[8] Following Lanusse's reverse at Mandora, Menou finally arrived from Cairo to take direct command of French forces, and determined to attack on 21 March.

François Lanusse would lead on the left with the brigades of Valentin and Silly, supported by the infantry Divisions of Antoine-Guillaume Rampon in the centre and Jean Reynier on the right.

The British position on the night of 20 March extended across the isthmus, the right wing resting upon the ruins of Nicopolis and the sea, the left on the lake of Abukir and the Alexandria canal.

[9] Soon Rampon's command in the centre was engaged, and despite disorientation in the dark, penetrated between the front and rear wing of the 42nd Regiment of Foot.

The commander, Cézar Antoine Roize remonstrated in vain, the Republican cavalry nevertheless were able to penetrate as far as the British camp and Abercromby's headquarters, inflicting severe losses on the 42nd Foot[10] before a combination of dug fortifications and musketry ended this effort.

The terrified English threw themselves on their faces on the ground; others fled to their tents; but this obstacle stopped the terrible rush of our cavalry and caused our ruin.

[13] During the attack of Roize's second line Sir Ralph Abercromby was briefly captured by French dragoons, but quickly rescued by a highlander of the 42nd.

About this time he received a bullet wound to the thigh which would eventually prove fatal, though he remained on the field and in command to the end.

Amongst the French casualties were three generals killed (Lanusse, Roize and brigade commander Baudot in Reynier's Division) and several other senior officers wounded.

[11] John Hely-Hutchinson replaced Abercromby in command of British forces, which then advanced upon Alexandria to lay siege to it.