21 JULY 1798
How Napoleon’s forces used superior tactics and discipline to defeat the ferocious Mamluks
charged the division with an enormous force of galloping horseman. Desaix’s square had fallen out of formation as it pressed forward over irrigation canals and through clusters of palm trees. Just as his men had climbed up from a canal, they saw the glittering Mamluk cavalry bearing down on them. A Mamluk horseman was a veritable arsenal, with each carrying a carbine, two or three pistols, a lance and a scimitar of razor-sharp Damascus steel. The French scarcely had time to reform their lines before the Mamluks fired their carbines and discharged their pistols, tossing the latter aside to be picked up by their infantry attendants running behind them. Still the French held their fire, waiting until the Mamluks had closed to point-blank range before they opened up on the enemy.
The French volley tore through the Mamluks, blasting riders clear out of their saddles. The scimitar-wielding horsemen continued to attack, making repeated assaults on Desaix’s square. The Mamluks were very brave, but their Medieval tactics were not up to the challenge of contending with the disciplined French squares. The bodies of the slain began to pile up around the squares as the day wore on, but the French remained resolute. It was imperative that they hold steady — to break would allow the Mamluks to charge within their disordered lines and slaughter them.
The Mamluks continued to assail the French squares, but could make no impression. Struck by fire from all sides, they retreated. On his left, Napoleon ordered an assault on the enemy positions in Embaba. The cavalry of the Mamluk right, which had not yet been involved in the fighting, made a charge against the oncoming French. They could do little against Bon’s square, and with their route back partially obstructed by Vial’s division, they retreated into Embaba. A general attack was then launched by Bon and Vial against Embaba, where the Ottoman Janissaries and fellahin militia were stationed.
These positions were taken by storm. Murad and the surviving Mamluk cavalry, about 3,000 or so, fled the field and made for their strongholds further south.
Along the Nile, all was chaos. Ibrahim tried to cross to come to the aid of Murad, but his boats became tangled up with those of some of Murad’s men who were trying to escape to the eastern bank. A heavy wind came up suddenly and ended any chance of getting over to help the Mamluks already engaged against the French. With the battle clearly lost, Ibrahim, with the Ottoman pasha in tow, escaped from Cairo.
In about two hours, Napoleon had trounced the Mamluk army. Cairo was his, and he would spend the night in Murad’s palace on the Nile. French losses were small, just 29 dead and about 260 wounded, while Mamluk losses were far heavier, around 2,000 horsemen slain along with a few thousand of the fellahin. Ever-conscious of his image, Napoleon would name his victory not after the village of Embaba, where the fighting took place, but after the more distant Pyramids, sensing that it would make for a grander legacy.
01 The French form squares
Before dawn, the five French infantry divisions form squares and march out of camp. Around 2pm, they come upon the Nile, and with the Pyramids visible in the distance, Napoleon addresses his troops. “Forty centuries of history look down upon you,” he roars in encouragement.
05 The French hold firm
The Mamluks make repeated charges against Desaix’s and General Reynier’s squares but are repelled each time by disciplined French musketry. Mamluk cavalrymen are knocked out of their saddles and their brilliantly-coloured clothes are set afire.
02 The Mamluks prepare for battle
On the other side of the field, Mamluk commander Murad Bey has drawn up his Mamluk cavalry and thousands of fellahin infantry. His artillery and some additional infantry are placed in the village of Embaba on the western bank of the Nile. Numerous spectators watch from the eastern bank.
06 Mamluks charge Dugua’s square
The Mamluks now charge the square of General Dugua in the centre of the French line but are caught in a murderous crossfire and retreat to Embaba. Napoleon orders an attack on Mamluk positions in Embaba.
03 Desaix’s flanking move
General Desaix’s division on the French right tries to flank Murad, but struggles to cross irrigation canals as it marches. Murad’s elite Mamluk horsemen countercharge Desaix’s infantry, firing their carbines and pistols into the massed French ranks.
07 Attack on Embaba
The Mamluk right before Embaba counter-charges the oncoming French square of General Bon, but fails to stop it, and retreats into Embaba. Bon and General Vial now mount a general assault on the Mamluks, Janissaries and fellahin in the village, which is taken by storm.
04 The Mamluks charge Desaix
Desaix’s men manage, just barely, to climb out of the irrigation ditches as the Mamluks are about to fall upon them. Waiting until the last moment, the French infantry open up with their muskets on the hard-charging Mamluks.
08 River crossing fails
Ibrahim Bey, on the eastern side of the Nile, attempts to cross to come to the aid of Murad on the western bank, but fails. Murad’s Mamluks flee the battlefield and retreat south. The battle ends around 4.30pm. French losses are light, while Mamluk losses number as many as 3,000 cavalry and several thousand infantry.