England And France In The Mediterranean 1660 1820 PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... few in Egypt. Murad's hoard was inconsiderable. Ibrahim had carried his treasures with him to Syria. Contributions were levied in Alexandria, and on leading citizens of Cairo. But these are precarious resources; and it was with a war-chest scantily supplied, and with troops poorly fed and badly clothed that Desaix prepared to chase Murad and his Mamelukes. He broke up camp at Medinet el Fayum on November 2, 1798, and arrived at Siiit, on December 25. On the 29th, he reached Girgeh, the capital of Upper Egypt, and waited for the flotilla to join him. Murad had, so far, retreated before the French, but not without employing the authority which he still wielded, even in adversity, in stirring up discord in the rear of the French army. His information and local knowledge were, of course, incomparably better than Desaix's, and as the result of his efforts, Siut rose in rebellion directly the French had passed through, and moved south to Girgeh. Davoust was detached to deal with the insurrection, which he did without much difficulty. Whenever the French and the Arabs were face to face the issue was certain. Throughout January 1799, Desaix continued his rapid march, Murad always retreating and repeating the manoeuvre of Siut. On January 24, Desaix reached Denderah, on the 26th Thebes; but it was not until the 28th that he first came in touch with his nimble enemy. On the last-named date, Desaix entered Esneh and learnt that Murad had only left the village twelve hours before the arrival of the French. Beyond Edfu the belt of cultivated land narrowed, and the army found itself in great straits, but on February 2, 1799, Desaix entered Assouan, and found some evidence that his pursuit had at last become too hot for Murad to retreat in comfort;...