n
consequence to slacken. The fire of the Americans, on the other
hand, was redoubled: landing a number of guns from the flotilla,
they increased their artillery to a prodigious amount; and
directing at the same time the whole force of their cannon on the
opposite bank against the flank of our batteries, they soon
convinced us that all endeavours to surpass them in this mode of
fighting would be useless. Once more, therefore, were we obliged
to retire, leaving our heavy guns to their fate; but as no
attempt was made by the Americans to secure them, working parties
were again sent out after dark, and such as had not been
destroyed were removed.

Of the fatigue undergone during these operations by the whole
army, from the General down to the meanest sentinel, it would be
difficult to form an adequate conception. For two whole nights
and days not a man had closed an eye, except such as were cool
enough to sleep amidst showers of cannon-ball; and during the day
scarcely a moment had been allowed in which we were able so much
as to break our fast. We retired, therefore, not only baffled
and disappointed, but in some degree disheartened and
discontented. All our plans had as yet proved abortive; even
this, upon which so much reliance had been placed, was found to
be of no avail; and it must be confessed that something like
murmuring began to be heard through the camp. And, in truth, if
ever an army might be permitted to murmur, it was this. In
landing they had borne great hardships, not only without
repining, but with cheerfulness; their hopes had been excited by
false reports, as to the practicability of the attempt in which
they were embarked; and now they found themselves entangled
amidst difficulties from which there appeared to be no escape,
except by victory. In their attempts upon the enemy's line,
however, they had been twice foiled; in artillery they perceived
themselves to be so greatly overmatched, that their own could
hardly assist them; their provisions, being derived wholly from
the fleet, were both scanty and coarse; and their rest was
continually broken. For not only did the canon and mortars from
the main of the enemy's position play unremittingly upon them
both by day and night, but they were likewise exposed to a deadly
fire from the opposite bank of the river, where no less than
eighteen pieces of artillery were now mounted, and swept the
entire line of our encampment. Besides all this, to un