sh of firelocks, and the fall of such
as were killed; caused at first some little confusion; and what
added to the panic was, that from the houses beside which we
stood bright flames suddenly burst out. The Americans, expecting
this attack, had filled them with combustibles for the purpose;
and directing against them one or two guns, loaded with red-hot
shot, in an instant set them on fire. The scene was altogether
very sublime. A tremendous cannonade mowed down our ranks, and
deafened us with its roar; whilst two large chateaux and their
outbuildings almost scorched us with the flames, and blinded us
with the smoke which they emitted.

The infantry, however, was not long suffered to remain thus
exposed; but being ordered to quit the path and to form line in
the fields, the artillery was brought up, and opposed to that of
the enemy. But the contest was in every respect unequal, since
their artillery far exceeded ours, both in numerical strength and
weight of metal. The consequence was, that in half an hour two
of our field-pieces and one field-mortar were dismounted: many of
the gunners were killed; and the rest, after an ineffectual
attempt to silence the fire of the shipping, were obliged to
retire.

In the mean time the infantry having formed line, advanced under
a heavy discharge of round and grape shot, till they were checked
by the appearance of the canal. Of its depth they were of course
ignorant, and to attempt its passage without having ascertained
whether it could be forded might have been productive of fatal
consequences. A halt was accordingly ordered, and the men were
commanded to shelter themselves as well as they could from the
enemy's fire. For this purpose they were hurried into a wet
ditch, of sufficient depth to cover the knees, where, leaning
forward, they concealed themselves behind some high rushes which
grew upon its brink, and thus escaped many bullets which fell
around them in all directions.

RETREAT.

Thus fared it with the left of the army, whilst the right, though
less exposed to the cannonade, was not more successful in its
object. The same impediment which checked one column forced the
other likewise to pause; and after having driven in an advanced
body of the enemy, and endeavoured, without effect, to penetrate
through the marsh, it also was commanded to halt. In a word, all
thought of attacking was for this day abandoned; and it now only
remained to withdraw the troops