Passages from a Military Journal. 275 



vantage of firing upon us with impunity while we were descending 

 one side and mounting the other. One consolation was, that the edge 

 of a wood drew so close to the convent on the right, that some shel- 

 ter could be afforded from their fire. 



The skirmishers had now beat nearly up to the edge of this decli- 

 vity, but had met no obstacle save those presented by the ground. 

 But we were not permitted to career with impunity much longer be- 

 fore the bristling walls. Some musket-shots were fired, which were 

 the prelude to a more regular discharge. All we could do was to 

 return the defiance with our pistols. 



The infantry was now coming up at a quick step, in column. I saw 

 the two pieces of artillery rattled up to the woodonthe right, and the 

 artillery-men leap from the guns and tumbrils. The word to " draw 

 up/' "halt," and u unlimber,'' sent the horses and drivers cantering 

 to the rear, and in a moment or two the sponges were unfastened and 

 handed over, and the company of each gun in their appropriate 

 places. 



The order was now quickly given for our three troops to close to- 

 gether, and betake themselves for the present to the rear of the infan- 

 try. So said, so done. All the hussars dispersed about, cantered 

 their chargers once more into rank, and drew up behind the infantry, 

 who were now filing off into line. 



While this last operation was being performed the first report of our 

 artillery broke on the ring of the hoofs and the tramp of the soldiers' 

 feet. It was responded to by the dropping fire of the first company, 

 which was just opening. 



Nor were they silent on the other side. A simultaneous discharge 

 of musketry rattled along the face of the building, and the cloud of 

 smoke which was its consequence came driving and rolling full in our 

 faces. Directly after, I heard the reports of some pieces of cannon 

 boom out of the smoke, which were quickly succeeded by the viva- 

 cious rattle of a successive fire ; now swelling, now sinking ; now 

 ringing with impetuosity, and then dropping into separated shots. I 

 looked out to see the effect of this discharge. Some branches were 

 flying from their stems; leaves were scattering ; and, in one or two 

 instances, full in the rolling smoke, I could see the figures of our in- 

 fantry tumbling heavily to the ground. So much for our reception. 



The smoke cleared a little away, and the eddies began to course 

 swiftly through the wood on our right. The artillery were still bu- 

 sily employed. I could see the men running up with the charges, 

 thrusting them into the pieces, levelling the sponges, 'ramming in the 

 loadings, momentarily withdrawing from before the guns, bringing 

 down the fatal port-fire, firing, sponging again in a second, and re- 

 loading. Our two six-pounders were certainly doing full execution, 

 and I was surprised at the manner in which they were able to keep 

 up their fire. 



The greater part of the infantry was now ordered to betake them- 

 selves to the cover of the trees. In obedience to this co-mmand they 

 soon wheeled off, and began a desultory fire on the windows, loop- 

 holes, and parapets, and wherever they could see a chance of their 

 shots takingr effect. 



T2 



