Page:Battles of the Nile and Alexandria.pdf/19

 By, the great exertions of the nary, the whole army was landed the same evening, and for three days thereafter, was engaged in landing stores and provisions. This necessary delay enabled the enemy to collect more troops, so that the British on moving forward in the evening of the 12th, found them strongly fortified among sand hills, and palm trees, to the number of more than 5000 infantry, 60 cavalry, and 30 pieces of artillery well appointed. On the morning of the 13th, the troops moved forward to the attack in three columns of regiments: the 90th, or Perthshire regiment, forming the advance of the first column: and the 92d, or Gordon Highlanders, that of the second; the reserve, marching in column, covering the movements of the first line, and running parallel with it. When the army had cleared the gate trees, the enemy quitted the heights, and with great boldness moved down on the 92d, which by this time had formed in line. The French opened a heavy fire of cannon and musquetry, which the 92d quickly returned, firmly resisting the repeated attacks of the French line, supported as it was by a powerful artillery, and singly maintaning their ground till the line came up. At the same time, the French cavalry with the greatest impetuosity charged down a declivity on the 90th regiment. This corps standing with the coolest intrepidity allowed them to approach within fifty yards, when by a well directed fire, they so completely broke the charge, that only a few reached the regiment, and most of these were instantly bayoneted; the rest fled to their left in the greatest confusion. The 90th regiment, being a corps of light infantry, and equipped with helmets, were mistaken for dismounted cavalry, and the enemy believing them out of their element,