Page:Sketch of the life and character of His Royal Highness the late Duke of York (1).pdf/9

 9 support, which occasioned the action of Lincelles, in which that corps so greatly distinguished itself. After this His Royal Highness proceeded, with- out farther interruption, to Furnes, whence he advanced with a part of his force, by Gyveldt, to- wards Dunkirk, while F. M. Freytag, with the remainder, took the direction of Bergues and Mount Cassel, in order to cover the opera- tions of the siege, and after a succession of severe and sanguinary actions, fought by the be- sieging and covering armies with success, though without any positive effect, the principal of which occurred on the 24th of August, (when the gal- ant General D'Alton fell,) and on the 6th and 3th of September, the Duke of York found him- self under the necessity of raising the siege, and fretiring to Furnes, on the night of the 8th of Sep- ember, in consequence of the covering army be- ng driven from Bambeckc, Roesbrugge, Rex- poedlc, &c. on the 6th, and defeated on the 8th, wy. General Houchard, near Houdschoote, by which His Royal Highness's left flank and rear were exposed, and his communications rendered insecure. His Royal Highness had contended with perseverance against numerous and increas- ning difficulties, arising from the rapid accumula- stion of the enemy's means of resistance, the delay on the part of the British Government in forward- -ng the necessary ordnance and stores, and the neglect in providing any means of 'naval co-oper- tion, even such as might secure His Royal High- ness's positions from molestation by the enemy' small craft on the coast. The retreat was effected a good order, and without any other loss than that of the heavy iron ordnance, which, being on ship carriages, could not be removed, and the ar- ny re-assembled at Furnes and Dixmude.