562 
SIEGE OP MINORCA. 
the Gunners cannot stand upon the Argyle and Anstruther; firing of 
Small Arms from the Enemy all night; some fascines set on fire at the 
West lunette, at the extinguishing of which we had three or four men 
killed by the Enemy, who kept a constant fire on us from every part. 
It having been found that the quantity of Wine and aquadent pro¬ 
vided for the Troops, was insufficient to answer the present allowance 
of a pint per Day of the former to each Man ; and two drams per 
Day of the latter, to the Men on Duty. The allowance of Wine was 
reduced to half a pint, a Man, and a Dram only to the Gunners while 
on the Battery. 
The Enemy very busy pulling down houses in the Town, behind the 
little Parade, where it is supposed they will soon have a Battery. 
In consideration of the scarcity of Officers, which was become 
Greater, by sickness and accidents, a Subaltern was taken from the 
Queen's redoubt. Within these last 24 Hours, we-have had the mis¬ 
fortune to lose several Men by Small Arms. 
J une 18 th. We manned the Guns on the N. E. Ravelin, and silenced the Enemy's 
3 Gun Battery ; they poured us in a great many shells and Howitzers 
in the night, which we returned as warmly. It appears that the 
besiegers during the night had carried on a single row of Gabions 
from the Left of their Gabionade, near their 3 Gun Battery, towards 
the water side. 
„ 19th. We took away our Men from the N. E. Ravelin, and mounted four 
32 Prs on Argyle's covered way, but the Enemy soon destroyed the 
Merlons of that work, and silenced the Guns ; they gave us a great 
many Howitzers shells and ricochet shot in the night, for some time 
past they have fired small shot at the Embrazures, getting into Cellars 
and Houses were they are not easily seen, and firing through small 
holes at every one who shew their heads above the parapet. 
The working party employed in repairing the Argyle and Anstruther. 
Yesterday the besiegers brought two Guns to fire upon the N. E. 
Ravelin ; but to no effect. 
„ 20 th. The Enemy's fire from their Gun Batteries not so great as usual, 
they have been heard hard at work every night in the Town where we 
imagined they are about something of consequence; we have thrown 
them a great number of Shells in the night; and fired grape shot 
often on the Town to annoy them ; they have given us few shells in 
the night, but fired smartly their Howitzers and ricochet shot. 
The working party still employed at the Argyle and Anstruther. 
The besiegers for some days past have been straitened for want of 
Ammunition; it is imagined they are now landing a fresh supply; 
as several of their people are seen passing and repassing to the Cove 
on Cape Mola side with hand barrows. 
Last night the Embrazures of the Argyle covered way were repaired, 
and this morning we fired about 12 or 14 Rounds from them; but were 
again obliged to desist from the same cause as the Day before. 
2ist. We cannot discover what work the Enemy are carrying on in Town, 
but we see them frequently pass and repass as if they were carrying 
Earth; they have moved some Guns from their ten Gun Battery; at 
night they fired Howitzers and ricochet shot; their Batteries are fre¬ 
quently on fire. The works done at the Argyle and Anstruther, again 
