356 EGYPT. 
^?x^' P^'^^'^^i^ce of mind, sustained a severe attack 
' , — ' in front and rear at the same time, without a 
single man moving from his place'. At this 
juncture, i\\Q forty -second regiment, coming up 
to aid the huenty- eighth, were themselves over- 
whelmed and broken by a body of the enemy's 
cavalry. Still, although dispersed, they re- 
sisted to a man ; and were seen so intermingled 
with the enemy, that the flank companies of the 
fortieth, stationed in the openings of the Ruin 
upon the right, were afraid to fire, for fear of 
destroying them. Menou had promised a Lonis 
to every French soldier who should be con- 
cerned in establishing a position in that building ; 
and several attempts were made for the purpose. 
Theffty-eighth had been stationed there in the 
beginning of the action, with a part of the 
twenty-third, and had already repulsed a column 
of the enemy, in its attack upon this place ; 
when, during the severe conflict sustained by 
the tiventy- eighth in front, three columns forced ^ 
in behind the redoubt where that regiment was 
stationed ; and while some of them remained to 
carry on the attack upon its rear, the principal 
part penetrated into the quadrangular area 
formed by the Ruin. Here they were received 
(l) Thejifly-eiglitli. is said to have been also in a similar situation. 
IVilsnn's Hist, of the Exped. p. 32. 
