Tweet
Now on with the story.
PART 3 B Continued
The defenders quickly arranged themselves into three ranks atop the rubble of the gaping one hundred foot breach in the southern wall. Many more were on rooftops, in buildings or any place they could find that afforded the opportunity to send their foe to hell. Systematically the front rank let rip its volley and dashed back behind their comrades in the rear to reload, whilst the next rank took aim and fired. It was textbook precision, typical of the well disciplined British forces.
The Russian commanders may have had the advantage of numbers, but they lacked strategic acumen. They fell like corn to a scythe, charging headlong into a hail of musket balls and small cannon fire.
The eastern gates opened to release the eager English Calvary, there task to rout the Russian gun emplacements, and counter attack the main assault force from the flank. The initial charge of the Cossacks stalled, but the Russian cannons burst back into life decimating the ranks of defending Musketmen, seemingly though oblivious to the fact that they were also bombarding their own men.
As the English Calvary came within sight of the enemy they tried to turn the guns on them, but to no avail. They were on them in no time and as the cannon fire had now ceased, the defenders inside the city regrouped.
The Cossacks too had rallied and still around six and a half thousand strong renewed their attack against the now lessened resistance.
Meanwhile although acheiving there main objective, having destroyed the Russian cannons, the calvary came under severe fire from entrenched Russian Musketmen. Taking large casualties they were routed from the field, and could not possibly attack from the flank without running through a barrage of enemy fire.
Unlike their Russian counterparts the English officers valued the lives of their men, and sounded the retreat.
Back at the southside the Russian forces now even smaller and mostly on foot were engaging the British in close combat with guns and swords. As the surviving calvary reentered the city they were told to dismount and go to strenghen the line. The Russians although a tough race lacked the discipline to fight effectively and were being massacared. At twelve noon after five hours of fighting the Russians sounded the retreat, finally realising that today Leeds would not fall.
A cheer went up from the British all along the line, Over six thousand Russians and around two thousand English men had lost their lives with many more wounded.
Sadly within a week the garrison fell and the Russians captured Leeds, Two days before the fleet would have arrived.
PART 3 B Continued
The defenders quickly arranged themselves into three ranks atop the rubble of the gaping one hundred foot breach in the southern wall. Many more were on rooftops, in buildings or any place they could find that afforded the opportunity to send their foe to hell. Systematically the front rank let rip its volley and dashed back behind their comrades in the rear to reload, whilst the next rank took aim and fired. It was textbook precision, typical of the well disciplined British forces.
The Russian commanders may have had the advantage of numbers, but they lacked strategic acumen. They fell like corn to a scythe, charging headlong into a hail of musket balls and small cannon fire.
The eastern gates opened to release the eager English Calvary, there task to rout the Russian gun emplacements, and counter attack the main assault force from the flank. The initial charge of the Cossacks stalled, but the Russian cannons burst back into life decimating the ranks of defending Musketmen, seemingly though oblivious to the fact that they were also bombarding their own men.
As the English Calvary came within sight of the enemy they tried to turn the guns on them, but to no avail. They were on them in no time and as the cannon fire had now ceased, the defenders inside the city regrouped.
The Cossacks too had rallied and still around six and a half thousand strong renewed their attack against the now lessened resistance.
Meanwhile although acheiving there main objective, having destroyed the Russian cannons, the calvary came under severe fire from entrenched Russian Musketmen. Taking large casualties they were routed from the field, and could not possibly attack from the flank without running through a barrage of enemy fire.
Unlike their Russian counterparts the English officers valued the lives of their men, and sounded the retreat.
Back at the southside the Russian forces now even smaller and mostly on foot were engaging the British in close combat with guns and swords. As the surviving calvary reentered the city they were told to dismount and go to strenghen the line. The Russians although a tough race lacked the discipline to fight effectively and were being massacared. At twelve noon after five hours of fighting the Russians sounded the retreat, finally realising that today Leeds would not fall.
A cheer went up from the British all along the line, Over six thousand Russians and around two thousand English men had lost their lives with many more wounded.
Sadly within a week the garrison fell and the Russians captured Leeds, Two days before the fleet would have arrived.
Comment