The tables and orders of battle show the French infantry, cavalry and artillery that were part of the Army of the Orient. Strength figures are based upon the paymaster's records when the army left France on 19 May, 1798.

Not shown are the 11th Line demi-brigade and elements of the 6th and 80th Line which were left in Malta, as a garrison. Each infantry demi-brigade was supposed: to have 3,231 men at full stength. Only the 13th Line came close to its authorised size. The other demi-brigades had less than half that number when they left for Egypt.

Each infantry battalion in a demi-brigade was also supposed to haveone light field cannon attached, usually a 4-pounder, although captured Austrian 3 pounders and 5 pounders were sometimes used (the Austrians called them 4 and 6 pounders respectively, as the Austrian pound was less than a French pound and is the reason for the discrepancy in the records).

Only nine such artillery companies went on the expedition, and they and their guns were all left in Malta.

Of the fourteen infantry demi-brigades that reached Egypt, all but, two (21st Light,created in 1794, and 22nd Light, created in 1795) were originally Royal regiments. All of the units that made up the Army of the Orient had served in Napoleon's Army of Italy. Interestingly, most of the infantry units would continue to serve in the Mediterranean area during the Napoleonic, Wars, either in Italy, Spain or Illyria.

One of the military innovations during the French Revolution was the creation of "light" or horse artillery in which all the men were mounted and, could keep up with cavalry. Five companies and two detachments of horse artillery along with fourteen compagnies of foot artillery went along on the expedition. One company remained in Malta. A full strength horse artillery company (the equivalent of a battery) could have four 8-pdrs and two howitzers, although exact gun types and strengths did vary. Foot artillery companies, usually had eight guns all of the same type: 12 pounders, 8-pounders, or howitzers.

Sources, de la Jonquiere and SHAT Vincennes, series R6, cartons 186-190. Research and translation by Yves Martin.

Horse Artillery (Light Artillery)
French Designation English	Translation	Total	Officers	Men
1er regiment, 3eme compagnie	1st regiment, 3rd company	64	4	60
1er regiment detachement	1st regiment, detachment	44	2	42
3eme regiment, 5eme compagnie	3rd regiment, 5th company	69	4	65
4eme regiment 3eme compagnie	4th regiment 3rd company	74	4	70
5eme regiment, 2eme compagnie	5th regiment, 2nd company	154	4	150
8eme regiment, Depot	8th regiment, Depot	103	3	100
Guides	Guides	21	1	20
Sous-Total Artilleries a Cheval	Subtotal Horse Artillery	529	22	507

Artillerie a Pied (Foot Artillery)
French Designation English	Translation	Total	Officers	Men
1er regiment, 3eme compagnie	1st regiment, 3rd company	72	5	67
1er regiment, 11eme compagnie	1st regiment, 11th company	69	4	65
4eme regiment, 7eme compagnie	4th regiment, 7th company	57	4	53
4eme regiment, 11eme compagnie	4th regiment, 11th company	64	4	60
4eme regiment, 12eme compagnie	4th regiment, 12th company	77	1	76
4eme regiment, 13eme compagnie	4th regiment, 13th company	72	5	67
4eme regiment, 14eme compagnie	4th regiment, 14th company	57	3	54
4eme regiment, 15eme compagnie	4th regiment, 15th company	64	4	60
4eme regiment, 16eme compagnie	4th regiment, 16th company	61	3	58
4eme regiment, 17eme compagnie	4th regiment, 17th company	59	4	55
4eme regiment, 18eme compagnie	4th regiment, 18th company	58	3	55
4eme regiment, 19eme compagnie	4th regiment, 19th company	82	4	78
4eme regiment, 20eme compagnie	4th regiment, 20th company	51	5	46
6eme regiment, 18eme compagnie	6th regiment, 18th company	68	4	64
Sous-Total Artillerie a Pied	Subtotal Foot Artillery	911	53	858

Total Guns
Gun Type	Requested in March	Total Dispatched	Toulon	Marseille	Genoa	Civita Vecchia
Siege Guns	20	35	25	-	8	2
24pdrs	20	28	20	-	8	-
20pdrs	-	2	-	-	-	2
16pdrs	-	5	5	-	-	-
Field Guns	40	72	28	10	20	14
12pdrs	16	17	11	2	4	-
11pdrs	-	2	-	-	-	2
8pdrs	12	35	17	8	4	6
5pdrs	-	6	-	-	-	6
3pdrs	12	12	-	-	12	-
Howitzers	14	24	8	4	8	4
8inch	-	4	-	-	4	-
6inch	14	20	8	4	4	4
Mortars	20	40	28	-	12	-
12inch	10	15	11	-	4	-
10inch	-	4	-	-	4	-
8inch	10	18	14	-	4	-
5.25inch	-	3	3	-	-	-
Total guns	94	171	89	14	48	20

Artillery Illustration © Keith Rocco

More Napoleon in Egypt

Napoleon in Egypt: Introduction
Napoleon in Egypt: Why Egypt?
Napoleon in Egypt: Alliance and Assembly
Napoleon in Egypt: Expedition Commences
Napoleon in Egypt: Expedition Arrives
Napoleon in Egypt: Battle of the Pyramids
Napoleon in Egypt: French Artillery Strength
Napoleon in Egypt: French Dragoons Uniform Guide
Napoleon in Egypt: French Light Cavalry Uniform Guide
Napoleon in Egypt: French Army of Orient Order of Battle (text: fast 10K)
Napoleon in Egypt: French Army of Orient Order of Battle (graphics: very slow: 314K)
Cover Illustration: Napoleon in Egypt