Napoleon in Syria

Isolated in Egypt
General Bonaparte
Strikes into Syria

Aftermath of Acre

by John Dunn and Melanie Byrd
with artwork by Jacques Domange and Ray Rubin

Thus ended 29-year-old General Bonaparte's dream of emulating Alexander the Great. Compared to the great battles in Europe, French losses were small, perhaps 2,000 killed and wounded. Yet as a percentage of total French effectives, these were significant. More importantly, Bonaparte's army lacked sufficient artillery and ammunition, and could not receive reinforcements or replacements with which to attempt further major offensives.

As the French retreated down the coast, Bonaparte directed a "scorched earth" policy, setting fire to towns, villages, and the abundant harvests. These actions came at a heavy price for any French stragglers captured by enraged locals.

The French now faced a dilemma of what to do with those men too ill to march. Bonaparte ordered them onto artillery horses and officers' mounts. This helped some, but others remained, "...filling the air with their screams and curses." Kléber even recalled some asking their comrades to kill them, to avoid capture by the Palestinians.

The army dragged most of its wounded to Jaffa, but here there were more wounded, plus the plague victims. It was impossible to take everyone back to Egypt. If abandoned, what would happen to these men when captured by the Ottomans? Some controversy exists over Bonaparte's subsequent action. Did he order an overdose of opium for the sixty remaining invalids? A definitive answer is difficult due to contemporary propaganda and personal feuds. Nathan Schur, in his new book Napoleon in the Holy Land, offers the most recent interpretation. He presents it as a case of, "If you would rather die peacefully than take your chances with the Turks, here is some opium. Good luck."

In any case, the French pulled out of Jaffa on 27/28 May leaving behind their comrades. They also blew up the recently repaired fortifications, and demanded a heavy cash "contribution" so the same would not be done to civilian housing. With that, Napoleon took his army back to Egypt. Bonaparte's first campaign in Italy in 1796-97 had propelled him to fame. Now the failure of his second in Egypt and Syria could damage or even destroy his career. However, Napoleon's clever emphasis of reports about his other victories over the Mamelukes and Turks, and the fantastic discoveries being made of the ancient Egyptians (like the Rosetta Stone), hid the reality of the military debacle.

The Syrian campaign hinged on taking Acre. Ahmad is one of the few generals to decisively defeat Napoleon. It is an accomplishment which echoes to this day in the form of Egyptian colloquial Arabic. For a person who behaves as though he has done the impossible, others might derisively comment, "He behaved as though he conquered Acre."

John Dunn gained a doctorate, and a wife, at Florida State University. His research centers on military development in 19th century "Third World" nations. Dunn currently teaches at Valdosta State University, Georgia. Melanie Byrd earned a doctorate in European History specializing in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era from Florida State University in 1992. Like her husband, she teaches at Valdosta State University.

Napoleon in Syria, 1799

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