1807.] 
upon me, in justification of my own conduct, 
and in justice to those brave men who have 
been my companions in arms, ‘o intrude up- 
on your attention a more than ordinary de- 
tail of our proceedings. I had the honour of 
Stating in my last, that the expectation of the 
Junction of the Mamelukes had chiefly in- 
duced me to persevere in the atisack of Ro- 
Setlas every exertion was continued fo be 
Made by such artillery as we could comman, 
In reducing the enemy tosurrender, but with- 
out effect: the mistaken ground upon which 
we were acting respecting the Mimelukes, 
and the: general deception of our informers 
were now about to become manifest, Un the 
Xoth, che enemy left his positiun opposite Ha- 
met, crossing the river near Eliine, es‘ablish- 
ed himself there. He advanced from Dibet 
against Hamet on the same day, and attacking 
Major Vogelssng’s position on the left, was 
Tepuiled with loss; a diversion was made at 
the same'time at Rosetta, ina sortie agalnse 
the Jeft of our lines, by about eighty cavalry 
and 2cO infantry: the 35th regiment and 
the dragoons were engaged; they repulsed 
the enemy with much spirit, and drove him, 
as usual to his wails. The" 35th had in this 
affair two killed and 14 wounded. I this 
evening detached the light companies of the 
35th and of De Rolie’s to the post of Ei Ha- 
met under the command of Captain Tarleton 
of the former. His orders were to drive the 
enemy across the Nile, either during that 
night, or early next morning. On attempt- 
ing to cffect this service on the 20th, the 
€nemy was iound to be power/ul in cavalry, 
and Captain ‘Tarleton retired. J must here 
State the nature of the position of Hamets 
from Lake Eoko to the Nile is an isthmus 
about two miles anda half in extent, varying 
according to the depth of water in the lake. 
The remains of a deep canal with high banks 
extend trom the river nearly two thiias across 
this isthmus: the bar.ks command the plain oa 
either side. ‘ihe village of Hamet is on the 
Southern side of the canal, about half way 
across 5 its inhabitants were friendly to us. 
On the banks of the Nile, and at Hawet, 
ate the only two regular passes through the 
banks of the canal. At each of these was 
Posted a gun, and a proportion of Major Vo- 
Belsang’s detachment. From the termina- 
tion of the canai to the lake is a piain, passi- 
ble by cavalry. A picquet guarded ‘his flank, 
As Captain Tarleton retreated, he divided his 
detacsment; he directed the march of his 
Own company to the left position, and sent 
the De Roli’s, reinforced to 100 rank and 
file, to Hamet village. While crossing the 
plain, the latter detachment, under Captain 
Keiuack’s orders, was suddenly attacked by 
200 Cavalry, and as it should appear, was 
with little opposition routed; two-thirds 
were cut in picces. Report of this reaching 
me by eleven o’clock in the forenoon, I ae- 
tached Lieutenant-Colonel M’Leon with two 
companies of the 78th regiment, one of the 
35th, a picquet of dragoons under Captain 
State of Public Affairs in July. 
77 
Delancy, and a six pounder, to reinforce the 
Y» P 
post, and take the command. Two more 
- companies followed in the afternoon, with a 
day’s provisien for his whole force, ammuni- 
tien, &c. all which arnved safely. On the 
arrival of the reinforcement, the enemy re- 
tired towards Dileg, ana i received assurance 
from the Lieutenant Colonel! before sun set, 
of the perfect.security of his post; he had 
detachea three companies, the dragoons, and 
a thr-e-pounder, under Captain Tarlton’s ors 
ders, to che plains on the right, afd had re- 
inforced the centre post by a company of the 
346th regiment; the average strength of these 
companies were 60 rank and file. 
During the day the enemy made no move- 
ment agalast our lines at Rosetta, but sent 
reinforcements to Hamet from the town, by 
the aight bank of the Nile. 1 visited the 
post of Hamet during toe night of the 2oth, 
and had the good fortune to escape the ene 
my’s cavalry, whe had turned Captain Tarle- 
ton’s position at sun-set, to the numbcr of 
150. Having recoinoitred the line of de- 
fence, which I found to be weak in many 
parts, and very extensive, | confirmed my for- 
mer instructions to Lieutenant-Colgnel M? 
Leod, viz that he should defend the post to 
the utmost, but if likely to be forced or turns 
ed by a numerous cavalry, that he should con- 
centrate and appuyer himself upon the lake 
that if this was not feasinle. he should fal 
back on the main army. J at the same time 
concerted measures for a general retreat on 
the succeeding night, unless certain intelli- 
gence of the Mamelukes should arrive on the 
21st. Although he had one third of my 
torce under his orders, I gave him reason tu 
expect a reinforcement of 80 men more, with 
ammunition, on the ensuing morning. About 
seven o’clock on the morning of the 21st, I 
received the tollowing express from him :—= 
** The cavalry were not to be seen this morn- 
ing; but, co my utter astonishment, from 60 
. to 70 large germs, and a large brig, are now 
coming Gown the Nile upon us. Ido not know 
what to say of this; it appears, uudoubiesly, 
a reinforcement to the enemy, and one of 
considerable magnitude. I take it for yrant- 
ea they have gun-boats among them. I must 
make preparation, and be ready to retire upon 
you 5 iet me Know as soon as possible.” My 
answer, immediately dispatched, was not re~ 
ceived, the aragoon being unable to pene- 
trate to the post. The reinforcement alsody 
which had marched under the orders of your 
Aide-de Camp, Captain A’Ugurt was obliged 
to return. Nota moment was to be lost in 
breaking up from the position before Rosettay 
and in supporting the Hamet detachment. 
The advance upon us of a strong body of ca- 
valry in that direction, prevented my detache 
ing a single corps to ther relief, and it was 
necessary that the whole army should move 
toyether. The field guns were first with- 
drawn from the batteries; all camels were’ 
laden with ammunition and indispensible 
stores ; the carronades and mortars eee 
; their 
