Order of battle of the Armée d'Orient (1798)
Encyclopedia
The Armée d'Orient was the French military force gathered by the French Directory
to send on the expedition to Egypt
in 1798. The expedition had the intention of barring Great Britain
's route to its colonies in India
and was put under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte
.
"
Frigate
13 (7 armed "en flûte")
French Directory
The Directory was a body of five Directors that held executive power in France following the Convention and preceding the Consulate...
to send on the expedition to Egypt
History of Egypt
Egyptian history can be roughly divided into the following periods:*Prehistoric Egypt*Ancient Egypt**Early Dynastic Period of Egypt: 31st to 27th centuries BC**Old Kingdom of Egypt: 27th to 22nd centuries BC...
in 1798. The expedition had the intention of barring Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
's route to its colonies in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and was put under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
.
Land forces
- Commander in chief: GénéralGénéralGénéral is the French word for General.In France, Army generals are named after the type of unit they command. In ascending order there are two ranks :* Général de brigade : Brigade General.* Général de division : Divisional General....
Napoléon BonaparteNapoleon I of FranceNapoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815... - Chef d'état-majorChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
: Général Berthier - Numbers: 45,000 of which 33,000 in Egypt
Compagnie des guides
- Numbers: 500 men on foot and on horseback
Division Desaix
- Commander: Général Louis Charles Antoine DesaixLouis Charles Antoine DesaixLouis Charles Antoine Desaix was a French general and military leader. According to the usage of the time, he took the name Louis Charles Antoine Desaix de Veygoux.-Biography:...
- Numbers: 5600 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 21e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère : 3 battalions, 2100 men in total
- 61e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1900 men in total
- 88e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1600 men in total
Division Reynier
- Commander: Général Reynier
- Numbers: 3450 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 9e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1620 men in total
- 85e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1840 men in total
Division Kleber
- Commander: Jean-Baptiste Kléber
- Numbers: 4900 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 2e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère : 3 battalions, 1450 men in total
- 25e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1650 men in total
- 75e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1800 men in total
Division Menou
- Commander: Général Jacques-Francois MenouJacques-Francois MenouJacques-François de Menou, baron de Boussay was a French general under Napoleon I of France. Born Jacques Menou in Boussay on 3 September 1750, he died in Mestre in the Veneto on 13 August 1810...
- Numbers: 5200 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 22e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère : 3 battalions, 1100 men in total
- 13e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 2500 men in total
- 69e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1600 men in total
Division Bon
- Commander: Général Louis André BonLouis André BonLouis André Bon was a French general of the French Revolutionary Wars, best known for his participation in the 1798 French invasion of Egypt-Life:...
- Numbers: 4700 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 4e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère : 2 battalions, 1100 men in total
- 18e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1650 men in total
- 32e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne : 3 battalions, 1950 men in total
Division Dumas (cavalry)
- Commander: Général DumasThomas-Alexandre DumasThomas-Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie, was a hero of the French Revolution and General in Napoleon's army. He is better known as Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, General of the French Revolution and the father of author Alexandre Dumas, père, and grandfather of author Alexandre Dumas, fils...
- Numbers: 3050 men
- Made up of the following regiments:
- 7e régiment bis de hussards : 3 squadrons, 630 men in total
- 22e régiment de chasseurs à cheval : 3 squadrons, 280 men in total
- 3e régiment de dragons : 2 squadrons, 390 men in total
- 14e régiment de dragons : 3 squadrons, 640 men in total
- 15e régiment de dragons : 2 squadrons, 230 men in total
- 18e régiment de dragons : 4 squadrons, 330 men in total
- 20e régiment de dragons : 3 squadrons, 530 men in total
Division Dommartin (Artillery)
- Commander of the artillery: Général DommartinElzéard Auguste Cousin de DommartinElzéard Auguste Cousin de Dommartin became a French general during the French Revolutionary Wars, fought in Italy under Napoleon Bonaparte, and commanded the artillery division of the Armée d'Orient during the French invasion of Egypt in 1798.-Life:Cousin de Dommartin received his first commission...
- Firepower: 171 artillery pieces, including:
- 35 siege cannons
- 24 howitzerHowitzerA howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
s - 40 mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
s
- Numbers: 3150 men
- Split between:
- 5 cavalry companies
- 14 infantry companies
- 9 companies of demi-brigades
Division Caffarelli (engineers)
- Commander (engineers): Général Caffarelli du FalgaLouis-Marie-Joseph Maximilian Caffarelli du FalgaLouis-Marie-Joseph-Maximilian Caffarelli du Falga was a French commander and scholar...
- Numbers: 1200 men
- Split between:
- 775 sapperSapperA sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
s - 190 miners
- 165 workers
- 25 balloonists
- 775 sapper
Garrison troops
- Corsica: 3600 men of:
- 23e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère: 3 battalions, totalling 2500 men
- 1er bataillon de la 86e demi-brigades d'infanterie de ligne: 1 battalion, totalling 1100 men
- Malta: 8000 men
- Division ChabotLouis François Jean ChabotLouis François Jean Chabot was a French general....
: 4000 men of:- 6e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne: 3 battalions, totalling 1000 men
- 79e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne: 3 battalions, totalling 3000 men
- Division VauboisClaude-Henri Belgrand de VauboisClaude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois was a French general during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. On 20 August 1808 he was created Comte de Belgrand de Vaubois...
: 4000 men of- 3e bataillon de la 7e demi-brigade d'infanterie légère: 1 battalion, totalling 1150 men
- 19e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne: 2 battalions, totalling 1050 men
- 1er bataillon de la 80e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne: 1 battalion, totalling 550 men
- Various elements drawn from 6e and 41e demi-brigade d'infanterie de ligne as well as from 23e demi-brigade d'infanterie légèreLight infantryTraditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
: 1200 men
- Division Chabot
Sea forces
Known as the Escadre d'Orient, the ships of the taskforce transported the land troops and at times during the campaign operated in tandem with them.- Commanded by admiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Brueys - Numbers: 335 boats, of which only 55 were armed
Ships of the line
15, of which 2 were armed "en flûteFluyt
A fluyt, fluit, or flute is a Dutch type of sailing vessel originally designed as a dedicated cargo vessel. Originating from the Netherlands in the 16th century, the vessel was designed to facilitate transoceanic delivery with the maximum of space and crew efficiency...
"
- FlagshipFlagshipA flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
: L'OrientFrench ship Orient (1791)The Dauphin-Royal was an Océan class 118-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.During the French Revolution, she was renamed Sans-Culotte in September 1792, and eventually Orient in May 1795....
, 120 guns - Hospital shipHospital shipA hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones....
: Le Causse, 70 guns (captured at VeniceVeniceVenice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
)- 80 guns :
- Le Guillaume-Tell
- Le Franklin
- Le Tonnant
- 74 guns :
- Le Spartiate
- L'AquilonFrench ship Aquilon (1789)The Aquilon was a Téméraire class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.She served off Italy under Brueys, and took part in the Battle of the Nile, where she fought HMS Vanguard, HMS Minotaur and HMS Theseus. She was captured and recommissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Aboukir.- External links...
- Le GénéreuxFrench ship Généreux (1785)The Généreux was a French Téméraire class ship of the line.She was launched in 1785 at Rochefort. With the Guillaume Tell, she was one of only two ships to escape the British attack at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798....
- Le GuerrierFrench ship Guerrier (1754)The Guerrier was a Magnifique class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.She took part in the Battle of Minorca and in the Battle of Lagos...
- Le Peuple-SouverainFrench ship Souverain (1757)The Souverain was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.She took part in the Battle of the Chesapeake, in 1781. In 1792, she was renamed Peuple Souverain ....
- Le Timoléon
- Le HeureuxFrench ship Heureux (1783)The Heureux was a Centaure class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.She cruised in the Mediterranean in 1794 and 1795.Under Captain Jean-Pierre Etienne, she took part in the Expedition to Egypt, and in the Battle of the Nile. The first ship to spot the British fleet on 1 August, Heureux...
- Le MercureFrench ship Mercure (1783)The Mercure was a 74-gun Séduisant-class ship of the line of the French Navy.She took part in the Battle of the Nile under Captain Cambon. She fought against HMS Majestic and was captured by HMS Alexander. Damaged beyond repair and aground, she was burnt.-See also:*List of ships captured in the...
- 64 guns :
- Le ConquérantFrench ship Conquérant (1747)The Conquérant was a Citoyen class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.She took part in the Battle of the Nile, where she was armed with only 18- and 12-pounders, and crewed by a mere 400 men, under captain Dalbarade. Second ship in the vanguard of her line, Conquérant sustained fire from...
- Le Dubois (captured at VeniceVeniceVenice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
)
- 80 guns :
FrigateFrigateA frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s
13 (7 armed "en flûte")
-
- 40 guns :
- La Justice
- La Diane
- La Junon
- L'Artémise
- 36 guns :
- L'Alceste
- La Sérieuse
- La Sensible
- La Courageuse
- La Carrère
- La MuironFrench frigate MuironThe Muiron was a frigate of the French Navy, famous for ferrying Bonaparte on the 22 August 1799 under the flagship of Admiral Ganteaume from Egypt to France after the Battle of the Nile....
- La Leoben
- 30 guns :
- La Mantoue
- La Montenotte
- 40 guns :
Others
- 1 corvette, the 30 gun La Badine
- 79 brigBrigA brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
s (of which 5 were armed) - 38 bomb vesselBomb vesselA bomb vessel, bomb ship, bomb ketch, or simply bomb was a type of wooden sailing naval ship. Its primary armament was not cannon —although bomb vessels carried a few cannon for self-defence—but rather mortars mounted forward near the bow and elevated to a high angle, and projecting their fire in a...
s (of which 4 were armed) - 3 avisoAvisoAn aviso , a kind of dispatch boat or advice boat, survives particularly in the French navy, they are considered equivalent to the modern sloop....
s armés - 75 tartaneTartaneA Tartane or tartan was a small ship used both as a fishing ship and for coastal trading in the Mediterranean. They were in use for over 300 years until the late 19th century. A tartane had a single mast on which was rigged a large lateen sail, and with a bowsprit and fore-sail. When the wind was...
s (of which 6 were armed) - 6 chaloupes-canonnièreLongboatIn the days of sailing ships, a vessel would carry several ship's boats for various uses. One would be a longboat, an open boat to be rowed by eight or ten oarsmen, two per thwart...
s - 2 felouques canonnièreFeluccaA felucca is a traditional wooden sailing boat used in protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean including Malta, and particularly along the Nile in Egypt, Sudan, and also in Iraq. Its rig consists of one or two lateen sails....
s - 1 schoonerSchoonerA schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
- 9 pinquesPink (ship)A pink is one of two different types of ship.The first was a small, flat-bottomed ship with a narrow stern; the name derived from the Italian word pinco. It was used primarily in the Mediterranean Sea as a cargo ship....
- 82 polacrePolaccaA polacca is a type of seventeenth-century sailing vessel, similar to the xebec. The name is the feminine of "Polish" in the Italian language. The polacca was frequently seen in the Mediterranean...
s - 11 trois-mats à hunes (three-masters)