Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe
page 76 of 250 (30%)
page 76 of 250 (30%)
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Parapet of the inward Fort. Soon after an Accident happen'd which cost
that gallant Prince his Life. The Enemy had Lines of Communication between _Barcelona_ and _Monjouick_. The Governor of the former, upon hearing the firing from the latter, immediately sent four hundred Dragoons on Horseback, under Orders, that two Hundred dismounting should reinforce the Garrison, and the other two Hundred should return with their Horses back to the Town. When those two Hundred Dragoons were accordingly got into the inward Fort, unseen by any of our Men, the _Spaniards_, waving their Hats over their Heads, repeated over and over, _Viva el Rey, Viva_. This the Prince of _Hesse_ unfortunately took for a Signal of their Desire to surrender. Upon which, with too much Warmth and Precipitancy, calling to the Soldiers following, _They surrender, they surrender_, he advanc'd with near three Hundred Men (who follow'd him without any Orders from their General) along the Curtain which led to the Ditch of the inward Fort. The Enemy suffered them to come into the Ditch, and there surrounding 'em, took two Hundred of them Prisoners, at the same time making a Discharge upon the rest, who were running back the Way they came. This firing brought the Earl of _Peterborow_ down from the upper Part of the Bastion, to see what was doing below. When he had just turn'd the Point of the Bastion, he saw the Prince of _Hesse_ retiring, with the Men that had so rashly advanc'd. The Earl had exchang'd a very few Words with him, when, from a second Fire, that Prince receiv'd a Shot in the great Artery of the Thigh, of which he died immediately, falling down at the General's Feet, who instantly gave Orders to carry off the Body to the next Convent. Almost the same Moment an Officer came to acquaint the Earl of |
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