Chapter 36: The Mamluk Cavalry

"Form ranks! Prepare to listen to Pasha's speech."

The next day, under a scorching sun, with temperatures soaring above thirty degrees Celsius, the intense heat made it difficult for people to open their eyes as sweat poured down like rain. Yet, in such harsh weather, a massive cavalry was slowly assembling. This was the symbol of Egyptian military power—the Mamluk cavalry.

Their commander, Muhammad Ali, was loudly addressing them. "Your Excellency Pasha! The soldiers are fully assembled, please address them," Muhammad Ali announced respectfully upon seeing Murad, immediately stepping aside to make way for him.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Pasha!" the senior Mamluk officers saluted Murad respectfully upon his arrival.

"Very good," Murad responded as he walked in front of his troops, his face revealing a look of satisfaction as he surveyed his army. These forces were under his control and formed the foundation of his rule in Egypt. He believed this campaign would successfully defeat the French and reclaim the lost territories.

Such a victory would undoubtedly earn him significant political capital. By then, he could leverage the French's defeat to completely overshadow Youssef El-Rashid and possibly become Egypt's sole ruler. Just thinking about it stirred excitement in Murad.

"To arms! March north. Destroy the French," Murad roared, cracking his whip.

At Murad's command, a large number of Mamluk cavalrymen sprang into action.

"Your Excellency Pasha, should we seek assistance from the British? Alexandria's port is by the sea, and the British Mediterranean fleet is quite formidable. If they aided us in attacking the French, our efforts would surely be less strenuous," Muhammad Ali suggested as they marched.

"The British? I see them as nothing but rubbish. They assured me of support earlier. But now? The French are at our doorstep, and the British are nowhere to be found!" Murad responded, his face flushing with rage at the mention of the British. They had initiated the strategy against the French and had promised to ensure their safety. Yet now, the British had failed to keep their promise, resulting in the loss of Alexandria.

All this made Murad feel he was being mocked. If not for the pressing threat of the French, he might have considered retaliating against the British. "Yes, my lord, I am just concerned. The French have been fighting the British for nearly a hundred years, they are equals."

"Ah! I've already told you, do not worry. Remember, our ancestors even defeated the Mongols. Are the British and French more formidable than the Mongols were?" Murad tried to instill confidence.

"Yes, I understand." Muhammad Ali sensed Murad's irritation and prudently chose to remain silent. Perhaps sensing his loyal commander's unease, Murad added, "Don't worry. They are just the French. Our Mamluk cavalry can certainly handle them."

As Murad led his cavalry from Cairo, heading straight for Alexandria to confront the French, Napoleon was not idle either. After securing Alexandria, Napoleon immediately ordered Desaix and Marmont to lead two infantry divisions up the tributaries of the Nile, protecting the supply trains, ammunition, and civilian personnel being transported by boats. Colonel Perry's gunboats were responsible for escorting them.

Meanwhile, Napoleon himself, along with the divisions of Lannes, Bon, and Vieux, took a shortcut through the desert, marching towards Ramaniyah on the Nile. Despite the troops being unrested from their march, Napoleon ordered them to continue moving forward, hoping to catch the Mamluk unawares.

At Ramaniyah, Marmont's division met with Napoleon's desert column. Here, Napoleon creatively arranged a large square formation overnight, waiting for the Mamluk cavalry's charge, having learned that the Mamluk vanguard had already reached the area.

On the morning of July 13th, Murad, leading 10,000 Mamluk cavalry, indeed appeared on the scene. "General Napoleon, the enemy is numerous; by my estimation, there are at least ten thousand cavalry, and we have only about eight thousand men. What do we do now?" Marmont asked anxiously.

Historically, infantry were at a disadvantage against cavalry, especially in this scenario where they were outnumbered and on the plains, leaving the French with no natural advantages.

"Do not panic. Have all units stand firm according to the formation I've set up. As long as they follow commands, we will surely defeat the enemy."

Although Napoleon had only around 8,000 men, he was not worried. He believed in the square formation he had devised, confident it would help him crush the Mamluk cavalry.

On a nearby hillside, Murad rode back and forth between his Mamluk cavalry and the French infantry formations. He alternately surveyed his own troops and Napoleon's, a growing smile on his face as he did so.

"Muhammad Ali! See what I told you. There's no need to worry. We will definitely crush the French forces and win this victory. Look at the enemy's formation. They are foolish enough to meet us with infantry in the desert. What kind of fool would think of such a tactic? In Egypt, even a three-year-old child knows that on the plains, infantry is no match for cavalry, let alone our unbeaten and invincible Mamluk cavalry," Murad declared, pointing towards the French lines and laughing scornfully.

"Indeed, if the French have no other tricks up their sleeve, then this battle will surely be ours," Muhammad Ali agreed, echoing Murad's confidence that fighting in such terrain was indeed disadvantageous for the French.

"The enemy's foolishness is our victory. This is an opportunity given by Allah, who wishes for us to crush our foes," Murad proclaimed.

"So now, brave Mamluk cavalry, charge! Let the enemy's blood and screams prove your valor."

Murad slowly drew his scimitar, then thrust it forward with force, loudly ordering his troops. As Murad gave the command, the Mamluk cavalry sprang into action. They spurred their horses, brandishing their sabers as they charged toward the French forces.