Then, falling back a bit, they opened fire upon us, but it was a game that two could play at.

We could see them, but they could not see us; and while we loaded our muskets in shelter, they were exposed, and we picked them off by dozens.
"The firing had, of course, given the alarm to our two regiments, who turned out just as they were, in their nightshirts.

Major O'Mahony, who was in command of Dillon's regiment, as Lally was away on leave, luckily made his way in safety from his lodgings to the barracks, got his own men in order, while Colonel Wauchop, who commanded our regiment, took the command of the two battalions.
Fortunately, a portion of the regiment had been ordered to fall in early for inspection, and this gave time for the rest to get into their uniforms; and, as soon as they were ready, Wauchop led them out and fell suddenly upon a portion of Mercy's force, poured in a volley, and then charged them.
"Horse and foot fell back before the attack.

Then they turned the cannon on the ramparts, and thus secured possession of the Po gate, and, pushing on, the guns helping them, drove the Austrians from the houses they occupied, and so opened communications with the French cavalry.
"A brigadier now came up, and ordered the battalions to barricade all the streets they had won, with barrels and carts.

A French regiment arrived, and occupied the church of Saint Salvador, and the battery which commanded the bridge, across which Vaudemont's corps could now be seen approaching.