In both assaults parties of the corps assisted in carrying and placing the ladders for the stormers; others bore axes, crowbars, and intrenching tools. In the second assault it is recorded, that the party with picks and shovels “long persevered, with cool intrepidity, to form cover on the face of the breaches, but in vain.” The assault, however, ultimately succeeded. As well in the trenches as at the stormings, the sappers and miners distinguished themselves by their usefulness, intelligence, and gallantry.[196] ----- Footnote 196: Sir Thomas Graham, in ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ vi., p. 650, edit. 1845. Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 391, 2nd edit.; and Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note D, p. ix., vol. 1. ----- Here may be given a little incident to show how cool were the sappers in carrying on their duties. Colonel Pasley has stated that “several of the embrasures of the breaching battery were cut in broad daylight, under fire, by a party of the corps under Lieutenant E. Matson, R.E., after the guns in a part of the battery previously finished, had actually opened against the fortress.”[197] ----- Footnote 197: Pasley’s ‘Operations of a Siege,’ ii., p. 246, note. ----- Another instance is equally worthy of notice. “At one time,” according to Major Reid, “the trunk of a large poplar tree completely stopped the progress of the men and defied all their efforts to move it, until a daring sapper gallantly jumping from the trench, stood exposed until he moved it from the head of the sap, and returned without being wounded.”[198] ----- Footnote 198: ‘Instructions for the Defence of Fortresses,’ translated by Major Reid, R.E., 1823, p. 20. ----- Striking instances of individual exploit follow, which are creditable to the soldiers whose names are associated with their performance. Sergeants William Powis and John Davis accompanied the first assault. Forced down the breach with the retreating stormers, they perceived Captain G. G. Lewis, R.E., lying badly wounded exposed to the enemy’s fire; and Davis, who but a few moments before had been wounded in the arm, returned with Powis to the breach and carried off their officer to the trenches. In effecting this gallant and humane act, Davis was a second time struck by a musket-ball, through which he lost an eye. By Major Pasley he was reported to be “a man of extraordinary merit and abilities, and a most skilful and ingenious artificer.”[199] ----- Footnote 199: From his perfect knowledge of the duties of field engineering, he was known among his comrades by the title of “Sap Major.” ----- No less distinguished was private Hugh Borland at the second storming. In placing his ladders he discovered that they were likely to become useless, from the joints being insecure, and while in the act of binding the ends together with his braces—an act of supererogation which the service scarcely contemplated—a ball pierced the root of his tongue and killed him.