 To avoid interception by the British fleet under Nelson, the expedition's target was kept secret.It was known only to Bonaparte himself, his generals Berthier and Caffarelli, and the mathematician Gaspard Monge.Bonaparte was the commander, with subordinates including Thomas Alexandre Dumas, Kléber, Desaix, Berthier, Caffarelli, Lannes, Damas, Murat, Andréossy, Belliard, Menou, and Zajączek.