ed to storm the enemy's works. The
right column, after a sharp and victorious skirmish with an advanced
body of the enemy, arrived at the edge of the marsh, through which it
endeavoured in vain to penetrate. At the same time the left column
reached the first ditch, or canal, and, being unable to cross it, there
halted, the men endeavouring to shelter themselves from the enemy's fire
in a wet ditch about knee-deep. The troops being unable to close with
the enemy, Sir Edward Pakenham ordered them to retire. This was effected
by battalions, the last corps moving off about noon; and by nightfall
the army was encamped about two miles from the former camping-ground,
and the same distance from the enemy's position.

The 28th, 29th, and 30th, were occupied in bringing up guns from the
fleet, on which duty the two West India Regiments and the seamen were
employed. Major Weston and Lieutenant Magee, 1st West India Regiment,
died from exposure and fatigue while engaged in this work.

During the night of the 31st, six batteries, mounting in all 30 pieces
of heavy cannon, were completed, at a distance of some 300 yards from
the American lines, and at dawn the artillery duel commenced. During the
whole of the day a heavy cannonade continued, till, towards evening,
the British ammunition began to fail, and the fire in consequence to
slacken. The fire of the Americans, on the other hand, increased; and,
landing a number of guns from their vessels, they soon compelled the
British to abandon their works. The enemy made no attempt to secure the
guns, and during the night they were removed.

Sir Edward Pakenham now decided to send a portion of his force across
the river to attack the fort on the right bank and turn its guns upon
the main position, whilst the remainder should at the same time make a
general assault along the whole entrenchment. "But before this plan
could be put into execution, it would be necessary to cut a canal across
the entire neck of land from the Bayo de Catiline to the river, of
sufficient depth and width to admit of boats being brought up from the
lake. Upon this arduous undertaking were the troops immediately
employed. Being divided into four companies, they laboured by turns, day
and night.... The fatigue undergone during the prosecution of this
attempt no words can sufficiently describe; yet it was pursued without
repining, and at length, by unremitting exertions, they succeeded in
effecting their purpose by t