NAPOLEON IN EGYPT
In the first months of 1798, 54,000 soldiers and sailors were gathered on the Mediterranean coast of the French Republic. More than 400 ships were gathered in Toulon and the nearby ports (Marseille, Ajaccio, Genoa and Civitavecchia). The destination was a well-kept secret. On 9 May, General Bonaparte published an address in which the destination was announced: Africa. Addressing his men, the general exclaimed, “Soldiers! You are one of the wings of the Army of England. You have made war in the mountains, plains and cities. We need to make it on the ocean. The Roman Legions, whom you have often imitated, but never yet equalled, combated Carthage, by turns, in the seas and on the plains of Zama. Victory never deserted their standards, because they never ceased to be brave, patient, and united. Soldiers, the eyes of Europe are upon you. You have great destinies to accomplish, battles to fight, dangers and fatigues to overcome. You are about to do more than you have yet done, for the prosperity of your country, the happiness of man, and for your own glory.”
The expeditionary corps left Toulon on 19 May 1798. British ships, a major threat, were feared by French sailors in the region. A French officer, Charles François, wrote in his private diary on 8 June 1798, “This day, the captain of our ship told us that an English brick belonging to Nelson’s fleet was captured. The Admiral is pursuing us and is not far away.” Despite this, the French fleet managed to pursue its crossing without being intercepted.
On 10 June, the French army reached Malta, capturing the
