At the attack made upon Alexandria, Captain Cochrane commanded a detachment of armed vessels stationed on the lake Mareotis to cover the approach of the troops. The surrender of this place Sept. 2, 1801, put an end to the war in Egypt, after a campaign of nearly six months, during the whole of which period the vigilance, activity, and judicious conduct of our officer was such as called forth the most honourable mention in the public despatches of Lord Keith, and Lieutenant General Hutchinson, the successor of the lamented Abercromby.
A treaty of peace having been signed at Amiens, the fleet returned to England, and the Ajax arrived at Portsmouth on the 8th Feb., 1802. At the general election in the same year, Captain Cochrane became a candidate for the boroughs of Dumferline, Stirling, &c. This produced a sharp contest with Sir John Henderson, Bart.; and both parties having petitioned, the latter was ousted.
On the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain Cochrane obtained the command of the Northumberland, a fine 74-gun ship; and on the 23d April, in the following year, he was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and sent to watch the
rous sand hills which cover the shore, all of which were lined with musketry; the beach on either wing being flanked with cannon, and parties of cavalry held in readiness to advance.
The fire of the enemy was successively opened from their mortars and field-pieces, as the boats got withia their reach; and as they approached to the shore, the excessive discharge of grape shot and of musketry from behind the sand hills, seemed to threaten them vith destruction; while the castle of Aboukir, on the right flank, ’maintained a constant and harrassing discharge of large shot and shells; but the ardour of the officers and men was not to be damped; without a moment’s hesitation, they resolutely rowed in for the beach; and having obtained a footing, the 23d regiment, and part of the 40th, under the command of Colonel Spencer, ascended the hill which commanded the whole, and seemed almost inaccessible, with an intrepidity and coolness scarcely to be paralleled, and forced the enemy to retire, leaving behind him seven pieces of artillery, and several horses.
The disembarkation of the army continued, and the troops were all landed on the following day, with such articles of stores and provisions as required the most immediate attention.
The loss sustained by the navy in the execution of this service, amounted to 20 killed, 70 wounded, and 3 missing. That of the army 102 killed, 15 wounded, and 35 missing.
