the general orders for the attack, found on the field of battle; which prove that the enemy had assembled all the force they could spare from the defence of Cairo, particularly cavalry, in order to make a decisive action of this: they have bought the experience of their inferiority dearly. Our position was precisely the same as that we drove them from on the 13th. I cannot conclude this without expressing my approbation of the manner in whieh Captain Maitland executed the orders I gave him, to place himself with his armed vessels on the sea-side, so as to flank the front of our redoubt on the right, the attack on which was considerably checked when his fire opened on the enemy’s left wing. The attack on our left having been a mere feint, Captain Hillyar, who commanded the armed flat-boats on the lake, had no opportunity of renewing his exertions on that side Captain Ribouleau, the captains, officers, and seamen attached to the field-pieces in the line, behaved with their usual energy anil bravery: they have been indefatigable in the execution of all the arduous duties required of them, and merit your Lordship’s approbation. The weight of the attack bearing on the right, Captain Guion, Lieutenant Davies, &c., and those on that wing, had the greatest opportunity of distinguishing themselves. The Turkish marines are landing[1], and the natives come in; both naturally look to the person who has been so long invested with authority from their sovereign, and the re-opening of the market has been the first good effect of this victory. The preservation of harmony and good order, and the due administration of justice, occupy me at present[2]. I have the honor to be, &c. Ac.
“To Admiral Lord Keith, K.B.”
The battle of Alexandria may be said to have decided the fate of Egypt, although the campaign was not brought to a final close till September following; and it is rather a singular circumstance, that Captain Maitland’s post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty on the very day that this great victory was achieved[3].
In the ensuing month Captain Maitland was appointed pro tempore to the Dragon 74, forming part of the squadron that
- ↑ A Turkish squadron had arrived in Aboukir Bay on the 18th, and the castle of that name surrendered on the same day.
- ↑ Captain Maitland and the other officers named in the above letter had previously been highly praised by Sir W. Sidney Smith in his despatch relative to the battles of March 8 and 13, a copy of which will be given in another part of the present volume.
- ↑ Captain Maitland, on his return to the Mediterranean, after carrying home the treaty of El Arish, took out an order for his promotion; but although Lord Keith attended to it so early as Dec. 10, 1800. be was not confirmed in his post rank until Mar. 21, 1801.
