The main body armed and moved forward some way in front of the
pickets. There they stood waiting for daylight and listening with the
greatest anxiety for the firing which ought now to be heard on the
opposite bank. But this attention was exerted in vain, and day dawned
upon them long before they desired its appearance. Nor was Sir Edward
Pakenham disappointed in this part of his plan alone. Instead of
perceiving everything in readiness for the assault, he saw his troops
in battle array, indeed, but not a ladder or fascine [_bundle of
sticks to fill ditches_] upon the field. The 44th, which was appointed
to carry them, had either misunderstood or neglected their orders and
now headed the column of attack without any means being provided for
crossing the enemy’s ditch, or scaling his rampart.
The indignation of poor Pakenham on this occasion may be imagined, but
cannot be described. Galloping towards Colonel Mullens, who led the
44th, he commanded him instantly to return with his regiment for the
ladders, but the opportunity of planting them was lost, and though
they were brought up, it was only to be scattered over the field by
the frightened bearers. For our troops were by this time visible to
the enemy. A dreadful fire was accordingly opened upon them, and they
were mowed down by hundreds, while they stood waiting for orders.
Seeing that all his well-laid plans were frustrated, Pakenham gave the
word to advance, and the other regiments, leaving the 44th with the
ladders and fascines behind them, rushed on to the assault. On the
left a detachment of the 95th, 21st, and 4th stormed a three-gun
battery and took it. Here they remained for some time in the
expectation of support; but none arriving, and a strong column of the
enemy forming for its recovery, they determined to anticipate the
attack and pushed on. The battery which they had taken was in advance
of the body of the works, being cut off from it by a ditch, across
which only a single plank was thrown. Along this plank did these brave
men attempt to pass; but being opposed by overpowering numbers, they
were repulsed; and the Americans, in turn, forcing their way into the
battery, at length succeeded in recapturing it with immense slaughter.
On the right, again, the 21st and 4th being almost cut to pieces and
thrown into some confusion by the enemy’s fire, the 93d pushed on and
took the lead. Hastening forward, our troops soon reached the ditch;
but to scale the parapet without ladders was impossible. Some few,
indeed, by mounting one upon another’s shoulders, succeeded in
entering the works, but these were instantly overpowered, most of them
killed, and the rest taken; while as many as stood without were
exposed to a sweeping fire, which cut them down by whole companies. It
was in vain that the most obstinate courage was displayed. They fell
by the hands of men whom they absolutely did not see; for the
Americans, without so much as lifting their faces above the rampart,
swung their firelocks by one arm over the wall, and discharged them
directly upon their heads. The whole of the guns, likewise, from the
opposite bank, kept up a well directed and deadly cannonade upon their
flank; and thus were they destroyed without an opportunity being given
of displaying their valour, or obtaining so much as revenge.
Poor Pakenham saw how things were going, and did all that a General
could do to rally his broken troops. Riding towards the 44th which had
returned to the ground, but in great disorder, he called out for
Colonel Mullens to advance; but that officer had disappeared, and was
not to be found. He, therefore, prepared to lead them on himself, and
had put himself at their head for that purpose, when he received a
slight wound in the knee from a musket ball which killed his horse.
Mounting another, he again headed the 44th, when a second ball took
effect more fatally, and he dropped lifeless into the arms of his
aide-de-camp.
Nor were Generals Gibbs and Keane inactive. Riding through the ranks,
they strove by all means to encourage the assailants and recall the
fugitives, till at length both were wounded and borne off the field.
All was now confusion and dismay. Without leaders, ignorant of what
was to be done, the troops first halted and then began to retire, till
finally the retreat was changed into a flight, and they quitted the
ground in the utmost disorder. But the retreat was covered in gallant
style by the reserve. Making a forward motion, the 7th and 43d
presented the appearance of a renewed attack; by which the enemy were
so much awed, that they did not venture beyond their lines in pursuit
of the fugitives.