilded and offered as original gilts. Despite the large number of tin medals issued (45,000), I have seen many fetch £1 each at auction. No bronze or tin medals were struck from the Calcutta die.
Egypt, 1801.—Napoleon, with an eye upon our Indian Empire, invaded Egypt in order "to conquer the East and take Europe in the rear." Fortunate in eluding Nelson, who was cruising in the Mediterranean, he managed to disembark his troops, but he had to suffer the humiliation of Nelson's brilliant victory in the Bay of Aboukir (on August 1st, 1798), by which he lost practically all his fleet. This famous sea battle is known as the Battle of the Nile. It left Napoleon stranded in Egypt with his army, which he marched across the desert. He stormed Jaffa and besieged Acre for two months, but Sir Sidney Smith and his garrison of British and Turks not only held the fort, but in so doing caused the loss of 4,000 of Napoleon's finest troops. Falling back on Egypt he found disquieting news awaiting him, so he returned to France and proclaimed himself First Consul. Meanwhile his troops had to prepare to meet the British expedition which, under Lieutenant-General Abercromby, had been dispatched to evict them. The total British force which landed under the brilliant but fated General was 15,330 men, but of these, it is stated, only about 12,000 could be counted as fighting units. The French had made formidable preparations to resist the disembarkation, and the seamen had to row the troops ashore under a hail of round shot, grape and shell. Many a boat-load of brave men was sent to the bottom, but those who reached the shore rushed through the surf, formed line, fixed bayonets, and, led by Major-General Moore (who found a soldier's grave at Coruña), charged up the slope, drove out the French battalions, and after withstanding a charge of cavalry, compelled the French to retreat along the road to Alexandria, whither they were ultimately pursued by the British army, many daring exploits taking place en route. One is particularly noteworthy. The Perthshire Regiment, wearing at the time brass helmets, were mistaken by the French cavalry for dragoons, and the Scots were consequently charged in an impetuous manner by them. The affair, which took place at Mandora, was a precursor of the brilliant action of the 93rd Highlanders at Balaklava, for, standing firm, the Perthshires coolly awaited their mounted adversaries until they were within fifty yards of them, and then, firing a volley, caused the main body to wheel off by their left and retreat in confusion. Sir Ralph Abercromby narrowly escaped death in this affair, but, as Archibald Forbes states, he "was rescued by the devoted bravery of the Perthshire Regiment."
The Highlanders at Alexandria, 1801.—At the battle of Alexandria, March 21st, 1801, Generals Moore and Oakes were wounded, but continued to lead their men, who did prodigies of valour ere the French retreated to their entrenchments before Alexandria. Abercromby had, during the day, kept close to the Highlanders, whom he cheered with the words, "My brave Highlanders, remember your country! Remember your forefathers!" ere ordering them to pursue the enemy; but having sent his staff officers on different missions, he was left a solitary and conspicuous figure. A couple of French cavalrymen, seizing the opportunity, endeavoured to capture the gallant Commander-in-Chief, but, refusing to yield, he made a brilliant fight until a corporal of the 42nd (Black Watch) ran up and shot one of the men, when the other made off, but was bayoneted by another of the 42nd. Meanwhile it was noticed that he dismounted with difficulty from his horse, but as he exhibited no sign of suffering it was not until blood was observed on his thigh that any idea was entertained that he had been wounded. It was then found that a musket-ball had lodged in his hip joint. This caused his death on board the Foudroyant on March 28th, 1801. General Hutchinson, who took command of the force, ultimately invested Alexandria, and after a three days' armistice the terms of capitulation were signed, and arrangements made for the departure of the armies. The French, who were commanded by General Menou, left Egypt with about 27,500 men, and the British with 22,350.
H.E.I. Co.'s Medal for Egypt.—The Military and General Service medal, with bar for Egypt, was not issued to the survivors of the series of strenuous fights which concluded with the capitulation of Alexandria, until February 11th, 1850, almost forty-nine years after. Meanwhile a large number of the army of about 5,000 men, which sailed from India under the command of Sir David Baird, had received a special medal from the Honourable East India Company, which, by a General Order, was granted on July 31st, 1802. The promptitude of the Company in rewarding soldiers stands out in pleasant relief against the thoughtlessness or procrastination of the home Government. This army of 2,000 Europeans, 2,000 sepoys, and 400 artillerymen, marched across the Nubian Desert to Keneh, and after descending the Nile encamped at Rosetta, but saw no fighting. The British regiments which formed part of the army to cross the desert were the 10th and 61st Regiments of foot, and detachments of the 80th, 86th, and 88th.
PENINSULAR GOLD MEDAL.
Awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Alex. Gordon, 83rd Foot, who was killed at Talavera.
Silver medals, 11∕9 in. in diameter, were struck for about half the force, and sixteen gold ones. The medal, illustrated facing page [12], bears on the obverse an energetic figure of a sepoy, carrying the Union Jack, with a background suggesting a camp. In the exergue is a Persian inscription to the effect that the medal is presented to commemorate the defeat of the French armies in Egypt by the bravery and ability of the victorious army of England. On the reverse, suggestive of the transportation of troops, is a ship in full sail, and on the land which forms the background the Pyramids and an obelisk indicative of Egypt. In the exergue is the date MDCCCI.