up from the Waterside had a small
Skirmish with some of the Enemy's Troops that had made a Lodgment in
the Woods, whom they soon put to Flight; and about a Mile further were
attacked a second Time, but the Enemy as soon shewed their Backs again.
Finding the Country open hereabouts, the Army did not chuse to make any
further Advances, so they pitched on a Place for encamping, and the
Evening sent a Party up to _La Papa_ to take Possession of that, if the
Enemy had abandoned it[_Z_]. In the mean while all possible Dispatch
was made in landing the Baggage, Provision, Cannon, Ammunition,
_&c._[_A_] which the Enemy surprisingly suffered, notwithstanding the
landing Place was within reach of the Guns of _St. Lazare_; yet they
fired but seldom, for it appeared afterwards their Attention was more
towards their own Safety, (or 'tis certain they might have done a great
deal of Mischief;) for whilst the Army were employed, and getting their
things ashore, the Enemy were as busy in making a Fascine Battery of
four Pieces of Cannon on the Brow of the Hill, and carrying on a Trench
(or Line) round the Foot of the Castle, which they completed in a very
short Time[_B_], quicker than the Army could make a Battery only for
three Mortars, and throw up a small Breast-work for their Advance
Guards. But no Care was yet taken to cut off the Communication between
Town and Country[_C_]. Complaints now began to be made, that the Number
of Sick was greatly increased in the Camp; upon which the Admiral
immediately supplied them with a Detachment of Lord _James Cavendish_
and Colonel _Bland_'s Regiments, that had remained aboard the Ships as
part of their Compliments, and a Body of such _Americans_ as were fit
for Duty[_D_]. Upon this Reinforcement, and the Apprehensions of the
rainy Seasons, which were daily expected, on the eighth in the
Afternoon a Land Council of War was held [_E_], wherein it was resolved
to attack the Castle and Trenches of _St. Lazare_, (without first
raising a Battery to make a Breach) and to this Resolution the Engineer
joined in Opinion[_F_]. Accordingly on the ninth in the Morning between
three and four o'Clock the Attack was made, and maintained very
resolutely on both Sides till between six and seven, when the Enemy
obliged the Forces to retreat after a considerable Loss of Officers and
Men[_G_]. After the Miscarriage of this Scheme (which was the occasion
of the Town's not being taken) the Army sickened surprisingly fa