History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
by the explosion of an ammunition-cart; and the exertions of a very
able officer, and the example of a few steady corps, were not able
to restore order or confidence. But, considering the distance of the
Torrero from the city, they had expected to lose it, and prepared
accordingly; so that by blowing up the Puente de America they
prevented the cavalry from pursuit, and retreated in good order. The
officer who had drawn off his men from this position during the former
siege had been put to ♦SEE VOL. II. P. 12.♦ death with circumstances
of great cruelty. It ♦SEBASTIAN HERNANDEZ, 3–5.♦ was fortunate for San
Marc, the general of the Valencian troops, who now commanded there,
♦ROGNIAT, 6. CAVALLERO, 89.♦ that Palafox knew how to appreciate his
excellent talents and distinguished worth. For being a Frenchman, he
was peculiarly obnoxious to suspicion; and if he had fallen a victim to
popular jealousy, the Zaragozans would have lost the ablest military
man employed in their defence.
♦UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK UPON THE SUBURBS.♦
Meantime Gazan’s division moved from Zuera and Villa Nueva, drove
back a corps of Swiss, who were posted on the road to Villa Mayor,
dislodged them with the loss of some 300 from the Torre del Arzobispo,
and attempted to enter the suburbs by a coup-de-main. This was in
conformity to Lacoste’s opinion. Its success would materially have
facilitated the progress of the besiegers, who might then have
established breaching batteries upon the left bank of the Ebro, and
opened a way into the city by demolishing the line of houses on the
quay. D. Josef Manso, of the royal guards, commanded on that side; and
after a severe action, repulsed the enemy: they renewed the attack with
their reserve, and the Spaniards gave way. Palafox, who saw from a
window what was passing, hurried across the bridge, cut down some of
the runaways, and by his voice and example changed the fate of the day.
Time had been gained for San Marc to arrive there with the troops who
had retired from the Torrero, ♦ROGNIAT, 7. CAVALLERO, 90, 1.♦ and the
enemy were repelled with a loss which they stated at 400 men, and the
Spaniards at 4000.
♦MONCEY SUMMONS PALAFOX TO SURRENDER.♦
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