Vernet01 ~ Bataille du Mont Thabor, livree le 27 Ventose an 7 (17 Fevrier 1799) ~ framed 20 x 24.5 inches ~
The Battle of Mt. Thabor. To prevent attack by the Ottoman Empire who had declared war on France in September, 1798, Napoleon took his army north from Egypt into Syria in March, 1799 and laid siege to an ancient fortress at Acre. The Ottoman garrison and British Naval squadron that occupied it strongly resisted the French offensive. In the midst of the siege, Bonaparte learned that Abdullah, the imposing Pasha of Damascus, was advancing on Acre to take the French Army in reverse. A large French Army division attempted to achieve a surprise attack on the advancing Ottoman army, but failed and instead found itself surrounded near Mount Thabor. Napoleon, who had been advised of the intended surprise attack recognized the imminent danger in the maneuver. He quickly assembled an additional division of soldiers and marched all night, over 15 kilometers, to provide reinforcement. On arrival at Mount Thabor, the French caught the Ottoman army in a withering cross fire between the two divisions. Petrified and nearly trapped by the attack, the Ottomans collapsed, seeking to save themselves by a frantic flight towards Nablus and the Jordan River, which unfortunately for them was flooded. Several thousand drowned. The supplies, artillery, and unit colors all fell into French hands. The French pursued the fugitives for the remainder of that day and into the following day, April 17 and the last escapees were put them to the sword without pity. The army of the Pasha of Damascus ceased to exist and one of the greatest battle victories by Napoleon went into history.