This was the
weakest part of the citadel, and was manned by only a hundred men of
Colonel Hamilton's regiment, who had arrived the night before, having in
two days ridden seventy miles on mules.

As the French advanced they received them with great determination,
and poured in so sharp a fire that the assailants speedily retired with
considerable loss. As they fell back the English threw up their caps and
raised loud shouts, which so exasperated the enemy that they reformed
and returned several times to the assault, but only to be repulsed as
on their first attempt. This was a sharp check to the French, who had
expected to find the place guarded only by the usual garrison of forty
Spaniards.

When the sound of firing was heard in the town the whole garrison turned
out and marched to support Montjuich, only twelve men being left behind
for a guard to the king. This repulse of the first attempt of the enemy
raised the spirits of the townsmen, and bands of them ventured beyond
the walls, and, sheltering in the gardens and groves, maintained a
strong fire upon the French.

Finding that Barcelona was not to be taken as easily as they had
expected, the French generals extended their camp so as to completely
surround the town. On their side the citizens were not inactive, and,
sallying out, managed to cut off and drive in a flock of seven hundred
of the enemy's sheep and twelve of their mules.

The following night the besieged sustained a severe loss by the
treacherous surrender, by its commander, of Fort Redonda, which stood
on the seashore and commanded the landing. The enemy at once profited by
this advantage and began landing their provisions, guns, and ammunition.
This misfortune was, however, balanced by the enterprise of Brigadier
Generals Lord Donegal and Sentiman, with two English and two newly
raised Catalan battalions. They received the king's orders to return
to Barcelona too late to reach the town before its investment, but now
managed, under cover of night, to elude the enemy and enter the city in
safety.

When the enemy received news of the success of this attempt they closed
in their left wing to the eastward, in hopes of preventing further
reinforcements from entering the town. But they had not reckoned upon
the Earl of Peterborough, who had received news that the garrison of
Gerona, after evacuating that town on the approach of the army of the
Duke de Noailles, had embarked in small boats and were abou