Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/117

 condition of his affairs. He had applyed to the court of Madrid for succours, and met with success; the King of Spain furnished him with money, and by his great vigilance he had collected his army as soon as his enemy. George opened the campaign by besieging Orleans, a city of the greatest importance; and Charles determined to attempt raising it. He formed a scheme for surprising the King in his entrenchments; one dark night about twelve o'clock, he advanced with near thirty thousand men, through a hollow way which led to the King's lines: by some well conducted motions, he cut off the advanced guards, and knocking down several sentinels, made a vigorous attack on the English entrenchments; the troops unprepared for action, ran hastily to their arms; the king flew to the quarter where Charles made his attack, and found General Shipton at the head