Leaving Malta on the 20th of December, the armament sailed to Marmorice, in Asiatic Turkey, where the fleet anchored in a spacious bay surrounded by mountains, while gun-boats were being procured for the expedition, horses for the cavalry, and a plan of co-operation arranged with the Turks. [Sidenote: 1801] On the 23rd of February, 1801, the fleet again put to sea, and arriving off Alexandria on the 1st of March, bore down at sunset into the bay of _Aboukir_. On the morning of the 8th of March, as the rays of light gilded the horizon, one hundred and fifty boats laden with soldiers approached the shore, which was crowded with French troops assembled to oppose the landing. The murmuring sound of a thousand oars, urging forward the _élite_ of a brave army, whose arms glittered in the rays of the morning sun, was soon lost in the loud thunder of cannon, and a storm of bullets from the shore cut furrows in the surface of the water; a few boats were struck and began to sink, others stopped to save the men, and a momentary check was given; but the impulse returned with increased ardour, and pressing through the storm of grape and musketry, the rowers forced their boats to the beach. The soldiers instantly leaped on the shore, formed as they advanced, and rushing up the heights with supernatural energy, charged with bayonets, and overthrew the opposing ranks. A sharp combat ensued; the THIRTEENTH regiment landed during the action, and the French were driven from their position, with the loss of three hundred men, eight pieces of cannon, and many horses. Thus was the first step gained towards the accomplishment of this brilliant enterprise; and the landing on the shores of Egypt ranks among the splendid achievements of the British arms. Advancing towards _Alexandria_, the troops arrived, on the 12th of March, at the vicinity of Mandora Tower, and on the succeeding day marched through a wood of date trees to attack the enemy on the ridge of heights in front. As the British emerged from among the trees, the French advanced from the high ground and commenced the action. The brigade to which the THIRTEENTH belonged was advancing in column, when it was charged by a body of French cavalry, which was repulsed by the ninetieth regiment, forming the advance guard of the right column. Major-General Cradock instantly formed the brigade under a heavy fire, and the gallant conduct of the regiments was equal to the most sanguine expectation of their commander. The French were driven from their position, and compelled to retreat over the plains into the lines on the heights before Alexandria. The regiment had Captain Chester, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file killed; Captain Brown, Lieutenant Dolphin, and three soldiers, died of their wounds; Lieutenants Handcock, Copland, Serle, and Rich, Ensigns Hewson, Andrews, and O’Malley, three serjeants, and ninety-seven rank and file, wounded.