by Griff Hosker
One troop ranged far ahead of the small column. There were but three hundred of us to guard the general and his party. Although there were French soldiers ahead of us, there was no continuous line of defences. As we had discovered to our cost the enemy could easily slip through this treacherous land and ambush you from nowhere. I had made sure that both of my pistols were loaded.
After three days we reached Suez where the civilians began their work. The general had heard a rumour of a canal which once connected the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and he was anxious to see if this was possible. After a few hours of watching them painstakingly study the ground, dig a little and then discuss matters he grew impatient. He gestured to the colonel and the ten of us who had stayed close to the works. “You ten, come with me. Let us do some soldiering.”
We rode to the small garrison at Suez. The soldiers there had the look of men who are aware that they were on a frontier and they were vigilant. The little general dismounted and took us with him as he marched around the town and its environs. I was amused when he sent troopers into the desert to march towards us. I knew why he did that, he wished to view a potential enemy, but the troopers were bemused. It did not take him long to make the town defensible and then he became bored with the visit to Suez. I saw him looking longingly to the east.
As we rode back to the diggings he rode with Bessières just ahead of me and I heard his words. “You know that Alexander the Great stood here and looked to the east. He conquered as far as India. Quite an achievement eh?”
The colonel nodded his agreement, “That was many years ago though general.”
“Yes but we now have the finest army the world has ever seen. How much more likely that we could do more than even he did. Perhaps we could even reach China.”
As we rode I pondered his words. The French soldiers I had seen in the Low Countries in the early days of the war had been raw and ill disciplined. They were now better but, as far as I could see, the opposition we had defeated was poor. How would we fare against a well drilled and disciplined army?
We left some of the civilians working on the canal with some of the local garrison as guards. The general was anxious to cross into Arabia and see the famed fountains of Moses. I think he was desperate to emulate his hero, Alexander. We crossed the Red Sea at low tide and the general joked, “See, we have parted the seas, much as Moses did!”
He was in good spirits. He had not been defeated and he had subjugated this land very easily. I could understand his elation but the further we went into the oven that was Arabia the less confident I became. Sergeant Delacroix caught me flicking my head from side to side as we rode.
“What are you looking for sir? There cannot be anyone out here. I don’t even know why we are out here.”
“There are Ottomans out there sergeant.” I held up my bandaged hand. “This is evidence of that. They live here and they understand the desert. They do not wear wool but linen cloaks which are cooler. They are watching us and I do not think for one moment that our scouts would spot them. This is their land and they understand it. They are part of the land whereas we are intruders.”
I could see that I had alarmed him and he too began to scan the horizon for the enemy who waited and watched. When the scouts returned minus one of their number my fears were confirmed. His head was lobbed into the camp that night and few of the troopers enjoyed a good night’s rest as they feared the knife in the night.
I suggested to the major that we use double guards at night and, although it meant less sleep, we were all happier. The disturbing part was that the general seemed indifferent to the loss of the trooper. He just wanted to see the fountains of Moses. Although they were impressive I thought the journey a waste of time. They had not been worth the loss of the single trooper who had died. The general, however, was satisfied and we headed west once more.
All of us were glad when we set off back to the Read Sea and Suez. The general confidently rode towards the crossing we had used. As we stepped into the sea I was worried by the fact that the water appeared to come up higher on our horses than when we had set off. The general was on a camel and did not seem to notice. As we were at the halfway point the water rose alarmingly, Killer was a good swimmer but I could see that some of the younger troopers were beginning to panic. Even Bonaparte and his scientists showed concern. Sergeant Delacroix shouted to the troopers. “Keep your horses swimming towards the western bank; do not let them turn back! They can swim.”
It was then that Captain Hougon slipped from his horse. I do not know if he was trying to keep his boots dry or if he panicked but, whatever the reason, he fell into the sea and his horse fled without him to the safety of the other shore. I saw the captain’s head dip beneath the waves. I jerked Killer around and swam the horse towards him. The captain was flailing around in a desperate attempt to stop himself from going under but he only succeeded in tiring himself out. I was forced to hold the reins of Killer in my injured hand and then grab hold of the back of his jacket. As soon as I had hold I turned Killer around and we headed for the shore. He was still struggling. “Keep still or you will drown us both!” I am not sure he heard me but he suddenly went limp, for which I was grateful. I felt relief as Killer’s hooves struck the bottom and then the sergeant and the major helped to drag the unconscious officer ashore.
I leaned forwards to stroke Killer’s mane. “Well done boy!”
The captain was turned on to his front and he began to cough and splutter. I noticed that none of his friends had bothered to come to his aid. “Well done captain. That was bravely done.” The major nodded up at me.
“I had little time to think sir, I just reacted.”
“And a good job too. This officer would have died otherwise. I trust he will be suitably grateful.”
When he came to and glared at me I knew that he would not. He struggled to his feet and stormed off to his horse. He mounted it and then dug his spurs into its side whilst beating the animal with the scabbard of his sword. Sergeant Delacroix just shook his head. “It is no wonder the beast dumped him in the water. He has not made a friend of that animal that is for sure.”
The general had not even noticed the accident and was already heading towards Suez. I shrugged and we followed. “I can never understand mistreating horses, sergeant, but then I was brought up caring for them and not abusing them.”
When we entered the town we heard the mullah calling the faithful to prayer. General Bonaparte seemed oblivious to it all. Perhaps he was still thinking of the fountains of Moses. He halted, quite close to the mosque and turned to speak with Colonel Bessières. I kept Killer moving as there was a press of people suddenly I saw an open blade appear from beneath the voluminous cloak of a man waiting to go into the mosque. I was already drawing my pistol as he launched himself at the general. Even Bessières was transfixed. Everything seemed to move slowly as the scimitar arced towards General Bonaparte. The Turk shouted something and I pulled the trigger. He was less than six feet from me and his head exploded and the scimitar crashed to the ground. Another three swords appeared from beneath the cloaks of some of the faithful but the rest of the squadron had drawn weapons and Sergeant Delacroix shouted, “Fire!” The ten people closest to the general fell dead. I drew my sword and forced Killer between the general and the crowd. Bessières and the major joined me. The sight of two hundred guns being levelled at the crowd had the desired effect and they edged away and allowed us to make the safety of the fort.
General Bonaparte was white. It was the first time I had ever seen him shaken. He turned to his interpreter who was also shaking with fear. “What did that man say?”
“He shouted, ‘death to the destroyer of Islam!’”
The general seemed bemused, “Why?”
“I believe it is because of the mosque at Cairo when you destroyed its walls. They are not happy about the sacrilege.”
He shrugged, “Then they should not revolt should they?” He turned to me. “Once again, I am in your debt
captain, thank you.” That was as much as he ever said. Then he turned and rode off towards his quarters. He was never disturbed for long.
Our trip was broken by the news that a Turkish army had left Syria and was on the coast at El Arish less than a day’s ride from Alexandria. We rode hard to reach the army. The general deserted the scientists and sent messengers to bring the army from Cairo.
“Well sir, this might be just the experience these lads need.”
“Will the general risk his guards, sergeant?”
The major had been listening to us and he nodded. “I think so captain. We need to eliminate all opposition. The general has been waiting for this.”
I had misjudged the general. I thought he had thought we had already won and was enjoying the fruits of his victory. As he rode hard through the scrubby barren land I saw that his mind was like a razor and he had been just giving the illusion of torpor.
We returned to the camp of General Murat where there were, already artillery and infantry gathered. The scouts who had seen the approach of the three armies had then been sent by General Murat to bring reinforcements. I looked at my injured hand. Would I be part of this or be forced to be an onlooker? I was not good at watching.
Colonel Bessières was delighted to be given command of a division for the battle. He gathered his officers, and me, around him in the mess tent. “This is a great day for the squadron gentlemen. We will no longer be merely bodyguards but we will be attacking the enemy.” For once everyone, including the two sulky captains, was delirious with excitement. “We have been assigned six horse artillery pieces. Captain Macgregor will also be delighted to learn that we are to be brigaded with his old regiment, the 17th.”
I smiled but inside I was perturbed. Although I was pleased to be with my former regiment again I did not like the comment ‘old regiment.’ It implied I was now in a new regiment. I decided to wait until things were a little quieter before I said anything. I did not wish to give Captain Hougon any more ammunition.
“Our job will be to see that the Turks do not reinforce El Arish. The general is busy organising siege guns so tomorrow we will leave the camp and head east where we can be in a better position to thwart the enemy.”
The rest of the evening was spent in the logistics of movement which were of little concern to me as I was almost a supernumerary. However once the rest had departed I asked the colonel what his comment meant.
“It is nothing bad Robbie. The general has another task for you but you will not need to undertake it until after we have finally subjugated this land. He was reluctant to allow you to be part of this action; he wished that you be close to him but I persuaded him that you would be needed in this battle. I knew that you would not wish to cool your heels at headquarters. I promise you that you will be returning to the 17th. You have my word on that.”
Despite my initial impressions of the colonel I had come to learn that he was a man of his word and I trusted him. Although things did not work out as I might have wished the colonel kept his word.
Three days later and we were to the east of El Arish in Syrian territory. We waited for the 17th to arrive. I saw a cloud of dust to the south and one of the troopers reported that it was the 17th. When they halted next to us I was disappointed to see that they had only brought half of the regiment.
Colonel Aristide, who looked a little drawn, and Jean rode up to us. “Sir, we have brought the 17th as ordered.”
Even Bessières looked surprised, “Where are the rest?”
“I am afraid they have been laid low by disease sir. Forty troopers have died and the rest have been sent to hospital. This squadron is all that remains of the regiment.”
I saw the haunted look on Jean’s face and knew that there was a story here. “Well colonel, even a squadron of your troopers are worth a regiment of many others. Welcome. Your men can take the place of honour on the right. We have scouts patrolling and we hope for action soon!”
As things turned out, no enemies were sighted and we camped for the night. I took the opportunity of joining my old comrades. Jean was pleased to see me but he checked my hand to make sure that it was still healing. “Good. I was worried that you would be using it.”
“Never mind my hand. What happened sir?”
“It is as the colonel said we lost men to the Turks but we had an outbreak of the pestilence and it took many men. Captain Alain and Sergeant Chagal both succumbed to it and they died.” I was lost for words. Claude and Charles were gone. With Pierre back in France my old comrades were becoming fewer. “The sick should now have a better chance of recovery. They are aboard the L’Italie on the Nile. They have good doctors and it is cleaner on the ship than it would be in Cairo believe me.”
Tiny joined us and I saw how thin he had become. “The lieutenant here had the disease but he recovered. It was as well that you were away for with your wound you might have been at a greater risk.”
“We will be in action soon anyway. We are here to stop the enemy reinforcing the fort.”
“Are you not rejoining us sir?”
“I am sorry lieutenant. As much as I wish that the general still has tasks for me to complete. However I will be with you for this campaign.”
It was the scouts from the 17th who found the Mamelukes under the command of General Iphrahim. Colonel Bessières heaped praise on Sergeant Manet who brought the news. “Excellent! As ever the 17th does not let us down.” A messenger was sent to General Murat and his division of cavalry. This would be a cavalry battle!
We lined up in two lines on the foothills overlooking the road. The 17th were to the right of our squadron. Our six cannons were above us and would be able to fire over our heads at the enemy. When Bessières explained his plan to Albert I was pleased to see him nod his agreement. This would be no disaster; not with two such heads in charge. And then General Murat galloped up with his nine hundred strong division of horse. He placed himself on our left. I was with the two colonels when the general explained his plan. “I will charge at them and then you will sweep around their rear and envelop them.” I could see that neither colonel was happy but at least our squadrons would be together.
The approaching dust cloud told is of the arrival of the enemy. There were many more of them than us. Because they did not fight or even travel in neat lines numbers were hard to estimate but I knew that it would be a hard fought fight. I had acquired some gloves and I decided to risk my sword. I could not charge with just a pistol for defence. I knew that if Jean discovered what I was about he would try to stop me and so I kept my sword sheathed.
The twelve cannons we had began to pound the enemy. The dust and the smoke made it hard to estimate how many were killed but so long as it weakened them it would suit us. I heard Murat’s bugles sound and then the ground shook as his horsemen galloped towards the Mameluke army. When we heard the clash of metal on metal we knew that battle had been joined. Then we heard the bugle which signalled our movement. I rode just behind the major and next to Sergeant Delacroix. Killer took some controlling as he fought me to get to the front. It was always that way with him. We were travelling blind because of the dust but we heard the clash of arms from our left. Colonel Bessières waved his sword and we began to turn to our left. The timing of the charge would be a test of the skill of the two colonels. We began to trot and I heard the noise grow. Suddenly the bugle sounded charge and I drew my sword. Although it was painful to grip the hilt, it was not impossible and I determined to try. Even before the last notes had died away we saw the rear of the Mameluke army. The two squadrons gave a roar and we crashed into the rear of their horses.
I leaned forward, eager to find someone to strike but the troopers before me cleared the way. I wondered if I would get to use my sword at all when the trooper next to the major fell in a bloody heap. I saw a scimitar flashing at me and I raised my own blade to parry the blow. My whole arm juddered and I felt a rush of pain in my hand. Killer’s head came round; he was always an aggressive horse. The Mame
luke’s horse also had a fiery temper and he turned to try to bite Killer. The result was that the Mameluke turned slightly to bring his scimitar to bear and it was his left side which faced me. I slashed down with the sword and saw it rip his arm open from the shoulder to the wrist. The horsemen fell from his mount and Sergeant Delacroix’s horse trampled him. My hand was hurting me and so I sheathed my sword. I had been lucky and there was little point in pushing my luck. I held the reins in my left hand and drew a pistol.
All semblance of order had now gone. It was a series of individual combats. Suddenly I saw two Mamelukes attacking the major. I urged Killer on and fired at one of the men who fell from his horse. The major despatched the second. I took out my second pistol to look for another target but there was none. The enemy before us was dead and I saw the dragoons from General Murat’s division sabring the last of the Mamelukes.
As recall sounded I peered through the dust to see which of my comrades had survived. I was delighted to see the colonel, the major and Tiny all lined up with the squadron but I could see that the numbers were depleted. The Guards had also suffered but it appeared as though they had fared slightly better. It was inevitable. The 17th had fought since the day we had landed while the Guards had not. The pestilence had taken its toll too.
General Murat was fulsome in his praise of our charge. “Your two squadrons fought like two regiments today. None of the Mamelukes escaped. You have done well!”