Page:The deplorable history of the Catalans, from their first engaging in the war, to the time of their reduction. (1714).djvu/104

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phe of this fatal Siege, the Journal of which is before given to this Time, and we are now come to the Day of Storm; a Day Bloody and Dismal, and in which Liberty was gloriously asserted. The best Account given of this by the French and Spanish Journalists is as follows, and is well worth the Reader's Attention, the only Town which flood a Storm daring the whole War as we remember.

The Duke of Berwick found the Siege hang so heavy on his Hands, that he was resolved to wait no longer the Effects of his Mines, or the coming up of the Troops he expected, but to Storm the Place without giving the Besieged farther Time, who were not without Hopes of being succoured, as well from the several Bodies they had still stirring in the Country, as from the Intercessions they had made both at Vienna, Britain, the Hague, and other Courts: But the greatest Motive of undertaking this Storm, which they were convinced by the former Defence of the Garrison, would be very bloody and hazardous to them, had more probably another View, which was the Remonstrances made by the Regency of Great Britain on the Death of the Queen, which if it had once reached the Besieged, would have enflamed them with fresh Ardour.

The Storm was undertaken the 11th of September, N. S. and was very Bloody and Obstinate. The Besieged disputed every Inch of Ground, and let their Enemies spend their Vigour in the three several Attacks they carried on; one against the Bastion of the New Gate; a Second at that of St. Claire, and the Third at the Grand Breach; and with their Cannon laden with Cartridge-shot, mowed down their Enemies in whole Ranks, no Quarter being given on either Side, and reserving tbemselves to the last Occasion; so that when the Be-