History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year 1807 to the year 1814, vol. 2 — John Shaqi
History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year 1807 to the year 1814, vol. 2Napier, William Francis Patrick
History
History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year 1807 to the year 1814, vol. 2
Napier, William Francis Patrick
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
Their efforts were chiefly directed against two points, namely
that of San Engracia, which may be denominated the left attack,
and that of Saint Augustin and Saint Monica which constituted the
right attack. At San Engracia they laboured on a line perpendicular
to the Cosso, from which they were only separated by the large
convent of the Daughters of Jerusalem, and by the hospital for
madmen, which was entrenched, although in ruins since the first
siege. The line of this attack was protected on the left by the
convent of the Capuchins, which La Coste had fortified to repel
the counter assaults of the Spaniards. The right attack was more
diffused, because the localities presented less prominent features
to determine the direction of the approaches; and the French
having mounted a number of light six-inch mortars, on peculiar
carriages, drew them from street to street, and house to house,
as occasion offered. On the other hand the Spaniards continually
plied their enemies with hand grenades, which seem to have produced
a surprising effect, and in this manner the never-ceasing combat
was prolonged until the 7th of February, when the besiegers, by
dint of alternate mines and assaults, had worked their perilous way
at either attack to the Cosso, but not without several changes of
fortune and considerable loss. They were, however, unable to obtain
a footing on that public walk, for the Spaniards still disputed
every house with undiminished resolution.
Meanwhile, Lasnes having caused trenches to be opened on the left
bank of the Ebro, a battery of twenty guns played against an
isolated structure called the Convent of Jesus, which covered the
right of the suburb line. On the 7th of February this convent was
carried by storm, and with so little difficulty that the French,
supposing the Spaniards to be panic stricken, assailed the suburb
itself, but were quickly driven back with loss; they, however, made
good their lodgement in the convent.
On the town side the 8th, 9th, and 10th were wasted by the
besiegers in vain attempts to pass the Cosso; they then extended
their flanks. On the right with a view to reach the quay, and so
connect this attack with that against the suburb, and on the left
to obtain possession of the large and strongly built convent of
Saint Francisco, in which after exploding an immense mine and
making two assaults they finally established themselves.
The 11th and 12th, mines were worked under the university, a
large building on the Spanish side of the Cosso, in the line of
the right attack; but their play was insufficient to open the
walls, and the storming party was beaten, with the loss of fifty
men. Nevertheless, the besiegers continuing their labours during
the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th, passed the Cosso by means
of traverses, and prepared fresh mines under the university, but
deferred their explosion until a simultaneous effort could be
combined on the side of the suburb.
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