But the Event will demonstrate of what Consequence the Absence or Presence of one Man may prove on great Occasions; No sooner was the Earl out of the Fort, the Care of which he had left under the Command of the Lord Charlemont (a Person of known Merit and undoubted Courage, but somewhat too flexible in his Temper) when a panick Fear (tho’ the Earl, as I have said, was only gone to take a View of the Enemy) seiz’d upon the Soldiery, which was a little too easily comply’d with by the Lord Charlemont, then commanding Officer.  True it is; for I heard an Officer, ready enough to take such Advantages, urge to him, that none of all those Posts we were become Masters of, were tenable; that to offer at it would be no better than wilfully sacrificing human Lives to Caprice and Humour; and just like a Man’s knocking his Head against Stone Walls, to try which was hardest.  Having over-heard this Piece of Lip-Oratory, and finding by the Answer that it was too likely to prevail, and that all I was like to say would avail nothing.  I slipt away as fast as I could, to acquaint the General with the Danger impending.

As I pass’d along, I took notice that the Panick was upon the Increase, the general Rumor affirming, that we should be all cut off by the Troops that were come out of Barcelona, if we did not immediately gain the Hills, or the Houses possess’d by the Miquelets.  Officers and Soldiers, under this prevailing Terror, quitted their Posts; and in one united Body (the Lord Charlemont at the Head of them) march’d, or rather hurry’d out of the Fort; and were come halfway down the Hill before the Earl of Peterborow came up to them.  Though on my acquainting him with the shameful and surprizing Accident he made no Stay, but answering, with a good deal of Vehemence, Good God, is it possible? hastened back as fast as he could.

I never thought my self happier than in this Piece of Service to my Country.  I confess I could not but value it, as having been therein more than a little instrumental in the glorious Successes which succeeded; since immediately upon this Notice from me, the Earl gallop’d up the Hill, and lighting when he came to Lord Charlemont, he took his Half-pike out of his Hand; and turning to the Officers and Soldiers, told them, if they would not face about and follow him, they should have the Scandal and eternal Infamy upon them of having deserted their Posts, and abandon’d their General.

It was surprizing to see with what Alacrity and new Courage they fac’d about and follow’d the Earl of Peterborow.  In a Moment they had forgot their Apprehensions; and, without doubt, had they met with any Opposition, they would have behav’d themselves with the greatest Bravery.  But as these Motions were unperceiv’d by the Enemy, all the Posts were regain’d, and anew possess’d in less than half an Hour, without any Loss:  Though, had our Forces march’d half Musket-shot farther, their Retreat would have been perceiv’d, and all the Success attendant on this glorious Attempt must have been intirely blasted.