Battle of Alexandria (1801)

Battle of Alexandria
Part of the French invasion of Egypt and Syria

The Battle of Alexandria
Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1802
Date21 March 1801
Location31°13′N 29°57′E / 31.22°N 29.95°E / 31.22; 29.95
Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom France
Commanders and leaders
Ralph Abercromby (DOW)
John Hely-Hutchinson
John Moore (WIA)
Eyre Coote
John Doyle
John Stuart
Sidney Smith (WIA)
Jacques-François Menou
François Lanusse 
Jean Reynier
Antoine Rampon
César Antoine Roize 
Strength
12,000–14,200 10,000–16,000
Casualties and losses
243 killed
1,253 wounded
32 missing
1,700–5,000 killed, wounded or missing
Location within Mediterranean

The Battle of Alexandria (also known as the Battle of Canope) fought on 21 March 1801 between the British and French armies as part of the French invasion of Egypt and Syria. Led by General Sir Ralph Abercromby, the British engaged a French force under Divisional-general Jacques-François Menou near the ruins of Nicopolis, on the narrow spit of land between the Mediterranean Sea and Abukir. The British routed Menou's army after several hours of fierce fighting, though Abercromby was mortally wounded. John Hely-Hutchinson, who replaced Abercromby, led the British army to Alexandria and laid siege to the city, which surrendered in September.