The besiegers began by battering the town.

It was soon on fire in several places.

Roofs and upper stories of houses fell in, and crushed the inmates.

During a short time the garrison, many of whom had never before seen the effect of a cannonade, seemed to be discomposed by the crash of chimneys, and by the heaps of ruin mingled with disfigured corpses.

But familiarity with danger and horror produced in a few hours the natural effect.