Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Late Foreign Articles

ARMY OF THE EAST.

Head-Quarters at Cairo,
October 17, 1798.

Buonaparte, Commander in Chief, to the Executive Directory

Citizens Directors,

I transmit you the detail of several battles which have taken place at different periods and in different places against the Mamelukes, various tribes of Arabs, and some revolted villages.

Battle of Remerie.

General of Brigade, Fugieres, with a battalion of the 18th demi-brigade, arrived at Menouf in the Delta, on the 19th of August in his way to Mehalle-el-Kebir, capital of Gabia. The village of Remerie refused to allow him to pass; after an hour's engagement he repulsed the enemy into the village, invested their position, which he forced, killed 200, and carried the village. He lost three men killed and a few wounded. Citizen Chenet, Sub-Lieutenant, particularly distinguished himself.

Battle of Gemerie.

On the first Complementary day, Sept. 17 General Dugua sent General Camas, with a battalion of the 75th, to take a survey of the Canal of Archmond, and to reduce the villages which should refuse obedience.— When he reached the villages of Gemerie, a body of Arabs, with the inhabitants, attacked our Troops. The proper arrangements were immediately made and the enemy repulsed. The chief of battalion, Cazales, particularly distinguished himself.

Battle of Mit-Kamar.

The Arabs of Dornel occupied the village of Doude.—Surrounded by the inundation, they thought themselves impregnable. The Generals of Brigade Murat and Lanus, received orders to march thither, and arrived the 28th September. The Arabs were dispersed after a slight fire of musquetry. Our troops pursued them for five leagues, up to the middle in water. Their cattle, camels, and property fell into our hands. More than 200 of these wretches were killed or drowned. Citizen Nieder Wood, adjutant to the Etat Major, distinguished himself on this occasion.

The Arabs are in Egypt, what the Barbets are in the county of Nice, with this great difference, that instead of living in the mountains, they are always on horseback, and live in the midst of the desert. They pillage indiscriminately the Turks, Europeans, and Egyptians. Their ferocity is equal to the wretched life they lead. Exposed for whole days in the burning sands of the head of the sun, without a drop of water to drink. They are destitute of pity and of good faith. They present the most hideous picture of savage man which can be conceived.

General Desaix left Cairo on the 25th of August for Upper Egypt, with a small flotilla of two demi galleys and six avis. He went up the Nile and arrived at Belbeis on the 1st. of October. He disembarked, and by a forced march proceeded to Behneze, on Joseph's Canal. Mourad Bey evacuated the place on his approach. General Desaix took 14 barks laden with baggage, tents, and four pieces of cannon.

He again touched the banks of the Nile on the 8th September, where he was more than a hundred leagues from Cairo, driving before him the flotilla of the Beys, which took refuge on the side towards the cataract.

On the 22d Complementary day, Sept. 21. he returned to the mouth of Joseph's canal. After a difficult and painful navigation he arrived at Benhezre on the 3d of October.

On the 14th and 15th he had several skirmishes previous the affair of Sediman.

Battle of Sediman.

On the 16th at day-break, the division of Gen. Desaix moved on and at length found themselves in front of the army of Mourad Bey, five or six thousand strong, consisting chiefly of Arabs and, a corps of infantry, which guarded the entrenchments of Sediman, where there were four pieces of cannon.

General Desaix formed his divisions, composed wholly of infantry, into square battalion, which he flanked with two small square divisions of 200 men each.

The Mamelukes after long hesitation, at length formed their resolution, and charged with horrible cries and the greatest valour the small platoon on the right, commanded by Captain Valetta, of the 21st. At the same time they charged the rear of the square where the admirable & intrepid demi-brigade of the 88th was stationed. The enemy were every where received with the utmost coolness. The chasseurs of the 21st did not fire till within 10 paces, and presented their bayonets. The gallant fellows who composed this intrepid cavalry advanced to meet death in the front of our ranks, after throwing their battle-axes, muquets and pistols at the heads of our soldiers. Some of them whose horses were killed, crept along on their bellies, in order to lie under the bayonets, and cut the legs of our troops, but all was in vain. They were obliged to fly. Our troops advanced towards Sediman, notwithstanding the fire of four pieces of cannon, which was more dangerous because our ranks were deep, but the pas de charge was like lightning and the intrenchments, the cannon and baggage were in a moment in our possession.

Mourad Bey had three Beys killed, two wounded, and 400 of the flower of his troops killed on the spot. Our loss was 36 men killed, and 6 wounded.

Here, as well as at the battle of the Pyramids, the soldiers made a considerable booty. There was not a Mameluke on whom, they did not find 4 or 500 louis.

Citizen Couroux, chief of the 61st was wounded. Citizen Rapp, Aide de Camp of General Desaix: Valette and Sacre, Captains of the 21st: Geoffrey and the bit; Geronime, Sergeant of the 88th, particularly distinguished themselves.

General Triant, upon this occasion, supported the reputation he had acquired in Italy and Germany.

I request you will bestow the rank of General of Brigade upon Citizen Robin, Chief of the 21st. demi-brigade. I have promoted the different officers and soldiers, who particularly distinguished themselves. I shall send you a list the first opportunity.

(Signed)
BUONAPARTE.