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cavalry, seemingly ready to charge through the intervals of their retreating infantry. Not a moment was to be lost in re-forming, as the expected attack was not to be resisted by a moving line. General Moore, therefore, ordered the regiment to retire from their advanced position, and form again on the left of the redoubt. Thus supported by the redoubt on the right, the cavalry could not turn that flank of the 42d which strengthened this position, in other respects favourable for cavalry, as it was level, and presented no obstruction to their movements except the small holes which the soldiers of the 28th, when stationed there, had made for their camp-kettles. Owing to the noise of the firing, this order to fall back to the redoubt, although repeated by Colonel Stewart, was only partially heard. The consequence was, that the companies whom it distinctly reached retired; but those who did not hear it hesitated to follow; thus leaving considerable intervals between those companies who heard the orders to retire on the redoubt, and those who did not. The opportunity was not to be lost by a bold, enterprising, and acute enemy. They advanced in great force, with an apparent intention of overwhelming the Highlanders, whose line was so badly formed, as to appear like an echelon. Such a line was ill calculated to resist a charge of cavalry made with the impetuosity of a torrent; yet every man stood firm. Many of the enemy were killed on the advance. All those who directed their charge on the companies, which stood in compact bodies, were driven back with great loss. The others passed through the intervals, and wheeling to their left, as the column of infantry had done early in the morning, they were received by the 28th, who facing to their rear, poured on them a fire so effective, that the greater part were killed or taken.+

• The accidental circumstance of these holes gave occasion to General Regnier to state, that the front of the British line was covered with frons de lour, or trap-holes for the cavalry.

+ Their passing through the intervals in this manner accounts for a circumstance, which, without some explanation, is calculated to excite sur

General Menou, exasperated at seeing the elite of his cavalry suffer so much, ordered forward a column of infantry, supported by cavalry, to make a second attempt on the position. Though the consequent formation of the Highlanders was not, and indeed could not be, very correct in such circumstances, they repulsed the enemy's infantry at all points. Another body of cavalry then availed themselves, as the former had done, of the disorder in the line of the regiment produced by repelling the attack of the infantry, dashed forward with equal impetuosity, and met with a similar reception; numbers falling, and others passing through to the rear, where they were again overpowered by the 28th. It was now on the part of the Highlanders a trial of personal firmness, and of individual courage, as indeed it nearly was in the former charge, every man fighting on his own ground, regardless how he was supported, facing his enemy wherever he presented himself, and maintaining his post while strength or life remained. But exertions

like these could not have been long sustained.

The regiment was now much reduced, and if not supported, must soon have been annihilated. From this fate it was

prise; namely, that while the regiment was, as it were, passed over by cavalry, as appeared to be the case with regard to the Highlanders on that day, only thirteen men were wounded by the sabre. That they suffered so slightly was owing to the firmness with which the men stood, first endeavouring to bring down the horse, before the rider got within sword-length, and then dispatching him with the bayonet, before he had time to recover his legs from the fall of the horse.

• The enemy were much struck with this:-a body of men brokencavalry charging through them-attacked in flank—with an enemy in rear, yet still resisting, either in groupes or individuals, as necessity required. This they did not expect. Perhaps they seldom saw it, and thought it contrary to the usual rules of service, and therefore their charges were probably made with greater boldness, and in fuller confidence of success, believing that no broken disjointed body of men could, in such circumstances, attempt to resist their impetuous attacks. But finding, instead of a flying enemy, every man standing firm, and ready to receive them, their nerves were probably somewhat shaken, and their assaults rendered less effective.

saved by the opportune arrival of the brigade of BrigadierGeneral Stuart, who advanced from the second line, and formed his brigade on the left of the Highlanders, occupying as far as his line extended, part of the vacant space to the right of the Guards. No support could have been more seasonable. The enemy were now advancing in great force, both of cavalry and infantry, with a seeming determination to overwhelm the small body of men who had so long stood their ground against their reiterated efforts. To their astonishment they found a fresh and more numerous body of troops, who withstood their charge with such firmness and spirit, that in a few minutes they were forced to retreat with great precipitation.

By this time it was eight o'clock in the morning, and although, from the repulse of the enemy at all points, it was pretty evident how the battle would terminate, appearances were still formidable. The French continued a heavy and constant cannonade from their great guns, and a straggling fire from their sharpshooters, who had ranged themselves in hollows, and behind some sand-hills in front of the redoubt and ruins. The fire of the British had ceased, as those who had been so hotly engaged had expended the whole of their ammunition; and a fresh supply, owing to the distance of the ordnance stores, could not be immediately procured. While this unavoidable cessation of hostilities on our part astonished the enemy, who ascribed it to some design which they could not comprehend, the army suffered exceedingly from their fire, particularly the Highlanders and the right of General Stuart's brigade, who were exposed without cover to its full effect, being posted on a level piece of ground, over which the cannon-shot rolled after striking the ground, and carried off a file of men at every successive rebound. This was more trying to the courage and discipline of the troops than the former attacks; but the trial was supported with perfect steadiness. Not a man moved from his position, except to close up the opening made by the shot, when his right or left hand man was struck down.

The long shot which passed over the first line struck in front of the second, where it did great execution.

To stand in this manner with perfect firmness, exposed to a galling fire, without any object to engage the attention or occupy the mind, and without the power of making the smallest resistance, was a trial of the character of the British soldier, to which the enemy did full justice. Witnessing the fact, although mistaken in the cause, they could more fully estimate the value of this admirable military quality.

Having thus endeavoured to preserve an uninterrupted narrative of the proceedings on the right, where the conflict was now nearly terminated, I shall now proceed to give a short detail of the actions of the centre. Before the dawn of day a heavy column of infantry advanced on the position occupied by the Guards. General Ludlow allowed them to approach very close to his front, before he ordered his fire to be opened. This was done with such effect, that they were forced back with precipitation. Endeavouring therefore to turn the left of the position, they were received and repulsed with such spirit, by the Royals and the right wing of the 54th, that they desisted from all further attempts to carry that position. Still, however, they continued an irregular fire from their cannon and sharpshooters, the former of which did more execution in the second line than in front. The left of the line was never engaged, as General Regnier, who commanded the right of the French line, never advanced to the attack, but kept up a heavy cannonade, from which several corps on the left of the British suffered considerably.

During the cessation of the fire on the right, the enemy advanced their sharpshooters close to the redoubt; but before they had commenced their operations from this new position, the ammunition arrived. At the first shot fired

• Lieutenant-Colonel David Ogilvie was mortally wounded in the second line. Several other officers also suffered.

from the 24 pounder on the redoubt, they began to retreat with much expedition; and before a fourth round was discharged, they had fled beyond reach. The retreat was general over the whole line, and by ten o'clock the enemy had gained their position in front of Alexandria. The strength of this position, the number of its defenders, and the fatigue already sustained by the British army, rendered it necessary to proceed with caution. In addition to these considerations, another great reason for desisting from such an attempt was the loss of the Commander-in-Chief. Early in the day he had taken his station in front, and in a line between the right of the Highlanders and the left of the redoubt, so as to be clear of the fire of the 28th regiment who occupied it. The 42d, when advanced, were in a line with him. Standing there, he had a full view of the field; and here having detached the whole of his staff on various duties, he was left alone; which the enemy's cavalry perceiving, two of them dashed forward, and drawing up on each side, attempted to lead him away prisoner. In this unequal contest he received a blow on the breast; but with the vigour and strength of arm, for which he was distinguished, he seized on the sabre of one of those who struggled with him, and forced it out of his hand. At this moment a corporal of the 42d seeing his situation, ran up to his assistance, and shot one of the assailants, on which the other retired.

Some time after the General attempted to alight from his horse. A soldier of the Highlanders seeing that he had some difficulty in dismounting assisted him, and asked if he

Perhaps the retreat was hastened by the admirable precision with which the gun was levelled by Colonel Duncan of the artillery. He pointed at the sixth file from the right angle of the close column, and directed his shot with so much precision, that it levelled with the ground all that were outward of the file, either killing or overthrowing them by the force of the concussion; the second shot plunged into the centre of the column; the third had less effect, as the column opened in the retreat; and, before the fourth was ready, they were nearly covered by the sand-hills.

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