It ought to have been a surprise; but Colonel Dufour, who commanded one column, ordered the advance to be sounded, and marched boldly to the assault.

The column was repulsed, and the colonel received a ball through his body.
Then a company of picked marksmen were chosen.

They were supplied with provisions and cartridges, and crept between the rocks until they reached a ledge, from which they commanded the fort.

From this ledge they discovered another, not quite so high, but which also overlooked the fort.

To this they contrived, with extreme difficulty, to hoist two guns, with which they formed a battery.