In one hour the object of the _sortie_ was fully effected; the Spaniards, being dismayed, did not venture to interrupt the work; and trains being laid to the enemy's magazines, the TWELFTH, and other troops which had made the sally, retired; as they entered the fortress, tremendous explosions shook the ground like the shocks of an earthquake, accompanied by rising volumes of smoke, flame, and burning timber, which proclaimed the destruction of the enemy's immense stores of gunpowder. Thus was completed, with success beyond the expectations of every one, an enterprise of the greatest magnitude; and General Eliott declared in orders, 'the bravery and conduct of the whole detachment, officers, soldiers, and sailors, on this glorious occasion, surpassed his utmost expectation.' The loss of the TWELFTH regiment was limited to Lieutenant Tweedie and four private soldiers wounded: the total loss of the garrison was four soldiers killed, one officer and twenty-four soldiers wounded, one man missing.[16] For several days the Spaniards appeared confounded at their disgrace; the smoke of the burning batteries continued to rise, and no attempt was made to extinguish the flames; but several executions took place in their camp, probably of persons who fled so precipitately from the batteries. In the beginning of December they began to arouse themselves, and a thousand workmen commenced labouring to restore the batteries, in which they were retarded by the fire of the garrison. The Spaniards, by their heavy fire on the fortress, had already spoiled three sets of guns; but the court of Madrid appeared bent on capturing Gibraltar. An immense quantity of ordnance of larger calibre was provided, numerous batteries were prepared, and the Duke of Crillon assumed the command of the besieging army. He was assisted by a celebrated French engineer, Monsieur d'Arcon, and by Admiral Moreno, and a French army arrived to take part in the siege. At the same time stupendous preparations were made on a new principle, and floating batteries were constructed with great art and labour, and were accounted the most perfect contrivance of the kind ever seen. [Sidenote: 1782]