The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-06-03

but the principal part of the wounded got back
into the town; am happy to add, that ours
was comparatively trhing.
The conGsouences of this affair were greater
than the action it!elf. Initead of finding our
fslves furrounded with horfe, and petty war
fare at Our pofts, many Of the inhabitants Of the
country ieparated, and retired to their teverai
villages, and we were quietly allowed TO fit
down before the town.
From the ben information could obtain, l
was led to believe that the deiences of Monte
Viedo were weak, and the garrifon by no
meacs difpcfed to make an obficate ref(tance
but found the works truly Respectable, with
100 pieces of cannon ; and they were ably de-
Tended.
The enemy being in pofefion of the Hand
of Rattonet, commanded the harbour; and
was aware that their gun-boats would annoy
US, as we unprecedented. 4 9 gun battery WAS
contributed on the esd to keep them in check,
and our potts were extended to the harbour,
and completely !iut in the garriion on the land
hdc.-Ther communication was fill, however,
open by water, and their boats conveyed to
them troops and provifions even water for
the garrifon was obtained by thefe means; for
the wells that fupply the town were in our poi
fefion.
On the 25th we opened batteries of four2 81
Founders and mortars, and all the fTigatss aud
EStiStS C1UiS III d. Ci(lS tHSy SSu'A
with fafety. and cannonaded the town. But
finding that the garrfou was not intimidated
into furrender, contributed, on the 2sth,
battery of fix 81 paunders, within thouidnd
yards of the iouth-eaG ba6ion of the citadel,
which / was informed was in 70 weak tate
that it could he eati!y preached. The parapet
was foon in ruins, but the rampant received
little injury, and was foon convinced that my
means were unequal to regular fege, the
only profpeGt of uccefs that prefented iteit was,
10 erect battery as near as poiiible to wall
BY the fouth gate, that joins the works to the
fea, and endeavour to breach it. This was ef-
feetcd by fix gun battery, within FIX huudred
yards, and thoughit was expoied to a very
hyperion fire from the eucmy, which had been
inceffant during the whole Of the fege, breach
was reported practicable on the Cd infant.
Many reafons induced me not TO delay the al
fault, though was aware the troops would be
expo!ed to very heavy fire in approaching and
mounting the breach. Orders were iiiued
for the attack an hour before day-break the en-
flung morning, and luminous was fent to the
governor in the evening TO furrender the town.
To this Uefagc no anlwer was returned.
The troops defined for the afaut conIifed
of the Rife Corps under Major gardner, the
Light Infantry under Lieutenant-Coonel
Brownrigg and Major Trotter, the Grenadier
under Majors Campbell and Tucker, and the
3sth regiment undsr lieut.. col. Vsfa and ma
jor Nugent.
They were supported by the doth regiment
under major DaIrymple, and the s7th under
lieut.. col. Butler aud major Miller. The whole
were commanded by Col Browne.-The re-
mainder of my force, confiting of the 18th
light dragons, attachments of the Goth and
Gilt light dragons, the 47th regiment, COM
pany of the I'm, and corps of 700 marines
Ri,
General Lumley, to protect our rear.
At the appointed hour the troops marched
TO the aisuIt. They approached near the
breach before they were diicovered, when def
tructive fire from every gun that could bear up
on it, and from the n1uiketry of the garrifon,
opened upon them. Heavy as it was, our lois
would have been comparatively triflng, if the
breach had been opened, but during the night
and under our FIRE, the enemy had barricadoed
it with hides, 70 as to render it nearly imprac-
tcable. The night was extremely dark.-T he
head OF the column mliled the breach, and
when it was approached it was 70 ihut up, that
it was miGaken for the untouched wall. In this
hiuailon the troops remained under heavy
fire for quarter OF an hour, when the breach
was difcerned oy captain Kenny of the doth
light infantry, who pointed il out, and gloriouf-
Iy fell as he mounted il. Our gallant folders
ruiied 10 IT, and difficult as it was Of dccefs,
forced their way into the town. Cannon were
placed at the head Of the principal ftrcels, and
their fire, for ihort time, was destructive /;
but the troops advanced in al directions, clear
ing the freets and batteries with their bayonets,
and oyerturning their cannon. The 10th rcgi-
ment, with Col. Browne, followed. They
alto miiIed the breach, and twice pa1ed thro'
the FIRE of their batteries before they found it.
The 37th regiment was polted near the north
gate, which the troops who entered at the
breach were to open for them, but the ardor
was 70 great that they could not wait. They
fcaled the walls and entered the town as the
troops within approached it. At day light eve
ry thing was in our po6eiiion except the citadel,
which made ihow Of refillance, but foon fur
rendered, and early in the morning the town
was quiet and the women were peaceably walk
lug the freets.
The galantry dfplayed by the troops during
the af1ault, and their forbearance ard orderly
behaviour in the town, fpeak 70 fully in their
Praie, that it is unnecelary for me TO Fay how
highly am pleafed with their condua. The
feryice they have been engaged IN fnce we land
ed, has been uncommonly ievere and laborious,
but not a murmur has efcaped them every
thing wi.hCd has been effected with order aud
cheerfulnefs.
Our lofs during the iiege was trifug, par
ticuarly as we were not iheltered by approach
es, and the eremy's fire of Got and ihcl was
iuceGlnt. But it is painful for me TO add, that
il was great at the afaut.--Many NOT vaiua-
ble officers are amsne the killed and wounded.
Va ajor Darymple, of the doth, was the only
81 (sg,co~ t-,lt.J 4 Cof,.g.I- v Nal cy