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 ately for London the moment they were debarked, George would have had much less time to collect his forces; but Schmettau having taken Durham by storm, he most imprudently gave his troops three days to plunder; this conduct was madness itself. The Russians broke into all the houses, and were guilty of every species of excess. Their cruelties were unheard of and unparalleled; the most tender age was no defence against these merciless monsters; old men, women, and children, were butchered in cool blood, in the most shocking manner; it would make humanity recoil to relate their horrid barbarities; but their soldiers were soon intoxicated with liquor and cruelty, and all discipline and order were at an end.

The King being informed of the condition of the enemy, hastened his marches with all the expedition that was possible. He reached Lincoln in five days;