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Article A PAGE FROM THE HISTORY OF NAPOLEON.* ← Page 3 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
our troops . The combat thus commenced at about two A . M . lasted until the eA'ening , AA'hen the darkness for a time terminated the carnage . The embrasures of Kervegan protected its defenders . AVe were stationed in the open country , exposed to the fire on all sides ; ancl our losses tripled those of the besieged . A camp was hastily formed , where the colonel held a consultation .
" To scale the walls of this castle was rendered impossible , on account of the width of the moat ; the side , bathed by the stream , xvas alone approachable , supposing that xve coidd escape the xigilance of the sentinels , find boats , ancl , by favour of the darkness of the night , stretch a straight ladder across the water , ancl so reach one of the postern gates , which might be
forced open by an axe in a few minutes . " An unattached officer , who had been reconnoitring , suggested this mode of attack . The stream was about a mile in length ; it was therefore advised that a troop of a hundred men should depart at once , under pretence of seeking reinforcement from the army of the north , to describe a circle , pass behind the xvood ,
and return by the stream , xx'hich Avidened in the middle , Avhilst the rest of the regiment , perfectly inactive , shoidd attract and concentrate the A'igilance of the besieged upon themselves . " The command of this expedition was given to myself , and AA e departed accordingly . After about an hour ' s march , we reached the middle bank of the stream ; ancl we here found tAA'O fishing-boats , and a lighter lashed to them , the latter being
a sort of straight bark , Avhich would hold about ten fishermen . I started in the lighter xvith eight soldiers and two subaltern officers . The rest of my men croxx'ded into the two boats . The night xvas dark , and the wind xvhistled and ruffled the Avater sufficiently to stifle the slight noise of the oars . " Our boats Aigorously pushed forAvard , and soon arrived
under the Avails of Kerx * egan , Avithout an indication , sound , or sign , that Ave Avere discoA'ered . By favour of the night , the domain appeared yet more dark and impregnable ; and tlie profound silence and gloom gave it the appearance of an habitation long since deserted . " My lighter helcl the first step of the ladder , the last rested
against the postern . I placed my foot upon this step ; tAvo men folloAved me , then two others ; the ladder xvould bear no more . It AA'as necessary that the postern should be forced before the men coulcl disembark . I armed myself in a few minutes xvith an axe ; I raised it against the door ; a hollow noise resounded , and the door yielded to the bloAv ; one single nail had fastened it .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Page From The History Of Napoleon.*
our troops . The combat thus commenced at about two A . M . lasted until the eA'ening , AA'hen the darkness for a time terminated the carnage . The embrasures of Kervegan protected its defenders . AVe were stationed in the open country , exposed to the fire on all sides ; ancl our losses tripled those of the besieged . A camp was hastily formed , where the colonel held a consultation .
" To scale the walls of this castle was rendered impossible , on account of the width of the moat ; the side , bathed by the stream , xvas alone approachable , supposing that xve coidd escape the xigilance of the sentinels , find boats , ancl , by favour of the darkness of the night , stretch a straight ladder across the water , ancl so reach one of the postern gates , which might be
forced open by an axe in a few minutes . " An unattached officer , who had been reconnoitring , suggested this mode of attack . The stream was about a mile in length ; it was therefore advised that a troop of a hundred men should depart at once , under pretence of seeking reinforcement from the army of the north , to describe a circle , pass behind the xvood ,
and return by the stream , xx'hich Avidened in the middle , Avhilst the rest of the regiment , perfectly inactive , shoidd attract and concentrate the A'igilance of the besieged upon themselves . " The command of this expedition was given to myself , and AA e departed accordingly . After about an hour ' s march , we reached the middle bank of the stream ; ancl we here found tAA'O fishing-boats , and a lighter lashed to them , the latter being
a sort of straight bark , Avhich would hold about ten fishermen . I started in the lighter xvith eight soldiers and two subaltern officers . The rest of my men croxx'ded into the two boats . The night xvas dark , and the wind xvhistled and ruffled the Avater sufficiently to stifle the slight noise of the oars . " Our boats Aigorously pushed forAvard , and soon arrived
under the Avails of Kerx * egan , Avithout an indication , sound , or sign , that Ave Avere discoA'ered . By favour of the night , the domain appeared yet more dark and impregnable ; and tlie profound silence and gloom gave it the appearance of an habitation long since deserted . " My lighter helcl the first step of the ladder , the last rested
against the postern . I placed my foot upon this step ; tAvo men folloAved me , then two others ; the ladder xvould bear no more . It AA'as necessary that the postern should be forced before the men coulcl disembark . I armed myself in a few minutes xvith an axe ; I raised it against the door ; a hollow noise resounded , and the door yielded to the bloAv ; one single nail had fastened it .