At this place commences the canal which was cut by Alexander to convey water to his new city; and to facilitate commercial intercourse between Europe and the East.
The flotilla, commanded by the brave chief of division Perree, had just arrived from Rosette.

Perree was on board the xebec 'Cerf'.
-- [Bonaparte had great confidence in him.

He had commanded, under the General's orders, the naval forces in the Adriatic in 1797 .-- Bourrienne]-- Bonaparte placed on board the Cerf and the other vessels of the flotilla those individuals who, not being military, could not be serviceable in engagements, and whose horses served to mount a few of the troops.
On the night of the 14th of July the General-in-Chief directed his march towards the south, along the left bank of the Nile.

The flotilla sailed up the river parallel with the left wing of the army.

But the force of the wind, which at this season blows regularly from the Mediterranean into the valley of the file, carried the flotilla far in advance of the army, and frustrated the plan of their mutually defending and supporting each other.