Some of them were opposed to any compliance with British demands. The people worked through the night. But, when the sun rose on a pleasant 18th of October, the town was far from being evacuated. People were scurrying through the streets trying to save their belongings by any means available. It is not clear if citizens met the next morning on the final answer to Mowatt, but the people of Falmouth clearly refused to give up their arms.
Committee attempts to stall for more time failed .
There were still many people in town removing their things when the first rounds hit. The anxiety and confusion of the people became chaos and terror. Oxen used to haul cartloads of belongings, bolting at the cannon roar, ran their carts over obstacles, smashing the carts and scattering goods about the streets. The four British ships poured a horrible shower of balls, bombs, carcasses, live shells, grapeshot and musket balls from their howitzers, mortars and cannon. Carcasses, large iron balls filled with oil and flammable material, were ignited by the cannon blast.