​Collecting Antique Military Prints - Death of Sir Ralph Abercrombie March 21st 1801

As promised another of the exceptional aquatint prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815.  Below the print is a short excerpt from the original written account as published with the print.

In 1800, after the failure of a descent on Cádiz, Spain, Abercrombie was ordered to Egypt to expel or destroy the army left there by Bonaparte.  Landing at Abū Qīr Bay on March 8, 1801, he advanced toward Alexandria.  A French attack before daybreak on March 21 was beaten back with heavy loss, but Abercrombie was mortally wounded.  He died on board the flagship Foudroyant and was buried at Malta.

Above: Death of Sir Ralph Abercrombie March 21st 1801 from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815.

Excerpt from the written account as published: 
THE DEATH OF GENERAL ABERCROMBIE: It was on the plains of Alexandria, on the 21st of March, 1801, that the brave Abercrombie, the pride of Scotchmen, and the beloved of the army, received his death-blow. 
When, on the first alarm, Sir Ralph hastened towards the cannonading, he must have rode straight among the enemy, already broke into the rear of our front: as it was not yet day, and unable to distinguish friend from foe, he undoubtedly had the misfortune to get embarrassed among the latter; but was extricated by the valour of his own troops. To the first soldier who came up to him, he said, “Soldier, if you know me, don't name me.” He was rescued, and at this moment a French dragoon, conceiving the prize which he had lost, rode up to the general amidst his own guard, and made a stroke at him, but not being quite near enough, just cut through the coat, waistcoat, and shirt, and, with the point of his sabre, only grazed the skin. At the same moment, the dragoon's horse wheeling about, brought him to the charge again, and he made a second attempt by a lunge, but the sabre passed between the general's side and his right arm, which he immediately closed. The dragoon being at this instant shot dead, the sabre remained in the general's possession. About this time it was perceived, that the general had been wounded in the thigh, and he was en treated to have it examined; but he considered it as a trifle, and would not disappear for a moment. The conflict was very long after this and very obstinate, and Sir Ralph Abercrombie had been two hours wounded, but would not withdraw from the field: knowing the value of his presence, or judging, with equal certainty, of the bad effects of his absence from the army at this critical conjuncture, he persevered, nor till the battle was won did he yield to the violence of his pain . . . 

How to Identify the Prints:
The original prints from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. Plates also exist that were printed on India Paper. They should clearly identify bottom left W. Heath (delt) who did the drawings and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced most of the aquatint engravings with some by D. Havell, M. Dubourg and J. Hill.  Each plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title.  The approx engraved area of the plates are 8.5" x 7.75" (215mm x 195mm) including the engraved title text.  Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm).  The large sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).

You can see more prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 and Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain, From the Year 1793 to 1817 HERE. If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me.