Death of General Abercromby at the Battle of Alexandria, Egypt, 1801

Line engraving by E Mitchell after Jas Northcote, published 1805.

To Abercromby (1734-1801) can be given much of the credit for the revival of the British Army during the Revolutionary War period. After service in Germany during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), his professional advancement was postponed by his opposition to the war against the Americans. War with France recalled him to active service and he distinguished himself in Flanders, the Caribbean and North Holland (1799). Extreme short-sightedness contributed to the recklessness in combat which eventually cost him his life following the Battle of Alexandria (1801) where he was struck by a musket ball in the thigh and died of his wounds a week later.