The Massachusetts spy., 1821-07-11

perceEed. 1t was in vain that they
made good their landing, and formed
upon the beach, without opposition or
alarm; day had already broke, and
the signal rocket was seen in the air,
while they were yet four miles from
the batteries which ought hours ago to
have been taken:
In the mean time the main body arm
ed and moved forward some way in
front of the piquets. There they stood
waiting for daylight, and listening with
the greatest anxiety for the firing which
ought now to be heard on the opposite
bank. But this attention was exerted
10 vain, and day dawned upon them be-
fore they desired its appearance. Nor
was Sir Edward Packenham disappoint-
ed in this part Of his plan alone. In
stead of perceiving every thing in
readiness for tile assault, he saw his
troops in battle array indeed, but not
ladder or fascine upon the field. The
18th, which was appointed to carry
them, had either misunderstood or
neglected their orders and now head
ed the column of attack without any
means being provided for crossing the
eneny's ditch, or scaling his rampant.
The Indignation Of poor Packenham,
on this occasion, may be imagined, but
cannot be described. Galloping to-
wards Col. Mullens, who led the 44th,
he commanded him instantly to return
with his regiment for the ladders; but
the opportunity of planting them was
lost; and though they were broughtu
it was only to be scattered over the field
by the frightened bearers, for our troops
were by this time visible to the enemy.
A dreadful fire was accordingly opened
upon them, and they were moved down
by hundreds, while they stood waiting
for orders!
Seeing that all his well-laid plans
were frustrated, Packenham gave the
word to advance, and the other regi-
ments leaving the 44th with the ladders
and tascines behind them, rushed on to
the assault. On the left, a detachment
of the 95th, 2lst, and 4th, stormed
three-gun battery and took it. Here
they remained for some time in the ex-
pectaton Of support none arriving,
and strong column of the enemy
forming for its recovery, they deter
mined to anticipate the attack, and
pushed on. The battery which they
had taken was in advance of the body
of the works, being cut off from it by
ditch, across which only single plank
was thrown. Along this plank did these
brave men. attempt to pass but being
opposed by overpowering numbers,
were repulsed; and the Americans, in
turn, forcing their way into the battery,
at length succeeded in re-capturing if
with immense slaughter On the right,
again, the 2lst and 4th being almost
cut to pieces, and thrown into some
confusion by the enemy's fire, the esd
pushed on and took the lead. Hasten-
ing forward, our troops soon reached
the ditch, but to scale the parapet
without ladders was impossible. Some
few, indeed, by mounting one upon
another's shoulders, succeeded in enter
ing the works, but these were instantly
overpowered, most Of them killed, and
the rest taken; while as many as stood
without were exposed to a sweeping
FIRE, which cut them down by whole
companies. 1t was in vain that the
most obstinate courage was displayed.
They fell by the hands of men whom
they absolutely did not see +; for the
Americans, without so much as lifting
their faces above the rampant, swung
their frelocks by one arm over the
wall, and discharged them directly up
on their heads. The whole of the
guns likewise, from the opposite bank,
kept up well-direeted and deadly cam
nonade upon their flank and thus were
they destroyed without an opportunity
being given of displaying their valour,
or obtaining so much as revenge.
Poor Packenham saw how things
were going, and did all that General
could do TO rally his broken troops
Riding towards the 44th, which had re-
turned to the ground, but in great dsor-
der, he called out for Col. MuIleps 10
advance but that officer had disappear
ed, and was not to be found. He there
fore prepared to lead them on himself,
and had put himself at their head, for
that purpose, when he received
slight wound in the knee, from mus
ket ball. which killed his horse