2499

Monument to Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby

Westmacott, Richard, Sir (1775 - 1856) (Sculptor)

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 MS Shell Dlg;}} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\f0\fs17 Monument to Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801), marble, Sir Richard Westmacott.\par }

R.WESTMACOTT, A.R.A.SCULPTOR.ERECTED AT THE PUBLIC EXPENSE TO THE MEMORY OF / LIEUT.T. GENL.SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY, K.B. / COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF AN EXPEDITION DIRECTED AGAINST THE FRENCH IN EGYPT: / WHO, HAVING SURMOUNTED WITH CONSUMMATE ABILITY AND VALOUR, THE OBSTACLES OPPOSED TO HIS LANDING, / BY LOCAL DIFFICULTIES, AND A POWERFUL AND WELL-PREPARED ENEMY, / AND HAVING SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED THE SUCCESSIVE POSITIONS NECESSARY FOR CONDUCTING HIS FURTHER OPERATIONS, / RESISTED, WITH SIGNAL ADVANTAGE, A DESPERATE ATTACK OF CHOSEN AND VETERAN TROOPS, ON THE THE 21ST.OF MARCH, 1801; / WHEN HE RECEIVED EARLY IN THE ENGAGEMENT A MORTAL WOUND; BUT REMAINED IN THE FIELD, / GUIDING BY HIS DIRECTION, AND ANIMATING BY HIS PRESENCE, THE BRAVE TROOPS UNDER HIS COMMAND, / UNTIL THEY HAD ACHIEVED THE BRILLIANT AND IMPORTANT VICTORY OBTAINED ON THAT MEMORABLE DAY.THE FORMER ACTIONS OF A LONG LIFE, SPENT IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY, AND THUS GLORIOUSLY TERMINATED, / WERE DISTINGUISHED BY THE SAME MILITARY SKILL, AND BY EQUAL ZEAL FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE, / PARTICULARLY DURING THE CAMPAIGNS IN THE NETHERLANDS, IN 1793 AND 94; IN THE WEST-INDIES, IN 1796 AND 97; AND IN HOLLAND, IN 1799; / IN THE LAST OF WHICH, THE DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY AND ABILITY / WITH WHICH HE EFFECTED HIS LANDING ON THE DUTCH COAST, ESTABLISHED HIS POSITION IN THE FACE OF A POWERFUL ENEMY, / AND SECURED THE COMMAND OF THE PRINCIPAL FORT AND ARSENAL OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, / WERE ACKNOWLEDGED AND HONOURED BY THE THANKS OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. / SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY EXPIRED ON BOARD THE FOUDROYANT, ON THE 28TH.OF MARCH, 1801; IN HIS 66TH.YEAR.