When did the Battle of Abukir 1799 take place?
The Battle of Abukir was fought on the 25th of July 1799, between French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte and an Ottoman army commanded by Mustafa Pasha on the Aboukir peninsula in Egypt.
Questions about Battle of Abukir (1799)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were the casualties at the Battle of Abukir 1799?
French losses were 220 dead and 600 wounded. Ottoman losses were catastrophic: 2,000 dead on the battlefield, 11,000 drowned trying to reach ships offshore, 5,000 taken prisoner, and 2,000 missing.
Who was Mustafa Pasha at the Battle of Abukir?
Mustafa Pasha was the Ottoman commander at Abukir, a veteran of the Russo-Turkish War. He was captured by General Murat during a cavalry charge, after shooting Murat in the jaw and losing two fingers to Murat's sabre.
What role did General Murat play at the Battle of Abukir 1799?
Murat led the decisive cavalry charge that broke the Ottoman army, riding deep into the Ottoman camp and capturing Mustafa Pasha. He was shot in the jaw by the Pasha during the struggle, was operated on that evening, and returned to duty the following day. Napoleon promoted him to divisional general for the action.
Who was Muhammed Ali and what is his connection to the Battle of Abukir?
Muhammed Ali was a thirty-year-old officer of Albanian descent who was rescued from the sea by British boats after the Ottoman rout at Abukir. Six years after the battle, he seized power and ruled Egypt.
How did the Battle of Abukir affect Napoleon's return to France?
The victory secured a temporary French hold on Egypt, but more critically it led to negotiations during which Sidney Smith passed Napoleon European newspapers revealing a political crisis in France. Smith subsequently lifted the British naval blockade, allowing Napoleon to board the frigate Muiron on the 23rd of August and sail back to France.