int they were fully satisfied, and our continued
solicitations at length melted their hearts. They consented; and the
following morning, at ten o'clock, was fixed for their coming out. At
this prospect we all felt much delighted, for it deadens the heart of a
brave man to hear the cries and wailings of inoffensive women and
innocent children. Every bosom panted at the happy event, as some great
calamity removed from our own hearts.

In the morning, the sun rose in all his majesty, and his bright beams
seemed to shine with approbation on our act of mercy. We had selected a
large mango tope as the place of rendezvous. The appointed hour arrived,
and we were delighted to see an immense number of people issuing from
the fort, and bending their slow and gloomy steps towards the tope. It
seemed like some funeral procession following some dear relative to the
tomb. Some wept aloud and some in silence; some pressed their little
offspring to their anguished bosoms; and others cast a lingering eye on
the distant tower, where stood the objects of their love. Yet there
seemed a confidence of safety beaming from every eye. A few men
accompanied them, but without arms; and the bastion and walls were lined
with soldiers, to witness the scene. There came grey-headed mothers,
young wives, and numbers of children, from ten and twelve years old, to
the fondling at the mother's breast. What a group of mortal creatures
rescued from the tomb of destruction! The total number was about one
thousand. Some of the women were truly beautiful, and very elegantly
attired. Having made known their places of abode, they were dispatched
under a safeguard. The procession moved slowly on. At about four hundred
yards from the fort, the eyes of most of the party were turned towards
the objects of their love, whom they were about to leave in danger; and
many did bid farewell, and for the last time--for many of their husbands
fell victims to their infatuated and blindfold zeal. When they had
proceeded about a mile from the fort, we gave the enemy three cheers,
testifying that we had strictly fulfilled the duties of the trust
confided to us. The garrison returned our cheers; and, having now
performed the duties of humanity, our next duty was due to our country.
In mercy to their families we did not commence shelling till the doleful
sounds could not reach their ears. We opened them about noon, and our
first shell fell about midway, which created a shout on the