The storming parties were under command of Lieutenant General Douglas.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the signal for the assault was given by a discharge of three pieces of cannon.

As the last gun was fired, the grenadiers leaped from the trenches and dashed forward towards the breach.

As they approached the wall, they discharged their muskets at the enemy upon the walls, and, before assaulting the breach, they hurled a shower of hand grenades at its defenders.
The preparations for the assault had been observed by the Irish, and they were in readiness to receive it.

The news had spread through the town, and the excitement among the whole population was intense.

The guns on the walls ceased firing, in order that all might be ready to pour in their shower of balls, when the assault commenced.