Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/58

 the transports which had succeeded in reaching the adjoining harbour.

The army rested for three days. The Second Division of infantry and two batteries of artillery were left to occupy the Fort, and the French commander continued his southward march with the rest of his troops, taking Stirling Castle on his way. The castle was summoned to surrender, but, the summons being disregarded, eight batteries of field guns were placed in position and opened fire. A breach was made in the gateway, which was then stormed under a withering fire of grape shot that made the attacking party stagger. An entrance was, however, effected, and, to the amazement of the invaders, it was discovered the garrison consisted solely of a sergeant's guard of artillery. The admiration for this little body of brave men who had so gallantly defended their charge was so great that they were allowed to retain their arms, march out with all the honours of war, and proceed southward unmolested.

A French brigade of infantry, with a battery of field artillery, was left in the Castle, so that the invaders had thus three strongly fortified positions, and an army of close on 57,000 men in North Britain. In the meantime, the English commander had entered Perthshire with five battalions of infantry, six batteries of artillery, and a regiment of Dragoons, besides 5,000 rifle volunteers and squadrons of yeomanyyeomanry [sic] cavalry; but, on learning from his scouts how powerful the French force was, he deemed it advisable to fall back upon Edinburgh, and two battalions which were at Ayr and Dumfries respectively were ordered to march to the Scotch capital with all speed. The French General, when he heard of this movement, at once put his army in motion, hoping to reach Edinburgh before the Perthshire division of the English army; but the latter had the advantage of being able to cross the Queen's Ferry, which it was impossible for the French to attempt in the presence of the English ironclads which had been sent there.

In this race to reach the capital, the Zouaves led the French, and giving the line regiments the pace, most rapid marches were effected; but the English crossed the Forth, and gained the Castle and Piers Hill barracks a few