good the posts, and strength of the Enemy within. By sallies (which were three or four) I know not that we lost thirty men, in all the time of our siege. Of officers of quality, only Colonel Okey was taken by mistake (going “of himself” to the Enemy, thinking they had been friends), a.d Captain Guilliams slain in a charge. We took Sir Bernard Astley; and killed Sir Richard Crane,—one very considerable with the Prince.
We had a council of war concerning the storming of the Town, about eight days before we took it; and in that there appeared great unwillingness to the work, through the unseasonableness of the weather, and other apparent difficulties. Some inducement to bring us thither had been the report of the good affection of the Townsmen to us; but that did not answer expectation. Upon a second consideration, it was overruled for a storm. And all things seemed to favour the design;—and truly there hath been seldom the like cheerfulness to any work like to this, after it was once resolved upon. The day and hour of our storm was appointed to be on Wednesday morning the Tenth of September, about one of the clock. We chose to act it so carly because we hoped thereby to surprise the Enemy. With this resolution also, to avoid confusion and falling-foul one upon another, That when “once” we had recovered[1] the Line and Forts upon it, we should not advance farther till day. The Generals signal unto a storm, was to be, The firing of straw, and discharging four pieces of cannon at Pryor’s Hill Fort.
The signal was very well perceived of all;—and truly the men went on with great resolution; and very presently recovered the Line, making way for the Horse to enter. Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickering, who stormed at Lawford’s Gate, where was a double work, well filled with men and cannon, presently entered; and with great resolution beat the Enemy from their works, and possessed their cannon. Their expedition was such that they forced the Enemy from their advantages,
- ↑ recovered means ‘taken,’ ‘got possession of’; the Line is a new earthen work outside the walls; very deficient in height, according to Rupert’s account.
