The Egyptians were in a strong defensive formation with the town of Embaleh bristling with heavy guns. The only reliable troops were the 6,000 Mameluke horsemen, fierce individual fighters each with a small group of retainers. The remaining infantry were mostly Egyptians stiffened with a few Turks and about 20,000 Arab levies. The French army, mostly experienced troops from the Italian campaign, advanced in echeloned division squares. The Mameluke horsemen simply broke against the discipline ranks, this demoralized the Egyptian infantry and defeat became a rout.

A town on the west bank of the Nile about 2 miles northwest of Cairo.

French Army of the Orient

Number engaged :

20,000

Casualties :

300 (1.50%)

Egyptian Army

Number engaged :

60,000

Casualties :

2,000 (3.33%)