Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-24
sToRMlNG OF CIuDAD RODRIGO.

".
"REMINISCENCES OF A suBAI.rEIN.
On the determination of Lord Wellington to
storm Ciudad Rodrigo, the SSH Regimen, of the
Connought Rangers directed to form part of
tho division TO carry the grand breach.
Long harangues are not necessary to British
soldiers, and on this occasion few words were
made use Often. Picton said something ANNA
ting to the different regiments he passed them
and those of my readers who recolcct his delibe-
rate and strong uttcrancc Will say with me, that
his mode of speaking indeed very imprcs.inr
The address to each was nearly the same, but that
delivered by him to the SSth so charactcris
tic of the General, and so applicable to the men
he spoke to, that | shall give it, word for word il
this
''Rangers of Connought! it is not my intention
10 expend any po,oder this evening. Wen do this
business with the cold iron"
| before said the soldiers were scnt-so they
were, but the man who c0uld be silent after such
address made in such way. and in such
place, had better have stayed ut home. 1t may he
asked what did they do? Why, what wOutd they
do, would any do but give the loudcst hurrah
he able
The burst of enthusiasts caused by General Pic.
toms address to the Connaught Rangers had scarce
ly ceased, when the signal gun announced that
the attack was to commence. Generals Picton
and Mackinnon dismountod from their horses, and
placing themselves at the head of the right bri.
gade, the troops rapidly entered the trenches right
in front; the storming party under the command
of Major Russell Manners of the 18th, heading it,
liam Mackie, of the eSth, and composed of TWEEN
ty volunteers from the Connought Rangers, led the
van followed closely by the 45th, Soth, aud 18th
British and the 9th and 2lst Portuguese; the 10Th
and SD British, belonging TO the left brigade,
brought up the rear, and completed the dispositions
While those arrangements were ctccting before
the grand breach, the 9Th and oath, belonging to
the left brigade of the third DIVISION were directed
to clear the ramparts and Faussc Brave wall, and
the second regiment Of Portuguese cacadorcs
commanded by an Irish Colonel of the of
9'Toole, was escaadc the curtain to the left OF
the lesser breach, which attacked by the light
division under the command of Gen. Robert Crau- !
furd.
The Add light infantry, heading tho lght divi. |
sion, followed by the 95th and SD British,
and the Sd and 7lh Portuguese cacadures; the
storming party, led by Capt. Furguson of the SD
ard the forlorn hope by Lieut.. Gurwood of the
same regiment, preceded the entire. 1t wanted
twenty minutes to seven o'clock when those dispo-
sitions complcted-the moon occasionally,
the clouds which overcast it passed away, shed
faint ray of light upon the battcmcnts OF tho for
tress, and presented to our view the glitterng of
the enemy's bayoncts their soldiers stood array
ed upon the ramparts and breach, awaiting at
tack yet nevertheless, their batteries silent,
and might warrant tic SuprOsItIon 70 an obscryant
spectator that the defence would he but feeble.
The two divisions, arraycd as have described, |
not clear of the covert way at the same moment, |
and each advanced to the attack of their respe t.
i've points with the utmost regularity. The obSta-
ces which presented themselves 10 both were near
ly the same but every difficulty, matter how
great, merged into insigniicance when placed in
the scale of the prize about TO be contested for The
soldiers were full Of ardOur, but void of all that
clustering and bravadoing, which is truly unwor-
thy of men at such moment and 1t would be diff
hcult TO convey adequate idea of the cnthusi-
astc bravery which animated the troops. a cloud
that lad for some time before obscured the moon
which it's full, disappeared altogether, and
the countenanCCs OF the soldiers Tor the first
time, since Gen. Picton addressed them, visible
they presented material change. In place of
that JOYOUS animation, which his icrvid and i'm !
spressive address called forth, LOOK ofscvery, bor
dsring on fcrocty had taken It's place; and although
ferScity is by no of the characteristics
Of the British soldier, there was most unqucstona-
bly,, saSagc expression III the faces OF the mon, |
that had never before Witnessed. Such is the /
difference between the storm OF breach, and the
fighting of pitched battle.
Once clear of the covcrt-way, and fairly on the
plain that separated it from the fortress the enemy
had clear view of all that was passing; their bat
teries, charged to the muzzlo with shot open
ed a murderors fire upon the columns as they ad. .
yancod, but nothing could shake the intrepid bra. /
very Of the troops. The light division soon dc |
scendcd the ditch, and gained although not with .
out a serious struggle, the top of tho narrow and
difficult breach allotted to thCm;--thcir gallant
General Robert Crawford, fell at the head of the
43d, and his second in command, Gen. Vandc.cur,
was severely wounded but there were not wanting
others supply their places: yet those losses, try
they were To the tCClingS OF tlc soldiers,
no way ddmpcd their ardour, and the brave light
division carried the left breach at the point OF the
bayonet. Once established upon the rarnpurts,
they made all the dispositions necessary TO ensure
their own conquest, also TO render every assist
ance i'm their power to the third division in their
attack Tnoy cleared the rampant which sopara-
ted the lesser from the grand breach, and relieved
Pictons division from any anxiety it might have as
to its safety on the left flank.
The right brigade, consisting Of the Ash, 95lh,
nnd 74th forming the Of the third division, mp
on reaching the ditch to its asiouishncnf, found
Major Ridge, and Colonel Campbell at The head of
the fifth and ninety fourth mounting the Fausse ;
BTaye WALL those two regiments, after having per.
formed their task of scucug the fire the French
troops upon the ramp2rts with uoble emulation I
resolved TO prcccde their comrades in the attack oil
the grand breacb-both parties greeted each other
with a cheer, only TO be understood by those who
have been placed in a similar situations vet the enc
nv we're in 10 way dauncd by the shout raised bv
bur soIders-they crowded Inc breach, and defend.
ID it with bravery that would have made any bit y
roops accurtomed to conquer, wayer. But tho ,
fighting division" were not the men to be easily
urned from their purposes the breach was speedily
aestnsed vet nevertheless, serious aifray took
lace ere il was gained. considerable mass Of {
ufantry crowned iEs summit, while in The and
each side, stationed mon 80 priced .ha: thcT