Historical record of the Ninety-second Regiment, originally termed "The Gordon Highlanders" and numbered the Hundredth Regiment : $b Containing an account of the formation of the Regiment in 1794, and of its subsequent services to 1850Cannon, Richard
History
Historical record of the Ninety-second Regiment, originally termed "The Gordon Highlanders" and numbered the Hundredth Regiment : $b Containing an account of the formation of the Regiment in 1794, and of its subsequent services to 1850
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army. Gordon Highlanders
“The boldness of the approach to the coast of Aboukir, in
defiance of a powerful and well-directed artillery; the orderly
formation upon the beach, under the heaviest fire of grape and
musketry; the reception and repulse of the enemy’s cavalry and
infantry; the subsequent charge of our troops, which decided the
victory, and established a footing on the shores of Egypt, are
circumstances of glory never surpassed in the military annals of
the world.
“The advance of the army, on the 13th of March, towards
ALEXANDRIA, presents the spectacle of a movement of infantry
through an open country, who, being attacked upon their march,
_formed_, and _repulsed_ the enemy; then advanced in line
for three miles, engaged along their whole front, until they
drove the enemy to seek his safety under the protection of his
entrenched position. Such had been the order and regularity of
the advance.
“Upon the 21st of March, the united force of the French in Egypt
attacked the position of the British army.
“An attack, begun an hour before daylight, could derive no
advantage over the vigilance of an army ever ready to receive
it. The enemy’s most vigorous and repeated efforts were directed
against the right and centre. Our infantry fought in the plain,
greatly inferior in the number of their artillery, and unaided by
cavalry.
“They relied upon their discipline and their courage. The
desperate attacks of a veteran cavalry, joined to those of a
numerous infantry, which had vainly styled itself ‘_Invincible_,’
were everywhere repulsed; and a conflict the most severe
terminated in one of the most signal victories which ever adorned
the annals of the British nation.
“In bringing forward these details, the Commander-in-Chief does
not call upon the army merely _to admire_ but _to emulate_
such conduct. Every soldier who feels for the honor of his
country, while he exults in events so splendid and important in
themselves, will henceforth have fresh motives for cherishing
and enforcing the practice of discipline, and by uniting, in
the greatest perfection, order and precision with activity and
courage, will seek to uphold, and transmit undiminished to
posterity, the _Glory_ and _Honor_ of the _British Arms_.
“Nor is a less useful example to be derived from the conduct of
the distinguished Commander who fell in the field. His steady
observance of discipline, his ever-watchful attention to the
health and wants of his troops, the persevering and unconquerable
spirit which marked his military career, the splendour of his
actions in the field, and the heroism of his death, are worthy
the imitation of all who desire, like him, a life of honor and a
death of glory.
“By Order of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief,
“HARRY CALVERT,
“_Colonel and Adjutant-General_.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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