Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-17
sToRMIING OF ST. sEBAsTrANs
b Me British, during lhe va, IN Me Peninsuta.

SO passed the night of the 3Oth, night of deem
'hAleV 10 many, and ot high excitement to all, and
many will was made soldiers make their wills be-
lore morning. About an hour before dav the troops
were, usual, under arms and then the final orders
were given for the assault The division was to ener
the trenches about 10 O'clock in what is called light
marching ORDER that IS leaving their lInapsackS, blan-
kets, &c behind aud CARRYING with them only their
arms and ammunition; and their forlon hone was TO
prepare to NOV forward the tide should
appear sufficiently cy 10 permit their crossing the
river. This post assigned certain detachments
OF volunteers who had come down from the various
divisions of the army, for the purpose OF assisting i'm
the assault of the place These were to be followed
by the 1st royal regiment of foot; that by the 1tt
that by the 9TH and that BY the I7th while several
corps of Portuguese were to remain behind as a re-
serve, and TO act circumstances sh0d require
the support cover of the assailng brgates. Such
were the orders issued at daybreall on the 3Ot of
August and these orders, all who heard them, cheer
fully prepared to obey.
1t Is curious fact but il is fact that the morn
ing OF the 3ist darkly and goomlv as If the elc-
mCnts themselves had been aware of the approaclno
conflict, and were determined To add to its awfness
by their disorder. close oppressive heat pervaded
the atmosphere, whilst lowering and suphurous clouds
covered the face of the sky and hndered the sun from
darng upon intervening ray from morning till
night sort of prCtcrnatural stiffness, too was in
the air; the birds silent in the groves; the very
dogs and horses in the camp, and cattle besides gazed
III apparent alarm about them As the day passed on
ana the hour of attack drew near the clouds gradually
collected into black directly over the devoted
city; and almost at the instant when troops began
to march into the trenches, the burst FORTH
Still. II was comparatively mild in effects An oc-
casonal fash OF lightning, succeeded by burst of
thunder, was all of ii which felt, though il was
enough to divert attention.
The ororn hope took It's station the mouth of the
most advanced trench, abou half past ten o'clock The,
tide, which had long turned, now fast ebbinp and
these gallant fellows behold its departure with decree
OF !oversh anxiety, such he only imagine who
stood in sirnarsituaon. This was the first time that
Z q Inv t,n
nento the war and the stormng party cnableldis
unc'ly To perceive the preparations which were Ilany
tor their reception. There was therefore, something
Mt only interesting but novel, III bcho1inr the mIZ.
Of the cncmys Cannon from the castle and other ote
es, turned IN such direction flank the breaches;
whilst the glancg of bayOnets, and the occasional ris,
OF caps ana feathers, gave notice Of the line of infantry
winch was forming underneath the parapet There an
oiicor could from time 10 time, be distinguished lean
ing ms telescope over the Rampant, through the open
ing OF an enbrasure prIng with deep attention into
new arrangements.
Nor own officers partiCnlarIv those of ,,,,
engineers idle With the greatest GOODNESS tler ex
posed themselves to dropping fire ofmusquetrv which
the enemy at intervals kept up, whilst they examined
and rc-eNamned c state of the brcachcs-a procedure
which cost the life of as brave and experienced soldier
aN that distinguished corps has produced. alluIe To
SI' Richard Fletcher chief engineer the army who
shot through the head few minutes before tIe en-
iumn advanced TO the assault.
itwond be difficult convey the mind of an orli-
nary reader any thing hike notion of the state
OF feeling which takes possession of man waiting for
the commencement of battle. In the first place time
appears 10 move upon ieaden wings; every minute seems
an hour, and every hour day. Then there is strange
G0Hnl%ilng OF IeFltv aud seriousness within him--a
I"'Ity winch prompts him TO laugh, I've knows
why: ana seriousness which urges bm and anon
to Int up mental prayer to the Throne of Grace On
such occasions little or conversation passes The
pryates generally lean upon their frelocks--the
officers upon their swords; few words, except in mono
ytabes at least in answer 10 questions put are wasted
On these occasions too the faces of the bravest often
change and The limbs Of most resolute trcbIe
not with fear but with anxiety: watches are consult
ed, till the individuals who consult them GROW absolutely
weary of this employment. On the whole, IT is a situa
ton of higher excitement, and darker and deeper ac
taon, than any other in human le can lie be said
have felt all which man is capable offceo who hos
not felt it.
Noon had barely passed, when the low state OF the
tide gazing evidence that the river might be forded the
word was given to advance. Silent as the grave the
column moved forward. In one instant the leading files
had cleared the trenches and the others poured on m
gnick succession after them, when the work of death
began. The enemy had reserved their fire till the head
VI the column mad gained the middle Of the stream and
then opened with the most deadly effect. Craze CAMS
ter muquctjy, shells, grcnades, and every species of
missile were hurled from the ranparts, among our aaI
'an fellows, who fell before the reaper insornTcl
tha III tie space of two Minutes the river was literally
chookcd pwh the bodies of the killed and wounded
over whom without Distinction tue advancing divisions
pressed on.
The opposite bank soon gained and the short
~t pS'"tGu inc ialdth% pace ana the foot of the
breach rapidly cleared, without single shot hayifr
been returned by the assaiants But here the most
alarming prospect awaited them. Instead Of wide and
toeraby level chasm the breach presented the
ance only of an i'll built wall thrown considerable fo,n
IFS perpendicular; to ascend which even though unop
posed, would be easy task TWAS however, too late
to pause besides, mems blood hot and their cour
age on tre so they pressed cambermg up as they
best could, and eiectually bindercd one another from
falling back, by the eagerness of the rcarranls to fol
low those IN front Shouts and groau were now mingled
with the roar OF cannons and the rattle of ,nusoucirv;
our front ranks likewise had opportunity of occa
slcnalIy firing with efect and the slaughter on both
sides dreadful.
At length the head ofthe column forced lis way TO
the summit OF the breacl where il met in the most
gallant style by the bayones Of The garrison. When
say the summit of the breach, not TO assert that
our soldiers stood level with their enemies for this
was not the case There was high step, which the
assaiants must surmoun before they could gain the
same ground with the defenders and considerable PC
rod claspcd ere that step surrounded Here bav
onet met bayonct, sabre met SABRE in close and deDe
rate strife while the one party unable to advance
or the other TO succeed in driving them back
Things bad continued in this state for nearly quar-