Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/60

 In Edinburgh all was excitement and activity. The English commander was disposing of his troops, placing the strength of his army in line on the side of the Union Canal, and holding in force a bridge across the Canal, whereby a great strategical advantage was gained. The total English force was about 26,000 men, while that of the invaders was over 31,000. The French General, being fully aware of his superiority, resolved to strike a sharp, and, if possible, a decisive blow. He divided his army into two divisions, the one being sent directly against the English position, while the other was ordered to march considerably to the east, and attack the enemy in flank. This movement was executed with great skill and was unobserved by the English, owing to the hilly nature of the ground over which the French moved.

The French attacking division was formed in line along the south-west side of the Canal, and opened a tremendous rifle fire, which was supported by the artillery which had been posted on both flanks. The distance between the two forces being very short, the fire from both sides told with fearful effect. Getting impatient under the murderous rain of iron and lead, the Zouaves made one of their mad, impetuous rushes for the bridge, and took it at the point of the bayonet, and gaining the other side threw themselves into squares with that rapidity of movement for which they are celebrated, before the British Dragoons could charge them. Over and over again were the squares charged, but it was impossible to break them, and the hell of fire they poured forth caused the English to recoil with great loss. The engagement had now become general all along the line of the Canal, and the result of the battle seemed doubtful; until suddenly the earth to the east seemed to tremble, and 3,000 horsemen galloped madly upon the scene of strife, as Virgil so admirably described—

The new-comers were a body of French cavalry which had succeeded in crossing the Canal by a bridge which strangely enough had been left undefended. This remarkable oversight cost the British dearly. The British com-