Alexandria, battle of

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Alexandria, battle of, 1801. Napoleon's expedition to Egypt was cut off in August 1798 by Nelson's victory of the Nile, and a year later Napoleon abandoned his men and returned to France. In March 1801 a British force of 14,000 men was landed under Sir Ralph Abercromby and fought its way towards Alexandria. On the 21st, after heavy fighting in which Abercromby was killed, the French capitulated. Egypt was restored to Turkish rule. Abercromby's widow was given a barony in his honour.

J. A. Cannon

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