“The second siege was by Lord Wellington in person, who, after the battle of Fuentes d’Onoro, directed his steps towards the south with a portion of the allied army. Operations commenced on the 30th of May, and continued till the 10th of June, when the siege was again abandoned; Soult having a second time advanced in combined operation with the army of Marmont from the north. The allies continued the blockade of the town till the 17th, when they recrossed the Guadiana, and took up a position on the Caya.
“The third siege, again undertaken by Lord Wellington in person, was begun on the 17th of March, 1812, and continued without interruption till the 6th of April, when it fell by assault, after a most determined and gallant resistance on the part of the French.”—Mackie.
[164] Counterguards are small ramparts, with parapets and ditches, erected in front of a bastion or ravelin, to secure the opposite flanks from being open to the covert-way.
[165] Gabions are large circular baskets, filled with earth or sand, and used for forming parapets, covering working parties, &c. &c.
[166] Revêtement of a battery is the exterior front, formed of masonry or fascines, which keeps the bank of the work from falling.
[167] The reader, who may not be acquainted with terms used by engineers, will find a brief explanation of those of frequent recurrence serviceable.
The glacis is the part beyond the covert-way to which it forms the parapet.
The flank is any part of a work which defends another.
The epaule is the shoulder of the bastion.
The gorge is next the body of the place where there is no rampart.