Even a visit to Egypt by former president Ulysses Grant could not change the tide. The nation’s ballooning money problems gave a British and French debt commission the ammunition they needed. Eleven of the 12 remaining Americans were dismissed on June 30, 1878. Only Charles Stone would remain, serving as chief of staff until 1883.

The veterans from a strange land returned home to varying circumstances. Some wrote books, or gave lectures on their experiences. Others went on to distinguished careers in foreign service. Charles Stone became the chief engineer in charge of erecting the Statue of Liberty. This most American of symbols had originally been proposed to stand at the entranceway to the Suez Canal. With help from Samuel Lockett and James Morgan, Stone oversaw design and construction of the foundation and pedestal, as well as the final assembly of the statue (at left is an original drawing from the construction project). He was also given the honor of serving as grand marshal during the dedication ceremonies on Oct. 28, 1886. Ironically, Stone caught a chill during the festivities and died three months later.

Some did not return home. Six Americans died during their period of service; another five would die from diseases or circumstances related to their stint in Africa; one deserted and was never seen again. Raleigh Colston would spend much of the rest of his life as an invalid. While those remaining did not know it at the time, the veterans of Egypt were the vanguard of a new and powerful nation, an America that would soon project its doctrine of democracy and free enterprise around the globe.

In the end, when push came to shove, Ismail would not defy the Ottoman Turks. For reasons both internal (Egypt’s aversion to change) and external (hostile European powers), his attempts at modernization and empire mostly failed. Egypt would instead trade the Ottoman Empire for another master. In 1879, Britain and France pressured Turkey into forcing Ismail’s abdication. He was replaced by his son Tewfik. In 1882, following a nativist revolt in the army the previous year (led by Colonel Ahmed Arabi, who had once been under Loring’s command), the British bombarded Alexandria. England soon sent an expeditionary force, defeated the nativists, and occupied Cairo, beginning 70 years of British domination over Egypt. Ismail spent the rest of his days in exile in Italy and Turkey, never to return to Egypt in life. He died in Istanbul in 1895, and is buried in Cairo.