were also detached round the mountain, under Lieutenant-Colonel Baird and Major Petrie, to draw the attention of the enemy from the main object, and to prevent their escape. At eleven o'clock two guns having been fired as a signal from the batteries, the troops advanced to the assault; the band of the 52nd regiment playing "Britons, strike home!" while the Grenadiers and light Infantry mounted the breach.
A large body of the enemy had been observed in the morning to come down from the western hill for the defence of the breach; but on the appearance of the storming-party they were seized with a panic, and fled. The British troops advanced as rapidly as the ruggedness of the rock and the steepness of the ascent would permit; and the eastern hill, immediately above the breach, was carried by Captain Gage, without meeting or even overtaking the enemy; the other division and main body of the garrison endeavoured to gain the western hill, and had this been effected the siege must have recommenced, that part of the mountain being defended by several walls and barriers. The pathway from the breach to the western hill being, however, very steep and narrow, the fugitives impeded each other in their flight; and a few well-directed shots from the batteries at that juncture did execution and increased their confusion.
The attack on the western hill was thought to be a work of greater difficulty; and Captain Monson, to whom it was intrusted, was instructed either to advance or not, as circumstances might render expedient. The officer in command of the citadel having witnessed the abandonment of the eastern hill, and the ascent of the English party, made a sally for the purpose of taking them in flank, when he was unexpectedly met among the rocks by the party of Captain Monson, consisting of the light company of the 52nd and a sergeant and twelve Grenadiers of the 71st. The enemy retreated with precipitation, followed with great vigour by the English, who pressed on so rapidly that they entered the different barriers with the fugitives; killing, among several others,
