Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ... 202 sharp attack and valorous defence. prodigious effect upon the miserable fortifications and exposed condition of the defenders. Two batteries of heavy guns played upon the town wall, which crumbled beneath the shot; while from the high grounds overhead a shower of cannon-balls swept the streets, to which there was nothing to oppose. All, indeed, that Stanhope could effect was to order his people as much as possible under cover, and to keep them there till the enemy should exhibit symptoms of a disposition to advance to the assault. Nor were these dispositions tardy in being displayed. Having again tried in vain the effect of a summons, Vendosme gave orders to push forward, and about noon his grenadiers, in a dense body, supported by two-and-thirty battalions, rushed at the breaches. And now it was that the might of British valour conspicuously displayed itself. Abandoning their shelter in the church and battered houses, the soldiers flew to their proper posts, and poured from loop-hole and parapet such a volume of fire upon the assailants, that they seemed to be swept from the very face of the earth. It was to no purpose A second assault. 203 that, planting a petard at one of the gates, the enemy blew it open, or that some of his people, more resolute than the rest, forced their way through the ruins which the artillery had caused, and stood for a moment in the street. With the bayonet they were either cut down or hurried out again, which did its work with tremendous effect, even after the scanty stock of ammunition which each man carried in his pouch was exhausted. It was now five o'clock in the evening; and the enemy, finding the fire of the British troops grow slack, urged forward a second assault, by which several of the gorges of...