Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
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page 22 of 250 (08%)
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knew nothing of the Matter fell into a sudden Confusion, and imagining
some greater danger than there really was, every body was struck with a panick Fear, and endeavour'd to be the first who should quit the Bastion, and secure himself by a real Shame from an imaginary Evil. Thus was a Bastion, that had been gloriously gain'd, inadvertently deserted; and that too, with the Loss of almost as many Men in the Retreat, as had been slain in the Onset, and the Enemy most triumphantly again took Possession of it. Among the Slain on our Side in this Action, was an Ensign of Sir _John Fenwick_'s Regiment; and as an Approbation of my Services his Commission was bestowed upon me. A few Days after it was resolv'd again to storm that Bastion, as before; out of three _English_, and one _Scotch_ Regiment, then in the Camp, a Detachment was selected for a fresh Attack. Those Regiments were under the Command of Sir _John Fenwick_ (who was afterwards beheaded) Colonel _Ralph Widdrington_, and Colonel _Ashley_, of the _English_; and Sir _Alexander Collier_, Father of the present Lord _Portmore_, of the _Scotch_. Out of every of these four Regiments, as before, were detach'd a Captain, a Lieutenant, and an Ensign, with fifty Men: Captain _Anthony Bamwell_, of Sir _John Fenwick's_ Regiment, who was now my Captain, commanding that Attack. At break of Day the Attack was begun with great Resolution; and though vigorously maintain'd, was attended with the desir'd Success. The Bastion was again taken, and in it the commanding Officer, who in Service to himself, more than to us, told us, that the Center of the Bastion would soon be blown up being to his Knowledge undermin'd for that purpose. But this Secret prov'd of no other use, than to make us, |
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