headed the column of attack, without any
means being provided for crossing the enemy's ditch or scaling
his rampart.

The indignation of our brave leader on this occasion may be
imagined, but cannot be described. Galloping towards Colonel
Mullens, who led the 44th, he commanded him instantly to return
with his regiment for the ladders, but the opportunity of
planting them was lost, and though they were brought up, it was
only to be scattered over the field by the frightened bearers.
For our troops were by this time visible to the enemy. A
dreadful fire was accordingly opened upon them, and they were
mowed down by hundreds, while they stood waiting for orders.

Seeing that all his well-laid plans were frustrated, Pakenham
gave the word to advance, and the other regiments, leaving the
44th with the ladders and fascines behind them, rushed on to the
assault. On the left, a detachment under Colonel Rennie, of the
21st regiment, stormed a three-gun battery, and took it. Here
they remained for some time in expectation of support; but none
arriving, and a strong column of the enemy forming for its
recovery, they determined to anticipate the attack, and pushed
on. The battery which they had taken was in advance of the body
of the works, being cut off from it by a ditch, across which only
a single plank was thrown. Along this plank did these brave men
attempt to pass; but being opposed by overpowering numbers, they
were repulsed; and the Americans, in turn, forcing their way into
the battery, at length succeeded in recapturing it with immense
slaughter. On the right, again, the 21st and 4th, supported by
the 93rd, though thrown into some confusion by the enemy's fire,
pushed on with desperate gallantry to the ditch; but to scale the
parapet without ladders was a work of no slight difficulty. Some
few, indeed, by mounting one upon another's shoulders, succeeded
in entering the works, but these were speedily overpowered, most
of them killed, and the rest taken; whilst as many as stood
without were exposed to a sweeping fire, which cut them down by
whole companies. It was in vain that the most obstinate courage
was displayed. They fell by the hands of men whom they
absolutely did not see; for the Americans, without so much as
lifting their faces above the rampart, swung their firelocks by
one arm over the wall, and discharged them directly upon their
heads. The whole of the guns likewise, from the opposite bank,
ke