As de Lescure had said, the old soldiers of Valmy and of
Jemappes were there. Men accustomed to arms, who well knew the smell of
powder, and who were prepared to contest every inch of ground before
they gave it up. These men, too, wore defensive armour, and the
Vendeans, unaccustomed to meet enemies so well prepared, were dismayed,
when they perceived that their enemies did not as usual give way before
them.
The slaughter in the trenches was tremendous: the first attack had been
made with great spirit, and about four hundred of the Vendeans were in
the camp before the murderous fire of the republicans commenced, among
these were de Lescure, Larochejaquelin, and Cathelineau; and they made
their way even to the centre of the camp; but those who had not made a
portion of the first assault, fell back by twenties and thirties under
the fire of the republicans; twice Larochejaquelin returned and nearly
cleared the top of the trenches, in order to make way for the men below
to come up; but they were frightened and intimidated; their powder was
all gone, and they perceived that their first attempt had failed; their
friends and comrades were falling on every side of them; and, after a
while, they retreated from the trenches beyond reach of musket shot.
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