In order to facilitate our approaches, the Engineers pronounced that it was absolutely necessary to carry one of the intervening redoubts. Accordingly a detachment of 200 men composed of a part of Loudon's regiment, and Marines, under Captain Carruthers, of the latter corps, were warned, upon the evening of the 12th, for this duty. A heavy fire, of shot and shells, was kept up during the night upon that object, with a view to make some breach, and to harass the enemy. Soon after the dawn of day, those assailants advanced against the works with fixed bayonets, when, after a very spirited contest, they soon carried the redoubt, and maintained it. Captain Carruthers, with a ready promptitude, observing the panic amongst the French, did not permit it to subside, but instantly pushed on against two others, which were successively evacuated by their defenders, who retreated with precipitation into the Citadel. This party becoming reinforced by 370 of the 69th Regiment, under Major Nesbit, achieved the conquest of the whole of the French Redoubts, and with an impetuous persevering ardor entered the town of Palais, pell mell, with the flying enemy. The gallantry exhibited by all who fought on this memorable day, very justly immortalized the military fame of every individual, which extended its honorable influence to those corps at large, from whom they were detached. Very distinguished encomiums were bestowed by the enemy upon "Les Petites Grenadiers;" a title derived from the caps worn by the Marine Soldiers. Thus was every obstacle removed, which prevented the close investment of the Citadel of Palais; a fortress that had been planned and raised under the superintending genius of the celebrated Vauban. During this period the fleet rendered very material services, by their stopping supplies from the Continent; and their vigilance during the subsequent continuance of the siege was highly meritorious. The conduct of the French Commander reflected honour upon himself and the French arms. From the 16th of May until the 7th of June he persevered in maintaining his post against an unceasing fire from 44 heavy cannon, 50 mortars and howitzers, besides field pieces, which, in many places, ruined the works, killed numbers, and from which there was no safe retreat but within the casemates.