_Boccachica_, his
Successor (being none of the most knowing in the Science) did not chuse
any Works should be taken in Hand, as they would expose his Ignorance;
so chearfully gave into that Opinion.

[_G_] After the Majority of the Council of War had determined on the
Attack, a proper Time was now the Question, as to which the Deserters
informed them, about two o'Clock in the Morning would be the best Time;
for the Guards from the Town that nightly patroled round the Foot of
the Hill would by that Time be returned and gone to their respective
Homes; because as Duty went hard (their Numbers being but it was
customary for them, as soon as they had performed their Rout, to go to
Bed;) and further observed, that when a _Spaniard_ has laid himself
down to sleep, it is no easy Task to raise him to fight; but these
Arguments were of no Force to the General; just before Day was his
Time; accordingly, about four o'Clock in the Morning the Attack began,
and a Party of Grenadiers, along with Colonel _Grant_, entered the
Trenches at the Foot of the Castle; but not being sustained, were cut
off, and Colonel _Grant_ shot through the Body. After this, instead of
rushing in, Sword in Hand, and mingling with the Enemy in the Trenches,
a full Stop was made, and the Men stood firing in Plotoons; those that
had Room, and could wheel off for others, did, but the greatest Part
stood and fired all their Ammunition away, while the Enemy (as it was
now Day-light, and they could take Aim) were mowing them down, like
Grass, with their Cannon, Musketry, and Grenadoes; notwithstanding
which, the Troops faced them like Lions, and wanted but to have been
led on, or told what they were to have done, and they certainly would
have taken the Place. But, instead of that, from the most excellent
Disposition that was made, no Officer attempted to lead them on, and
the Grenado Shells, that should have been in the Front, and distributed
among the Soldiers, were in Boxes in the Rear; nor was there one Length
of lighted Match among them. The Woolpacks and Scaling Ladders were
also in the Rear. But when Colonel _Grant_ entered the Trenches, such
Call was made for them, that some few were carried up the Hill; however
as he, poor Gentleman, fell, no body else tried to make Use of them;
and so amongst other Things they were left for the Enemy. As this
Scheme was but badly formed from the Beginning, (and indeed may be
properly called the General's own Scheme) so it